Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Considering buying an America. Some questions.

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Hey all,

I'm a new member on this forum. I'm considering buying a used America, and I have a couple of technical questions that I haven't seen the answers to in the stuff that's already online.

1) What is the total wattage put out by the electrical system, and how much of that is used to support the basic functions of the bike (headlight, coils, etc)? I do occasionally do some cold weather riding, and I use a heated jacket liner and gloves (about 100 watts). Also, I might want to add some axillary lighting, so it would help to know how many watts are available.

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2) I'm hardly a mechanic, but I do like to do basic maintenance if I can. From what I've seen, basic stuff like oil changes look pretty easy. I've bled brakes and done fork oil changes before. My current ride is a 1982 BMW, and if you know anything about those you know that the valves need to be adjusted pretty frequently. I understand that the valves on this bike need to be adjusted a lot less frequently, which is great, but I've never adjusted a shim-style valve before. How tough is it? Could someone with VERY basic mechanical skills do it?

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3) The bike I've looked at recently has been performance modded with exhaust and racing carbs. I'd probably switch back to the stock parts. If I do that, what can I expect in terms of fuel economy? (My BMW gets 40 MPG and has a 5.5 gallon tank, so I've been spoiled in terms of the range I can get between fill ups).

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Finally, I know you guys love your Triumphs or you wouldn't be on this board, but is there anything I need to be aware of or to watch out for? Is this bike really as low maintenance as it seems?

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My current ride is a 1982 BMW, and if you know anything about those you know that the valves need to be adjusted pretty frequently. I understand that the valves on this bike need to be adjusted a lot less frequently, which is great, but I've never adjusted a shim-style valve before. How tough is it? Could someone with VERY basic mechanical skills do it?

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I also do most work myself, and I can tell you this is a HUGE pain in the arss. I almost didn't buy the bike because of the shims. These are not high-RPM motors, and the only reason not to have adjustable rocker arms is that it saves manufacturing cost. I'd like to smack the designer upside the head. I hate it.

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Thanks Moe. Looks like the alternator is good for about 378 watts (assuming 14 volts). I still need to know how much the bike eats just running................

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2) I'm hardly a mechanic, but I do like to do basic maintenance if I can.

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then you'll be fine with the maintenance, including the shims.

Prior to getting my bike 2 years ago I hadn't done anything to a bike other than basic stuff, like changing the fluids etc.

Anyway, I considered letting the dealer do my shims (if needed) but the whole thing of taking it to the shop, waiting around, paying them for it etc etc amongst other things just didn't sit well with me.

So I read everthing I could on this place, bought the haynes manual and was given the Triumph manual, and with the help of my buddies here with answers to questions I had, I successfully changed the shims that required it, and was pretty happy with myself to boot.

So if you look at it like it's a challenge and you have a half descent setup with space and the required tools, you might just enjoy it like I did.

Beside saving money and the satisfaction of doing it yourself though, I much prefer to know what has been done and to know it's been done properly (I think ).

For instance the mechanic at the dealer near my place (same bloke, small dealership) said to me when I asked him if he could swap some shims, that it didn't matter if the valve gaps were larger than the specs by a little bit but not the other way round ie smaller gaps than spec.

Well I personally didn't like the idea of letting this bloke near my bike. Call me a bit pedantic if you want but if the manual says the valve gaps should be within certain tolerances, I adjust my gaps to within these tolerances.

Simple really and that way I know my bike has been serviced propely and better still, is running nice and smooth like it should be, and is.

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So if you look at it like it's a challenge and you have a half descent setup with space and the required tools, you might just enjoy it like I did.

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Hey, I thought of another question: Is there a fuel pump, or are the carbs gravity fed?

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I LOVE my America after 5 seasons. It's the best all around bike I've ever ridden and I've got way more miles on it than on the sum total of all the bikes I owned in the preceding 35 years

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We just have brilliant all round bikes that look good, can be made to look gooder, ride good and are easy to fix good.


I also never get sick of changing bits here and there and then seeing how it looks and feels when riding

I have no intention of exchanging my speedie for anything ele either

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On the general maintenance issue the only point i would make is that your bmw probably doesn't have a chain but the stock america does. I consider mine a pain in the butt.

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...is there anything I need to be aware of or to watch out for? Is this bike really as low maintenance as it seems?

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Yes, you'll develop an overwhelming desire to mod the bike. As to maintenance, basically yes, however IMO the only real PITA is valve adjustment, & at factory recommended intervals even that's not a burden.

What are you waiting for?

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Chains, carbs, wire wheels, tubes - all classic stuff. I don't mind the chain and love having carbs. Chains and sprockets give you ability to make gearing changes to suit your taste. Carbs are a lot easier to adjust than re-mapping EFI. I wouldn't mind tubeless tires, but don't want to give up the laced wheels.

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