Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Big Bike Changes Today with Pics

I received two parts shipments today! New Progressive fork springs, and a set of Triumph off road silencers. I don't mind the Specialty Spares exhaust I have now, but it is a little bit to loud. I hate it when I am in my car and a Harley with drag pipes passes me at WOT. I prefer the cone shaped exit on the Triumph silencers to the slash cut ones too. I followed the directions found on the site and removed my AI tonight, and got rid of the popping on deceleration... what a relief. I have to get fork oil tomorrow before I can put it all back together, but I can't wait to see how much of the "fork diving" the progressives take care of. That is one of my few gripes about the bike. I will post some pics of before and after as soon as I have the after. This is fun stuff.

Wow, that's rough buying two exhaust systems. Did you try wrapping additional packing around the Specialty Spares baffles? Someone else did this during the summer and was pleased with the results (going on a long tour, want less noise).
If you already made the purchase, I'm sure someone here or on TriumphRat.net will buy your Specialty Spares pipes.

The SS exhaust was on the bike when I bought it, and the Triumph units were purchased slightly used from dealer on ebay for $100. I will probably hang on the SS pieces for a while and try the new ones out before I put them up for sale. Really about half the reason I chose the Triumph muffs was to get away form the slash cut look.... just my weirdness. They are shorter and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Have to look at it some more.... which I find my self doing on a regular basis.

I installed my new fork springs today. I sucked out all the oil, and put a mixture of 10 and 15 weight oil back in. A quick ride verified a substantial improvement in ride and especially braking. I used my own method of measuring the fork oil....... if anyone is interested I will post "my method"

Good deal, glad you aren't out any cash! Was also worried that I recommended the SS pipes to you. The SS baffles are relatively easy to add packing for a quieter sound. I have the "Long Cannons", also didn't like the slash cuts as much.

Before



After

Nice set of pipes.....Angelis

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I'm always interested in a new method. How did you do it?

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First off the bike must be on a lift, the kind with the two forks and a foot pump. With the bike on the lift and the front wheel off the ground remove the bars and lay them on the tank that is covered by a blanket. Remove the fork tube caps, and pull out the spacers, washer, springs of both forks. Lower the bike carefully and compress the front forks all the way up. I took it really slow because I didn't know how it would react. It wasn't a problem. At this point you could measure the oil with the T-square (see picture)and see how much was in there, or just suck it out with your mighty vac and measure the oil you took out. I did both. I noted that all the oil I could get out without taking the forks apart was 325 cc +or- 5cc. The manual says dry they hold 484cc's There is some trapped in the bottom of the leg that I couldn't get out. I measured out 325 cc's of oil and poured it into each fork leg. I then took my T-square, set at 166mm per the manual, and slid it into the leg. The wide blade of the square lets you know where the center of the fork leg is so you can get the same measurement as you would get if you held the leg straight up and down off the bike. I added or subtracted oil until both legs were the same. I shot for 166mm or a little less because the progressive springs were supposed to displace a little more oil. In the weeks to come and after hitting a few big bumps I will know if I put in too much oil when the seal blow out.. If they do I will put in a little less next time ..... Questions?