Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods had the airbox removed...

Just got my '09 America back from the mechanic after removal of the airbox. Had the British Customs "non-exposed" kit installed.

My wife road it home for me because I was out of town, so I can't yet report on the results, but starting it in the driveway tonite I can definitely say that it sounds nice...has a more "throaty" sound....and the filters, while only partially visible, look great.

I waited a few months for British Customs to get the kit in stock --- I'm wondering if they made any changes --- I thought the non-exposed kit used the space for a hidden storage box -- anyone else done this mod with the non-exposed British Customs kit?

I also had them include the air injection removal kit....with the plugs. Am I wrong, or should that have removed the wires that go to the pipes near the front (mine are still there).

Thanks!

The "wires that go the pipes in the front" are the oxy sensors in the headers and, although they are necessary for the AI to operate they are not removed as part of the AI elimination. You can remove them AFTER you have disabled them using TuneECU and then you will need to plug the bung holes with M12 1.25 pitch thread bolts and the wires can be disconnected under the tank. If you turn the oxy sensors off and leave them installed you will ruin the sensors (I learned this info too late).

Just to clarify - the oxy sensors have no function in the normal engine operation and when the AI hardware is removed the oxy sensors still send exhaust gas info to the computer and the computer still tries to adjust the exhaust gas but the removal of the AI plumbing means that nothing happens (except pointless clicking from the AI pump under the tank). Remember, the AI only ever operates on closed throttle, so the oxy sensors on our bikes have no useful purpose other than the exhaust emission control on closed throttle. It would have been great if Triumph had used them as part of the engines tune self-diagnosis and self-rectifying map modification.

Ernie,
Not so much a newbie now eh? Being just over a year since you took the MSF course and such. You keep your ride in a garage or park it on the street? Got any pics of your ride after the air box removal?

Ride safe, and go ride before the snow settles in Kotter land.

Thanks Moe. I'm still learning all that I can, but it's been a good year...and having fun making tweaks here and there. The car got booted out of the garage in favor of my America and my wife's Vulcan 900.

Hopefully we'll get in a couple of more good days before it gets "too" cold. I gotta get myself some heated gloves though.

Thanks too, Richard for the technical explanation of the oxy sensors. I'll leave that one for a future cosmetic change.

Rode today for about two hours. The throttle seems a bit more responsive, but it is subtle....and nearly zero popping. Maybe once or twice, but muted...I noticed it, but nothing like before.

It's supposed to be another nice day here in NJ tomorrow --- I'll post some pics of the finished job.

Ernie

Here are some pics...

...battery side, with the cover (and chrome "cheese grater" off --- btw, is there a better term for that piece?)? I'll be putting them back on eventually.



The battery strap is an adapted Speedmaster strap.

other side, with and without the America cover...





@Richard -- thanks again for the details above. Looking more closely at the engine, I could see where they put the plugs...

Ernie

Are you putting the cover back over the battery terminals? I would be concerned about shorting the positive terminal in the rain if it remains exposed.

Indeed....had some plastic bags on that and the filters today when I washed her.... and then decided to take it for a ride so haven't gotten everything back on...

You get it all clean and nice to put in the garage and then.....it looks so inviting you just have to take it out again!

I'll probably put everything back for now. One big concern is the back side of the fuse panel. That's wide open now from the other side....not to rain so much, but definitely something to be careful of when washing.

Ernie

Is the back of the fuse panel exposed to water flung from the rear tire? You may want to fab up some sort of protection if it is.

hmm. good point.....I have to get in there and look more closely to see what can be done. thx.

Ernie, I'm just curious. Did you have it dyno-tuned (TuneECU or PC) after the air box removal? Or maybe loaded a modified tune/map you had?

I know that after just cutting away the air box inner restrictor plate and enlarging the air inlet (snorkel removed) mine was running very lean. I went the the custom tune route (yes, I had motor work done as well) and the tuner did make significant changes to the maps.

Matt

I thought they would need to download a new one, but the shop didn't think it needed it, and it runs great..... I have to admit, I haven't spent much time on all the dyno threads, so I probably need to do more reading, but I didn't think it was necessary.

Can the shop tell what map is already loaded?

I got the bike from the original owner with about 1200 miles on it, and he put the new pipes on and may have had a new map downloaded then...

Ernie