 tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Learned Hand
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Ok what's up with tbs needles what r they? why do I want them? what r they going to do for me? I running short little drag pipes like the jcwhiny ones and I'm planing on gheto freak this summer. I know I need to re jet again when I do that sooo I want know if I should be plaining to do them too.
Thanks Chuck
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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TBS needles are the ones used by Triumph on the early Thunderbird if I remember correctly. They are used to adjust the midrange performance of your ride. Typically there are 3 ranges of needles most fellows use here. The stock ones with or without shims. TBS needles with or without shims which allow more fuel in the mid range settings. Finally the Thruxton needles which allow the most fuel in the mid range. You will have to choose which needles works the best for you either through seat of the pants riding, or dyno tunes.
I use the TBS which helps with the mid range flat spot our bikes have once you start to mod them.
12 Rocket Roadster 03 Bonneville America 69 BSA Firebird Scrambler 73 Yamaha TX 750
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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last question were can I get them
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,160
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
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Quote:
http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/img/fcr_graphs.gif this should explain it all.
ya did t tell me much
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Learned Hand
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cool thanks its going on the list I think I am going to have to have it dynoed when I am done this year
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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The graph is about how the carby works, and balance between the parts. Because its all about throttle position. In other word you can put jetts, and or needles in and end up with "dead spots". Lean and or rich areas through out the throttle range. The chart should help with understanding what needs to be done as you work on your carbs. For example after you get done. When you go for a ride and you have say an area in the throttle range that dont have the pulling power or pulls harder in one area. You can look at the chart and it will tell you what to change.
Last edited by locopony; 02/19/2011 7:28 PM.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Learned Hand
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I have a tuff time noticing any changes lol
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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My experience with the TBS is very positive. Initially I tried the thruxton needles and mid range they were great but just too thirsty. Then I thought I'd go back to the tried and trusted oem's with a shim. Gee, after feeling what the mid range using those thirsty thruxtons was like, Ferdie felt like a tired old bull ready for dog meat. So I then tried the TBS's. Yep, just like the story of "The Three Bears". Probably a tad thirsty than the oem's with one shim but there's a reason for that.  As far as where to buy them, I just rang up Pro-Cycles St.Peters in Sydney and got them to send them to me.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I got Thruxton needles. I am only getting about 40mpg. maybe I am goin to TBS myself. Will they be leaner probably.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Chad - How did you like the Thruxtons performance wise?
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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Performance wise they are great they drink up the fuel though. I can do a spinout for about 4 feet.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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I run Thruxtons with a shim. I only get 39 mpg commuting(city/highway mix). The performance cant be beat thats why I deal with the loss of mpg. I wonder what I would get on a real highway run.
Bill.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
-George Best
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Last edited by SDKimo; 02/24/2011 1:40 PM.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Quote:
Performance wise they are great they drink up the fuel though. I can do a spinout for about 4 feet.
Did they get rid of your popping?
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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I got straight exhaust (no Baffles so you gotta expect a little popping) They reduced it quite abit. I am probably going to get bigger pilots.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
Did they get rid of your popping?
Popping is a condition that is hard to isolate, yet once I pulled the plug on the TPS is was gone. Finito. Done! Thing of the past!! Not just my experience but shared by many!
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Quote:
Quote:
Did they get rid of your popping?
Popping is a condition that is hard to isolate, yet once I pulled the plug on the TPS is was gone. Finito. Done! Thing of the past!! Not just my experience but shared by many!
I'll have to give that a try, Keith. I seem to remember a long thread on here about that a while ago...
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I've read the purpose of the tps but "blank capping" mine had no negatives and only positives. Glad I did it, and mucht tidier too. Btw, I can't see myself ever going back to oem regsrdless. My only consideration now is what size mains. 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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the jet caculator pined to the performance area is really accurate.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Adjunct
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Following this thread did you get the TBS needles from bike bandit that originally went in the T-bird?? Are those the version that we would get for our bikes?
Since I've been ripping my carbs apart every other day for the past two weeks now might be a good time to tweak those and the mains.
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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Quote:
Since I've been ripping my carbs apart every other day for the past two weeks now might be a good time to tweak those and the mains.
