 Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Any recommendations on a shock spanner/wrench for adjusting preload on the back OEM shocks?
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Triumph actually makes a tool for adjusting the rear shocks. It has a part number and is cheap (less than $4.). The part number is T2300995. You could get a dealer to order if they don't have one.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Or you could just stick an appropriate size allen wrench in the hole and give it a twist while lifting on the fender.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
Or you could just stick an appropriate size allen wrench in the hole and give it a twist while lifting on the fender.
I like it... 
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Or you could buy a set of these  which come with a spanner 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
That's on my to do list...not sure if they will be Hagons, Ikons, or PS440's... 
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
"Or you could just stick an appropriate size allen wrench in the hole and give it a twist while lifting on the fender"
+1
You can almost turn the thing by hand. The little bit of added leverage using an allen wrench gets er done every time.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 691
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 691 |
Cut the threaded end off of a 1/4 inch by 6 or 8 inch bolt. 50 cents and works fine.
--Tom
02 TBA; 130 mains; TBS; Nology Coils&Wires;Unifilter/opened Airbox; -AI/snorkels; -2 baffles;Progressive 440s & Springs
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Quote:
Or you could just stick an appropriate size allen wrench in the hole and give it a twist while lifting on the fender.
My personal favorite.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2 |
So why didn't Triumph include it? FOr 8 grand the b***ards should have made a real Road Tool kit a standard accessory. (I think it shows a corporate mindset that puts sales numbers over customer satisfaction.) Truth is, I've not been truly happy with the Bonneville America; never got a road test from the dealer and now I hate the forward controls, raked-out front wheel and uncomfortable seat - not to mention the stock 'sewing machine" sound from the silencers. Dealer basically shrugged it off and has done nothing to make me happier.
Give me a Meridian Bonneville anyday, even with its many 'issues'.
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Wrong side of the bed? 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 512
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 512 |
Quote:
So why didn't Triumph include it? FOr 8 grand the b***ards should have made a real Road Tool kit a standard accessory. (I think it shows a corporate mindset that puts sales numbers over customer satisfaction.) Truth is, I've not been truly happy with the Bonneville America; never got a road test from the dealer and now I hate the forward controls, raked-out front wheel and uncomfortable seat - not to mention the stock 'sewing machine" sound from the silencers. Dealer basically shrugged it off and has done nothing to make me happier.
Give me a Meridian Bonneville anyday, even with its many 'issues'.
The forwards take a bit to get used to but I've heard more riders say they like them over those who don't. I encourage you to play with their settings...it took a bit for me to get them where I wanted. If you REALLY wanna be comfy-buy the oem floorboards. They are AWESOME.
MOST dealers in this area won't allow demo rides either. Triumph actually pushes the dealers to allow demo rides. It's part of their policy. They get on the dealers allot about it. Mention it in your ownership questionaire when you get it.
ALL stock bikes have similiar sounding mufflers. Our bikes DO have a noisey valve train but there are MANY bikes that are just as noisey.....easy fix-get a set of aftermarket pipes. At LEAST Triumph offers a set of their OWN. You can't say that for too many others.
Seat- ya, well I have never owned a bike that I didn't have to change the seat. I thought the stock seat on the SM was actually pretty good. It was firm but for me, I was able to ride MUCH longer then on other stock seats.
I went Corbin because I ride 2 up a bunch.
-Tony
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Well said Tony but the reality is if the bike doesn't fit/suit you it can't be accessorized into compliance.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 512
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 512 |
-Tony
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 45
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 45 |
Quote:
MOST dealers in this area won't allow demo rides either. Triumph actually pushes the dealers to allow demo rides. It's part of their policy. They get on the dealers allot about it. Mention it in your ownership questionaire when you get it.
Now THAT scares me..... no demo ride? I'm unaware of a dealership around these parts who won't allow a demo ride although 'some' insist on swiping a credit card for a value of between £400 - £800 to cover their insurance excess should you 'prang' the bike....fully refundable on the safe return of the bike.
Is that the same policy when buying a car over there?
Ian
If at first you don't succeed....lower your standards!!
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
Quote:
Quote:
MOST dealers in this area won't allow demo rides either. Triumph actually pushes the dealers to allow demo rides. It's part of their policy. They get on the dealers allot about it. Mention it in your ownership questionaire when you get it.
Now THAT scares me..... no demo ride? I'm unaware of a dealership around these parts who won't allow a demo ride although 'some' insist on swiping a credit card for a value of between £400 - £800 to cover their insurance excess should you 'prang' the bike....fully refundable on the safe return of the bike.
Is that the same policy when buying a car over there?
Ian
definitly different for the bikes, insurance and liability are the two issues I've heard, The car dealer..... will do anything to get you in for a test ride, last one, gave me the truck for the night to test ride if I wanted.... 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Quote:
Now THAT scares me..... no demo ride? I'm unaware of a dealership around these parts who won't allow a demo ride
my local dealer would give me a demo ride......just they don't have an America or a Speedie for a demo.... they did have when I bought the 03, but I couldn't demo ride as I didn't have a licence!!
The world's best dealer - near my parents - do have and while I haven't asked them to test ride, I did ask if I could sit on a new Speedie to compare tanks... which they were more than happy for me to do so.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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 Shock Spanner
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807 |
I *did* have a test ride. Unfamiliar bike, unknown roads, never ridden a cruiser, not ridden for 5 years prior. I wobbled it 10 miles, having to look at the pegs to find them each time and it took me a lot to stop myself ringing the dealer and asking him to pick me up. In short, I hated it. ...but I wasn't gonna let a dodgy test-ride stop me getting a bike I'd wanted for years!!! Fast forward 12 months: try getting me off it!!!! 
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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OP
Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
I tried a 5.5 mm allen wrench on the OEM shocks & it worked just fine.
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 Re: Shock Spanner
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,026 |
Looks like there may be a America with low mileage for sale...
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.----Thomas Jefferson
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