Old Flames, My first year back in the saddle.
So I find myself on a Southwest flight from Indianapolis to Baltimore and am thinking it would be a good time to write about my first year back on a motorcycle. Last year Emma told me I needed to buy another motorcycle. I took off my birthday, September 18th last year and low and behold on Craigslist I find a 2005 Triumph America. The bike just appealed to me, beckoned me, so the next day I drove to Indianapolis from Lafayette and bought it on the spot. I have already written about that adventure, so let’s move on.
October, November, and December of 2015 gave me some good riding weather. My daughter Kate got to go on her first motorcycle ride and jumps at the chance to go whenever Emma is not in the mood.
Now I got a beautiful bike, but even with only 2800 miles on her she needed some attention.
• The Bridgestone tires were original and even though they looked OK they were hard and rode like crap.
• The front rotor was warped? Strange with the low mileage on the bike.
• I had a bent brake handle and a ding in the right lower shroud.
• I did not like the original saddle bags, even though they were still in the box when I picked up the bike.
• The rear shocks seemed hard. It was probably the tires, but adjusting them did not make much difference to me.
• The original pillion seat was not built for comfort.
• The backrest gave her no support.
• I wanted to bring the handlebars back a bit.
• That damn little rubber speedo support on the fender was broke.
Over the winter I found a pair of OEM chrome levers on e-bay for $40.00. YES
I ordered a Triumph touring pillion from Pure-Triumph.
I found a backrest made by Tourrest that gives Emma the support she wants.
I ordered a couple stickers, t-shirt, Memphis Shades Alley Cat followed shortly by Memphis shades lowers from our own Fast Eddy Sports.
I really liked the America, but for this to end up being “the bike” I had to make sure my wife was as comfy as possible. She has been through a lot the past few years health wise due to a drunk driver pulling out it front of her in 2011. Before children we both loved to ride and I want her to get as much pleasure out of riding as I do.
By June we had done enough miles to know the America was the right bike. I also decided that this was going to be a bike that I am going to keep for a long time. Through life we all make compromises of what we want and what we need. Not this time. With this one thing, this motorcycle, I was going to do what I want. (As long as my wife says it is OK.)
First thing to go were the saddle bags. I wanted hard lockable bags. I decided to go old school and got BB Reproductions. My dad had these bags on his 1958 Triumph T110. I love these bags. I had to get some wider spacers to keep them off the shocks, but they are great bags.
I ordered Triumph stick on logos through Fast Eddy Sports and they look great on the bags. I also ordered the clear turn indicator lenses. The lenses made a dramatic difference in the look of the bike. This was an easy job.
After this I went to the local Triumph dealer and ordered new tires. After reading a number of forums I decided to go with Avons. At the same time I ordered the lower front shroud. It had to ship from England. Great 6 weeks. I was not going to pull the front wheel twice so I put up the Bridgestones for a couple more months.
Now this is when things got interesting. I had put a list together of what I wanted to do. I highlighted what I needed when I pulled the wheels, and showed the list to Emma. She asked what the other stuff was and I told her it was stuff I wanted to order eventually. She told me to order it all.
The order-Fast Eddy Sports.
• A maintenance manual.
• Floating front brake rotor.
• New brake pads front and back
• 19 tooth front chain sprocket
• Hagon 2810 300mm shocks
• Rivco handlebar risers
• Wide Mirrors
• Avon Grips
• Mustang Bib
• Chrome clutch cable bracket and boot
• Switchblade foot pegs for the front and mini floorboards for the passenger.
• That damn chrome speedo cable ring for the front finder
I decided I would do the wrenching myself. I invested in the tools needed. Some I had. As I was waiting for the front shroud to come in (8 weeks) everything from FES arrived. I pulled the tires and took them in to the dealer. It took me about a week to get everything done. It would have been much quicker if I was not so OCD about cleaning.
I really enjoyed wrenching on the bike. The America is a great bike for a do it yourself kinda guy. Everything I installed on the bike did exactly what I wanted and I am very happy with how it turned out. The 19 tooth sprocket took some getting used to. The best way I can describe this upgrade is to think of the 5 speed tranny as a 4 speed transmission with an overdrive gear. Between the shocks and tires the ride is OMG better. Braking is better and smooth. All the bobbles I added were of good quality. The biggest surprise and improvement to me was one of the simplest upgrades. The Avon grips make throttle control so much easier.
Since I upgraded the backrest over the winter and had the original pad I built the bracket from this site that mounts to the pillion for a driver backrest. I really liked it, but my wife did not so it is no longer on the bike.
In September I went to the Kentucky Rally and met JR, Charlie, Jessica, and Paul. This was definitely the highlight of the year. You can read about that under the Rally tab. The bike performed wonderfully. The original seat with the backrest I built was great. I did a total of 1466 miles with 556 of those being the Sunday ride home.
Since my wife did not like the driver backrest I ordered a Mustang seat with a removable backrest that is waiting for me to install when I get home. Why? The original seat with the backrest I made gave me a solid base. Without the backrest I do not feel planted. The Mustang seat has a defined saddle and the backrest is easily removable. I am sure there will be pictures of this, and yes FES.
I ordered a oil and filter kit from Eddy and that is sitting at home. That project will be done soon.
Over the winter I plan to add the Firestarter and Stage 1 modification from TTP. At that point I will be done.
Many people over the years have contributed to this website and have been key in some of the mods and decisions I have made. Wade and Eddy have been kind enough to help me over the phone with advice. I have ordered every item I could from Fast Eddy Sports. He is one of us and deserves our support. Any issues that came up he made right. His knowledge on these bikes is invaluable.
I know I am fortunate to have the ability to spend the money as I do on this motorcycle. I also know I have worked many long days for years to get to this point of my life. This bike is wonderful for the two lane back roads I love to travel and an occasional rally to meet new and old friends.
The leaves are changing and the temperature is dropping. Soon winter will be among us in the north and our Triumphs will be sitting silently in the garage. Many of us will turn to this site to hear what everyone is doing, thinking, and planning for the coming year. I hope to see many of you on two wheels this coming year. I really enjoy having like minded people to share my obsession with. God Bless.
