Two piece handle bars

[merchjo]

Hey guys, have a question

I have a 1990 GS with a two piece handle bar.  I read on this site that this only came on 1989 bikes.  I check with the original owner and he told me that is the way the bike came.  I was looking at bikebandit and it shows a one piece handle bar.  Anyone know why I have a two piece?

[The Buddha]

Well the 89 style clip on's are good... US spec GS'es from 90+ have 1 piece... but someone may have slapped the 89 one on it... or the factory may have made them in 89 and changed over abruptly... leaving a few clip on's for 90... very very few if that... The clip on's fit and feel better in reality, but there sometimes are fit issues like if you put thicker grips the brake banjo hits the dash, or if you drop the bike they bend easy and clobber the tank etc etc. But they do feel nice and look nice. If you want to switch... get the top plate from a 90 + bike and use tube type bars. I make some bars that give you the position of the 89 with none of the disadvantages... Of course if you break the clip on pieces you are a bit screwed... You should get the 90+ triple in that case.
Cool.
Srinath.

[merchjo]

seshadri_srinath thanks for the info.  I was looking and a little thicker grip like I have on my ACE 750 and was looking up the handle bar to see it diameter.  So I guess your saying its a good thing I have the bar I have, does the newer stock bar give you more of a straight up riding?

[The Buddha]

90+ bars will be more upright... but you dont want those.... they suck... Your bars are good, but putting in thicker grips will cause things to get very tight... but its do able. If you wreck the bike and break them... then switch to a 90+ top plate and use the 90+ bar or the bars I make for that 89 fit and feel. For now... you are golden.
Cool.
Srinath.

[merchjo]

What do you mean tight?  The grips I am looking at remove those weights on the end of the bar.  Most people seem to be able to take them off without any issues, is the the same with my bars?

[The Buddha]

The weights are not the problem... the grips will make the brake bano hit the dash... if course that is if you put katana grips on it. Which most of us do... if you break the stock GS throttle tube... your options are to fit Kat grips or spend big $$$ on the GS ones and fit generic grips.... The weights are fine. You can fit it no matter what... unless your new grip have the covered ends... even then you can cut that off... Refer to page 15 WOF and look at the blue bike for the detailed pic, and the black bike for the pic with my handlebar on it.
Cool.
Srinath.