Triumph Bonnie?

[Slide Panda]

I'm not versed in the Bonnies - but I believe you can use TuneECU to access the ECU. So you can read codes (already handled) and also get more info, change settings like final drive to accommodate for final drive changes etc.

The oil pressure - for whatever reason is low. One will get the lowest oil pressure on the bike when it's Hot (oil is most thin) and at idle (lowest pump speed). Two simple explanations could be that the oil in the bike is the wrong weight, and getting too thin for the conditions, or/and the idle speed is too low resulting in the pump spinning slower.

And avenue to pursue might be an oil change after consulting the hot weather oil weight info. Again not sure on the Bonnie, but the Daytona didn't ship with a magnetic drain plug. I picked up one for the extra peace of mind - also was drilled for safety wire ease *bonus!

[Barney]

I hadn't considered oil weight as a factor for a possible low pressure issue, but an oil change is definitely on the list of things to do ASAP - I intended to do one over the weekend but I couldn't track down the right filter and I don't really want to run fresh oil through a dirty one, especially since i don't plan on putting many miles on it until it's changed.

thanks for brining that up - i literally know nothing about the bike so every variable is something that needs to be considered, and i'm not bright enough to realize all of them on my own

I need to check the airbox and filter as well...

[Slide Panda]

NP. It can be those silly little (old fashioned) things like oil weights in relation to ambient temps.

Like Ducs - a lot of Triumphs use the same spin on Filter. #204 for K&N and HiFlo

[Curmudgeon]

Bought mine as a "standard motorcycle", good for riding into the city and plonking around at low speeds as they have decent low end torque. Looked like a T120V a pal had in the '70's too and draws more admirers than any exotic I've ever owned, possibly because it "looks like a motorcycle" and is non-threatening. Can be ridden briskly on back roads too after doing a bunch of fairly invisible "fixes". Not sure you'd care to invest in those...

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/291755-1/DB-Brewery-T-100.jpg

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/275076-2/DB-Brewery.jpg

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/353092-1/Workshop-T-100.jpg

Not for sale. 

Think you are right that the PO changed the case covers for brushed satin from another model.

There are several gurus but Forchetto is probably the best and reliable. He's an electrical/electronics engineer who is a Spaniard who lived and worked in the UK near Hinckley for some time and has better English than most Brits and nearly ALL Americans.  Very clear. Has the patience of Job! Lives somewhere near San Sebastian now and rides an SE because he's short. 

Careful with the headlight. Little clips and springs can go flying.  It's a rat's nest. The whole harness is "taped". Up under the tank and near the steering head crude splices in there can part. PITA. You can find pictures of that if you search hard enough.

You should be able to restore it to near stock from take-offs for sale on eBay. Good luck finding the botched wiring. Bear in mind that the headers and exhausts are model-specific and some stuff from other models won't line up. If you find mufflers off a '15, the stockers are louder. Black side covers off eBay can be cheap too. OEM alloy ones also show up occasionally. They were an accessory.

Metallic BRG looks good. Triumph had several good ones over the years if you want to take it that far.

[Curmudgeon]

I hadn't considered oil weight as a factor for a possible low pressure issue, but an oil change is definitely on the list of things to do ASAP - I intended to do one over the weekend but I couldn't track down the right filter and I don't really want to run fresh oil through a dirty one, especially since i don't plan on putting many miles on it until it's changed.

thanks for brining that up - i literally know nothing about the bike so every variable is something that needs to be considered, and i'm not bright enough to realize all of them on my own

I need to check the airbox and filter as well...

Would imagine the flickering oil light is 100% the botched wiring. The pump gears are nylon but last as long as the bike isn't left idling without a fan on it. Definitly use an OEM filter as the aftermarket ones don't fit properly lately. $10- from Hermy's. Use Mobil 1 4T Racing 10W40 from the auto parts stores. Takes 4 QT. almost exactly WITH a filter change. They use no oil. If you get stuck in traffic constantly, You could use Mobil 1 V-Twin. The bikes were designed around Mobil 1 15W50 4T. Unfortunately, Mobil 1 stopped packaging it when Triumph switched to Castrol in Europe, no doubt for a healthy kickback.  In the USA, Castrol is Ashland and I wouldn't use it in my lawn mower due to QC issues.

Where in NJ are you? Worked off I-80 for 40+ years before retiring to Central VA on nice roads. 

[Barney]

they are certainly very nice to look at.  My girlfriend already likes it a lot better than the monster, she's trying very hard to convince me to keep it.  enablers, they're the worst. 

