So about a year ago, I picked up this 03 Hinkley built bonneville as my first registered bike. Ive had others before that were either unregistered, or shit..a pair of cbr250rr's, a Honda cb100 and various dirt bikes over the years, so I had a fair idea of what I liked to ride and what I didn't. After listening to Jeff Lang / Keith Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black lightning" way too many times, I was set in my mind that I wanted something old, or at least old styled, had to be carbies, and preferably english. Found the Bonneville at a dealer not too long after this, paid what in hindsight was probably a little too much, and proceeded home to promptly remove the homemade saddlebags and rack some old codger had slapped on there.
For the first few weeks, you couldnt keep me off of it, and i left it pretty well alone other than the normal maintanance, a new battery, and leaning the bars back a fraction. Problem is, at this stage I only had my learners permit, and the bike is not on the LAMS list. after a few too many close calls, I called it quits, parked the bike up and went and did my Q-Ride. Its been sitting in the garage ever since, and knowing my full licence is now only a couple of months away, Im getting itchy.
So. Here is the bike as of last week as a stocker
First thing I did was try a mod that was free, and relatively simple. Flipped the handlebars to give it a much lower feel, and removed the mirrors.
Two issues here though. With the handlebars in this configuration, they hit on the tank before reaching full lock, and the bar end mirrors I have are for 7/8th" bars. I could use some 1" risers from www.newbonneville.com, but decided against it. Instead, I've ordered some 1" x 36" wide drag bars meant for a Harley Davidson. I figure if theyre too wide, I can cut them down to where i want them, and hide any ugliness from cutting with handlegrips and bar end mirrors. If it looks shit altogether, who gives a fuck, they only cost me 30 bucks and I'll go back to square one. this pic i found makes me think it should work out pretty nicely though.
other option im considering are Bella Course "Superbars" which are a little more upright, and may be a bit more comfortable for the long highway trips most of my riding will be on. There are no corners in Townsville. I swear this place was planned with a map, some tracing paper and set square.
One of the main problems I have at the moment that has been there since i got the bike is all this corrosion on some of the alloy bits.
It really drags down the look of the bike so I'd like to clean it up if possible, but don't really know where to begin. failing that, does anyone know where I can find replacement engine side covers?
the other corrosion issue i have is here on the chrome shock assemblies. I could try and clean it up the chrome, and spray the springs black since they fit my plans for the bike, but these are chrome, not polished, so it may end up easier to simply replace them altogether with newies that already have the black springs. They are most likely the original 9 year old struts anyway
I have removed the side covers, both front and rear fenders, the battery and started to remove the battery box, hoping to end up with a result like this. I still need to source some pod filters, and make a bracket to support the carbies
as far as batteries go, I will still need one to start it since the newer bonnies have no kick starter. At the moment im looking into LifePo4 setups using drill batteries stored under the seat, nice and slim and out of view, allowing me to keep the old school open look. This is the set up i will be basing mine on, and the more i read about it the less I understand why its not more commonplace. http://www.triumphrat.net/club-cafe/...batteries.html
It will take alot of wiring tidy up, but the end result should be worth it. I also want to take the opportunity to relocate these to under the seat. Ugly shit can stay off the front of my bike, thanks.
the exhaust is also pretty ugly, so I've ripped it off to see what i can do to clean it up, but I actually really like the look of no mufflers at all, and to be honest, the mufflers are so useless that there is any barely a volume difference. the bike is usually pretty loud and crackly anyway. Im thinking i may end up leaving them off and doing the pipes in a white pipe wrap.
As far as fenders go, im in QLD. apparently we are the #1 state for police being anal about fender eliminators, so im trialing an idea of using the front fender on the back, as it hugs the wheel nicely, and being black, gives the illusion at first glance of there being no fender at all. Will obviously require some bracketry, but Im chasing opinions on the idea here first as to wether its worth pursuing or not. if it ends up looking shit i think i'll just risk it. The front fender i think will ever run without one at all, or a chopped one, depending on QLD legalities again.
Also had this rock up today, 19T front sprocket as opposed to the stock 17t..should stop me constantly reaching for the non-existant 6th gear on the highway.
so here is the bike as it sits. Future plans are for a few billet or aluminum bits and peices here and there such as headlight brackets, chain gaurds, sprocket covers etc etc. I will update this thread as I get move on. eventually. probably not.
Ideas / thoughts?
Originally Posted by Scrad
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