Triumph Rat Motorcycle Forums banner

Bonneville to Scrambler handlebar swap - not possible?

21K views 45 replies 12 participants last post by  Askari 
#1 ·
I don't like the pattern of the Scrambler handlebars and I sat on a Bonneville yesterday at the dealer and felt the Bonnie bars would be perfect. I wasn't paying attention to the bar diameter but I've been told Bonnie bars are 1" and I can see the Scrambler bars are 7/8". Can anybody confirm the Bonnie bar size?

Second question - if they are different, who makes a 7/8" bar that is identical in shape to the Bonnie bar? A part number, web link or other specific ID would be useful because I want exactly the Bonnie pattern.

Lastly, if anybody has a used set of 7/8" bars like this I'm interested in buying them. My WTB ad was pulled from the classified section for some reason. I have requested clarification from the moderators in a separate thread so I understand the rules about WTB ads.
 
#2 ·
7/8" was the standard forever...there's lots of choices...!" came with HD and became another option...most stuff you see thru JC Whitney aftermarket and such will be 7/8".

some of the "modern" Triumph line uses 7/8" 90's thunderbird and maybe more.

most dirt bike stuff including chrome-moly will be 7/8".

you have a wide selection.


you could ream your clamps to 1" and go that direction.
 
#3 ·
#10 ·
Flanders has the biggest selection of steel 7/8" bars.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportHandlebars78.html

I've ordered this bar and waiting to get it. I expect it to be about the same as stock, but with more "pull back". I'm also getting it in black.

650-05052 7\8 TT-Flat Track Style Bar, Black and Knurled 650-05052

Dennis Kirk and Motor Acc Wherehouse also deal in Fanders bars.

-Ken

hey halfdog,
I would be VERY interested in hearing how those bars work for you. I, too, am looking at a set of Flanders replacements for the same reason of additional pullback. However, I passed on the bars you choose ( A-24 bars )because they are just as wide as the stock ones and only have .5 inch more pullback. I want to opt for the XR 750 style ( C-24 bars ) which are 3 inches narrower and have 3.5 inches more pullback. I'm researching what it would take to change the cables, though, because I'm sure it has to be done with that set.

Also, I would like to hear from people with the speed triple bars installed as far as how much more pullback they have over the stock scram bars. I'm willing to pay Triumph's price for them if I don't have to change cables as I'm sure I will with the Flanders C-24 bars.

All I really want is the stock Scrambler bars if the last ( top ) curve by the grips were turned inward twords the rider about 2 inches.
 
#4 ·
bars for scrambler

Dale,

I mentioned it in another thread earlier, but good excuse to put another picture up. Glencoe this time:)



The Speed triple bars, shown here on my old scrambler, are a straight swap for Scrambler ones. They're both 7/8", they have the same holes in them as your scram bars so the switches go right on. The extra cable/hose length isn't a problem, others have done it too. I used Motrax bar ends as stoppers. The only problem is the price, as Triumph charge £72 for them, a lot more than your Flanders or other proprietary brand.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the tip on the ST bars. Actually my dealer told me yesterday that some folks have switched to Tiger bars. I sat on the Tiger in the showroom but because the whole frame/tank/seat configuration was different I couldn't be sure I wanted them on my Scrambler. I going to give the dealer a call in a few minutes to confirm the 1" vs 7/8" question between the Bonnie and Scrambler.
 
#13 ·
jonyc... I just read your reply on the other thread. Yeah.. sounds like S3 bars won't fix it for me.

Dale... what are you doing reading this??! you should be out in the garage swapping handlebars!! The public ( ahem... by that I mean me ) is waiting for a ride report on those bars. :D I checked the link you sent, but couldn't find the measurements of the LTD bars you ordered.

Thanks all. By the way... I'm bringing the Scrambler in for the first ( 600 mile service ) tomorrow. After spending time on this site, has anyone come across anything I should know, or specific issues to ask the mechanic to double check during this service?
 
#14 ·
check the spoke tension

Bremsstrahlung (how do you pronounce that?),

Ask to have the spoke tension, especially in the rear wheel, particularly the left side of the rear wheel, checked. I had six of them loose in my rear wheel after 100 miles. Although Triumph insist it's just a maintenance issue, you may want to take a look at the 'broken spoke' thread, started by blackbonny.
 
#17 ·
Bremsstrahlung (how do you pronounce that?),

Ask to have the spoke tension, especially in the rear wheel, particularly the left side of the rear wheel, checked. I had six of them loose in my rear wheel after 100 miles. Although Triumph insist it's just a maintenance issue, you may want to take a look at the 'broken spoke' thread, started by blackbonny.
Good advice... I do remember seeing some grumbling about spokes on these bikes. Turns out that we had a big windstorm yesterday and today ( 25mph with gusts over 40mph ) and the dealer is 35 miles from here.. including 30 on the expressway... so I rescheduled the service for next week.

