Triumphrat

Brains · 03-21-2005, 11:04 PM

I have been reading the various posts about fitting the OEM lower bars to my Thunderbird. I would like to know from anyone that has made this change. Did you buy the kit from Triumph including the cables or did you just buy the lower bars?

Cheers.

00wabbit · 03-21-2005, 11:24 PM

I just bought lower bars. They cost about $25.

The only problem with them is that you have to drill holes for the switch gear, or cut off the tabs. I chose to drill holes because its easier to replace a $25 bar if you screw up than the switch gear.

Also there isn't any bar end weights, so the shorter stiffer bar without weights transmits more vibration to your hand. I solved this by putting silicone in the handlebar and adding Progrips Gel Grips.

Didn't really need to change the cables. I just had to re route the throttle cable a little becuase the excess would binf up when I turned the bars fully. After re-routed their is no problems.

MickMaguire · 03-22-2005, 12:02 AM

00wabbit's post is a little misleading. He is saying that he purchased and fitted aftermarket lower bars. This is a route you shoudl consider too (e.g. flanders bars) as you get more choice of bar dimensions at a much lower price than the Triumph "lower bars".

The benefit of the Triumph items are that you dont have to do any drilling or fussing with bar ends - they bolt straight on in place of the originals. The shorter brake line (you dont get shorter cables) that comes with the full kit is worth having, but not necessary as you can route the brake line so that most of the extra slack is used up behind the headlamp. As far as the cables go you shoudl pull them through underneath the tank a little or reroute them as wabbit did.

HTH

Brains · 03-22-2005, 01:38 AM

I'd prefer to buy the Triumph bars. I was mainly concerned with the extra length of throttle cable and brake lines. It sounds like the extra length can be accommodated witha small amount of tweaking.

The price of the lower bar is A$150 while the lower bar kit is priced at A$275. You can see why I want to make do with my original plumbing.

Slinky · 03-22-2005, 03:50 AM

You also have to take width into consideration. My replacement bars are lower but wider so the cables and hoses worked out well.

When I originally tried lower bars it looked a mess with all the excess cable looping around everywhere.

Bar ends are not a problem- there are plenty of aftermarket parts which will work with plain hollow bars. I have some stainless ones on my bike.

MickMaguire · 03-22-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

On 2005-03-21 23:38, Brains wrote:
The price of the lower bar is A$150 while the lower bar kit is priced at A$275.

Perhaps you shoudl consider ordering one from here if your dealer wants to charge $275AU!!!

take a look here: great bay motorcycles catalogue They charge $139US which if I am right is about $170AU for the full kit

Brains · 04-09-2005, 09:20 AM

I have just fitted the lower handlebar kit (A9700033) to my Thunderbird. I have posted some photos in my album to illustrate the difference between the lower and original bar.

Interestingly, the part advertised in the catalogue for Thunderbirds is A9700031. Both are described as lower handlebar kit for Thunderbird and both come with a shorter brake line. However, in Australia A9700033 (A$150) is almost half the recommended retail price of A9700031 (A$275).

I think A9700033 is possibly made for the Legend and that's why it is less expensive. Who Knows.

The brake line is 10cm (4") shorter.

I am happy with the outcome.

MickMaguire · 04-09-2005, 09:46 AM

You lucked out there because the cheaper kit isn't supposed to come with the shorter line - that is the price difference. Sounds like someone screwed up in the parts warehouse.

Guttermonkey · 04-09-2005, 09:01 PM

I changed my original T-bird bars. They had to much bend for me. Put my hands to sleep. I went with the stock bars for an Adventurer. Just slightly wider and a bit lower. Vast improvement over the orginal bars. Everything bolts right up and fits perfect. No need to change lines or cables. Looks a lot better to.
JR

Brains · 04-10-2005, 07:08 AM

Quote:

On 2005-04-09 07:46, MickMaguire wrote:
You lucked out there because the cheaper kit isn't supposed to come with the shorter line - that is the price difference. Sounds like someone screwed up in the parts warehouse.

I had to read your post twice. Over here if someone said that I had lucked out it would mean that I had bad luck. On the contrary, lady luck was smiling on me.

Brad