Looks good to me.
Just one comment regarding brakes. My Bobber currently uses the calipers and discs from a Speed Twin, (310mm) and they really are a significant improvement over the stock set up, 2 finger braking is all that’s required even during emergency braking.
Theyre so good in fact, that I’ve bought a second set to install on my Speedmaster, (a winter project as I’ll need mounting adapters)

To my point. The Free spirits kit looks top notch, but I do question the use of 340mm discs on a 16” wheel. It’s difficult enough with stock discs to check tyre pressure and add air. A 340mm disc is going to make it extremely tight in there.

 

A

 

Thanks for the quick reply @Enoch . I'd been thinking about that too. I currently have a 90' bend Schrader valve inner tube fitted, and that would almost certainly be a challenge to access. As I'm going to replace the front tyre at the same time I was thinking of going back to a "straight" Schrader valve and using one of these, fitting only when required and exiting through the large spaces between the holder and the disc then attaching pressure gauge and pump to the end as normal. It seems workable, but I might have to get a cardboard template knocked up for a bit of experimenting...!

 

As far as putting in emulators you won't be sorry, the feel and handling will surprise you. Once it's fully dialed in your bike will be as plush as a Lazy-Boy recliner. Enjoy.

 

might be stupid - i dont know - do you need a twin disc set up - wouldn't a single disc be more than sufficient, although you would probably need a plain Bobber master cylinder (assuming its smaller)

 

I'd think different brake pads would also improve the feel and response, but to each their own. I replaced the disks on my Thruxton R with wave rotors, but that was more of an aesthetic decision, the braking was excellent.

 

Hockey pucks can solve so many things!

I have a fender stratocaster guitar with a floyd rose tremolo pickup. Well - I am not jimi hendrix, so I don't use the whammy bar - to isolate it I cut hockey puck in half and sized it to hold the floating part in one place.

 

Thanks everyone for the comments, suggestions and advice.

I visited a local bike shop this morning to discuss fitting the cartridges for me and replacing the seals etc to loose forks (I just don't have the tools to strip and rebuild the forks). Orders for the cartridges and brakes placed. I'll post photos as bits arrive and get bolted on, and give a full review of what I really think after the changes have been made.

 

Look forward to the ride report after it's all kitted up. Enjoy.

 

G'day Bath,
2 great mods that will make a serious improvement to the overall feel of your Bobber.
I do feel slightly responsible for the crap front-end chatter you've been experiencing so feel
free to send me the bill for the new springs!
I won't be getting rid of my Bobber any time soon either....nothing compares.....not even close!
I'll probably do the front spring upgrade too so I look forward to your review. Best of luck.
Cheers mate.

 

G'day Bath,
2 great mods that will make a serious improvement to the overall feel of your Bobber.
I do feel slightly responsible for the crap front-end chatter you've been experiencing so feel
free to send me the bill for the new springs!
I won't be getting rid of my Bobber any time soon either....nothing compares.....not even close!
I'll probably do the front spring upgrade too so I look forward to your review. Best of luck.
Cheers mate.

I'll hold you to a Victoria Bitter if I ever manage to get down that way. Cheers ! 🍺

 

Bimey, that was quick !

From Brook Suspension in the UK

 

Hopefully the Nitron is a direct plug and play, no machining required like on my Matris setup. You'll want to run it a bit soft (less preload) at first so the dampers and springs get acquainted. After about 100 miles then set your sag and damping and you're done. No more sphincter puckering pothole terror.

 

AJ Cycles said it was a drop in deal. I'm eagerly waiting your feedback coz I want easy in my life.

 

Just picked the forks up from the workshop. Definitely machining required - the Nitron 47mm cartridges are not a drop in. This is what both Brooks Suspension said before I purchased the cartridges from them and Just Motorcycles in Basingstoke have confirmed now they are fitted.

This is the video Brooks sent me before purchase (it's not a Bobber but the modification is the same) - see from 3'33" for details :

This is the same modification the suspension guy at Just Motorcycles confirmed he had to make.

Just Motorcycles also fixed the snapped hex bolts for me on the axle. They don't know what had happened, but the remaining bits were so tightly jammed (after I had snapped them) their normal extractors wouldn't touch the remaining bolt ends - they had to drill them out and refit helicoils. All looking nice and shiny now.

More photos to follow - I feel an evening of fettling coming on

 

Parts from the UK - arrived next day
Parts from China - arrived in one week
Parts fom Italy - who knows 🤣 Somewhere in the post in Europe on the way to the distributor in the north of England

 

I’m in Western Australia and purchase stuff from all over. With my Ducati I got a couple of parts from Italy and it was not too bad. For my Camaro I have had parts arrive from California quicker than Melbourne (east coast of Australia). The worst by far for me is always China. If it’s just a cheap little item you buy it and then just forget about it, the part may or may not arrive in about a month usually. If it’s important you track/stress/email for that month

 

If Italian mail service is anything like the US Post Office, your parts must first be routed to a lunar moon base before departing for Earth......

 

Or if it is like the Canadian post - It will go from Italy to Kentucky and back, and then on to you.

IT IS ALWAYS KENTUCKY!

 

Fed up waiting for the brakes to arrive from Italy - took the fork legs out this evening and will get them down to the workshop this week for the cartridges to be fitted (and the snapped security hex bolt on the wheel spindle to be removed - D'oh - I love Triumph lock tight).

I was surprised how rusty the underside of the front mud guard (fender) was. Cleaned up and stone chip applied in a thick coat.

Now I just need the brakes to arrive before it all gets put back together so I can replace the tyre and get everything balanced before reassembly... and if not I'll be taking the wheel off twice 😁

 

and if not I'll be taking the wheel off twice 😁

Gets easier every time you do it!

 

Progress!!

 

I'd be keeping a close eye on the sky. Praying for no rain.

 

Evviva, sono arrivati i freni!

Now the plan of attack is get the forks back from the workshop, refit them and install the new brakes, get a new front tyre plus inner tube with straight Schrader valve fitted and the whole lot balanced with the new discs in place. Will have to wait until the 20th to get the tyre, but the forks should be back with me some time next week.

If I don't snap. strip or bend anything else that will be the front end sorted (save for endless adjustments and twiddling for weeks to come...)

 

Rain is expected for the next 3 days - So I think maybe it is time for a shock swap and installing the CoC springer! Maybe even the fwd controls...

 

I'd love to get out to the garage but......

 

one upgraded disc and calliper on the bobber is a game changer. Twin upgraded discs and callipers on the bobber black is going to be phenomenal.

 

Or should that be the other way round, phenomenal then game changer, anyway, you know what I mean!

 

Finished as it was just getting dark. New tyre will be ready and wheel back tomorrow for first test ride.

Might need to bleed the brakes again too - won't be sure until after a few miles....

 

All reassembled. First 10 mile run and the suspension improvement even on default settings is very noticable. Will take a few more careful miles to bed the brakes in.... I'll post a better summary next week some time.

One related point - I picked up the Nitron suspension for £580, the cheapest I can see it in the UK today is £726 (ouch).

 

Sorry for the 5 month lag time, but what rack is that over your rear fender I wonder. I need that right there. Congrats on your front end success BTW, every time I think I have a bike pretty much dialed in I see another thread like this. I replaced the wheels, rotors, pads and cycled the fluid recently on my bobber. I was like "I rock!". Now I'm like "I have a terrible front suspension"

 

You'll be impressed with how much better the front end is now that you can actually dial it in. My recommendation is leave the compression damping alone and back off a couple clicks on the rebound after setting sag. If that's too bouncy up the rebound a click at a time until joy is found.