Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Fitting Stock Engine Bars (TBA)

Hi there,

is there any sensible way of being able to fit stock engine dresser bars to a TBA WITHOUT having a bike jack or some such elevating technology.

i'm sure i read a thread somewhere involving a more home made approach but my search-fu seems to be failing me.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Anthony

I'm trying to visualize some reason to elevate the bike, and all I can think of is easier access to the lower mounting points. You may have to lean it against a wall or something to bolt up the left side, but I'd bet you can do without the jack as long as you don't mind spending a long time turning the bolts in very small increments.
If you do have to raise the bike for some reason, there is a trick I've used at times. Put a car jack under the right rear of the frame and lift on the jack, sidestand and front wheel. Stick some blocks under the bike and let it down carefully onto the blocks so that it sits level.

not entirely sure why i need to elevate it, just what i read while i was scanning over the Ikea style instructions. i'm guessing some part of it needs supporting but i'm only just getting used to the bike so i'm not totally up on which bits are where

anyone fitted the stock bars know if it's necessary?

(thanks for the advice btw, Greybeard - may well try that if i need to lift it)

When I did mine I did it on the side stand. First I pulled the lower bolt and threaded it through both parts and then buttoned it up snug but not tight. Then one side at a time I loosened the top engine cradle mount and rotated the guard into place, put the bolts and cap back on and torqued it to spec. After that I torqued the engine bolt to spec and bob's your uncle.

The only reason for it would be when you unbolt the lower motor mount. If the motor dropped out of alignment it would not be a fun task to get it aligned without a jack.

Otherwise...it shouldnt be needed but it would be nice.

I can't remember if I used a jack er not,but I have witnessed thoes bars save that bike of hers a few times.

Bars fitted using piece of wood and paving slabs as incidental support - though you were right it wasn't really needed.

my only concern is where i have fitted it to the cradle mounting bolts. i'm not sure the dresser bar is meant to be sandwiched in between the two bits of engine frame or whether it should fit inbetween the horn and the frame.

sandwiching it seems like it might be a real faff or potentially break something so i opted for the two bits of frame, engine dresser bar, nuts direction.

anyone got a close close up of their bars attachment point for reference?

Thanks for any assistance.