Switching the handlebars
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Joined
·
4,021 Posts
Woo-hoo!
You gotcha basic hand tools, crescent wrench, hammer, sawzall?
Before you tear anything apart; I'm thinking the stock bars on your bike have what like a 6" rise? Your cables are going to be way too long. So find a shop that will shorten them for you when you get that far. It probably won't be your local dealership, look for a little shop that actually fixes stuff. Be thinking about how you're going to re-route the brake line from the master cylinder to the junction block, or if you're gonna have to get a shorter one.
Sure you want clubmans? They're gonna bash in the side of your tank and cause some on this board to question your sexual orientation. I've got clubmans on my bike, but I'm real secure. Seriously you might be happier with drag bars or some "superbike" bars.
There's more, but I'm tired of typing. Figure out who's gonna shorten your cables then get back to us.
04 KDX 200
05 KX 250f- SOLD!
01 GSXR 750
75 GT 550
68 Chevelle
Wanted: 86 FZ600 w/OEM paint
Before you tear anything apart; I'm thinking the stock bars on your bike have what like a 6" rise? Your cables are going to be way too long. So find a shop that will shorten them for you when you get that far. It probably won't be your local dealership, look for a little shop that actually fixes stuff. Be thinking about how you're going to re-route the brake line from the master cylinder to the junction block, or if you're gonna have to get a shorter one.
Sure you want clubmans? They're gonna bash in the side of your tank and cause some on this board to question your sexual orientation. I've got clubmans on my bike, but I'm real secure. Seriously you might be happier with drag bars or some "superbike" bars.
There's more, but I'm tired of typing. Figure out who's gonna shorten your cables then get back to us.
04 KDX 200
05 KX 250f- SOLD!
01 GSXR 750
75 GT 550
68 Chevelle
Wanted: 86 FZ600 w/OEM paint
)
Joined
·
725 Posts
it entirely depends on the size and shape of your tank as to whether clubmans will bash the tank. i've laid my cl350 down with out issue.
...connoisseur of slack...
...connoisseur of slack...
You should be able to swap them yourself, if not it'd be a good place to call off the project. Just realize it ain't no 20 minute deal proper cable routing and control setup is pretty important to the safety and ridability of your bike.
An electrician may be able to shorten your cables. The ends are soldered on, although I've never seen anybody reuse the old ones. The outer sheath will need shortened, normally the metal piece on the end is replaced. You may be able to use your cables as is but don't count on it.
Getcha some good screwdrivers and/or an impact driver to take the switches loose. If they haven't been off for awhile(or never) it's easy to wreck the phillips headed bolts.
04 KDX 200
05 KX 250f- SOLD!
01 GSXR 750
75 GT 550
68 Chevelle
Wanted: 86 FZ600 w/OEM paint
An electrician may be able to shorten your cables. The ends are soldered on, although I've never seen anybody reuse the old ones. The outer sheath will need shortened, normally the metal piece on the end is replaced. You may be able to use your cables as is but don't count on it.
Getcha some good screwdrivers and/or an impact driver to take the switches loose. If they haven't been off for awhile(or never) it's easy to wreck the phillips headed bolts.
04 KDX 200
05 KX 250f- SOLD!
01 GSXR 750
75 GT 550
68 Chevelle
Wanted: 86 FZ600 w/OEM paint
I am not sure a cheap pair of nonadjustable clubmans will fit a DOHC. Also clubman bars are harder to fit than conventional bars because you have to watch for interference issues. Plus if you don't have rearsets it is a very uncomfortable riding position and pretty much a waste (and they make you gay). If you are absolutly set on really low bars, then a good set of adjustable clubmans or clipons are preferred.
Personally I like superbike and drag bars for stock foot control bikes, they don't throw your wrist at weird angles and you can ride all day. as long as they are 7/8" diameter you are good to go (yes dirt bike bars will work but have you seen what a good pair of renthals go for?)
On the DOHC bikes the bar controls use a locating pin, you are going to need to drill that into your new bars since the DOHC controls are not compression fit. Other than that, basically stuff just bolts on and bolts off. It is a fairly easy project if you go slow and take your time. If you are not gettin shortened cables for your ride, then you are going to have to get a little creative with the cable routing.
basically everything ratty 550 said.
good luck.
Edited by - geeto67 on Jun 07 2007 07:44:48 AM
Personally I like superbike and drag bars for stock foot control bikes, they don't throw your wrist at weird angles and you can ride all day. as long as they are 7/8" diameter you are good to go (yes dirt bike bars will work but have you seen what a good pair of renthals go for?)
On the DOHC bikes the bar controls use a locating pin, you are going to need to drill that into your new bars since the DOHC controls are not compression fit. Other than that, basically stuff just bolts on and bolts off. It is a fairly easy project if you go slow and take your time. If you are not gettin shortened cables for your ride, then you are going to have to get a little creative with the cable routing.
basically everything ratty 550 said.
good luck.
Edited by - geeto67 on Jun 07 2007 07:44:48 AM
wow, Geeto, that was really civil! you must be tired <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Jyn, these guys know what's up - listen to them.
**************************
My own project:
http://www.caferacer.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2827
**************************
Jyn, these guys know what's up - listen to them.
