Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Front wheel change

Hi forum,

does anyone know, if the wheel of the Ameria's 2011 model suits into the fork of the 2010 one?!

I really like the look of the thicker wheel and would like to mount this on my bike.

Best regards,
Nick

I believe there was a similar thread recently and yes,they all seem to fit with no issue.

Thanks for your reply. I had searched the forum before, but all I found were discussion about changing from spoked wheels to aluminium ones and vice versa.
My question is about the different sizes. The 2010 model has 2,5x18" 110/90R18 and starting from 2011 they have now 3,0x16" 130/90R16.

I run with a 120/90-18 on my '03. I had to modify the way the fender mounts to make room for the fatter tire but it's all good. Maybe that's an option for you.

I bought a front fender from a 2011 BA to cut up and bob for my 2005.

But when I got it home I found it would not fit either the bracket or even between the forks. The latter model bikes must have a wider triple tree and bracket to take the fender (and I guess wheel/tire combination). This isn't to be confused with 'Keith's' modification to take a different profile tire (I have that on the 2003 to allow me to run the white walls)....

Of course the seller could have been wrong and the fender could have been off a different bike but it was a used fender from a Triumph Dealer so you hope he recognized the difference.

Hi Martin,

Yes, that's an option. But I think it will be better to go for a 17" rim. I saw a picture of a bonneville with an fron wheel of that dimension - and it looks great.

Would you be so kind to post pictures of your wheel and describe, how you changed the front fender?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

Keith's modifications are well described in The Vault, but basically consists of an inch wide adapter plate that bolts to the existing holes to move the front fender/bracket an inch further from the center of rotation. This allows the higher profile of a Dunlop K177 120/90-18 white wall to be used. I used the adapter for a while but once I decided to make the modification permanent, I had the bracket modified (they filled the holes, welded on the extra strip, re-drilled the holes) then I had it chromed, so the whole bracket is an inch taller but looks factory



For my bobber I was looking to get a spare fender to modify/cut-down. But the only ones I could find were from a Speedmaster (which has two extra wheels to clamp the brake line that runs across the fender for the second disc) or the one from the late model BA which is much wider. So instead I just measured up the front end and got a cheap ($50)aftermarket fender from J&P Cycles (they describe is as a 'late model narrow front fender'). It just about covers the width of the tire but leaves enough for the wheel/tire to look fatter than stock (they aren't) but seems to work fine.

^ both turned out very well!

Love that chromed bracket, Martin. Great inspiration to get something "better" done to mine!

Opps!!!! I meant holes, can't go suggesting those SM riders need stabilizer wheels!

Wow, good job, looks great. I love the white sidewalls.

Thanks!!

The white sidewalls are nice looking! I am having trouble getting the larger axle nut to back out. Can anyone help me to know why? Upon further review, it's the spindle i can't get out.

Did you loosen the pinch bolts?

In case any rookies like me read this as it's time consuming to find, maybe this will help being my first time and all: after unscrewing the right side the front spindle (big nut on left fork) will come out by gently tapping it with a rubber mallet from the right side, and i think an 11/16 deep well using the same trick that has been posted with the 5/8 plug. It does not have threads and prolly won't just slide out. The extension comes in handy again inverting the deep well and tapping the extension to push it far enough to get it to pull out. Not knowing what to expect, i had my lift just high enough so i could put a piece of 2x4 or what have you under both tires to prevent rocking along with a safety strap on the frame, but you should be okay if you loosen everything before lifting. Depending on your lift, mine has two arms on each side that settle into notches on the frame when you slowly release the air, mine being on the second notch you hit on the way up. Then after you gently slide the wood out from underneath your front tire will come out at a little bit of an angle to the side as it should not clear the front of the fender or mud guard if you will. I am going to use a small dab of anti seize on everything threaded before reassembly. Cleaned spindle and will reapply lithium grease. As for putting it back together...

Just caught you Ian; yes, pinch bolts out. Anti seize is okay, right? I will torque everything to spec.

I don't see why you can't use it but I never do.