[SCCTrim]

There's been some discussion about this mod in the cafe forum. Some member's have already done this with very good end results. After reading that topic several times, I've decided I'm sold on the mod.


I read recently that someone sent their fork's off to racetech to have the goldvalves installed. This bike was apparently a "mule" for the project...I would assume so they can get a kit setup for our bikes.

The F3 fork's will permit more adjustability over the standard fork's as you will beable to control front ride height over a greater distance compared to stock. They are 1.375" longer than our's.

Anyway, if there's any intrest in this, I could post some pic's as I go along...once I get all my stuff.

 

[keef]

Yeah, I read that thread and thought it sounded interesting.
I've enjoyed reading a fair number of your technical accounts and I, for one, would be most interested to see a comprehensive description of this process.

Good luck.

 

[Bonnie1000th]

hey Trim, the F3 forks it is indeed a great mod for the Hinckley's.
A friend of mine have a set in his Thruxton, with the Racetech gold valve
and works great!.
Like you said the forks are longer than the stock Bonnies forks, in your case you will need risers to clear the extra lenght.
I said risers because your bike looks vintage, otherwise has to be clip ons.
I hope this help!

 

[SCCTrim]

Thank's Keef, once I get all my stuff and get going on this thing I'll take some pic's as I go along. Will try to be as thorough as possible.

Carlo's, I did'nt really want to raise the bar's and higher than they already are...( presently using genmar riser's )...Thrux-tonup suggested I use the setup he has..( ty John )..which is a CEK or Clip n Eliminator Kit offered by LSL for the Thruxton.

Brent hooked me up with a kit, less the brake line and bars. I already have drag bar's on the bike, and am pretty comfortable with them. Did'nt want to risk losing comfort.

Here's a couple pics of what I have...

The LSL kit come's with a new top yoke, riser's bolt's and such. The yoke has been lightened on the underside, the whole deal seem's pretty straight forward. There is one thing when using this kit on the bonneville, the riser's will need to be machined to accept a 1" bar.

Although I may beable to use the Genmar's and not have to deal with that...that would be a welcome find.

 

[Thrux-ton-up]

Good Luck with the Project! Once you start into it you will see how easy it is to convert.

John

 

[Olderyoungster]

I decided against Racetech Goldvalves not only on the Bonneville, but also on my reworked FZ1 suspension. It was only a matter of money, otherwise they say it's da bomb! I justified going with the less expensive single rate springs for my weight. I felt that my skill level may not warrant nor appreciate what dialed in valves would do for me...... as opposed to skilled riders on the race track.

That said, I DID however swap the clip-ons on my Sprint RS with an LSL kit similar to that pictured above. MY kit came with sexy aluminum Super bars but the angle didn't fit my wrists. I ended up going with some Flander's Clubman bars and found the resulting position the single most comfortable position EVER on ANY of my bikes. So I thought I would try to replicate that by buying some Flander's 1" Clubmans for the Bonnie. It was kinda like the Golden Chalice, felt perfection once (maybe twice, possibly three times) only to chase after it for the rest of my riding career. On the Bonnie, I found perfection with Sportster 'Sport" bars from off a 2000 XL1200'S'...... but they don't work with my rear-sets.

Ya just gotta chase that 'Chalice', and with any luck you may find it. I've settled on the set-up SCC currently has on his bike, and it seems to be working okay..... but not perfect. This morning I'm riding 40 miles in this 28 degree weather to get some help installing some Hunter Flatbar grips on my FZ1. It is said that the human hand struggles to comfortably grasp a round grip. Hunter has fashioned some grips that are oblong and said not to put pressure on a nerve in the fatty swell of our palm. Unfortunately I had to put the 'antlers-for-mirrors' back on the Yamaha because these "Flatbars" don't allow bar-end mirrors. If they are miraculous on the FizzyBee, I may end up seeking some good looking mirrors to put on my Bonnie's factory stalks.... and stick Hunter's Flatbars on the Red racer. We'll see.
...... chasing the Golden Chalice ........