Bremsstrahlung :D That's just me being difficult. ("brem-strah-lung") In a nutshell, it's actually a term to describe the energy released, in radiation, by slowing down. (When an incident photon passes closely to the nucleus of an atom, the directional change releases energy).
Seemed like a good name. I've owned fast bikes in the past and find theres a great energy by simply slowing down on a motorcycle. It's more enjoyable to me to relax and enjoy the ride without the constant temptation on the throttle hand. Besides, one of my favorites: "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"

sweatmachine.. that's an excellent link. Perfect in being able to actually see the handlebars mounted with the same camera angle to compare... and way cheap. Thanks.

Dale... I didn't realise that that little object was a link to a chart. I wonder if that 4.8" center section is going to be wide enough for the Scrambler's clamp. I was worried about that with the bars I wanted to order.
 
#18 · (Edited)
The new handlebars arrived today. Per a previous post the Bonnie bars have the following specs.

Rise = 5"
Pullback = 8"
Center = 5.5"
Width = 28"

The LTD bars
Rise = 4.8
Pullback = 7.2
Center = 4.8
Width = 30

Here's a picture.


I had the new bars bolted in but they aren't going to work without a longer brake hose. The clutch cable was a little tight too but it might work if I remove the locating clip on the front of the frame. Does anybody know if the Bonneville has a longer front brake hose (i.e. different part number) than the Scrambler? Would a Harley shop or industrial supply place be able to custom make a brake hose? I've never done this, do they cut the hose off your old banjo fittings and reuse them with a new flexible section?
 
#19 ·
Too bad about the bars. Interesting that they won't fit considering the LTD bars are narrower and have less pullback than the stock Scrambler bars and only about an inch more rise. Such a huge difference in shape considering the similar specs to the Scrambler's stock bars
Sounds like the bonnie hose would bolt right in since the bars are so close in specs.... but I would have bet the Scram hose would have fit for the same reasons. The bonnie sits lower, though.. I bet that equals a shorter hose. How about an America hose? I mean, Triumph is big on that common platform thing.
It looks to me like you might have some room for trimming off on the end of the LTD bars, too... that might be enough to get the brake line to work.
Other than all of that, how did the bars feel? Was the reach and arm/wrist position what you were looking for enough to go the process of changing hoses and possibly cables?
 
#21 ·
I thought about cutting off some of the bar ends but I can see a possible problem. You need a certain amount of straight pipe at the ends for all the switches, grips and clamps. That's really the problem with the brake hose. The clamp can't work on the curved section. Too bad because they felt pretty good. At least I'm only out $31.

The company sells a "Clubman" bar, which has a similar shape but not as tall. I might try it. First I'm going to check with the dealer about a longer hose.
 
#23 ·
Check out Brent at New/Bonneville. I'm pretty sure he has extended cable and brake line kits. Cost 4 times the bars but that's the price of comfort. Don't think you'll find a whole kit cheaper.
 
#25 ·
Bars...

Well I have two sets of Flanders here and neither is just right. The Daytona Tour Style 650-04602 have the right pull back, but are 2" lower than stock. The TT/Flat track 650-05051 have the rise and pull back, but have a perculiar bend that kind of goes forward before the bend then pulls back. The bars that seem just right are "Pro Taper" aluminum "ATV HIGH". They are same height as stock, have the extra pull back. I've just been hesitant about putting on aluminum (&black) bars. I have also seen some "Moose" steel bars with the same ATV HI name that felt about right. I'll post again when I get the right bars on.
 
#26 ·
halfdog..... When looking at the Flanders site, I could only find Daytona Tour style 650-04601 ( C-34 ) bars, not 650-04602. Did those bolt right on the Scrambler with the stock hoses and cables intact? They list 7" pullback, while stock Scram bars seem to have 8"... but you report more pullback than the stockers. If they bolt right on, I don't think I'd mind lower bars with more pullback as you report, for myself. Maybe we can work out a deal if you want to unload them.
Also.. I bought a set of Moose CR HI bars for a V-Strom I had. I rode them around for a while then switched back to the stockers. If I can find them, you're welcome to them. In fact... I think they have a bar snake already installed as a bonus. I'll have to look... they're either in my garage, or my buddies garage where we did the work.
 
#27 ·
The Flanders bars I have are the C34 formerly 91-0060 and I may put these on. They have the just right pull pack angle comfortable for wrists, but are 2" lower than stock. They look like all cables would be fine.

Then I might also play with the Moose ATV Hi bars I have for only $30.

I have way too many bars lying around and need to install one set!
 
#29 ·
Well... impatience always wins. I just ordered a set of these bars:

GS-E Type Bar - Chrome (use for XS Standard).
Width - 30", Rise - 4 1/8", Pullback - 10 1/2" x 7/8"Dia.

from this website:
http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-chassis.php?category_id=1.4#25-0125

I figured I'd try 'em out and see what happens... for only $29 it seemed worth it instead of endless researching and waiting and getting nothing done day after day.

Definately interested in Halfdog's results with the C34s, though... those are the exact bars I originally wanted.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top