Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Member's Rides Martin's project bike

OK so I admit I'm spoilt to have my main bike to ride whilst working on my project, but after too many months of 'messing about' and a big pile of parts I'm unhappy with, I think I am at least getting to the point that I like the view from behind......

At the risk of upsetting someone here I going to say ... get rid of those crash bars on the blue machine they look shocking and the lines are all wrong. I had a set of these on my Speedmistress when I bought it and they where one of the first things to go.
The Black beast looks good , are you going to paint the rear gaurd flattblack like the tank ?

Any messy around with the blue bike is on hold until the 05 is back on the road, but I think the sissy bar and touring seat will go; not sure about the crash bars I kinda like them.

Not sure if I will paint the tank to match the fenders (it came flat black when I got it from MercKing), but I am sitting on a quote to get all three wrapped in carbon fiber.

I think the project is coming along nicely. Are you thinking about getting rid of the dash?

I am a fan of the triangular crash bars for what it's worth.

Hi Martin, this is gerhard from germany; rear fender: is this a aftermarket part or a (bobbed) original fender? Looks great! greetings

The dash is another 'work in progress'.



At the moment moment I am struggling with the cable, but I like the gauge enough that I can see the tank getting modified to give clearance.

Hi Gerhard, this version of fender is a bobbed standard unit.

I say this version because there were a few steps before this one. Initially I bought one of the Maverick fiber glass units from Warlock in the UK, fitted it, tried quite a few different rear lights (including a couple from other Triumph models) before settling on the extended sparto with one of Zmilin's lay down plates, but that was when the fun started.

Even though I kept the overall length the same I spent what seemed like an age making small changes to the shape of the slope around the fender hangers, until I was really happy.

It was then decision time. The Maverick unit is unfinished so I had to chose to spend time prep'ing that or buying a ready painted used unit and cutting to match. I have no regrets for going with option 2, it took less than 15mins to tape, transfer the pattern and cut it out (I didn't even bother using a cutting wheel - a metal blade in a jigsaw worked great). The result was so good that after deburring, I just ran a coat of touch-up paint around the edge.

Fixed it for you:

Quote:

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those crash bars on the blue machine they look super and the lines are all right. I have a set of these on my Speedmistress & when I bought it and they where one of the first things that attracted me to it...

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I love that rear fender! If you still have the template you used I'd love to borrow it sometime.

Hi Zach, I don't have the template (I did a deal with Chuckyj swapping the original tank and the modified Maverick fender, for the tank that is now on it)...but your local, so welcome to swing by and take a look/make a template? Just send me a PM

Hi Martin how hard was it to fit the later model tank on that absolutely awesome looking project bike ?

Well, it fits straight on, but..... leaves the tank approx 5/8" further back, and also the forks will hit the tank. It does work and I rode like that for a while. But I guess I am a little OCD, so changed out the triple tree for a late model set (which have different 'stops' and so the forks can't hit) and had a small offset adapter plate made to move the tank forward.....if you want to give the modification a try, I have a spare late model tank (somewhere!) and you are welcome to have it (providing I can find it) for the cost of the postage?

The look of this bike is perfect im looking at buying a 2005 speedmaster but hav seen the 2009 model ,i like the tank on the later model much better .but itll be a couple of months before i buy it .If you still have the tank then ill buy it of you if its worth our while coz im situated in greece..Thats an awesome looking bike mate i hope i can get my future bike looking like that.Btw thanks so much for the info and the offer

Do you have to change both upper and lower triple tree ?

Just the lowers



It's why the turning circle of the EFI bikes is larger than the carb'ed bikes. The difference in the stops is only approx 6mm on each side, so initially I just packed them out a little with some rubber. But the EFI triple trees were only $50 from Pinwall, so for me it was better to swap them out.

lol you used that same sidebyside photo before, but titled it:

Irrefutable proof.

(of steering stop changes brought on by the use of pressurized tanks)

Just trying to get maximum mileage out of it!

Firm believer in the crash bars. Laid my 04 Caspian down in September. The split my arm open slid my head (helmet included) across the gravel but my leg is in tact thank to the engine bar.

Going to be a first purchase with my newly acquired 05.

I'm still looking for the tank John.... I know it's here somewhere; it's the one installed in the early photos (I got it from MercKing), but then I had another (that I got from chunkj) painted and is now fitted...it will show up and you are more than welcome to it when it does.

Thanks mate for all your help looking at a couple of bikes now they dont seem to sell that well here in gr ,theresa nice 2009 model here in town with only 290 klms on the clock,ill wait a while before i make an offer.

Wow, very nice, I do like the look of the newer tank,(even though I love the old tanks). I'll bet one could drill and tap the lower triple tree and thread a stainless bolt in to make up the area necessary to fill the stops. That bike looks great can't wait to see it done. The back view is always the money shot.

I'm getting closer to to look I'm after Paul, but it still looks the same from the back (below was taken this morning, and at 12 degrees I only managed a few miles before the weather had me beat).



Next few changes are to swap out the chrome engine covers for some alloy ones from a Thruxton, cut off the rear peg hangers and then try and get the front controls powder coated black.....plenty to do this winter.

Not sure I am looking forward to this weekend. The snow has receded from being 7-8 ft on the ground a week a go, but in doing so exposed the remains of what is left behind.

My 'chromed out' bike spends winter in a local toy storage place, but my bobber spends winter in the shed....this is what's left of the shed.



Hope the bike isn't similarly flattened!

^ Oh man...you guys sure had a rough winter. I hope the bike is OK.

Whats that white stuff? We set record temps. here in San Diego today 89Degrees.

Hit almost 40º F here today, T shirt weather.