 

[sweatmachine]

The F3 forks would work especially well with 17'' tires, with their longer fork legs. You could check rake/trail and have the extra fork length to adjust accordingly.

 

[SCCTrim]

A couple week's back when I was talkin with Bill..( mechanic )..we were going over tire size's and what not. That was when he mentioned going to a 17" rim, and that it would open up a lotta option's for some really good rubber.

Not that there isnt good rubber now with the pirelli demon's and what not...just more food for thought.

Retaining the classic look, while making handling and performance everything it can be is the goal...as well as improving riding skill's...it's not like I think I'm some kinda roadracing fool with killer skill's. I'm just lookin for improvements.

I'm leaning towards 18" for both front and rear and Pirelli rubber when the time comes.


YoungerOldster...Superbar's is what would have came with this kit had I gotten everything that initially came with it.

Machine...your signature lol

 

[sweatmachine]

Machine...your signature lol

It's a Hunter S. Thompson quote.

I like your new signature and pic.

 

[Bonnie1000th]

On 2007-01-15 05:45, SCCTrim wrote:
Thank's Keef, once I get all my stuff and get going on this thing I'll take some pic's as I go along. Will try to be as thorough as possible.

Carlo's, I did'nt really want to raise the bar's and higher than they already are...( presently using genmar riser's )...Thrux-tonup suggested I use the setup he has..( ty John )..which is a CEK or Clip n Eliminator Kit offered by LSL for the Thruxton.

Brent hooked me up with a kit, less the brake line and bars. I already have drag bar's on the bike, and am pretty comfortable with them. Did'nt want to risk losing comfort.

Here's a couple pics of what I have...

The LSL kit come's with a new top yoke, riser's bolt's and such. The yoke has been lightened on the underside, the whole deal seem's pretty straight forward. There is one thing when using this kit on the bonneville, the riser's will need to be machined to accept a 1" bar.

Although I may beable to use the Genmar's and not have to deal with that...that would be a welcome find.

I think the Genmar's will do the job for you Trim!
Please post pics of the project when you are done.
Thank You!

 

[SCCTrim]

Recieved my fork's today via usps. Copped them off ebay, 97 F3 fork's for 2 bills.

I aniticpated having the remainder of the week off, now I'm not so sure this is the case. I'll get moving on this asap.

 

[Thrux-ton-up]

SCCT - The new Excel Alloy rims came in today as well as the new spokes. I should have laced and fitted with new ruber next week. 120/70 17 up front and 160/60 17 out back - Michelin Pilots most likely. The front is my concern - one the 6 piston caliper is very close to the spokes, and the second area is fitting the 120 on a 3.5 inch rim between the stock mounting bolts for the forkbrace/fender mount on the thrux. I'll shoot you a pic of how the front looks on the the bike and let you know how the fitment went. At this point all my calculations show it should work - but then anything can be made to look good on paper :-D .

John

 

[Bonnie1000th]

Hey John, you will be ok with the 120 on the 3.5" Excel at front.
I have the same set up, and no clearance issues to report.
You will be very happy with it!
BTW your rear setup is also identical to my.
Small world!
See attach pic.

 

[Thrux-ton-up]

On 2007-01-17 09:28, Bonnie1000th wrote:
Hey John, you will be ok with the 120 on the 3.5" Excel at front.
I have the same set up, and no clearance issues to report.
You will be very happy with it!
BTW your rear setup is also identical to my.
Small world!

Hey Carlos - that looks great. The problem I may have is the front fork brace on a thruxton has some very large mounting bolts - different than a bonnie I believe - but even if they are an issue I have a back up plan.

PS - hear anything from air tech?

