Triumphrat

player · 11-09-2006, 10:56 AM

I'm a newbie from just about every angle. New to riding and to the pleasure of owning a Bonnie as of Sept 6, 2006 (it's like a 2nd birthday to me), and I've done my best to search this prior to this post. With that said, does anyone have or know the whereabouts of detailed instructions on changing out my stock handlebars for the Superbars I just purchased for my 06 T100?

While it looks straightforward enough, I want to be aware of any potential readflags.

thanks for any feedback

markbvt · 11-09-2006, 11:42 AM

It's a pretty easy procedure.

- Throw a towel over your gas tank to protect it from scratches.
- Pop the plastic caps off the four bolts holding down the handlebar clamp -- a pocket knife works well.
- Remove handlebar end caps.
- Loosen switchgear -- just loosen the bolts clamping the switchgear on the bar -- no need to remove the bolts completely.
- Remove left grip from the bar -- lift the inside edge a bit with a screwdriver or something and squirt a little WD40 underneath, then wiggle the grip around to get the WD worked under the grip. With a little twisting, it'll slide off.
- Remove the handlebar clamp bolts, pull the bar up, and maneuver it around to get the switchgear off each end of the bar.
- Slide the switchgear onto the replacement bar.
- Center the bar on the clamp, put the upper half of the clamp on, and carefully thread all four clamp bolts in until they're finger tight. Do not tighten any of them down until all four have been threaded in -- the clamp is relatively soft, and it's fairly easy to crossthread the bolts and strip threads. If a bolt is hard to get going, move the upper clamp around a bit to make sure the bolt is able to go in straight. Once all four bolts have been barely finger-tightened, make sure the bar is centered and positioned as you like, then tighten the clamp bolts to the specified torque using a cross pattern.
- Slide left grip onto the bar -- give it another shot of WD40 inside to make it easy.
- Position left switchgear against the grip, rotate to the position you like, and tighten down.
- Position right switchgear/throttle so there's a small amount of exposed handlebar at the end (just enough so the endcap won't make the throttle bind), rotate to the position you like, and tighten down.
- Reinstall endcaps.
- Adjust mirrors and test ride!

Enjoy.

--mark

sweatmachine · 11-09-2006, 11:46 AM

my aftermarket bars were smooth in the center, unlike the knurled factory bars, and I could never get them to hold solid in the clamp no matter how tight.

I cut shims/strips out of a Pepsi can with regular scissors, and laid the shims (probably 1/2''x 1 1/2'') along the top of the bars under the bar clamp, then tightened it all down.

No movement in 10,000 miles.

Gasoline, hairspray, and compressed air all work for taking grips off and putting them on too.

I always use gasoline.

SLOBonnie · 11-09-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

...tighten the clamp bolts to the specified torque using a cross pattern.

Actually, the proper method according to the Triumph Repair Manual is this: once you have hand tightened all four bolts, tighten up the top clamp bolts first and then the bottom clamp bolts.

DrEnglish · 11-09-2006, 12:03 PM

Grip on/off also goes easily with a little bit of soapy/dish-detergent-y water.

Enjoy your new bike, and remember to take it a little easy at first. It's not a race--find your comfort zone and expand it only when you are ready. You'll love your Bonnie.

player · 11-09-2006, 12:29 PM

thanks for the timely feedback. As easy as this sounds, I might give it a try tonight when I get home. One question, are the bolts on the controls that I'm supposed to loosen limited to the Allen bolts only. I noticed that there was a screw (limited visual angle at the time) located on the bottom of each control as well.

Also want to say thanks to DrEnglish for the words of wisdom. I'm certainly in training mode, and know that I'll be there for quite some time...I suppose it shouldn't end.

Normandy · 11-09-2006, 01:00 PM

The screw on the bottom is holding the wiring access plate, it does NOT have to be removed for a bar change.

RT · 11-09-2006, 08:49 PM

It's a breeze to change the bars, thanks to the input of folks on this site. We do expect pic's when the bars are installed.

If you have an air compressor use it to "jet" the grips on/off. works great.

player · 11-10-2006, 07:17 PM

Just finished that bar changout and the bar end mirrors as well. Pics forthcoming soon.

thanks for all your help guys.

kliff · 11-10-2006, 07:52 PM

Thinking about the BC Superbars myself.....pics PLEASE!