R18 Transcontinental handlebars installed on Classic, makes for an additional 4.5 inches of reach

[Saunders]

Well, I finally have TC handlebars installed on my Classic! For anyone complaining their bars are too far in to reach comfortably, this has been a tremendous improvement. You can now ride sitting in a more upright position rather than having to lean in and eventually getting shoulder fatigue. If you go to the dealer and sit on a Transcontinental or Bagger, you'll get an idea of how much closer the bars are to your hands.

The one obstacle preventing this from being a direct swap, is the splines where the clamps mount are farther apart on the TC. However, I was able to find a handtool that allows you to make your own splines for the clamps to go over and provide grip to hold them in place. Its similar to a C-clamp type pipe cutting tool but with knurling wheels instead of cutting wheels.

Longer brake and clutch lines, along with an extended wiring harness are also needed. The TC bars don't have slots cut for the cables to run thru since they are ran on the outside and hidden behind the fairing. I may do that later, but for now I was able to put some nylon loom over the wires and thought it turned out pretty good. I'll list all the part numbers I used later along with some more pictures and details.

 

[Saunders]

Here are some measurements and comparisons for the two bars to get an idea of how they line up.

 

[Saunders]

You can see in the first picture, the splines on the TC bar need to be cut further in about 19mm's for the clamp to fully cover. The knurling tool I used to cut the splines worked out pretty good, but you'll definitely want to try it out on a piece of pipe or something first. I added some splines to a ratchet wrench to get familiar with it.

 

[LockieP]

Good job & IMO they look more at home than the factory bars.
I love my Classic but I’m now looking for ways to improve my comfort. I’m starting with a Day Rider seat I’ve purchased from a fellow forum member & this could be the next mod to my bike.

 

[Saunders]

Here are some of the details and parts I used for this swap. The handlebars I got from were from a fellow member online who replaced his TC bars with Helibars. BMW p/n for the chrome TC bars is 32719443364 ($521). I believe the R18B bars are the same, just black instead of chrome p/n 32719899338 ($427).

The tool I used for making the splines in the bars was from PennToolCo.com p/n K1-207-10 ($229).

Since no one has installed these bars before I wasn't sure what length brake and clutch lines were needed or how BMW measures them (its from center to center of the end bolts). I bought the lines used for the BMW Beach bars (455mm) thinking they would be long enough. Brake line p/n 77227923458 ($104) and clutch line 32727923466 ($176). Was going to get the next size shorter just in case, but the dealers said there would be a 40% restocking fee for any returns. So I gambled and got just the Beach bar lines. Well they were not only too long, but the angle where it mounts to the handles prevented the brake and clutch levers from being rotated enough to get the mirrors adjusted right. So if anyone needs some Beach bar lines hit me up...

I was afraid if I installed the extended wiring harness and the bike ever had any electrical or ECM issues, they might try and void my warranty, so I went ahead and paid the dealer do the install (3hrs $375). When I went to pick it up, that's when I realized the TC bars had no slots for the wiring to run thru. They put on about a dozen zip ties and strapped the harness up and down the bars. It wasn't what I was expecting.

So, I ended up redoing what they did and put shorter (423mm) lines on. Brake line p/n 77227923462 ($101) and Clutch line 32727923470 ($171). I was going to use the actual TC part numbers (brake 34329480173 and clutch 32729443823, but they were out of stock and the TC clutch cable alone was $238. Not sure what the differences are, but what I got fits just fine.

The extended wiring harness kit p/n 77228391962 ($122) apparently is not available for purchase anymore, but you can buy the two pieces individually. Left is p/n 61121605827 and right is 61121606419, both are about $32 ea.

Put nylon wiring loom over the existing cables to give it a cleaner look (3/8" for the left side and 1/2" for the right). Also used three different size rubber ties 95mm x 12mm, 64mm x14mm, & 57mm x 12mm.

Hopefully this helps anyone else looking for some different bar options.

 

[RyBread]

If anyone is interested in this mod in the US, I have my stock R18B handle bar for sale in black. shoot me a message