 Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2014
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Guys,
I've got a few questions and concerns regarding my recently purchased 2012 America. First, do these bikes usually have a lot more drive-line lash than your basic cruiser? I mean mine seems so damn touchy or critcal to throttle inputs. It's like you have to conciously try to be very easy and smooth with any throttle inputs or the bike is extremely jerky and clunky. Even making audible "clunks" when this happens. It seems extremely grabby and jerky especially in the lower gears. Is this just a charactoristic of the bike, or is there something wrong? Tranny going south, bad cush-drive bumpers? I've heard some say the TPS might need re-setting/booting, or the throttle bodies need to be sync'd? Also, when shifting, my tranny is LOUD! I mean "clunk"! For every shift, up or down. Is this just a Triumph America, or does my bike have some issues? If it's just the nature of the beast, then I can live with it. But I'd like to know one way or the other. The bike just trurned 3400 miles. I got it when it had just 3297, so I haven't really rode it much. Another thing is the engine seems to have plenty of mechanical noise. Like valve train, clicking, whirring, a bit of soft clattering maybe, just all kinds of good stuff. Especially afer it gets warmed up. Now, I still have the stock exhaust mind you. Again, are these just noisy engines in general or is there something going to grenade on my newly aquired scoot? Other than these things, the bike seems to run quite strong for an 865. TIA all.
Mike
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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Valve noise is normal, everything is solid up there, no hydraulics. The whir noise is ,I think, the gear to gear primary drive. Both of those noises can be gotten rid of with louder pipes! The tranny clunk and grabbyness could be clutch out of adjustment. There are tons of these bikes out there with high miles with no real mechanical issues. Some over 100,000 and tons in the 30,000 to 50,000 miles range in which mine falls. The cush drive is a little sloppy and can be cured with an early Thunderbird cush drive or some leather pieces as shims. (some used rubber or even metal shims) Make sure you run good motorcycle oil with no friction modifiers in it like Amsoil, Mobil 1, or even some run the synthetic Rotella and report good results. I like the Amsoil motorcycle 20/50.
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: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 407 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
Guys, I mean mine seems so damn touchy or critcal to throttle inputs. It's like you have to conciously try to be very easy and smooth with any throttle inputs or the bike is extremely jerky and clunky. Even making audible "clunks" when this happens. It seems extremely grabby and jerky especially in the lower gears. Is this just a charactoristic of the bike, or is there something wrong?
While the EFI models are prone to snatchy throttle response at low RPM or small throttle openings you may want to investigate further. The SAI and O2 sensors are commonly deleted to reduce this. O2 sensor removal made a big difference for me and that isn't even why I deleted it! You may want to start with the air intake path first. Have seen a report over on the other site about a MAP sensor problem (or maybe it was just the hose connection at the manifold or at the sensor itself) causing the ECU to switch btwn open & closed loop operation very erratically. TuneECU is a really useful program to have in the "toolbox" for troubleshooting.
Quote:
Guys,Also, when shifting, my tranny is LOUD! I mean "clunk"! For every shift, up or down. Is this just a Triumph America, or does my bike have some issues? If it's just the nature of the beast, then I can live with it.
My transmission works as well as any motorcycle I've ridden. Not any better or worse.
Have you changed the oil? When was it done and with what oil?.
Last edited by MattyMo; 08/18/2014 6:50 PM.
09 America, some modifications
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2014
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All good info my friend. Thanks for the reply.
Ride safe,
Mike
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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I'm a bit hesitant to start removing emissions items off the scoot at this early stage of ownership. Although, I did remove the air injection system off my last bike, but it was a carbed bike. And removing it caused more popping on decel on that bike also. Also, I've heard removing the 02 sensors can result in the cats becoming clogged up. Is that true? As for the oil, the dealership I bought it from told me they changed it before the bike was shipped to me. I have no idea what kind/weight of oil they used. I bought the bike from a dealership in Arizona and I live in Michigan. Thanks again for your help.
Mike
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 407 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Quote:
I'm a bit hesitant to start removing emissions items off the scoot at this early stage of ownership.
Very understandable. Not really suggesting it, just noting it would likely come up in searches.
Do look into verifying the MAP sensor readings (throttle body sync) if you can. At the very least check the tubes from the intake manifold, up under the tank to the sensors. They should be snug and sealed. Very important they are air tight.
A big leak is not that hard to detect & find, a small leak can be very troublesome 
edit: can't speak to the cats as there were none in the headers or mufflers for 09 but I doubt it.
as for the oil, I would recommend you change the oil, filter and crush washer with a known product. ride and evaluate.
Last edited by MattyMo; 08/18/2014 9:15 PM.
09 America, some modifications
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2014
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I'll check that stuff out also. Man, and I thought getting a bike with EFI would make it pretty much maintanence-free in the fuel delivery department. Last fall I replaced a MAF sensor on my car, which is "mass air flow", but what does the "p" stand for in MAP?
Mike
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Potentiometer. Seriously - that's just a wild guess. I really don't remember... 
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: May 2007
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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MAP is Manifold Absolute Pressure
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Aug 2009
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On the tranny sounds, the America is a smooth shifter - I have a 2013 Speedmaster, and the shifting is flawless - very smooth, no clunks at all. I don't think clunking is a characteristic of the Triumph trannys. Maybe an oil change is in order for yours?
2013 Speedmaster Matte Black
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Jun 2014
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According to the dealership I bought it from, they changed the oil right before I received the bike. God knows what they put in it though. If you look into the site glass the oil indeed looks clean and fresh, but appears rather thin and watery if you ask me. Maybe I need to go to a heavier grade?
Mike
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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I switched over to Shell syn. 5-40 to try out, runs out and shifts like a dream. Unless my motor throws a rod or spins a bearing, I'm converted.
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Re: Questions about my new-to-me 2012 America....
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Second Wind
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Second Wind
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The dealership has the factory recommended stuff, so I would recon that's what they put in.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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