Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Buckhorn Handlebars

I have a 2k5 SM that I would like to turn into an America as far as riding position goes. I purchased the bike because I liked the blacked out engine but really liked the riding position of the America. I figured it would be cheaper to turn a SM into an Ameria vs the opposite. Well, will these work without installing longer cables? any ideas???

thanks!

kevin...

http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/buckhorn_bars.html

Hey Kevin,

That's my bike on Brent's site. I have Jim's Spacers and stock BA risers and had to change out my brake line and clutch cable. I also re-routed the throttle cables to the right side of the backbone.

I don't know if the SM risers are taller (or shorter) than BA risers. If they are the same or shorter, no cable modifications are needed.

It takes a bit to get used to but the thing I love is that I sit back better and my wrists are turned in more. I absolutely love them.

Hey Kevin,
That's funny, I went the other way. Put SM bars, and tall risers,
on my America. The bars were too wide for me. I'm
not sure about the cables, you may have to move them to the
right side of the frame, or get longer ones. The brake line
may need to be longer as well. I'm sure others that have done
this mod will chime in.

I see Phill already has while I was pecking away.

The America risers are 2", and the SM 4", if I remember correctly.

Sorry I can't be more help, but I wanted to make my 1,000th post.

Oh, I've got the stock America bars, and risers. If you want
'em, pm me and we'll work something out.

Uncle Charlie

If the SM risers are 4", you will definitely need to get a longer brake line and clutch cable, and re-route the throttle cables to the right.

I got my clutch cable from Barnett and line from a local bike shop.

I put America bars on my SM but kept the SM risers. Perfect seating position in my view. I had to change my clutch cable, throttle cables, and break line to stock America parts. I also had to run the throttle cables on the other side if the frame. Hope this was of some help.

Drill the bars and hide the wires too. Looks great.

Dogg33, thanks for your input. That is exactly the other setup I was looking at doing vs getting the buckhorn bars.

Hi......I've done this mod from SM bars to BA bars

You will need

BA bars
BA risers (BA bars will hit the tank with SM risers)
BA front brake line

That's it !!!!

The clutch cable can be raised slighly up the frame to be made to reach, the throttle cables can be re-routed along the other side of the frame to reach the throttle and all the electrics will also be long enough to reach. If you need to know more just let me know.

You said, that you got a clutch cable from Barnett. What length did you go with? My stock 48 inch cable work with the Buckhorns but are tight. I'm looking to upgrade to a better and longer cable. Do you have a part number?
Thanks in advance.
Bob

Bob,

A$$uming standard buckhorns are similar, I ordered 6" over stock for all the controls. Got the dimensions from Grump, who's never led me astray. I think Mike at Bellacorse has set up a number of buckhorned Bonneville America's. Phil might chime in, but I think he's napping.

BTW; my clutch cable is holding up well thank you very much, knockonwood, keep the stocker spare in the saddlebag

jh

My Barnett clutch cable is 4" over and ordered directly from them. They now have all the dimensions and can make them to whatever length you want.

I think they have the cable dimensions etc cause I sent them mine to get sized...
Oh wait, that was my speedo cable. They needed to reuse the fittings. At any rate, they can make em both now...

I had the 4" over clutch cable originally and it broke after less than a year. I went with 5" over and it works more betterer. The 4" would rub across the edge of my windshield.