Thanks,

John

[ This message was edited by: Thrux-ton-up on 2007-01-17 10:52 ]

 

[rodburner]

John,I think the brace bolts are the same size,but the mounting holes are lower on the fork leg on the Thrux,to keep the original fender closer to the 18' rim.My brace bolts are higher than the widest part of my tire [110-80/18] and my fender can be mounted/dismounted without removing the wheel.Your lugs are probably 1/2" lower than a Bonnie and your new rim is 1/2" lower than stock,so it should be a wash.Do you have a 17" fender picked out? I mounted a Honda CM400 fender under my brace to get closer to the tire.Needs some finish work and paint,but seems to fit pretty good.

[ This message was edited by: rodburner on 2007-01-17 11:33 ]

 

[Bonnie1000th]

On 2007-01-17 10:51, Thrux-ton-up wrote:

On 2007-01-17 09:28, Bonnie1000th wrote:
Hey John, you will be ok with the 120 on the 3.5" Excel at front.
I have the same set up, and no clearance issues to report.
You will be very happy with it!
BTW your rear setup is also identical to my.
Small world!

Hey Carlos - that looks great. The problem I may have is the front fork brace on a thruxton has some very large mounting bolts - different than a bonnie I believe - but even if they are an issue I have a back up plan.

PS - hear anything from air tech?

Thanks,

John

Hey John:
I also use a modified lower Thruxton fork brace, and like I said no clearance issues. I modified the brace not for clearance, but for a lower height to install a 17" fender.
About AirTech I lf a message, no answer yet.

 

[SCCTrim]

The rim's look sweet John, that thing should turn like hell with 17's both front and rear

Can't wait to see the pic's...


Carlo's, how you makin out with your motor situation? Sweet looking ride you have, hope you get it back on the road soon.


Burner, like that fender you mounted up front, look's sharp man.

[ This message was edited by: SCCTrim on 2007-01-17 18:35 ]

 

[Thrux-ton-up]

On 2007-01-17 11:29, rodburner wrote:
John,I think the brace bolts are the same size,but the mounting holes are lower on the fork leg on the Thrux,to keep the original fender closer to the 18' rim.My brace bolts are higher than the widest part of my tire [110-80/18] and my fender can be mounted/dismounted without removing the wheel.Your lugs are probably 1/2" lower than a Bonnie and your new rim is 1/2" lower than stock,so it should be a wash.Do you have a 17" fender picked out? I mounted a Honda CM400 fender under my brace to get closer to the tire.Needs some finish work and paint,but seems to fit pretty good.

Thanks Steve - no fender yet, still looking for options. Thanks for the info on mounts - I anticipate no problems.

 

[Bonnie1000th]

Carlo's, how you makin out with your motor situation? Sweet looking ride you have, hope you get it back on the road soon. <<<

Thanks for the bike compliment Trim, yours looking great too, reminds me of FatRat previous Bonnie.
About the motor , everything is fine, my problem wasn't either the oil pump and rod bearing.
A 200$ faulty CDI was the reason.
I have an 8500 rpm unit with 3 degrees of advance timing( the timing are suppose to retard after 6K, but my unit didn't), so after 10 miles at 8200 in 5th gear, engine overheated and the rt piston gets damaged in the upper outer part of the first ring, did not broke but it pushes the aluminum about 2mm up, did not damage the head or valves, because the piston has pockets for oversize valves, and I have stock size valves.
To make the story short, it will be done this coming Saturday, with few news, but I'm still fuming about the faulty CDI.
:???:

 

[SCCTrim]

Decided to do a few more thing's once I started tearing the bike down

Getting the control levers, rear brake lever, shifter lever, headpipes and pred's, gauge bracket, and headlight bucket all powder coated.

Local guy has a new product that is supposed to withstand 1000* for the headpipes. Has a slight texture to it similar to the finish on the cases...we'll see.

Headlight bucket get's gloss black, everything else is satin...also adding a airhorn from wolo behind the side covers mounted on the front of the batt box/mudguard.

Also getting a oil pressure gauge, really liked the way John mounted his on his thrux, figured I'd go for it. Undecided about how to fill the existing holes, or just have a new bracket made.

Will get some pic's up of the fork mod soon.