America Yet Another Modification

Discussion in 'America, Speedmaster & Rocket' started by SUPERGRANDAD, Aug 7, 2017.

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  1. SUPERGRANDAD

    SUPERGRANDAD Noble Member

    Jun 10, 2017
    352
    313
    Woodbridge Suffolk
    OK here we go, yet another thread from me; well having posted how pleased I am with my America and posted the mods undertaken to make the bike my own, I have gone a step further which might interest some of you. Especially those of you who expressed concerns over lack of confidence in the front end.

    In my 50 years of motorcycling I have ridden competitively in trials in the North West of England undertaken many many miles of touring taken part in Transponder testing on the Isle of Man, ridden a few track days, including Misano at World Ducati Week, rebuilt a good few bikes; I have also modified a few bikes for the track which included having to have a good understanding of suspension.

    So here we go with my latest modification. Having been out and about just lately and now in a position to evaluate the bikes handling (which is to my surprise quite good), I found yesterday when out with my nephew on his Ducati that my bike did not easily drop into corners and had to be driven or slightly steered more than I would have liked, plus the bike did not track nicely around the corner. It was not a nice easy flow. So having brought the bike home I knew that I could improve that by adjusting the forks. This morning I decided to give it a go. You will most likely have seen or know that some bikes front forks have rings of adjustment above the top yoke. Dropping the front (moving the forks upward increases turn in and tracking) is what I wanted to do. Well the America has no rings and the book tells us the standard setting is with the fork tube level with the top yoke and to be truthful it is quite good but not quite right. (Not for me). So I have lowered my yoke or, if you like, lifted my forks 3 mm. Dropped the front end. I have been out on the bike and for me it is a transformation, the bike does exactly what I expected. So I am very pleased.

    I have also to report that 32 lbs is perfect for the front tyre pressure. The front end now has very positive feedback and the bike is more of a pleasure to ride.

    So how to do it, nothing difficult but a bit of care needed. I have fitted a centre stand which makes maintenance easier certainly for the back wheel, chain adjustment etc. So place bike on stand. Loosen the pinch bolts on 1 fork leg only, but not that loose that the fork leg could drop through. It needs a little friction or grab if that explains it. Take a piece of wood 2x2 as a soft drive and place against the mudguard bracket fixings on the fork tube. You now need a good heavy hammer, I use a copper hammer. Now drive this piece of 2x2 upwards with a good solid blow to start the fork leg moving. Be careful not to over drift the leg, I use a Vernier to measure the distance moved. I think it might take a few taps to slowly reach the desired measurement. I have moved mine 3 mm. Tighten the pinch bolts and repeat on other side.

    So there you have it, my latest modification. It works for me.

    Ride safe all Ken. Need to chat drop me a line.
    I have attached pics of my bike and example of the adjustment rings found on some bikes.

    Fork leg Distance.jpg

    Example of rings.jpg
     
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  2. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    I did this to my speedmaster....5mm and I'm still not happy with the steering :(
    It's better but I think it should be better still
    At the moment I'm stuck on metzeller tyres and can't wait to change them for Avons when funds allow :p
    Yesterday I rode 2hrs back from the Yorkshire pudding rally and I lubed the chain while it was still hot
    Spinning the back wheel with my bare hand...the tyre was very hot but smooth to the touch with no stickyness....they've got to go :confused:
     
  3. SUPERGRANDAD

    SUPERGRANDAD Noble Member

    Jun 10, 2017
    352
    313
    Woodbridge Suffolk
    I can understand your comments, tyres can an do make a big change. I have the Metz as the standard they seem to work ok for me.
    I have tried a few pressure settings now and they are critical to the bike more on this bike than any other I have owned.
    I have now settled for the front 32 and 42 rear, mostly 2 up, but would go to 30 front an 40 rear if mostly ridden 1 up.
    Interesting the Haynes manual says 30 psi.
    Ken.
     
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  4. Dougsbike

    Dougsbike New Member

    Aug 23, 2017
    7
    3
    Dunstable
    Hi, can I ask where you got the main stand from for the America?
     
  5. SUPERGRANDAD

    SUPERGRANDAD Noble Member

    Jun 10, 2017
    352
    313
    Woodbridge Suffolk
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  6. Dougsbike

    Dougsbike New Member

    Aug 23, 2017
    7
    3
    Dunstable
    Thanks for the info Ken will look into that.
     
  7. BIG AL

    BIG AL Guest

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  8. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    I've had a go at my Triumph America to move the forks up to make it 3mm and they won't move so I had to to give up and tighten the bolts up again. I thought it must be that rubber seal near the top that prevented it from moving. ???
     
  9. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    493
    113
    Uk
    I've had several if these.
    They're nice bikes but in my humble, the market n handling issue is cheap suspension units.
    I'd rather upgrade these personally.
    Maybe you've already done that?
     
  10. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    493
    113
    Uk
    Sorry...my keyboard declared UDI.
    The ' main issue' I meant to say.
     
  11. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    It's the first America I've had and no I haven't done an upgrade. I went for a good ride today. It was actually dry.!! Actually like most things you have to use it for a while to get used to the quirks.
     
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  12. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    It's the first America I've had and no I haven't done an upgrade. I went for a good ride today. It was actually dry.!! Actually like most things you have to use it for a while to get used to the quirks.
     
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  13. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
     
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  14. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    Does anybody know how I can raise the front forks up to 3-5mm as I'm unable to move them .
     
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  15. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    I tapped mine up using a big hammer and a block of wood :)
     
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  16. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    Yes I tried that thanks. It still seems it's that rubber ring at the top that is stopping the forks move . I've even undone the pinch bolt till it was loose..!
     
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  17. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    If you’ve undone the the top and bottom fork clamps they should move up with some gentle or not so gentle persuasion :p
    I take it the rubber ring you refer to is the one on the fork shroud :confused:
    try tapping it down and maybe squirting a bit of lube on it :)
     
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  18. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    Thanks for your input. Yes I've undone the fork clamps top n bottom. The bottom meaning what holds the mudguard on.? I haven't tried tapping the fork shroud rubber ring or putting a spot of lubricant on it. I shall try that very soon, when I can. Will get back to you.
     
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  19. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    @Dave Boston this is what I mean by top and bottom clamps for the forks they also get called yokes or triple trees :)
    Hope I haven’t insulted you :confused:
    It’s just your post mentions the bottom being where the mudguard is :confused: 542B4DB7-93BB-421E-AA43-5725A4052315.jpeg
     
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  20. Dave Boston

    Dave Boston New Member

    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    3
    Evesham, Worcs
    You haven't insulted me. I've gone to the garage and looked. I can't believe I was so stupid. Well perhaps I can.! Oh dear. I'll have another go tomorrow and get back to you. You are very good at replying . A fine man.
     
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