Triumphrat

bmetz99

[rant mode]

Is it just me, or has anyone else noted the incredible bull$#!+ to fact ratio of advice being given here on the Bonneville forum?

Have a look at just about any thread on this forum that is a request for information regarding carburetion or general running issues. For the most part, the questions can be answered simply and easily by someone who has a basic understanding of motorcycle mechanics. Yet there is generally a minimum of four or five pages given to a mixture of myth, repeated misinformation, and outright garbage, all in the name of "helping' some poor hapless soul who is silly enough to seek advice.

A hypothetical illustration: Poor Joe Newbie goes out and buys a Bonneville and hears that the kind folks at Hinckley offer something called "TORs". He comes here asking whether he'll need to re-jet his carburetors if he installs them. Rather than being greeted with something resembling fact, he's met with a barrage of confusing and outright wrong information. "Doesn't matter what mufflers you install, just leave the stock jets and you'll be fine!". "Screw the TORs, what you need to do is ditch your airbox!". "Leave it completely stock, including the AI, or your engine will explode!". "Disconnect the carb heaters if you want it to run right!". "Change your spark plugs before you do anything!". "If you don't balance your carburetors first, you're wasting your time!".

Sadly, few if any of the usual "advisers" either know what they're talking about or can offer a fact-based rationale for their advice. More often than not the suggestions are based in repeated "wisdom" or half-baked theories that have nothing to do with the realities of engineering.

I truly feel sorry for the poor saps who show up here looking for helpful advice.

[/rant mode]

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\"A motorcycle is a tool, not a fashion accessory"

My Bobber

sweatmachine

I couldn't disagree with you more.

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Macgruber!


Click for a picture of my slightly modified Bonnie

NewOldSkool

Wow, somebody pissed in someones Cheerios...

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Iraq is stupid!!!

Bottle_Fed

Have a little too much caffine today metz?

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2001 Black Bonneville 1200cc "High Tuned Son-of-a-Bitch!"


Bored, Stroked, and Injected!
Life always gets better after a few gears and a shot of nitrous....

grayghost

Easy lad......It was on this forum that I learned that my forks were low on oil and I had to fill them to the top.

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" No.....your other left" (Memories to when I was a Motorcycle Instructor)

tba-golfer

bmetz

Kudos to you for expressing your opinion.
BUT, from one who has been around for a bit, and who has valued every thread and individual expression about mechanics, fashion, riding skills, style, ad infinitum, I must totally reject your rant. This site has been a wonder for me, and I have been alert enough to just keep reading until I find the gems that ring true for me.
You've done me a service with your contrarian bias, in that I am now re-energized in my appreciation to rat.net.
Thanks, and Cheers!

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What's the most amazing thing you've ever found?
Impossible to say. You see there's something amazing every two or three weeks.

Local Hero (1983)

RedBird

Toga, Toga, Toga...

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Larry
2003 T-100 (790cc), NARK, NH Togas, 8100 rpm rev limiter, 158 main jets, 42 pilot jets (less than 1 turn out on pilot screws), stock needles--no shims. 13 A/F ratio from 1100 rpm to 4000 rpm; 12 A/F ratio from 4000 rpm to 6000 rpm; 13 A/F from 6000 rpm to 8100 rpm.:D
2007 Tiger 1050--White:D--SW-Motech crashbars, Skidmarx rear hugger/chain guard, Calsci +7 windscreen.

danf_florida

Not to upset anyone, but when I first came on, I did some lurking. Then I decided what I wanted to do to my BA and did it. I felt that I was getting good info for the most part. I know what works for me, but I am not an expert. I am satisfied with what I've done so far. I have my Haynes manual, I check my plugs, heck, I can change my own light bulbs even.

If I did every mod that has been listed, I would be one heck of a terror on the roads. But I learned a long time ago "There are experts, there are wanna-be experts, and those who think they are experts". My job was to figure who was who and who did I feel was providing the best info.

I did not change the bike in any way until I had ridden it for awhile. When I did a change, I evaluated what the change did for me. (I did have a windscreen for a while, but did not like the resulting change in charatisics of the bike, so I took it off).

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2005 TBA, AI removed, debaffled pipes, added tach, leather saddle bags, backrest, and luggage rack, K&N Air Filter.

gaptooth grin

im not sure what ,bothers me the most the bravo-sierra,or the arrogance,go kick yer dog maybe you`ll feel better

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07 t-100red&blk,- /lots -o-bling,narked,150/45`s custom stainless exhaust,single seat, 19 tooth,M-bars w/risers,kuryakin grips,napoleans,hagon fork springs,signal minder,clock,thermometer,and compass,boo-coo,little things,

TommyTwin

You know...I would like to see more advice and details given on how WD-40 can fix and/or solve almost any problem we bonnie owners encounter.

PS...if you don't have any WD-40 lemon scented Pledge is an adequate substitue.