Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Easy Performance Modifications?

Hi Everyone,

I've spent some time reviewing this forum and am looking for clarification on a few things. I've got a 2007 America (carbs) and am considering some basic upgrades....

1) Am I correct in assuming that disabling the AI results in a performance increase? I don't care about the blue pipes (too late anyway) or the heat but wouldn't mind a smoother throttle. I've read conflicting things about this.
2) Does removing the snorkle always neccessitate re-jetting?
3) My bike came from the dealer used with the TOR mufflers. Did any other mods need to be made when the new exhaust was installed?
4) The horn is weak - are there any plug and play options for replacement or do I need to start re-wiring?

Bike runs fine, no problems, primary objective at this stage is "first, do no harm".

Much obliged for your thoughts and advice.

1) No.
2) Mostly, yes.
3) Should have been rejetted also.
4) Fiamm High or low tone is close to plug & play.

AI removal will usually stop or greatly reduce the popping on decel as well, but since all it does is introduce fresh air into the exhaust it has no effect on performance.

Since the pipes have been replaced and it may have been rejetted, removing the snorkel may not require any additional jetting mods. Run it and see how it feels.

You said that 'your pipes are blue already' probably means it isn't jetted right(or wasn't). How many miles? I have the TOR's and the dealer said 'you don't have to jet' when I put them on, that was before I found this place. So my pipe have a blue stain to them even thou they are jetted right now.

New Thunderbird horn fits very nicely, with no modifications, and it is considerably louder. I used it the other day remind a distracted driver that the stoplight had been green >5 seconds.
I think they can be had for about $35.

Definitely get rid of the snorkel and let your engine breathe. Some of us have installed a Polaris bellmouth (look for them on eBay for around $30 ??) while others feel it does nothing.

Good luck!! You've got some very clever people here willing to help you out. They've helped me for sure.

BO2S4: Thanks, I'll look into the Fiamm
BigBill: Good idea, I'll try removing snorkle and check it out
Two Wheelin: I've got 10K. Wasn't aware that a rejet helped with the blue pipes, have only read about AI helping that
Conwy: I'll look into the Thunderbird and will test the bike without snorkle

Thanks to all.

Jetting matters to blueing of pipes as a matter of heat. Lean jetting increases the exhaust temp there by causing the pipes to turn blue. There is a posted jett calculator by Dinqua and by Friar John they are very accurate. Some will try to refine their jetting more but I just use the numbers given with no problems. Have fun and good luck. This becomes addictive.

I have the FIAMM low tone horn - it took, maybe, 5 minutes to replace the stock horn with it. Much louder and more easily heard. wired and bolted right up to the existing mount and wiring.

(I bought it at pep boys for something like 15 dollars)

Depends what you want, as Chad said the calculator gets you close enough but not 100% there. Some times I am sure it hits dead on but others it just comes close. I fine tuned mine from there on a dyno and the calculator was close but not where I wanted it. So use it as a good starting point unless you don't care about optimal performance then it is close enough that you won't hurt your engine.

Easy mods are to remove a couple baffles from the exhaust or slap on a set of after market pipes. Put pods on your carbs to allow the intake to keep up with the open exhaust.
Balance your carbs.

I got two 06 americas and an 02 america. I did both of the 06 by the Dinqua jet calculator one is so close to perfect it aint worth the time it would take to get it perfect. The other has a dead spot from 0 to almost a 1/4 throttle I am gonna dial it in closer. I think some 42 pilots will get it. I gotta put a front end on it now. T-boned a car with it .....Woman on a cell phone.....didn't see the bike commin .......magin that. It had some carb work to be done on it at the time. It had been set up for months. Just got it runnin and put JC whitney glass packs on it. I was about to get into the carbies on it. Now its in the back yard with a tarp over it.

Chad you have to understand that there are so many variables in jetting that no algorithm is going to hit them all. You could even test your spot on bike in different weather conditions and have a different result. When I did the bikes I have done I had to up the pilot and lower the main from what the calculator said. Even the new one wasn't quite right but I forget how far off it was now. Best way to dyno is under the conditions you ride most. Pat has done a great job covering most bases with the calculator but any variation changes optimal jetting. For the elevation I live at and the configuration of my bike it was off the same might not be said for another person right next door to me with a different configuration. So to make a statement that it is right on based on one bike with one configuration in one location is misleading and presumptuous.As far as I can tell it is close in most instances though.

I'm not arguing with ya. You are right on. I got two 06 one is nearly spot on the other has a flat spot in the throttle range. The funny thing is the one with the flat spot will out run the other one slightly, in a heads up drag race. The one that's really close is very fast though I did a stock 1200 sportster with it through all 5 by nearly a full bike length.

Wasn't trying to argue, in short I was just saying your results may vary.
A full bike length on a stock 1200 Sporty is pretty good if you ask me. I used to just nudge out my friends modded Night Train. Never had a long stretch to really test it but through the first couple gears I was slowly taking him.

sweet

No supplemental relay is needed for a single Fiamm Freeway Blaster. I had originally installed the low tone, & later swapped it to the high tone. Some day I may mount both of 'em, maybe not. Of the two, I prefer the high tone if used alone.

Fiamm High Tone

Fiamm Low Tone

With the drastic elevation changes we have in the west (1000 feet on my daily commute), close enough is perfect.

Getting rid of the AI will extend the life of all the exhaust system components. That's all it will do.

Truth is, these bikes really need rejetting as they come from the factory. They are made as lean as possible to meet emission standards.

I don't remember exactly when they discontinued the 790 engine. If you have it, opening up the exhaust system and rejetting will do wonders. If you have the 865, the exhaust valve timing will prevent this, and your best investment will be to get aftermarket cams or one from a 790 engine.

I have a pair of high output horns I got from Custom Chrome. It's a good idea to use a relay when changing to louder horns because they pull more current.

I think 2005 was the first 865 for the Speedmaster and 2006 was when the BA followed if I remember right.

Ian, it was actually 2007 when the America went to the 865. Here is a handy link with info on each year although it only goes through 2008.

America model year info

I was close!