I did another tasty comfort modification...dropped the operator's pegs 2", the shift 3 splines, and shaved a hair off the brake pedal return spring arm so the pedal can drop another bit without conflict to match the shift level.

VERY positive result is the old knees are in love again with the reduced angle ...so nice in fact the forward pegs were a luxury rather than absolute relief position yesterday after a 5 hour trial run...the increased distance between seat and pegs gives it much more of a vintage Brit dirt feel. In normal riding position, the feet can sit natural and tuck under the pedals. It's either closer to the old Triumph peg position. or my legs were shorter then. Before the peg drop the old legs just felt a bit wedged into a cafe position. The 2" drop is the single best modification yet IMO... I don't do 125mph curves, so I certainly don't need blood and guts peg positions they insist on marketing to Squids.

the mildly downside is in the sweepers you want to keep your feet on top of the pedals, but I have yet to scrape a peg...I did scrape a dangling boot in a parking lot much to my surprise.

I personally think this feet position thing is the deal clincher between Scrambler and Bonneville for any distance. if it's not comfort, then it becomes hell. Check out the skid plate above, and I'm thinking a couple 1-1/2" X 1/4" bars on end running back to the new lower pegs are enough protection for the low pipes even grinding over rocks if need be. The pipes would be visible for air cooling, but enclosed between the plate and the side rails, with reasonable bash potential.

I've been musing on a vintage tricycle looking solo seat to gently caress the hinder portions next. I don't need both feet flat at stops so I can raise the seat another inch or so to gain even more in the knees if need be...and I'm not sure the stock seat had my butt in mind to begin with.

I have thought for a while the standard bonneville would make a ideal low tech tourer It is more than capable, with a few modifications, and the right tyres. Maybe even man enough for prolonged two up touring
Interesting thread!

Is that THE Dan Walsh, of Bike Fame?

Trophymick

They sell them for Enfields, nice sprung seat, a little extra shock absorber, maybe it would/could fit the Triumph


Trophymick

Check out Aussie Dave's neat yet wide-load home-built luggage solution for the Scrambler, plus a couple of other useful mods.

DRF's new butt jewelery - Page 14 - ADVrider
(scroll down)

Suerte, Dan

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Que el cielo exista, aunque mi lugar sea el infierno...

needed a bit of modifying but the most comfortable seat i've ever ridden on!

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Modre - I don't understand a word of yr posts. It's not big and it's not clever to admit, but I can barely fill the petrol tank, let alone contemplate attempting modifications to my Bonnie.

Which is why it seems to be the perfect bike for me. Simple and solid, as well as bold and beautiful (and British, which is nice too.)

Great to think another Bonnie will be out on some long roads soon.

--Mike

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www.BesideTheSeaside.eu
---I'm back. Now what?---

if you're looking at a Scrambler, look again at the Bonneville.

Must say that was my conclusion too when I finally clapped eyes on the ugly Scambler - just a two-wheeled Chealsea tractor. What a lazy, missed opportunity that was.

So I am steering myself ever closer towards a new Bonnie for all the widely-agreed-on reasons: a low tech tourer with soul.

Bash plate looks neat, simple and essential but Dan, are the low pipes a problem as long as it keeps running through deep water? 4WDs manage fine with pipes at about the same, low height.

Needs alt rims as you say but I'd stick with a 19" front - better to humbly accept it's not an XT and retain the standard road manners/geometry. After all, this bloke managed alright!
http://www.mcqueenonline.com/bikerace6pic.htm
(is that a nitrous bottle behind his foot...?)

Feel the same way about raising the suspension - let the bashplate take the strain - although heavier duty all round would be a good idea. With a few functional exceptions, I plan to keep the Bonnie as it is.

Looking forward to more Bonnie Overland talk!

Chris S

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Was at an enduro the other week and after the event we were messing around on part of the course and were joined by a spectator on a new Scrambler. It was actually OK on loose gravel, he came over all 'Cooler King' and was throwing it around having a fine time. Wisely he didn't tackle anything too challenging but even so it was clear that the suspension was bottoming out on anything resembling a bump. In terms of mods that would be the first place I'd look.

As Triumph make about a million different types of Bonnie it's a shame they haven't made a serious attempt at an overlander/off-roader in the spirit of the ISDT machines. A lightweight, simple, tough, well-suspended bike with lots of money-spinning after market options - call it the Trophy. Gap in the market??

Update:

I made a couple killer modifications.


