Handlebar swap resulted in wierd problem

[Queso]

Hey, I'm in Long Beach, and I'd like to get some new handlebars in person. Anyone know where I can look through a selection of handle bars that will fit my GS? Are there specific measurements for them or anything? I know my current handle bars are after market, they go out wider than stock and I really liked them!

[Queso]

Found a place that might work... But still, does anyone know of any specific bar size requirements or anything?? ANY help would be appreciated...

[Queso]

Huh... okay, thanks y'all... 


I came to discover the non-stock handlebars I liked so much were just universal types. I picked up a nearly identical handlebar (black instead of silver) for 30 bucks at a local bike shop. Swapping them was a pain in the butt, and now my starter button doesn't work. All other electronics are fine. I messed with the wires to the clutch switch, no go, I checked and tried everything. I could bump start it, but I'm just baffled as to why before handlebar swap, all is well, then after, starter button is useless.

ANYONE?

[scratch]

Wow, I didn't see this til today.  Sorry.

Handlebars are almost universal.  The width between the handlebar mounts, on the triple clamp, limit your options, but glad you found a set that work.

Open up the right-hand switchbox and clean the contact area of the starter button and with it still open, try to start the bike.  Also, check the wires to the start button on the inside of the switchbox, as well.

[natedawg120]

ehh i am just going to throw this out there, drag bars on an F?  Will they clear the tank and fairing?  I have some modified clubmans, cause i am too cheap for the SM2s, and now they are bent cause my bike sank into asphalt and fell over .... forgot my beer can ... man i was mad

[scratch]

Stock bar dimension are 27.5" wide, 7.5 pullback/sweep, and 3.5" rise.  And, I believe a 4.5" mounting width.

28" wide is about as wide as you can go (with a 6.5 sweep and 4" rise) with the stock cables and wires (I had to rotate my right-hand switchbox to give some slack for the throttle cable).

[onefastgs500]

nate drag bars will work on an "e" no problem i've got a set i'll let go $10 plus ship (new -chrome)

[scratch]

Here's some links with info:

This one lists the stock dimensions for the GS (scroll down):
http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/StockBars78.html
You can see that the Center is 6" and the clamp area is 4 3/4".

Did you get G. Daytonas?:
http://store.azmusa.com/knclubhanbla.html

[Onlypastrana199]

How about stock SV bars?

[Queso]

I got the daytona black... They look identical.

[scratch]

Aha!  See:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23557.msg240096#msg240096
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=24653.msg254049#msg254049
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21632.msg208124#msg208124
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=18153.msg163624#msg163624

I'm thinkin' you may have stretched the wires out of their connectors.

[ducati_nolan]

As far as your starting troubles, I has the same thing, starter wouldn't work but I could bump start it. I noticed one of the wires came off of the clutch side, and once I put it back on, it worked. If that dosen't fix the problem, just start checking and cleaning connections.
good luck.

[Queso]

I figured I prolly pulled something loose... While looking around for the problem, I found my clutch cable adjuster was busted. Looks like it could've snapped the clutch cable eventually if I hadn't found it, so I'm rather glad I messed it up, now  Good thing I'd only put less than 20 miles on since my accident.

[Queso]

I am baffled and insanely irritated.

I went down on my bike the other day and bent the handlebar. Other than the bent handlebar and broken clutch cable adjuster, everything was fine. I did notice it was a little hesitant to start a couple times, and one cold morning I had to bump start it, but otherwise the starter was fine. I replaced the handlebar, and now the starter switch does nothing. I checked all the wires (visually), and everything is plugged in and connected! I cleaned the starter button contacts, and looked through all the wires in the headlight. I DONT GET IT. How could replacing a handlebar kill a starter!?

I'm gonna just have to take it to a ^%$@&^%@*^^ bike mechanic. I hate that.

By the way, all other electronics work fine, and it runs great, I just have to bump start it.

[maxtrucker]

Well, let's consider a few things that could cause this type of problem... have you checked the starter relay? If the relay points are stuck, or the relay is defective, it will keep the starter from turning. If you don't have a repair manual (Clymer, OEM, or Haynes), now would be a good time to make the investment. Don't overlook possible hidden crash-damage; you'll have to be patient and check ALL the possible causes to solve this.

If you're feeling ambitious, you can remove the starter and the battery, then hook them up to see if the starter works. If the starter does work, your problem is in the switchgear, related components, or the wiring. If it doesn't work, the starter itself is bad.

Don't give up just yet; you're on the right track, and you've already found and solved a problem you didn't know you had. You've checked the things you know about, so it is time to get a manual and dig a little deeper. You have to check the starter motor itself, the starter relay, the sidestand switch, the sidestand relay, the starter button / switch unit, the wiring, and if need be, the starter gears. You seem to be focusing on the area of the handlebars, because you replaced them, but you need to look at EVERYTHING before you can decide for sure which item(s) are at fault  here.

Good luck; I hope you post again when you've got this figured out.

[Queso]

Thanks for the tips. I had a manual at one point, but I seem to have lost it. I couldnt figure out where the starter was to check it