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Hi all,

Got a set of T-bars (34"*8"*8") so need to get clutch and throttle cables and need to know where I can source all the connectors for the cables from.

Problem is to get my cables they need to butcher and splice the current ones because the connectors are not available.

However, I would rather source the connectors and have them made up as I have heard this method is not as reliable and also means having to send it away to get done leaving the bike out of action longer than I want.

I know several custom places in the US make the cables but would prefer to have them made in NZ due to postal costs and I want the cable maker to double check my measures .

Cheers

(brake line not a problem).



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Good question, Graeme but I really don't know where you can get just the connectors. Maybe drop a line to Brent at speedmaster.com and see what he says. It is through Brent that I got new cables made up so he should know how to source out just the ends for ya.

I think there is a place at Te Kuiti that makes them up.

I understand the connectors are AMP/Tyco Multilock

http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/feat/en/c/10372

Maybe ask Barnett to send you the connectors, they make cables for our bikes so they must have the ends.

Just had a thought. You can re route the cables to pass on the right side of the headstock. That will save some length.

Thanks all,

Will check out all of these helpful options and will let you know how it goes. Would consider importing the cables, but if I get the cable measurement wrong then its a costly mistake (would having throttle cables too long be an issue?).

Thanks Mo, was going to swap the brake line to the other side, and know some people have ran the throttle cables on the other side as well but as the bars come back quite far I think I need them to come round the front headstock to keep them in place. Will give it a go anyway, still need the clutch cable though.

There is a place called Melbar cable in Wellington that I will give a go, if not will contact Speedmaster.com to see what they can do

Also thanks for the tip on the electrical connectors the bike uses as this will be useful for internal wiring as will cut down on doing two sets of soldering if I can go straight onto the new connector.

I know you want to access in Kiwi Land but I couldn't help myself about giving Barnett a wrap. I ordered a specific length of clutch and throttle cables from them and the quality is so much more superior to oem, but also another make which whilst well advertised, were rubbish in comparison. In fact the clutch cable didn't last a year and the distributor then said I must have put them on wrong. Geeez

If you do want quality that will last, Barnett are streets ahead and make to measure accurately.

No cowboys there

Cheers Stacka,

Do you remember how much it cost for the cables and shipping.

If I go that way, do you just hook up all the old cables on the new bars, tape them where they should go and measure the shortfall, then order speedy cables + the difference?

Checked out the post you had on your handlebars and know what you mean about ordering stuff. Would have loved to have tried different handlebars, but had to send away to get them made so while you have a picture in your head, you never really know how it turns out until they are on the bike.

For example I didn't think about the thickness of the risers and bars etc, just thought bigger & wider was going to look better so hoping they won't be too thick or wide for the bike now. As you can tell I am still trying to get used to how thick, wide and pulled back they are compared to stock and questioning if I am making a Frankenstein bike or unwittingly trying to make it look like an HD front end.

SO - If anyone else is changing bars I would highly recommend you mock a set up first (either wooden poles or metal) and play with shapes first and then get them made up from your measurements. Seems obvious I know but I was in such a rush to get them before a rally that I dis-engaged brain and didn't put the work in.

I did a mock up out of PVC pipe and fittings (better if you mount the handbars)...then took some wire and "ran" the cable. Don't for get to move the wheel to full stops each way. I measured how much longer the wire was than the stock cable. So if you order from Barnett you give them the stock cable number + XX" over or under...where XX" is the difference you measured.

There is nothing wrong with running longer cables, I am doing that right now, went from 12" apes to 8" chumps..I seemed to remember back in the 60's/70's the cables were long and hung in the wind...

Cheers Jim,

Wasn't sure how precise I had to be so that gives me another option.

Graeme, I can't remember off hand how much the 3 control cables were but I'll have a look. Btw, did you mention the brake cables? You probably did.

As far as your t-bars go, I reckon they look great. I think it has to be one of the hardest parts to get right, buying a set of bars that look and feel right. Then there's the challenge of buying the right length cables.

As far as my bars go, the love em. If I was to pick something it would be how wide they are and potential issues with future plans. Nothings perfect that's for sure.

As far as the Barnett cables go again, sometimes we can forget paying more rather than what appears like the best bargain can end up costing you twice as much. Nothing surpasses quality and if it takes a few more weeks saving then it's time well spent I think.