**************************
My own project:
http://www.caferacer.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2827
**************************
ok it you have seen my pic of Gina, you know what she looks like, I have to say that for the most part i have no clue as to what most of you lot are on about <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I built Gina the way I wanted her to look. I have not clue what Superbike, or drag bars or clubsmans are <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I just new i wanted adjustable laverda bars, and now i want to try adjustable clip ons <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>.
I just build it look at it, think nah that needs changing and then change it. stand back and grin like an idiot at the bike<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I just new i wanted adjustable laverda bars, and now i want to try adjustable clip ons <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>.
I just build it look at it, think nah that needs changing and then change it. stand back and grin like an idiot at the bike<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
on the issue of clubmans - there are these really cheap fixed clubman bars that seem to attract newbies like flies to shit. They figure for $15 they can have kick ass cafe badass looking bike for cheap, except that fixed clubman bars were designed for narrow jap and brit bike twins of the 1950's and 60's and they don't really fit the chubby fours of the 70's jap bikes very well. clubman rash is the little dents and scratches that come from improperly installed fixed clubmans. plus they are uncomfortable without rearsets. for $20-$30 bucks more they can have adjustable clubmans and clipons that are much easier to install and a little better to live with but to a noob a bar is a bar and they don't think fixed clubmans will be a pain in the ass to install because they saw a pic of an old race bike with them on it once. I've seen too many ham fisted newbies wreck perfectly good bikes with botched or half assed clubman installations which is why I rail against them more than anything else.
A little research goes a long way in building the right bike and fixed clubmans are a prime example of this.
I foget who used to sell cable kits.
A little research goes a long way in building the right bike and fixed clubmans are a prime example of this.
I foget who used to sell cable kits.
DOHC bikes should have the wiring running outside the handlebars. Buy black zip ties to reattach them to the bars.
sometimes previous owners grind down the locating pins or mash them tring to put them on the bike. You can convert them to compression fit using a coke can to shim it up and crush down.
sometimes previous owners grind down the locating pins or mash them tring to put them on the bike. You can convert them to compression fit using a coke can to shim it up and crush down.
Jyn,
The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want. Ok, you know that what you have on there is not what you want so you are going to change it.
Do you have lots of bars laying around to look at and hold up to the bike or try and test fit? Probably not, but lots of us do, so do you know anybody with a selection of bars? You really need to consider the footpeg to seat to bar relationship for comfort. If you don't have a selection of bars then you can sit on the bike, close your eyes and put your hands out to where it is comfortable. Open your eyes and see where your hands ended up in relation to the original grips. That will give you a real good idea of where to start. Generally, you can go a couple of inches lower and farther forward than where you ended up to balance better, but not more than that. I bet that you will end up in the neighborhood of where superbike bars put your hands.
If you don't have a lot of experience with bikes beyond an oil change then I would not try and put clubman bars on! Go for superbike or drag bars and see how you like them. How do you think we end up with extra bars around to try out?
It is fairly easy to put bars on, but it is not so easy to do it right on every bike.
Ken
AHRMA 412
Vintage racing - old guys on old bikes
The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want. Ok, you know that what you have on there is not what you want so you are going to change it.
Do you have lots of bars laying around to look at and hold up to the bike or try and test fit? Probably not, but lots of us do, so do you know anybody with a selection of bars? You really need to consider the footpeg to seat to bar relationship for comfort. If you don't have a selection of bars then you can sit on the bike, close your eyes and put your hands out to where it is comfortable. Open your eyes and see where your hands ended up in relation to the original grips. That will give you a real good idea of where to start. Generally, you can go a couple of inches lower and farther forward than where you ended up to balance better, but not more than that. I bet that you will end up in the neighborhood of where superbike bars put your hands.
If you don't have a lot of experience with bikes beyond an oil change then I would not try and put clubman bars on! Go for superbike or drag bars and see how you like them. How do you think we end up with extra bars around to try out?
It is fairly easy to put bars on, but it is not so easy to do it right on every bike.
Ken
AHRMA 412
Vintage racing - old guys on old bikes
We don't know how tall you are or how long your arms are. Sit on the bike and try to imagine where you'd like the bars to end up. Then look at the measurements of the different bars and find the one that best suits you. I think I had GP Touring on my 750.
I wish my clubmans had an inch or so less end drop after I've ridden it awhile. That's one good reason to get adjustables.
I wish my clubmans had an inch or so less end drop after I've ridden it awhile. That's one good reason to get adjustables.
I'm a sport bike rider; I'm used to the abnormal riding position. I'm stretched out on my zx12r, almost lying on the tank.
I'm asking you guys, because you are all familiar with these types of bars. I'm stepping into a new generation of bikes here.
I do prefer the look of clubmans over drags.
I'm asking you guys, because you are all familiar with these types of bars. I'm stepping into a new generation of bikes here.
I do prefer the look of clubmans over drags.
clipons (or clubmans) with rearsets are like a normal sport bike setup but without rearsets they are not that comfortable (your knees will most likely be in your stomach). unless you plan on making your own rearsets or ponying up $300 for raask I would go with a drag bar.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
