Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech New Speedmaster rider needs help.

Hi everyone.
I am new to “posting” but have been monitoring the website for about six months, lots of good stuff.
I have a 2005 Triumph Speedmaster, and could use some help.
The last Triumph I rode was a Bonnie back in 1979.
I have been riding Harley’s for about the last 20 years. The last one was a1550cc Road King, lots of power and really smoothed out the pot holes. I wanted a lighter more agile bike at my age (69.)
It is really taking a lot of getting used to my Speedmaster.
I only have 450 mi on it so far, but I have some questions.
The bike is smooth and nice to ride in 5th gear at about 45MPH, but when I get it up to 55 to 65 it buzzes like crazy. Any ideas?

Also, there appears to be a black cylinder about 3 inches in diameter mounted horizontally from side to side just behind the oil filter. I have checked the Service manual and can’t figure out what it is. Is it perhaps some smog device special for California?
I know I will have many more questions as time goes on.
Thanks for your help?
Larry

Welcome!
The buzzing could be a misalignment of the wheels or an adjustment to the chain. There is a really good buzz remover (not related to the X wife, she was a buzz killer too )
Speedmaster Vibration Removing System

The black cylinder gizmo is part fo the AI and California emission system. Get them suckers out of there. Do a search for the CA emission and you'll find destructions on how to remove the Ca versions.

I hope you have a good limit on the credit card. Wait till you peruse Brent's site awhile. Hide the checkbook from yourself too.

That cylinder is part of the CA emissions stuff. You'll find that you have hoses connected to the vacuum ports on the carbs and these lead to other parts of the system. There should be a schematic on the back of your side cover that shows the connections made by the equipment.

Not sure what the buzz is from, I don't normally hit 5th until I reach 70-75 and shift down to 4th if I get lower than 60-65. I didn't start doing it regularly until after May this year (GA rally) but I normally keep my bike in the 4000-5000 rpm range and it loves it.

The 2 black cylinders (1 is harder to see, but it's there) are the volatile vapor collection system. It has no effect on the bikes performance. It may give you a slight increase in gas milage because you get to burn the gas that would otherwise go floating off down the vent lines as vapor on warm west coast days.

As for the buzz, take it back to the dealer and complain a lot untill they work on it. It could be that they did something wrong during the dealer assembly. I have an America that doesn't do that, but those are geared differently and have different handlebars, wheels and seat.
To narrow it down a bit, try running it up to 45 - 50 in fourth gear and see if the buzz starts earlier on. If not, a tight chain adjustment or something in the rims is likely. If it does, carb balance and engine mounts should be checked.
Or, it may just be begging you to spring for some aftermarket pipes that are less stealthy than stock.

definatly something wrong there. i have the 05 too and it's smooth as butter from 0 to the highest i've been which is 95. i would take it to the dealer and i'm sure they can find the problem which is probably something that was setup badly as has been suggested.

if you don't mind spending some $ on accessories, get yourself a set of Thunderbike pipes and some good fork springs and rear shocks. These bikes really love that stuff and you'll find the bike will be much better in all respects. Those 3 things are the only places where triumph dropped the ball on this bike. the pipes will really make it sound like it should, and the shocks and springs will make the bike ride and handle a lot better. Enjoy the speedy.....i love mine beyond words.

Thanks Guy's for the suggestions. I will first give the bike a test in fourth gear and try to be more precise in the description of the problem. The worst buzz is in the chrome trim ring that I had added to the back of the seat. I leaned back in the saddle and actually jumped when my butt came in contact with the ring, it was buzzing that badly.
I will also ck. out the CA emissions junk. The bike is really disappointing me as it is. I thought the dealer had taken care of it b4 I picked it up. It really feels like it is struggeling to get moving.

I will also change the shocks and fork springs.
I have already changed the handle bars and that was a good move.
I really do appreciate this website for all the help available.
Thanks
Larry

Be a little patient, you'll get it squared away. It is disappointing though that an official factory sponsored Triumph dealer cannot take the time or care to be sure it is 110% before delivering a bike. Just sloppy and not acceptable. But you have also learned to seek a new dealer out now too.