Cheers Stacka,

Like the sound of those cables, was just stressing about ordering the wrong lengths etc as I have had a bit of a bad run on that kind of thing lately- but understand now the tolerances are not as precise as I thought so good option- Brake lines not a problem as can either swap it to the other disk or get one made here.

Looks like the Barnett cables may be the go if the connectors can't be bought.

When everything comes from overseas or very far away and if its wrong its pretty much bad luck or very time consuming due to international postage etc.

I think I just got spoiled when I lived in the UK, every place seemed to have an chopper club guy who made wide glide kits, bars and a frame and real cheap.

Agh rose tinted glasses of my youth

Cheers all,

The advice seems to be Barnett so thats what I will do, nothing worse that failing parts

Just got to wait for the bars to come back as they weren't pre-drilled for wiring

"As far as the Barnett cables go again, sometimes we can forget paying more rather than what appears like the best bargain can end up costing you twice as much. Nothing surpasses quality and if it takes a few more weeks saving then it's time well spent I think."

That was why I went with them also...I am really new a all of this modifying stuff and they make is real easy

Cheers, what dealers did u all order ur Barnett cables from as their website says they don't sell direct.

I got the Triumph # from the web site the went to the nearest Harley bike shop and they ordered them...but you need the Triumph # otherwise they don't know what you are talking about

Oooh those HD guys with their multitude of accessories and custom shops & dealers on every street corner. Life seems so easy for them.

Owning a triumph sometimes feels like being the improvished sibbling in a walt disney movie, just need to find a wand to turn this pumpkin into a fat rear tyre.

Our local or Triumph one usually tell you that you are better to source it yourself and if you want they wil fit it for you. I think it must be all the leg work they need to do and importing stuff that is not chargable so will try someone like J&P Cycles.

I saved over $200 on footpegs by getting them from the US, so for us there is huge savings to be had.

There is an old time Harley shop that I go to... usually the discussion is:

"I need Barnett cable number XX"

"What bike is it for??"

"A triumph"

"We don't have parts for Triumph's"

"Yes I know, but Barnett cable XX is for my bike, please order it"

"Ok will do"


Now this goes on every time I get something from him, and at the end he remembers "oh ya you are the one with the triumph"...anyways I look up the part or what ever in J&P and order it from him...there is no shipping charge, because he will order the same part from Drag Specialties or Pro-One, I think they don't charge him shipping.

Sometimes just looking around his shop I will get an idea on how to modify a Harley part from my bike...

Ha,ha,

Yeah, that's pretty much my experience as well. Most places are just dealerships now and are only into selling bikes and $120 an hour services so you can get the authentic stamp in the service book. All the custom guys are living out in the woods 5 hours from somewhere.

Anything they order for me that is non oem and doesn't go through the national importer is sourced from the same place I would go through but the handling charges are a lot $$ more. At least they are honest about this and tell you to source it yourself for this reason. I prefer going through the shop as it is easier when it's wrong as opposed to emailing someone who may not respond.

I suppose that's the other reason they don't like doing it as it can be a nightmare and very time consuming for them as well

I stay away from dealers...this guy is Old School, builds bike in the back of the shop

Well after a bit of confusion with my bars I have them back and dimpled for internal wiring.

I have had no luck in sourcing components to make the cables, new speedmaster.com get theirs from Barnett so thats who I will use as they deal with Triumph - Just need to wait the couple of weeks for them to get here. You can get the elbows and stuff custom made but it works out a whole lot cheaper just buying them as a pre made unit. Good exersize to go through though.

Its winter now so got the stuff off the bike and doing the measure, I understand that it doesn't matter if they are longer than needed.

Next thing is the brake cable and wiring.

I know you can switch the brake cable to the other side on the speedmaster to save getting a cable made, any issues with doing this (ony an interim measure as I may route the throttle cables to the other side while I wait for all the cables to be made)

Also does anyone know if you can buy a wiring harness exstension kit as a plug and play from the handlebars onto the headlight (like harley's) to save on the splicing until such times as I can be bothered to do the internal wiring




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I had to route my throttle cables beside the right fork and under the right side of the tank. I had to bend the bracket on the carb so the cable was free from sticking.