I'll have to take a look for covers - but as far as fenders go, I think I'd like to do something a little shorter than stock. I don't mined the chopped look, I just think it looks silly with nothing at all. A different seat would be another option, or a combination of the two even better yet. I need to decide how much/if any money i want to put into cosmetics, and how long i think i'll hold onto it, but before that i need to get it road worthy.  

I grew up in Summit, near the Short Hills mall, then moved to Morristown for some years after college - I'm back in union county now, but I'm looking to move down to Asbury as soon as I can find a new job.  I'm currently working in Rockland County NY at the top of 287 - I've seen those VA rodes, and I imagine having them in your back yard is quite a treat.  I took a short vacation down to the Primland resort in Western VA and got to drive some of the blue ridge parkway and some of the surrounding roads, and I was really wishing i had a bike or my little bmw instead of the stupid toyota i was driving.  If you're looking for a fun weekend getaway, that place is beautiful - they've got gorgeous cabins, a great golf course and the lodge is incredible as well.  we were there in February to take advantage of the clear skies and observatory they have on the premises, so it was really quite as well.  It was a fabulous weekend.

[Barney]

Also, thanks for the heads up - i'd read 15-50 was the weight I wanted - i think i have some 10-40 mobile one laying around actually 

[Slide Panda]

10-40.. which is thinner than 15-50 

[Curmudgeon]

Also, thanks for the heads up - i'd read 15-50 was the weight I wanted - i think i have some 10-40 mobile one laying around actually 

Has to be motorcycle 10W40 Racing 4T. Clutch might slip on auto oil. $2- more/Qt. 

If you want to use 15W50, use Red Line. The car Red Line High Performance has no friction modifiers so the clutch doesn't slip. Use it in my M796, but it's not necessary for a Bonneville which is a stone ax. 

Panda, the manual lists 10W40 M/C oil except for extreme temps. NJ isn't AZ. 

[Slide Panda]

NJ isn't AZ. 

You're right - way worse.

*Bah dum kish!

[Barney]

Has to be motorcycle 10W40 Racing 4T. Clutch might slip on auto oil. $2- more/Qt. 

If you want to use 15W50, use Red Line. The car Red Line High Performance has no friction modifiers so the clutch doesn't slip. Use it in my M796, but it's not necessary for a Bonneville which is a stone ax. 

Panda, the manual lists 10W40 M/C oil except for extreme temps. NJ isn't AZ. 

it always gets nasty when NJ is brought up, but my guess is the slippery panda bear hasn't ever seen the state 

Yea, the 10-40 i think i have is the 4T, wouldn't use the auto stuff in there for sure. 

also, i just found out i've got a Triumph dealer not 10 minutes from my office, so i'll be swinging by there for a new filter and maybe a couple of other nuts and bolts tomorrow.  I have a feeling this bike isn't going to be leaving my garage nearly as soon as originally planned...

[Slide Panda]

it always gets nasty when NJ is brought up, but my guess is the slippery panda bear hasn't ever seen the state 

Oh I'm from Philly originally. Seen it plenty - good and bad.

I just like to take the shit out of NJ folks... it's a hobby

[Barney]

Oh I'm from Philly originally. Seen it plenty - good and bad.

I just like to take the shit out of NJ folks... it's a hobby

You're from Philly and you think you can talk shit on Jersey?!  these guys...


seriously though, i went to UDel and one of my best friends Drexel, so I've spent my fair share of time in the city - he bought a place in fishtown about 10 years ago and i've seen that part of the city absolutely come alive in the last 2-3 years. it's a really great place these days. 

[Curmudgeon]

Your GF would like my custom Sargent built on a stock pan but it cost a bit. After three OEM saddles, became a necessity. Sargent don't make their own for Bonneville because Bonneville people are penny-wise and pound-foolish apparently.  The OEM King and Queen saddle is reportedly good but butt-ugly. (No pun.) The 17" wheel bikes have lower saddles to match. Pretty much all the stock ones are planks.

The T-100 fender is long and keeps me dry but base Bonnevilles and Scramblers have short fenders, so look for one of those.

You come from my old market where I sold $$$ European vehicles. Wall St. and Madison Ave bedrooms were the best for that. Forget NJ for much esle though. Commuted from near the Water Gap where there WERE some decent rural roads and rolling farm country. Roads out my front door are Rte. 6 and 522 which are fun on any bike, little traffic mid-week and few  once you get west of here 30 miles. Wish I could have done it much sooner though!

[Slide Panda]

these guys...