Lowering front suspension

After riding my renovated Hinckley Triumph for a few weeks now, I'm forming a better impression of how it behaves on the road in various conditions: wet, dry, dual carriage ways, A-road and B-roads. Compared to my 900, the 1200 Trophy provides a much smoother and roomier ride. The power is delivered with less vibration, the bars are more upright, and the suspension rides over ripples and bumps more evenly.

The power builds more slowly at first but gets exponentially stronger with a noticeable woosh between 3500 and 4000. At 6000, the engine note takes on a harsher edge, vibration intrudes and the whole world seems to go into reverse. The bike is supremely stable at all times. However, the steering is noticeably slow compared to my Daytona. The effect is a swoopy bend swinging experience that adds to the sense of smoothness. I could wax lyrical Jaguar style: grace, pace and space.

I thought I'd experiment with the degree of fork pull-through. The effect of more pull-through would be to marginally change a number of things that can influence the steering. It will reduce the front ride height, lower the center of gravity, steepen the steering angle, reduce the trail, and I'm pitch me further forward an inch. This should make the bike respond more quickly to steering input. Triumph list a range of pull-through settings for different T300 models. They are measured from flush with the top yoke face to the top of the steel fork tube, just below the fork top nut:

• Trophy, Trident & Sprint to      VIN 29155: 25mm
• Trophy, Trident & Sprint from VIN 29156: 20mm
• Daytona & Speed Triple to       VIN 29155: 28mm
• Daytona & Speed Triple from  VIN 29156: 0mm (flush)

I had already allowed an additional 10mm (total 35mm) of pull-through to compensate for the fact that I'd installed 20% stiffer springs. I'd calculated that the difference in spring rates would mean so doing would maintain approximately the standard ride height. So this time, I pulled the forks through an additional 14mm (24mm), or just under and inch in total above the base figure.

Although as I say such a change will result in a very small difference in each of the relevant parameters, the nett effect can be noticeable. Would it be for me?

The answer is yes. I'm afraid it is still a case of impressions rather than hard data but I'd say my Trophy 1200 feels very very similar to the Daytona 900 like this. There is no hint of delay now between input at the steering and effect on the machine. Dropping the front by an inch means the seat is about half an inch lower. Although it means my hands are an inch lower, the angle of hands to forearms, shoulders etc. is unchanged. The ride feels that bit more direct.

Some issues to be aware of:

1. it is much harder to get the bike onto its center stand now. Far harder. Herniating, I shouldn't wonder.
2. the belly pan is an inch closer to the road - sleeping policemen must be treated with caution, bumping up curbs is totally out (a good thing not to be tempted to do). 
3. the steering is more sensitive to running over cats eyes now. 

 I can live with all of these things for now.