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I am a bit of an idiot x2

2K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  coldnight 
#1 ·
So I got a 2009 base model Bonneville. Really love it, by the way. I decided I wanted to alter the riding position a little and ordered the ever popular m-bars. Unfortunately - and here is where the first instance of idiocy comes in - after I half-installed the new bars I realized that my bike takes 7/8” bars rather than 1”. Oops. So I go to put the stockers back on and somehow managed to put a little crack in the plastic housing next to the hi/low beam switch (second instance of idiocy). Damn!

So a heads up for 2009 base-model (and maybe SE?) Bonneville owners out there who are as dopey as me: we have 7/8” bars with the little annoying holes needed for the various assemblies to fit into (not sure if earlier years had these, but I am pretty sure at least the Scramblers did).

Now I have to figure out my next move. In the meantime, here are a couple of pictures to make me feel a little better about myself by reminding me of this morning's ride.

 
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#2 ·
You're not the first to order the wrong parts without checking and you certainly won't be the last :)
 
#3 ·
First off nice bike, Don't feel bad theirs a tread from a few nights back where the member was drinking :icon_drink: and putting new bars on his bike. Long story short he has huge dent on his tank, with pictures. Consider yourself lucky and try to get your dealer to replace the plastic housing under warranty. :beerchug:
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thanks fellas.
DrX: Not so sure that the warranty will cover this one... but it is definitely better than a big ole dent.

saphena: Of course you are right, but I felt kind of like the kid on Christmas morning who was expecting the super cool electronic slot car racing set and instead got the socks and the sweater.

At least now I have more options in handlebars since 7/8 seems like a more common diameter (although no m-bars with that O.D. that I know of :()

**edit: it looks like NB has 7/8 m-bars "available by request"**
 
#5 ·
Really nice bike. If it makes you feel any better, I recently bought a set of pipes on Ebay that looked to be in better shape than my own. The ad stated Bonneville, along with America and Speedmaster. Of course, the pipes are no good for a T100, which I knew, or should have known when I bought them :rolleyes:

Currently trying to give them away in the classifieds. :cool:
 
#6 ·
If the crack is not too bad, i.e. more cosmetic than structural, I would see about trying to repair it with a bit of epoxy or something of that nature.
If it looks like a stress crack that could be from over-tightening, it's possible that it could be covered under warranty.
 
#7 ·
Great looking bike. I've the same 2009 Bonneville in white. I am fine with the handlebars but have replaced the seat with a brown Sixty8 and added knee pads, bar end mirrors, and a fly screen. Next up I will be replacing the stock turn signals with black bullets, the tail light with an older style one (also black), and a mini tach.
 

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#8 ·
Overkill: Thanks for the advice. The crack doesn't appear to compromise the structural integrity, but I have to swing by the dealer next week anyway, so I will see if they are feeling generous.

hlmiskelly: Your bike looks super. The color matched flyscreen looks really great and so does the seat. I actually plan on poking around for a replacement seat in the near future. I would like something a little taller than the stock one to gain a bit of legroom - that and the fact that after an hour or so the stocker is kind of like sitting on a swarm of angry bees.
 
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