 Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Opinions needed:
I want to make some mods to my 2008 America in the spring to enhance highway acceleration. That's the only place where I really notice the limitations of the 865cc engine - when I want to pass someone on the highway.
The only performance mod made to my bike so far is rejetting and installation of Specialty Spares pipes.
Choices that have been suggested are airbox removal mod, big bore kit, or installation of what my dealer calls a "hot cam" - or some combo of the three.
Quotes I've gotten for these mods are as follows (note I'm not mechanically inclined so DIY isn't really an option):
Airbox removal ~ $500
Hot cam installation ~$1,200
Big bore kit installation ~$1,800
The dealer touted me on the big bore kit. He said the added torque is substantial and will make a big difference on the highway. His second choice was to invest the $1,800 in a Thunderbird (obviously that would be his second choice...)
What do you think? Let me know.
Joe
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Even not being mechanically inclined I think you could tackle the airbox removal. You have all of us here to help you at the sticky spots. Rejetting is probably the hardest part. Getting the airbox out in 1 piece can be tricky too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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You've already got good pipes. The intake side of the engine is the bottleneck. Free up that breathing. Try the airbox elimination first. As far as the next step, I'm not sure between the cams or big bore. When they say "hot cam" are they talking about the 790 cams or aftermarket cams? Many have said the 865 cams are the problem (maybe just the exhaust cam?) and it can be fixed with the 790 cam(s).
EDIT: and what level of big bore will that price get you? 904? Not much of a jump from 865.
Last edited by FriarJohn; 12/16/2010 2:10 PM.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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If you are stil running the stock air filter and snorkle, the easiest thing to do would be to pull the snorkle and put in a Uni filter and reject accordingly. Airbox elimination / pod filters would be the next step, but on the 865 bikes you just don't get as much of an improvement as on the earlier bikes. I have a 2007 with pipes, pods and rejetted, but the power still flattens out at around 6,000 rpm due to the newer cam. One of these days I'm going to upgrade the cam, but as you noted that is not exactly cheap.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Quote:
If you are stil running the stock air filter and snorkle, the easiest thing to do would be to pull the snorkle and put in a Uni filter and reject accordingly.
+1
Remove snorkel - Free
Uni-filter - $28
Polaris bellmouth - $20
Total - $48
You will need to rejet. Jets and shims are cheap. Check out Pat's Carb Site www.dinqua.com to see if this is something you want to tackle. He has good step by step instructions with pictures...
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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"His second choice was to invest the $1,800 in a Thunderbird" Did you get that price in writing? That'd be a helluva deal there!!! Oh, and having had all 3 sizes: 790, to a 904, THEN to an 865, in my opinion it wouldn't be worth it to go the 904 route. I'd spend that money on cams after the intake upgrade. 
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Your best bang for the buck on an 865 is arguably a set of TPUSA 813 cams. The stock 865 cams really suck.
The cams will help you no matter what other performance mods you do. At least do pods, pipes & carb tuning with them.
Everything else can follow.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Progressive front springs.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Progressive front springs.
Really? Did you read the OP's question?
My Progressive front springs did nothing to enhance passing power. 
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Ouch.  You are correct Sir.  I was focused on bang for your buck performance wise. My bad. The 865 America’s are a mid range cruiser. I knew and understood that when I bought mine. I love it. You can spend mega $$ to make them up to around 100hp, which is pretty impressive, however you need deep pockets. Some spend almost the purchase cost of the bike. But then I’m a wrinkly older guy whose eyes mist over when I think about that 79 Bonnie I once had. Ha ha
Last edited by SpeedyKiwi; 12/17/2010 2:52 AM.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Thanks all for your input. Some answers and clarifications:
My dealer (Manayunk Triumph) has an aftermarket cam he likes to install on 865s. I'm not sure who the maker is.
He noted that the big bore kit doesn't get much in the way of displacement (865 to 900 as someone noted) but he said the torque improvement is substantial and that's where you see the passing power improvement.
@mrt202 - use the $1800 as a down payment on a Thunderbird. Smart guy!
Snorkel removal...what's a snorkel? That's the level of mechanical ineptitude I'm dealing with here...DIY just not an option...I know my limitations...
