T160 it is so damn heavy

Flatspot

Flatspot

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I thought I’d finished working on the Trident and got it off the ramp, and what a struggle that was, it only wanted to slide across the surface. Finally I managed it and wheeled it outside so I could start it up and actually listen to it running properly.

Fine, I got the Commando out,
T160 it is so damn heavy
T160 it is so damn heavy
and that as usual started first prod of the starter button and quickly settled down to a nice idle.

So, to the Trident, fuel on, tickled, ignition on, thumbed the button and it refuses to fire up. Oh buggerit I need to check what I’ve done to the ignition system as it was working the last time I checked.

But now to the real problem. I can not get it up into the centrestand. It’s a heavy bike granted, but I’ve had heavier, and none so awkward. Yes, I do have a lifting handle fitted - but it is beyond me to lift it. Perhaps as a consequence of my recent heart attack I’m losing strength - but the Commando pops up like a dream.

Is there a knack, or am I just too knackered?
 
Flatspot said:
I thought I’d finished working on the Trident and got it off the ramp, and what a struggle that was, it only wanted to slide across the surface. Finally I managed it and wheeled it outside so I could start it up and actually listen to it running properly.

Fine, I got the Commando out, View attachment 85953View attachment 85954and that as usual started first prod of the starter button and quickly settled down to a nice idle.

So, to the Trident, fuel on, tickled, ignition on, thumbed the button and it refuses to fire up. Oh buggerit I need to check what I’ve done to the ignition system as it was working the last time I checked.

But now to the real problem. I can not get it up into the centrestand. It’s a heavy bike granted, but I’ve had heavier, and none so awkward. Yes, I do have a lifting handle fitted - but it is beyond me to lift it. Perhaps as a consequence of my recent heart attack I’m losing strength - but the Commando pops up like a dream.

Is there a knack, or am I just too knackered?
Click to expand...
What's a "centre stand" ???? ;) ;)
 
Joking aside the t160 is a bloody heavy bike
I struggle to get mine on the centre stand and I don't know of any knack with these
Do you have a 19" wheel on the back?
I'm sure a northy chassis kit would be a bit lighter? ,it keeps crossing my mind!!
 
Are the shocks 12.9"/ 327mm between centres?

What is the centre stand pivot to foot measurement?
 
Since the Commando MKIII weights a little more than the T160, it must be a matter of technique and or geometry. For all Commandos, I face the bike, stand on the center stand lever with my right foot and lift the frame with my right hand at the same time. For Tridents, I stand facing forward, right foot on the center stand lever and lift with my right hand while pushing down on the center stand lever. The Trident seems a little harder but I believe that's the geometry of the center stand lever and the height of what I'm grabbing with my right hand.

I'm sure your height, weight, arm length, etc. matters. I'm heavy, 6'1", long arms, short legs (wow! That sounds like a gorilla).
 
marshg246 said:
Since the Commando MKIII weights a little more than the T160, it must be a matter of technique and or geometry. For all Commandos, I face the bike, stand on the center stand lever with my right foot and lift the frame with my right hand at the same time. For Tridents, I stand facing forward, right foot on the center stand lever and lift with my right hand while pushing down on the center stand lever. The Trident seems a little harder but I believe that's the geometry of the center stand lever and the height of what I'm grabbing with my right hand.

I'm sure your height, weight, arm length, etc. matters. I'm heavy, 6'1", long arms, short legs (wow! That sounds like a gorilla).
Click to expand...
Can't imagine a MK3 commando being as heavy as a t160?
 
L.A.B. said:
No, it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm looking the wrong places. Motorcycle Classics has the MKIII at 235kg (wet) and the T160 as 228kg (dry). Norton WS 00-4224 has Roadster at 211kg (dry?) and Interstate as 215kg (dry?). Triumph WS 00-4225 has the T160 at 228kg (dry?)

I guess I should have said that they weigh about the same.
 
L.A.B. said:
No, not even about the same. As an owner of both models, the T160 is quite a bit heavier than the Mk3.
Click to expand...

Fine to tell me I'm wrong - specifics please. If we're going by feel, my MK2A feels a lot heavier than my T150V while riding or pushing and it feels a little lighter when putting on the center stand.
 
L.A.B. said:
I don't need a set of scales to tell me my T160 is significantly heavier than my Mk3, however, here are the kerb weights from the same road test.
www.yeoldecycleshoppe.com

1975 Triumph Trident & Norton Commando road test — Ye Olde Cycle Shoppe

www.yeoldecycleshoppe.com www.yeoldecycleshoppe.com
T160 = 522 lb., Mk3 = 474 lb.
T160 it is so damn heavy
Click to expand...
OK, most sources disagree and yours is the only one that lists them together, so I stand corrected by your evidence. I no longer have a T160 and MKIII to weight and there's no point in weighing a MKII and T150V for this discussion.
 
