I recently ordered a new set of handlebars from BellaCorse. I wanted to try a pair slightly lower and wider than my current Western bars. The main reason is that I have suspected that the distance from the end of the bar to where the bar starts to bend is a bit too short for my stock Triumph Bonneville throttle control. It actually binds the throttle a bit because it is clamping down at a slight angle. By going a little wider, I hoped to free this up.
Sports Bars and Western Bars compared. I suspected the length shown was a bit too short.
Along with the sports bars I ordered a set of Joker Machine 2-piece handlebar clamps in black.
Sports bars and Joker Machine clamps
Well, the handlebar switch went fine. The Joker Machine clamp switch did not. I discovered that the Joker Machine clamps hit the D9 Bracket that I installed last month. So, I had to keep the stock bracket on for now. I removed the Western bars by removing the Joker Machine folding bar-end mirrors, left side handle bar grip and clutch lever assembly, right side brake lever assembly and center handlebar clamp.
Removal of left side handlebar grip and clutch lever assembly was the first step.
Removal of left side clutch lever assembly required unplugging the electrical connection from inside the headlamp bucket to gain the length required.
Removal of center Triumph branded handlebar clamp. Followed by easy removal of right side brake and throttle assembly.
New BellaCorse Sports Bars installed and ready to ride.
I am happy to report that the bars do in fact free up my throttle because there is no binding now. When I release the throttle, it quickly goes back to idle position with no delay.
I am going to have to think about what to do for the clamps. I could try to find an alternate pair of black clamps that are a bit narrower or I could modify the Joker Machine ones with a little grinding and filing, to fit my bike. More on that to come.
April 26, 2014 Update
I decided to try to make the Joker Machine clamps work by grinding away one corner where they hit the D9 bracket. It worked quite well using a bench grinder. Once I had the corners ground down, I smoothed it out with a file, then masked and sprayed the raw aluminum with black paint. Then I installed the clamps after removing the stock OEM clamp.
Finished product: new Sports bars and Joker Machine clamps.
My friend Oral sent me an email asking… “How’s your back with the lower bars?”
Frankly, I really don’t seem to have much trouble with my back. Usually I struggle with my hands getting numb on longer rides and trips. One thing that helps to offset the back issue is that I ride without a windscreen. The pressure of the wind on the front of my upper body actually relieves a lot of the strain of holding my back in position.
It looks great Randy! I bought the BellaCorse Superbars for my T-100 last winter and still haven’t put them on, this is inspiring me to get ‘er done.
Jason,
Hey, great – thanks for the comment! Yeah, I encourage you to make the switch… you’ll never go back to stock bars!
I was able to also sort out my issues with the Joker Machine handlebar clamps… had to do a little grinding to get them to not hit my D9 bracket… they work fine now and look great!
Randy
Do you still own/use these bars? Still recommend? I’ve been using Harley Sportster bars….these(Bellacorse bars) appear to allow for a slightly more aggressive lean…..
Yes, I still have them on my 2008 Bonneville. They are quite wide. If ypu want something similar but not as wide try the Western Bars. I liked those also.
Thx. Didn’t get notification of your response….normal?
OB,
I believe I have fixed this issue!
Randy
I think this issue is fixed now. Hopefully you will receive a notice of this reply.
…nothing still. No email notification. Weird….
OB,
Sorry, I don’t know what the problem is. I installed a WordPress plugin that seemed to fix the problem for me. I had hoped it would apply to everyone!
Randy
….yeah weird…anyway ordered the Sports bars…think it will give me just a little more forward lean(I’m just over 6′) than the Harley Sportster bars currently on my 2008 Bonneville….will send an update in the Spring.
…….I’ve checked these boxes again just in case past settings were undone on my end.
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Got a 2012 T-100 just got some sport bars, hoping to get a little more leaned into it. My triumph fly screen is nice looking but does next to nothing ( free). Got the bars at Bella Course, Mike sez no need to get into the head light on install. So maybe the 08’s are different in some ways . Will report back on what I find out.
Barry
Nice. I have the Standard…which I think is the T-100 without the tach. Mike says the bars will work on my 2008. Won’t be able to install until the Spring.
Thanks for the helpful info. I really like the Bella Corse western bars and I was about to purchase them, but this is good to know. Are the controls the same on all the Triumph retro bikes? Would I face the same issue on a 2008 T100
Just be aware that T-100 bars are 1 inch and SE bars are 7/8’s, and I tried bella’s sport bars and found them too wide for me. I ended up getting a set of narrower bars ( same bend ) at rancho recycle in Citrus heights CA., for 29 bucks brand new. As far as Joker machine goes ? and of course RSD those boutique brands of stuff are severely over priced, you could have just spray painted your stock clamps for pennies instead of paying huge money and then re working them to fit. you got hosed on that one randy.?