I’ve had Hinkley Triumphs since 1997 (900 Trident, 1200 Daytona and T595 Daytona), I then brought my first R111, a 2004 year bike in 2007. I moved her on in 2017 after 10 years and got a 1700 Thunderbird Storm. Had that till October 2023 and got a Yamaha Royal Star Venture 1300, but neither were a substitute for a R111! Yes you could chuck the Storm around easier and the Yamaha was very comfortable, but once you’ve experienced a Rocket there’s no substitute.
Late November last year, my current Classic came home. I’ve just spent the last couple of months slowly going through her. Just making sure everything is okay. I believe the bike hasn’t been garaged much for a 15 year old bike, for under the fuel tank, side panels and seat was goping! I actually had to use a vacuum and a paint brush to get rid of it. 5 out of 8 caliper pistons were badly pitted. So all were replaced, it had a set of Touring bars fitted, so off with them and fitted standard ones.
Dave Platt exhaust purchased and fitted as the original silencers were rotten and where the pipes joined the collector box, all the welds had split open, I was given a large K&N under tank filter, so that went on. And in two weeks onto the Rolling Road we go, to get the lamer Sensor switched off and the ECU a decent programme.
ps I’m also coming to the end of rebuilding a 1972 OIF BSA A65 Thunderbolt.