Having moved both of them this morning, and they both wear the same new tyres, I am adamant the Commando is a lightweight in comparison, or maybe the brakes are binding on the Triumph. Both on 19” wheels.

I‘ll get the tape measure out again tomorrow when I get a chance and do some measuring.
 
EstuaryBoy said:
'Powerchoice' brochure from NT gives dry as: 466 against 503.
Click to expand...
Everywhere I look the T160 dry is 502 or 503 and a gallon of gas is about 6. How a gallon of gas got it to 522 I have no clue. Interestingly, the Commando, assuming Roadster would weight what they say with a gallon of gas according to the manual. Also interesting that this could have the weight so wrong or the owner added a lot of weight some where:

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/...hur/?msclkid=c182315da88211ec9fefac58a07236c5
 
marshg246 said:
Everywhere I look the T160 dry is 502 or 503 and a gallon of gas is about 6. How a gallon of gas got it to 522 I have no clue.
Click to expand...

Kerb weight includes all fluids.

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"Dry Weight:

When the bike is manufactured on the assembly it does not have absolutely any kind of fluids in it. It is totally dry containing nothing but metal and fiber and plastics and that’s all. It is the most basic weight of the bike during assembly but it is not usable yet. After adding all the fluids the weight of the bike will vary, but the basic dry weight of the bike is never going to change at all.

Kerb/Wet Weight:

Kerb weight refers to the weight of the bike in a ride ready state. It means it has all the fluids in the right places and it is really to be ridden at the moment go. The list of fluids in the bike is as follows:

  • Engine Oil
  • Brake Oil
  • Gear Oil
  • Fork Oil
  • Coolant (If present)
  • Gasoline/Petrol "
www.revzilla.com

How much does your motorcycle weigh? - RevZilla

It's a little more complicated than you'd think.
www.revzilla.com www.revzilla.com
"Dry weight is what the bike weighs without fluids. That's without gas, oil, coolant, final drive fluid, or sometimes even the brake fluid and battery! Wet weight is measured with some or all of the fluids in the bike."

And an Imperial gallon weighs approximately 1.3 lbs. more than a US gallon. ;)
 
Last edited:
L.A.B. said:
Kerb weight includes all fluids.

Bikes Reviews, New Bikes, Old Bikes, Bike Prices & Images in India

The only Indian bikes site that has detailed information about almost every two-wheeler ever sold in Indian market. This includes their technical specifications, comparisions, news, expert reviews and users reviews.
www.bikesmedia.in www.bikesmedia.in
"Dry Weight:

When the bike is manufactured on the assembly it does not have absolutely any kind of fluids in it. It is totally dry containing nothing but metal and fiber and plastics and that’s all. It is the most basic weight of the bike during assembly but it is not usable yet. After adding all the fluids the weight of the bike will vary, but the basic dry weight of the bike is never going to change at all.

Kerb/Wet Weight:

Kerb weight refers to the weight of the bike in a ride ready state. It means it has all the fluids in the right places and it is really to be ridden at the moment go. The list of fluids in the bike is as follows:

  • Engine Oil
  • Brake Oil
  • Gear Oil
  • Fork Oil
  • Coolant (If present)
  • Gasoline/Petrol "
www.revzilla.com

How much does your motorcycle weigh? - RevZilla

It's a little more complicated than you'd think.
www.revzilla.com www.revzilla.com
"Dry weight is what the bike weighs without fluids. That's without gas, oil, coolant, final drive fluid, or sometimes even the brake fluid and battery! Wet weight is measured with some or all of the fluids in the bike."

And an Imperial gallon weighs approximately 1.3 lbs. more than a US gallon. ;)
Click to expand...
All agreed - then what you showed under reported the Commando and got the Trident correct assuming the workshop manuals don't lie.

Les, come on, take the win and excuse me for saying more than what I consider to be the knack of getting each on the center stand.
 
Flatspot said:
Having moved both of them this morning, and they both wear the same new tyres, I am adamant the Commando is a lightweight in comparison, or maybe the brakes are binding on the Triumph. Both on 19” wheels.

I‘ll get the tape measure out again tomorrow when I get a chance and do some measuring.
Click to expand...

You'll get used to the weight after 40 years :)
 
Fast Eddie said:
The interstate had a big tank. If it’s 5 gallons then the difference between 1 gallon and full is around 36lbs. 36lbs of unstable weight perched right on top of the bike is gonna make itself felt.
Click to expand...

Contrary to what's listed in the T160 Owners Handbook etc., the "4.5"(Imp.) gallon/"20.5" ltr. home market tank capacity is over 5 (approx. 5.5 Imp?) gallons.

The US/Export "2.5" (Imp.)gallon/"11.5" ltr. tank capacity is also a little over 3.5 Imp. gallons.
 

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