Monthly Archives: August 2010

Triumph Sprint STealth – White Van saga now closed

I have replaced my “White Van” Sprint ST with this black beauty:

Sprint STealth

I have had three Tornado Red Sprints over the last 4 years and decided to go for something a little different. Black was only available for two years (1999-2000) and although you see them around, this one lived in Kent and had only 9,955 miles on the clock with a full service history, MOTs, the lot.

I rode it home through what the weathermen had warned as a “severe weather warning” – it was certainly severe; picking your way between/around the standing water on the M2 and M20.

Funny thing is, by the time I got to the M25/M3 junction, the sun was shining and there hadn’t seemed to have been any rain all day.

I have fitted the SW Motech Rack and Givi box and the TOR race can and my local dealer has checked the current map (well out of date) and uploaded the TOR map.

Jobs to do:

Front brake is soft and squeals – suspect pad contamination as the previous owner kept the bike well sprayed with WD40 to protect against corrosion
Fit heated grips (no rush)
Fit Givi touring screen and bar risers (again, no rush as this one seems perfectly comfortable as it is)
Fit rear fender extender

Done the rear fender extender and the front brake. Now I’m filthy. How is it that servicing brakes is such a dirty job?

Honda CB175 K6

9 Replies

I have written a lot about modern bikes recently, so let’s go back to the 70’s.

The Honda CB175 was my “step up” from the CB125S that I learned to ride on (and passed my test on (in 1974…). As a twin with twin carbs, it was the sporty side of Honda that was a reflection of the cooking CD175 commuter.

The CB175 had a 360° engine, meaning that the two pistons went up and down together and had a very smooth firing order. Given a decent exhaust, the engine “roared”! [The later CB250 had a 180° twin with the pistons in opposition. This gave better primary balance but an offset firing sequence which gave those models their off-beat exhaust sound.]

This one is a K6 and has been in the family for the last 5 years. I’ve just sold it to a guy from the Honda Owners Club who wants to do a proper resto on it.

This is really just an excuse to post these pictures…

This was my K4 in 1976. I did many miles on this bike. It had Dunstall Decibel silencers (there’s an oxymoron if ever there was one!)

Here’s the K6

Triumph Sprint 1050 GT

At last.

New job notwithstanding – I’ve finally managed to get a decent ride on the GT.

As I’m riding a Bandit at the moment and was to lead the Bulldog RAT ride-out to Newlands Corner, Box-Hill and Loomies today, I borrowed the GT for the day…

What a bike!

145 mile test ride:

Good bits:

Felt instantly at home (see my review of K1300S for similar comment)
Very comfy
No wind buffeting
Feels faster than the ST (?)
Like the black bars and yoke (makes a change from alloy)

“Maybe” bits:

Needs a can – you can hear the engine whistling but not the exhaust
Speedo is a bit small and difficult to read at a glance
Seat a bit suspect after 145 miles

If I had £9k would I buy one?

Yes.