Rear Suspension Adjustment Issue

Chris B · Jun 25, 2015

Good evening all,

I've just got back in from the garage after tearing some of my hair out and I'd like to ask for some technical advice.

My lovely wife is now all kitted up for us to go on proper adventures (Dunstable Downs for tea and cake sounds good) but I've had to wait for a C-Spanner I ordered from A J SUTTON (I love that company) as I was given the wrong sized spanner when I bought the 'bird. It appeared the rear susp' was on it's lowest setting and was far too soft for pillion riding. Today the spanner arrived and I turned both spring's preloads all the way up to setting 5.

The Mrs was getting excited about going out for a proper run when I noticed that the threaded spindle thing (not the technical term) that sticks out from the rear wheel hub on the off side was rubbing up against the exhaust pipe!! It would not take long for the pipe get ruined during a ride. I've got Hogslayers fitted.

The advice I'm asking for is; should the spindle be sticking out so far it rubs on the pipe and is it feasible for me to maybe put some metal shims where the pipe connects to the bike to try and move it away from that spindle?

I was going to try it but I can't undo the 12mm bolt connecting the pipe to the bike. I'm hoping to get that sorted (somehow)

Has anyone else had these issues?

thebiglad · Jun 25, 2015

Hi Chris it might be an idea if we could have some facts before going too far down a road.

Facts such as : Model of Triumph motorcycle; year of 1st registration, engine size etc etc

crispey · Jun 26, 2015

Sounds like the right thing to do, as I'm sure, as you say, it shouldn't be rubbing, when you do it though make sure you loosen off any other retaining bolts and where the pipes meet the down pipe just to make sure you are not putting any strain on other parts. Don't forget to tighten them up tho!!

Chris B · Jun 26, 2015

Thank you for the replies. The bike is a 2012 Thunderbird Storm, non ABS, 1700, de-catted with Hogslayers. Good idea re the retaining bolts though I still can't undo the bolt where the exhaust pipe attaches! It will not defeat me!

Chris B · Jun 27, 2015

Today I went out and bought a 12mm combi spanner (my 12mm had mysteriously vanished) and got the bolt undone. One zinc plated washer later and the off side pipe has now moved out approx. 3mm. Doesn't sound much but now the pipe clears the spindle so I can now ride out with the Mrs and not worry about the pipe getting wrecked