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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3/4 Throttle
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Go here: http://www.bikebandit.com/2008-triumph-motorcycle-america/o/m17668#sch570120Item 6 is called the "snorkel"..called air intake in the schematic. Take off the seat, the you will be looking at the "snorkel" Unbolt the three bolts. That is removing the snorkel. Next would be get a K&N air filter and replace item number 4 in the schematic, pull out the old one and put the new K&N back in. That will help the bike breath better... I would also recommend get a shop manual and open it up and look at how to remove stuff...say change the brake pads..things like that...How to take off the mufflers and go on..
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Learned Hand
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If you have the $$ to go 904 and cams, that would rock. If you have to choose between the 904 or cams, i would definitely go with cams first. The torque difference between the 865 and 904 with stock 865 cams is negligible. I have run stock 865 cams in my 904 for a short time and was very disappointed in the results. The British customs stage 1 street cams i had made a huge difference. I have since retired my old 904 and parted it out. Now i have a bone stock 865 and the torque is comparable to the 904 with 865 cams. No real seat of the pants difference. My next big purchase will definitely be hot cams. No question about that decision based on my experience. The 865 cams run out of steam way too soon. After the cams will be a Procom CDI. ...and i knew there was something wrong with that T-Bird price. LOL!
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
The torque difference between the 865 and 904 with stock 865 cams is negligible.
I have run stock 865 cams in my 904 for a short time and was very disappointed in the results. The British customs stage 1 street cams i had made a huge difference.
I would have to agree with this statement as I did pretty much the same thing, 904 with 865 cams with the same sort of results. Getting rid of the stock cams is well worth it.
Last edited by mag10; 12/17/2010 3:02 PM.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Banned
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I had my bike rejetted with snorkel in place and kn filter with bubs pipes. It made a fair difference for me as I was running lean before the rejet.I removed the snorkel after the rejet and was right back to lean on low to mid rpms with lack of power.I put the snorkel back in with better results.Most anything you do to the breathing of these bikes will require a rejet.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Well I turned a few screwdrivers and wrenches today and removed the snorkel. Easy. Thanks everyone for the tips. I ordered the Polaris bellmouth off Ebay so that's on the way.
Both K&N and Unifilter air filters have been suggested. Any difference? One better than the other?
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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They both flow better than stock. My guess is they're probably about the same. The Uni is about half the $$$ of a K&N.
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Opening up your pipes is a base for any future mods. You can do this with aftermarket pipes or gutting your stock ones. Pretty much the best performance mod for the money you can do.
'06 SM with T100/America Wheels (D&D's, 10.5 to 1 Wiseco pistons, TTP Igniter +3, K&N PODS, 150 x 40, FZ1 springs & TBS needles w/3 shims)
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...Both K&N and Unifilter air filters have been suggested. Any difference? One better than the other?
What's your definition of "better"?
The UP4229's cost less, flow better, & don't hit the frame. I've tried both the Unis & K&N's, & "flow" was confirmed via on-board A/F meter. The Unis were less restictive.
My Uni's are single-stage black foam. My K&N's have chrome end caps and are cotton fabric.
I think the K&N's look better. I don't recall the K&N model numbers off-hand, but they are in the Tech Vault.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Opening up your pipes is a base for any future mods. You can do this with aftermarket pipes or gutting your stock ones. Pretty much the best performance mod for the money you can do.
He already has Specialty Spares.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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from that link... Quote:
A special application air filter with very coarse foam. Provides extremely high air flow and minimum filtration. Ideal for snowmobiles or other dust free applications.
can't imagine that's healthy for motorcycles... think I'll stick with the K&N
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
like these ones right?
NO!!!
Those are for SNOW machines...
The UP4229, no suffix. This is straight from Uni's 2011 online catalog:
Uni Universal
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
from that link...can't imagine that's healthy for motorcycles... think I'll stick with the K&N
The "S" filter isn't for bikes.
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Re: Best bang for the buck performance mods?
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Oil Expert
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Apologies Ken. I'm glad I was wrong though. You had me a bit concerned there for a while.
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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