Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Hi my name is Gary and I'm a TBAholic.......

As some may know (or not) I picked up a used 2002 TBA from a member here. The bike had sat for two years, so I was informed. Anywho.... I got to ride it twice before the frigid temps sat in... It needed a thorough cleaning and I did not like the bars and decided that they had to go...

My talent level is a 8 out of 10 when it comes to all things with motors.... I can do a most simple things but know when to take it to the pros...

Where am in this process...

Well, in addition to picking up the stock bars and risers I have invested in the AI kit, paint, buffing tidbits and more.. The bike is in many many pieces right now, scattered about my garage. I have painted the peg hangers and sprocket cover. I just finished a re-route of the throttle cables and a deep clean of the chain and rear sprocket...
I ordered the blu away with buffing pad (which is in at the local Honda shop) and the pipes/headers are off. I will be doing those next. I have a seat swap in the works. I have to deep clean the spokes(I hate spokes but they do look nice when clean) I want to repaint her an aztek orange and am saving for bags and shield...

The thing that struck me tonight is how easy this bike is to work on. I can, for the most, part get to everything. Not like the yami or vic... They can be monsters.

The tinkering is akin to therapy! It's been an adventure without going anywhere... I am enjoying my time working on this thing... and I don't even have a manual...


New things I notice... (advice appreciated):
Chain tension seems loose.. How to adjust....
I want to get the front turns off the bars and onto the forks... Any inexpensive alternatives? Fork brackets???
What is the thread size for the bar end cap screws, anyone have two lying around?

Finally,
Do I need help? My wife seems to think so...

Welcome to the fold, Gary! Sounds like by the time you're done puttin' that baby back together that talent level o' yours will be pushin' 9 out of 10.(at least on the TBA, anyway)

Congrats on your purchase, and if in the future you find you may have any questions or comments for us, feel free to post 'em around here anytime.

First cancel the order on the BluAway, blue pipes give the bike class, it shows its been ridden.

For the turn signals, Kurykan(sp) sells a mirror with turn signals built into them. I had a set on mine, but took them off cause I am milling out little ovals in my upper tripple tree to put led turn signlas in there like on a Pro One front end.

Cant help you with the thread size I dont have factory grips on mine.

The cain should have a total of 1/2 a inch total slick in it. loosen the rear axle nut, and turn the 2 8mm adjusting screws located on the rear of the swing arm to either tighten or loosen the chain.

be sure to check the chain when it's down on the kick stand not on a jack or block or anything and move the rear wheel and check in a few spots and the tightest should be 1/2" of play. Thats a loose 1/2" not really tight but can still force it 1/2"

Oh and welcome to the club and be sure to join in the blather, if you can't blather Dwight can help you. I'm not very good at it but been meaning to learn.

Bike Bandit lists the bar end cap screws as:SCREW,CSK,SKT,M5X0.8X30,S/S $1.30/ea.

As far as the front turn signals a few members have moved them down to the light bar(not sure if you have one), others have bought new ones that mount on the forks, and another option I've seen on here is mounting them on th fork tubes with clamps. Search the photo section for some ideas.
Welcome to the board and thanks again for the parts,

Hi Gary. There are tons of info on this forum for just about anything you might want to do to your bike. You mentioned putting bags on your bike. I found some hard bags at newspeedmaster.com that were priced right but it took about 6-8 weeks for them to come in. Also I found crash bar that took about 5 mos to come. However, both items were worth the wait and look great on my bike. My point is, if you want something for spring or summer be sure to take note ofe the shipping time.

I love the wire wheels. Yes, they are a pain to detail and you have to use inner tubes, but they do look so good. 06 was the last year the America came with wire wheels. We live in an aloy world from now on.

Well, happy ridin'

Welcome to BA.COM. It sounds like you're well on your way to getting your bike ready for riding season.

Hello Gary, my name is John

jh

If you don't have the owners manual in your hand, check the 'secret compartment door' at the bottom rear of the pillion seat, that's where it normally goes. The directions for chain adjustment in the book are very good.

Also, along with bike related projects, I recommend a fan and a seat mounted on a sawhorse to help get through the winter.

GB, an America is a nice stable mate for your KP. Enjoy & ride safe.

Welcome Gary, if you haven't got the Triumph manual, I would suggest the Haynes, cheap enough especially if you are working on the motor.

These here threads are a wealth of information, so sick back with a BEER and read, read, read.

Beer is therapy.. right?

At least it works for me...

Picked up chain lube, blu buster and some super fine steel wool today... Printed out the AI removal instructions complete with picks from anither thread her.. AI kit is here on my desk... Snowing like the beejeebers out there right now but it's getting late...

Will get back to all of this after our snowmobiling/skiing weekend...

Later all,

gb

H i Gary welcome to the group remember we are here to help you. You've made the 1st step my admitting you have an addiction to the motorcycle. It's OK you're among friends

Hi Gary, my name is Rich. I am also a non-recovering TBAholic. I've only had this sickness about a year now, although I can trace my first addiction to "gateway", older Triumphs. Nobody tried to stop me from riding Triumphs, not even my HD friends, who are also addicts with their own user problems. Although the withdrawel symptoms a lot of us users suffer in the winter months are painful, polishing and altering your bike can be methadone like. It is, of course, very theraputic to come on this site and commiserate with us fellow poor souls, although shaky hands can mess up the spelling sometimes. Welcome , and try to hold on! (to the handlebars, of course!)