What are you doing..............practicing
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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No, Chad...in another post I was soliciting help with getting my bike running right at upper throttle positions. I think I have it on the run now-pun intended, but the process was a lot of pulling, cleaning, checking, etc. with the carbs. I have to do it all at least one more time to put in my inline fuel filter and figured hey while I'm in there I think Chuck may be onto something here 
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
No, Chad...in another post I was soliciting help with getting my bike running right at upper throttle positions. I think I have it on the run now-pun intended, but the process was a lot of pulling, cleaning, checking, etc. with the carbs. I have to do it all at least one more time to put in my inline fuel filter and figured hey while I'm in there I think Chuck may be onto something here
I orderd them but I dont know when I am going to put them in waiting for a air box to gut first then I need to get filters and jets sooooo I got a good two months if not more before I even get that far
Life need a little Triumph!
2008 Triumph Speedmaster, Single baffle drag pipes, lots of black powder coatin,K&N pods, AI removed, TBS needles and a procom cdi.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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So to clarify you did indeed get the T-bird ones you linked earlier on bike bandit right? Keep me posted on how you like them and all the juicy details. Please that is. 
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Following this thread did you get the TBS needles from bike bandit that originally went in the T-bird?? Are those the version that we would get for our bikes?
Since I've been ripping my carbs apart every other day for the past two weeks now might be a good time to tweak those and the mains.
bad jojo to change things for performance gains while you still have an unsorted issue. just saying...
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Yeah your probably very right Moe. I'll wait until I make sure she's solid. Then screw it all up again. Haha
Blue/White, Battery Relocated, 155/45's, AI removed, Cocktail shakers
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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As I once saind in an earlier post, the TBS and Thrux needles work well if you still have stock pilot jets because they flow a bit more fuel in the mid range and make up for higher flowing modified airboxes and pod filters. If you go up to 45 pilot you may find the TBS and thrux needles to be too rich and may end up back with a shimmed stock needle. Just my experience from playing aound with the carbs on my 07 BA.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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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 |
Quote:
...I'll wait until I make sure she's solid. Then screw it all up again. Haha

Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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Quote:
As I once saind in an earlier post, the TBS and Thrux needles work well if you still have stock pilot jets because they flow a bit more fuel in the mid range and make up for higher flowing modified airboxes and pod filters. If you go up to 45 pilot you may find the TBS and thrux needles to be too rich and may end up back with a shimmed stock needle. Just my experience from playing aound with the carbs on my 07 BA.
I got the thruxton needles with 130 mains, stock pilots, and the screw are 3 turns out. The air box has been drilled out with (5) 5/8 holes in a diamond patern kind of like dice. I have a unifilter with the snorkle removed, and 18 inch long 2 inch diameter pipes with a 90 degree turn down (no baffles) clamped onto the stock header pipes were the slip on silencers clamp on. I am really close to right or at least as close as one can get without a dyno.
(I am only getting about 40 mpg, but got lotsa power.)
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Sounds like a good setup locopony. I jetted my bike by the seat of the pants too and have similar mods. My BA is kind of a pig when it comes to gas mileage also, but i got a small fairing in front and like to ride fast so, you gotta give up something. Right now the bike is in the shop getting TPUSA 813 cams and igniter, so hopefully when I get it back it will be stronger still.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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It will be I want to some cams but I found that Wiseco has a 1200cc big bore kit I really want to do that, but its $9000.00
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Sounds like a good setup locopony. I jetted my bike by the seat of the pants too and have similar mods. My BA is kind of a pig when it comes to gas mileage also, but i got a small fairing in front and like to ride fast so, you gotta give up something. Right now the bike is in the shop getting TPUSA 813 cams and igniter, so hopefully when I get it back it will be stronger still.
Hey Pat! Who's doing the work? Uncle Charlie
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Hey Charlie, I'm having Gengras Motorcycles in East Hartford do the install. Cams are a little above my skill level plus they came and picked up the bike at my house with a box truck and are coordinating the job with Triumph Performace USA, so that made the whole process a lot easier.
Putting in the 813 cams and retimed igniter which adds up to about $1,000 bucks in parts from TPUSA. Gengras is doing the install on those parts and also putting in a set of progressive front fork springs for $1,050 - yes expensive, but still cheaper than me screwing up the job and bending a valve or something. Looking forward to having a couple more ponies in the spring!!!
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Just pulled my needles in my '06 speedmaster to replace them with Truxton needles (NBZ)...guess what I all ready have NBZ needles...so are Truxton needles stock ??? I have had this bike since new and I haven't change them
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Quote:
putting in a set of progressive front fork springs for $1,050

Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: tbs needles ?
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Joined: May 2010
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Quote:
Quote:
putting in a set of progressive front fork springs for $1,050
Good pay, if you can get it 
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