Triumphrat

neuroboy74 · 12-28-2007

i'm looking for moral support of kindred souls out there who would love to personalize their bonnies more but get sticker shock every time they go to newbonnie or bellacorse.

much respect to you fellas who can spend top dollar to make your bike "clean machine" (i hope to be there someday), but, man, are there guys out there as frustrated as me that have to wait until a bike is parted out on ebay once every few months to try to "accessorize"? i'd like nothing nothing better than to get a thrux gel seat and cowl to change the look of the bike but there's no way i can justify dropping close to $400 for it (though one day i'm sure i'll find a way to justify it).

for now, my fenders have a date with a hack saw.

sweatmachine · 12-28-2007

yep, stuff be expensive.

like you said, there are some cheap or free alternatives (like hacking fenders) that are just as good as buying new ones. Another relatively cheap mod is to do the bafflectomy and the airbox hack instead of buying a kit.

I usually try to sell some parts to buy more parts, I sold my '78 xs650 to fund my motor work, and I sold my takeoff parts to fund some of my wheel swap etc. I got my rearsets used on this site for $200 (almost $500 new). I bought my Bubs on this site for $200 ($500 new) and sold my predators for $400 to cover that cost (bought them new for $550), so I've found some deals by looking around. Sometimes though, you want something and you have to bite the bullet and pay through the nose.

idaho_thrux · 12-28-2007

This really just comes down to economies of scale. While there are tens of thousands of new Bonnies out there, there are millions of HD's. Thus a lot of the customization parts for HD's are mass produced in Asia, while many/most of the custom parts for our bikes are labor of love products made here in the states. Many (not all) of the products that you buy from the guys that advertise on this site are made in very small batches. That keeps the costs high, but also ensures quality control.

A buddy and I are actually exploring what it would take to get some of the more common parts designed and into limited mass production at more attractive price points, but right now that is just a glimmer as we both have a lot on our plates.

FrankBlack · 12-28-2007

I agree that parts and accessories are very expensive. Here in the UK they are extortionate and I have resorted to buying largely from New Bonneville. My main criticism of NB is that they don't currently offer economy shipping instead of the standard priority shipping for international orders. Often the shipping charges run higher than the cost of the part you're buying! But even with the hefty shipping charges it still usually works out cheaper to order stuff from the US than here in the UK, as long as you stay under the £18/ $35 value, otherwise you'll be charged 'duty' and VAT. The UK isn't known as 'Rip-off Britain' for nothing...You guys in the US have it relatively easy when it comes to the marketplace.

I too have sold things to fund new parts. EBay is useful for that and you can also get the odd bargain there too, even on consumables like chain wax, spark plugs etc. The classified section on this forum has also proven useful. Then there is the genuine goodwill of many members of Triumphrat.net. I was looking for a Bellmouth and OhioTT sent me one for free. Not sure you'd have much luck being given a gel seat, but who knows...

GID · 12-28-2007

[quote=sweatmachine;905991]yep, stuff be expensive.

like you said, there are some cheap or free alternatives (like hacking fenders) that are just as good as buying new ones. Another relatively cheap mod is to do the bafflectomy and the airbox hack instead of buying a kit.

QUOTE]

What is a "bafflectomy"? I have seen this on the board in other places.
Gutting the stock muffler I assume?
Thanks

KingBear · 12-28-2007

We all agree that the stuff is expensive for a number of reasons, mostly due to economy of scale. Sweatmachine is a tough example to follow - he's an experienced and knowledgable wrencher who can do his own mods and even fabrication. For those of us who congratulate ourselves for changing our oil and adjusting the chain tension, we need simple bolt-on accessories.

I'm not trying to be "Captain Obvious" but there is really only one solution. Pick your accessories carefully so you don't waste money on stuff you don't end up using, buy them one or two at a time as you can afford them, and watch for deals as you save your money. I personally enjoy adding to my bike one carefully selected accessory at a time, appreciating each little bit in and of itself.

If you have to do it all at once right now, you'll just have to suck it up and and pay the price.

Fyr · 12-28-2007

Right on King...
I am modding my bonnie and am trying to keep costs down. Ive made a lists of likes and needs. So far the needs have been minor, Bafflectomy and M-bars from a fellow T-rat member! I say make a list of what you want and really weed out the superfluous.

DuckMan001 · 12-28-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by GID

What is a "bafflectomy"? I have seen this on the board in other places. Gutting the stock muffler I assume?
Thanks

Yep. Do a search for bafflectomy and also look in the blogs for some pretty good how-tos

sweatmachine · 12-28-2007

I forgot to mention that I work 2 jobs, between the 2 of them I usually put in about 60 hours a week, it helps to make ends meet and also to keep the mod-cash flowing. Buying parts is tough for me, so if I want to buy something I have to work more hours. Luckily I have a friend that owns a restaurant and he takes care of me (read: pays in cash). I put in about 10-15 hours there a week, the other 40-50 at my "real" job (where I look at Rat.net).

mikeinva · 12-28-2007

I feel your pain but it has all ways been that way with mods on about anything i have worked on custom cost ya. The old saying from 30 years ago is still true SPEED COST HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO.One thing i have learned wait and buy good stuff instead of buying cheap stuff now and junking it in a few months to get the good stuff you want.Save your money buy good exhaust the 1st time. buy the nark with k&n filters.save up buy 42mm carbs.save your money get the head work done right.save your money and get the big bore kit.Im not saying that everyone wants all that but if you lust for mods do it right the 1st time spend the money once.Ebay can save you money as long as you get good stuff.