2012 Triumph Bonneville T100

This T100 is just about ready to go. It came in for a few changes, mostly bolt on stuff. We did a set of black Sun aluminum rims with black spokes, 17x3.5 up front and a 17x5.5 out back. To make room for the 1800mm tire, we had to get rid of the rear fender. Opened up the exhaust and intake with British Customs slip-ons and air box kit. Swapped out the stock headlight brackets for a set off the Thuxton. We also changed the mirrors and levers, ASV on the levers and CRG on the mirrors. The engine got a set of The Speed Merchant covers, stater and sprocket. They were both powder coated to match the gray in the paint along with the bars, chain guard and primary cover. We did that because we were trying get rid as much chrome and shiny stuff as possible. The rest of the motor was finished in black and the header was ceramic coated. The covered shocks are from Hagon. We tore them apart and had the covers powder coated too.   Last but not least was the seat, the popsicle stick had to go. This one was done by  Mauricio Aguilar, he always does a great job. He talked me into letting him do the rectangle pattern, and he was right, it looks looks great. Just a few things to do before it hits the street but we're getting there.

It's been a bit of a change, working on these Triumphs but, sometimes change is good. Check it out...              

The FXRP Project

This 1986 FXRP is another project that we finished up this summer. It came in looking pretty rough, for sure. We ripped it apart and went through it. The first thing we did was get rid of the stock 35mm forks. It got a brand new set of 39mm forks with Race Tech emulators and Speed Merchant preload adjusters. Rebuilt the front brake calipers and had the powder coated. It also got a Custom Cycle Engineering fork brace and a new set of brake line. The wheels were torn down and powder coated then got new bearing and seals. The bars are 14" West Coast T-bars. We also rewired it for new style HD switch housings and and added a set of Roland Sands Designs grips. It got a new set of 14" Works Performance Black Trackers. It came in with a chrome swing arm so we pulled it and powder coated it. That went back on with a Custom Cycle Engineering swing arm pivot kit. The rear brake that it came in with was beyond repair so we did a new PM 4 piston kit. ColorZone Designs did the paint work. The bike came in painted white with red flames. It actually would have been cool to restore that paint job, it definitely had an attitude. But, he wanted to change it so, we did. We added the Ness fairing and side covers as well. In these picture the paint looks black but it's a deep green. Anyway, if you're up in the San Jose area you 'll see it rolling around. If not, here you go...          

Pankow's West Coast Choppers CFL Project

This past summer was really nuts around the shop. We had a hand full of projects to do and a ton of summer time service and repair work. Not complaining, though, we appreciate all opportunities that come our way. But, I've had people asking why the Motomo posting had stopped and the reason was, not enough time.   Anyway, we shot some pics along the way and I started posting again a couple days ago.

 This CFL was one of the projects. It's been in and out of the shop for over the past year and has been posted here in the past. We got it's final assembly done a few weeks ago and rode it around a little to get it sorted out. It's a runner now so Kris came in yesterday with his registration and rode it out of here. Check it out...        

2013 Triumph Thruxton Project

When we were asked  to give this brand new 2013 Triumph Thruxton the business, we really didn't know what to say. We had never worked on or ever done anything to any of the new Triumphs before. And, I thought the bike looked pretty cool the way it was. But, it came in for some changes, so we made some changes. I hope they like it.    

By the way, this was also the first new Triumph I've ever ridden. A lot more bang for your buck than I ever thought. It's a really fun bike to blast around on. Check it out...

Speed Merchant 39mm Fork Pre-Load Adjusters

 We have the opportunity to test a lot of aftermarket parts in our shop. Some better than others, some not good at all and very few are "must have" items. Last year, when we first caught wind of the spring pre-load adjusters for 39mm forks from Speed Merchant, we couldn't wait to get our hands on a set. 

 Why? Because unless you have a Dyna FXDX or Sportster Sport, you need them. And that's why we thinks they're a "must have" item. Most, if not all, performance motorcycles have adjustable suspension components. In fact, that's exactly what makes the FXDX and Sportster Sport the "bikes of choice" of the aggressive, go fast, lane splitters who use their bikes to take care of business.  

 The forward thinkers over at Speed Merchant knew this but, also knew not everyone could get a DX or Sport, Harley Davidson didn't really that many of them. Sure,you could buy a set of new FXDX or Sport forks but, they'll cost you some real money, as a set will set you back about $800. bucks. So, they developed their own solution. 

 Their 39mm adjusters solve a big part of the stock suspensions shot-falls, being way to soft for the weight of the bike. Causing your bike to ride in the middle of the stroke where the valving start to get harsh. Being able to set the correct pre-load will allow you forks to ride higher, in the upper portion of the stroke. This tends to keep the front wheel planted as wall as allowing the fork to use the full range of travel.

We've installed quite a few sets now and each customer was surprised at how much the fork action was improved. For $159.00 and a couple of bottles of quality fork oil you can greatly improve your ride quality without spending a bunch of money.    

Check them out at www.thespeedmerchant.net      

Is That All There Is?

Yup, that's all that holds the the rear end of your Harley Davidson rubber mounted Sportster together. From the pipe side of the bike the rear mount looks solid. From the other side, there's too much in the way to really see anything. But with the motor out of the bike the weak link is very evident. Remember now, the swing arm pivots through this part of the engine case witch of course holds up the back of the bike. The factory may have saved a few bucks casting it like this but, I sure didn't. Needless to say, this motor was removed from the frame without removing the swing arm at all.  

The good new is, the transplant went very well. The patient will spend a couple more days in intensive care before making a full recovery.