Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech The handling changes as I modify my Triumph

I started out several weeks ago by lowering the rear of my BA with a set of Progressive lowering shocks and a set of Progressive front fork springs. This dropped the rear of the bike about an inch and a half. First ride out I could feel the steering had slowed down somewhat, but out on the highway the bike felt somewhat more stable. I guess by dropping the rear only I had increased the rake.I also noticed far less front end dive when braking due to the new front springs. I rode happily around like this until yesterday. I had not wanted to remove and dismember the lower fork tubes to installed the lowering springs, so I opted to raise the fork tubes up in the triple trees.I dropped the front by one inch and went out for a ride.I am so sorry that I waited two weeks to do this, as this bike is on rails now! What an amazing difference! So while I am changing things around I swapped the risers and handlebar out for a Speedmaster setup this afternoon.This definitely changed my riding position to a more agressive posture, AND it seems that the steering has slowed down at speed and become very touchy at low speed. Now this agressive riding position my not be a good thing because I started to feel like old Burt Monroe speed lining on his Indian.And because of my more forward lean while riding, I could hear the exhaust note better, and enjoyed running up the revs much more than I have been doing in the past(I was a very mellow rider). I may have created a monster. So the point I am trying to make in a long about way is, not to be timid in making some changes on your bike, as there is a sleeping dragon hiding in there somewhere! Vegas

I made a similar mod on my America. Installed rear Progressive 440's and front springs, both stock height. I moved my forks up in the triple clamp about 1/2". Seems to have made the steering a bit more responsive but also more sensitive. I'll have to test further as the weather permits.

I haven't been keeping up on a lot of the technical threads. Al, was there a noticeable difference with the stock-height Progressive pieces?

I only have 100 miles or so with the combo, but so far, yes. No pogoing, no front end dive (you can brake enthusiastically), smoother over railroadtracks, bumps, etc. I haven't ridden yet with a passenger, that's where I hoped to increase ride comfort the most.