Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Battery relocation

I saw a very cool mod at PJ's Triumph today. They had a very nice bobber on the floor, fresh built from a 2006 America. I was standing there admiring it when Jeff the sales manager came over and pointed out the oil tank under the seat. The tank was about the size of a coffee can, and sat transversly in the space where the airbox would be. Then Jeff pointed out that the oil tank was really a container for the battery and the wiring that normally goes under the seat. He had me reach under the sprung seat to feel that there was a hole in the top of the tank where the battery sat.

The nice thing was that it really cleaned up the left side and the space around the K&N air filters. Anybody who's done a freak job knows what a tangle of wires you find under there, and the left side filter gets dinged up trying to fit it in and out past the battery brace. The carbs and filters were sitting right there in the open. They really looked sharp and clean. That might be my next project, since my airbox is already gone. I'd rather use that space for the battery than that dumb little tool box that comes with the freak kit.

Jeff said they built the bobber so people could visualize how you could have a nice, unique custom Triumph for around 12 grand. I want to get back over to PJ's, with a camera if they allow it, and study how they did the faux oil tank. I'm liking that place more all the time.

Regards,
Cody

It'd be great to get some pics of that bike. Kevin did the same thing on his build....a faux oil tank to hold the electrics, although his battery is mounted outside.

That is a great idea and it looks the balls.

+1

Frank

A couple guys have done this already. One use a mini-keg and the other used an oil bag. The latter might be a vendor.

Consolidating my posts:

Here's a third one, Larkfarms, although he doesn't have really good photos of it online:

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopo...=500&page=1

Here's the oilbag style one:

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopo...ium&cat=500

I don't have time to look for the other one right now.

Definitely get some pics!! It is a GREAt idea. I tried to clean up that wiring a little, but I felt like there wasn't enough slack to put the wiring much anywhere else...

I rode back over to PJ's today and got some pics of the custom they are building. They moved the bike around back near the shop door. The background was crummy, but the light was good. Here's some shots of the battery relocation I was talking about.

The battery sits inside the faux oil tank. I like this a lot.



Here's one of the left side. Notice the square battery box is gone. Nice! Did you catch that the gas line isn't hooked up?



Here's the whole bike, garbage cans and all. But you get the idea. Jeff said the tank is from JC Whitney. I know it's hard to see from this angle. I'm not crazy about the white seat.



I asked if they are going to show this bike. Jeff said they might show it, but they are building it to ride.

Do you know what front forks they used

Forks are probably stock with the shrouds removed. Also looks like the mounting lugs for the front fender were removed.

Thanks Cody! Bike looks fantastic! The only thing I don't like are the short pipes, leaves a huge gap inder the bike by the front of the swingarm....

But this isn't about criticizing the style, that oil tank idea is cool! I would miss my side cover with the "bonneville america" on it tho...

I don't suppose they're going to be selling those, are they?

One more thing. Look at the top picture, right side shot. There is a silver nubbin on the tank about 2 oclock. That's the ignition switch. I thought that was cool. Then I started to wonder where they put the fuses. No matter, I guess.

Mounting the standard bonneville gas tank didn't require any fabrication?

i have a question about the rear shocks, what kind are they, it looks like they lower the rear alot.

Quote:

---

Jeff said the tank is from JC Whitney.

---

I did a few searched thru JCwhitnet and JP cycles and couldn't find anything. Anyone know of a source for these?

http://www.jpcycles.com/search.aspx?Page=2&search=triumph&store=All

Frank