Triumphrat

DrewDesign007 · 08-30-2007

Thanks again to everyone who has lent their time and opinions towards my purchase of a Bonnie Black - I am in the 11th hour.

I pick up the bike on Saturday and just wanted to know what I should be looking for during my walk through - what common issues are associated with the Bonneville?

Spokes?

Oil Leaks?

Anything additional?

sweatmachine · 08-30-2007

the stock exhaust seems to fall off...

Hedge · 08-30-2007

Make sure you see the grease marks on all the primary bolts - this tells you they torqued them down to the correct spec. Check mileage - there should be no more then 3 miles on her or they were joy-riding. Check headers for fingerprints that were not properly wiped off and will now be seen after warm-up. Check oil level. That's about all I can think of except when you ride her out take her down the main roads with lots of stop and go through the gears at various lower RPMs. It might be a good idea to keep her at 5k and below until 500 miles like I did but I'm sure you will get others who disagree with this idea. I wouldn't break her in at a steady run down the highway at 60-70 mph but then again someone will say I'm wrong so only you can decide how you want to break her in.
Good Luck Drew - you must be as anxious as a teenager on his first date!

TB-T100 · 08-30-2007

Drew

I don't know what your MC-experience is, so please excuse me if this is waaaay too basic for you. However, as a new (well, back to bikes after 18 years) rider I had to be reminded of it.

When tires are brand new (as yours will be), they are quite slick. Many a proud owner of brand new bikes, or just brand new tires for that matter, have slid, fallen and their new ride.

Again, sorry if that was way too basic for you.

sweatmachine · 08-30-2007

no more than 3 miles? That's a weird thing to look for. I think mine had 7 on it when I picked it up.

ToeCutter66 · 08-30-2007

Hello,
I am about 6 weeks and 2100 miles into my new bonnie experience. Some of the joys I have experienced are. Slipping clutch, even properly adjusted w/Amsoil 20W50 Motorcycle Oil, A back tire that always needs air, and surging at highway speeds, that only liberal amounts of Sea Foam can keep away.

Other than that, it has been fine.

BlueJ · 08-30-2007

"the stock exhaust seems to fall off", the man said!!! Bwahahahah!!!!

Look out for that, for sure. It always seems to leave a dent in your credit card when it happens, too. To some extent the same thing can and frequently does happen with the seat.

Stealth · 08-30-2007

I had the usual oil leak on the valve cover. No other problems, maybe be careful where you purchase your gas. All in all these bikes are really tough. My 99 T-Bird also has had no problems. These bikes are way over-built. I suppose most problems are owner related ( A bunch of old guy's like myself that can't remember sh&^& taking things apart who have had absolutely no training on anything mechanical.) The Bonnie's do a wonderful job of surviving us old guys.

Stealth

Hedge · 08-30-2007

TB-T100 - that was a great call! I forgot about that one but was reminded about that as well. Drew he is dead on with the new tires so be careful!

Bonnebret · 08-30-2007

Be sure to warn/apologize to your family and significant other that they won't be seeing you for a while.