Larry, I've been very pleased with my 2004 Speedmaster, excellent performance and none of the problems you describe. (except for the CA emissions stuff)
Where did you buy your bike? I bought mine at Orange County Triumph in Santa Ana. They did a first rate job setting it up. I haven't had to take it back in the one and a half years and 12000 miles that I've had it.

these bikes like to rev quite a bit more than harleys...tach it up to about 6 grand and dump the clutch...you'll get moving...lol...

Put Thunderbike pipes on it and remove the snorkel. You'll have a much improved sound and you'll gain i would say probably a good 6-8 HP. Bike will move on in a much more hurried fashion. After those changes mine is a whole new bike. as for the vibration, like i said before theres gotta be something going on there because mine is smooth as butter. Even the mirrors are quite usable unlike most bike i've had. I really hate to see anyone being disappointed with the speedmaster because i feel when it's running right and the proper mods for YOU are done, the bike shouldn't be a dissapointment at all unless you're looking for Rocket III performance. And in that case thats what you should have bought.

Hi Guys,
I just looked at the date of my last post. Couldn't believe I have been gone so long.
I now have almost 800mi. on the Speedm and am enjoying more each time I ride. Tomorrow it's off to Julian for apple pie with some friends.

I finally got my bike back from the dealer, who's shall remain nameless so I can talk abt. them.

I will never go there again.
I have the Triumph off road pipes on the bike, are the Thunderbike pipes going to do a better job?
I have since last post replaced the floorboards with the original pegs and afta riding 450mi in 2 days it was much more comfortable for me. I have also ordered the heel supports and I imagine it will also help.I replaced the single seat with a Triumph 2 up seat with gel pad. I will see how that feels tomorrow.
I have been reving the bike up much higher than b4, but there is still a buzz in the handle bars at abt. 4500 to 5500rpm, even in fifth,then it smoothes out.
I will be taking my bike to the Dealer in Brea CA to deal with the buzz. So all is getting better.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and help.
Larry

If you have access to the tooling, try synchronizing your carbs. That may reduce the buzzing....

If you're doing 5500 rpm in 5th, you're moving down the road at a not so legal clip. Yes, there are some sweet spots and buzzy spots over the full range of rpms on our bikes. One thing you might try is a 17 or 18 tooth sprocket to move the sweet spots towards the range of your riding style. You can also look into handlebar vibration dampening fixes.

When you ask whether Thunderbike pipes will "do a better job", just what are you looking for? Is it better performance, better sound, or something else? Regardless, there are a ton of threads on the topic, and you can find them by using the search engine.

Overall, it sounds like you've been changing out some mods on your bike that you aren't happy with. Do some reading on these forums through the archives using the search engine to find possible ones that you might like. It can save you some money. I've found dealers to be sorely lacking for any knowledge about fixing minor comfort issues using aftermarket parts. Around here though there's a wealth of information from actual riders who've tried numerous methods to make the bike more comfortable for them. It's one of the best things about ba.com.

Let me know how that gel seat works out for you. I've heard their high heat retention make them a poor seat for us desert dwellers.

Hi, Thanks for the suggestion re: O.C. cty. Triumph.
I am not anxious to go into the jungle of traffic in Orange county till I must.
I will have to deal with the "buzz" eventually.
Larry

I went for a nice 200 mi. ride into the mountains of Cleveland Natl. Forest. It was a good ride and I was pleasantly surprised with the way my butt felt at the end of the ride. The Triumph seat with the gel pad really seemed to make a difference.
It seems as I solve one problem I am having to deal with another.
Now, I noticed that the front forks take a huge dip when hard braking at slow speed. Does anyone think that replacing the springs with an after market upgrade will reduce that dip?
Larry

I have the Progressive fork springs and they do make a difference. Well worth the $70 I paid for them. Extreme hard front braking is still going to give you some dive, but it's not nearly as bad with the Progressive springs. Just the improvement in normal riding conditions with the Progressives also make them worthwhile. Fairly easy to change out too if you aren't chaning the fork oil too.

Progressive springs and maybe a little heavier fork oil should reduce the frontend dive.