I like the WWll era pannier racks...with or without cases...highly functional.

after the forward pegs, I decided to drop the operator's pegs 2" cause the knees suck. Dropped the shift 2 splines and shaved a tad off the return spring arm for the brake pedal to extend it's travel a couple more degrees...and did some adjustment on the linkage...What a difference...after all, comfort reigns for old gimps.

then, on advice here. I bought a Royal Enfield sprung solo seat, and raised my butt another 2 1/2"...the knee angle is absolute bliss now. Feels like a vintage Brit dirt position. I could probably put the pegs back to stock, but it's so outrageously nice, I don't believe I will...and the extra seat springs shine over railroad tracks and potholes. major major major improvements.

then picked up a National Cycle deflector screen which is small enough so it doesn't feel burdensome in the wind, and puts a nice sweet spot at the face. Makes the prescription glasses work now where before I had to squint a bit in the wind or wear aviation shades.

I'm now working on the world's most comfy passenger seat...a small tractor seat with backrest also on springs for ms. modre...and/or a top case when she's not involved...hovering over my shoulder...asking pesky questions...where I was and who I was talking to...and what's that blonde hair doing in the seat springs...

the more I play with this new Bonneville, the more I'm convinced it's a viable choice...peppy, light, adaptable, and sexy.

This bike is getting downright comfortable...and very familiar feeling. The forward pegs are now just another layer of luxury.

surprisingly, the lowered pegs don't scrape...the stock position must be for 120mph sweepers, and I'm thinking I matched closer the original 60's Triumph position, tho with the seat and military style racks I think the overall impression suggests more 1940-ish than 1960-ish...which is fine by me...I'm sinking into a vintage groove.

...now if I could only find the leather flying helmet and just the right goggles...

as far as the Scrambler for adventure....naw...the Bonneville's the travel piece for all the stated reasons...Scrambler may look the part, but not functional in the real world.

Not too many Triumphs in Panama.
I stripped the bonneville to the bare minimum after finding the 16km long Playa Lajas. Perfectly flat and wide. No people, no pigs.

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Hi All,

My first post here. I demoed a 2007 Black Bonneville, liked the motor and handling, but found it to be cramped for my 6' body, anyone else have this problem with the Bonny? Looking for a good all around and two up ride.

Have a 2006 KLR650 now, but it is not very good at 2 up.

thanks, Trac.

My 06 T100 has done several two-up runs from UK, up to now. Le Mans as a shakedown, then Nice, Santander and soon off to Lagos on the Algarve. I now have a Hyde floating disc up front [due to the original one warping], Givi 660 screen [triumph touring screen had tremendous windshear], scott oiler, crampbuster, clock, heated bars, 45 litre box [with extra pillion handles on the side], oxford throw overs and best of all, a thunderbird seat. The seat is a straight swap and solves all the Bonny plank problems. First chain adjustment was at 10K miles and chain life is over 20K, 45 mpg, cruise at 60 mph, fill up at 120 miles, run two tankfulls a day when easy touring. The only oddity is she does 125 miles before reserve and takes a 12 litre fill, when unladen. When laden she runs 100 miles before reserve and takes a 10 litre fill. I drained the tank dry and measured 16 litres capacity, then rode with a spirit level blu-tacked to the tank just to be sure the CG was central, so now just live with it. Very, very big grin stuff. And I had a Transalp before and an R100T before that. I won't be changing bikes again. Mike

I used to have 2 bonnies a T120 & a 140
mthe 140 I had dustall pipes & gas flowed heads went like sh*t of a shovel loved her till some toe stole them both
btw had conical air filters on the carbs as well

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

it would be great if you could post some higher resolution pics of your relocated pegs

I cannot really tell how you have it set up from the post posted above (maybe I just nedd new glasses)

I just got back did a 500 mile day a couple of days ago and my number one complaint is the peg position

I have sat on, but not ridden, a scrambler and the peg location looks to be about an inch down and an inch forward and it feels much more natural

you set up sounds about perfect

if you cannot post pics for some reason you could email them to me at pmlaw7@yahoo.com and I'll host them for you and post them here


thanks

I set off Scrambler-GSerising my Bonneville Black before the Scrambler came out and before I put the sidecar on. Knobblies give you everything you need. The low exhausts only give hassle when fixing punctures, there is enough pressure for crossing water so long as you don't need to stop, I've ridden through water than was lapping the oil filler hole (). The 360 engine is perfect on snow or mud, I never tested the 270.

The Scrambler to me has a few issues that make me think I made the right choice. That exhaust costs you about 10 hp and the choice of screens is limited. My 790 solo would cruise at 90 mph, the Scrambler loaner was only happy at 70. My black paint also seems more practical and you have endless choice of racks etc. I too concluded the Scramber is yet another style exercise rather than an improvement on the highly useful Bonneville Black.

For the seating position I have no issues. I am a short **** (5'7"/1.7m), but use a K&Q seat plus a Gel pad. Raising the seat is the same as lowering the pegs?

For sidecar use, I will be fitting wider bars. I guess this would be logical too for a road-scrambler based on the Black?

Call me tight, but why would I buy a "styled" Scramber when I can have 10 more horses and a lot of practical features for similar money once I've bought tyres etc?

Andy