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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: RobTheTyrant on April 17, 2008, 08:09:56 AM

Title: So that was fun...
Post by: RobTheTyrant on April 17, 2008, 08:09:56 AM
I got my vortex bars a couple days ago... thought it'd be fun to put them on myself!  Well, I got the old bars off and all the controls off the old bars, no prob.  I'm on my 4th set now, it's second hat.  I got the bars off and proceeded to loosen my trees, everything loose I was going to tap on the clamp for the clip on until it was flush with the top of the fork tube.  Well, in theory... that'd be a good method.  But one tap with a rubber mallet and the front end DROPPED!  Almost as far as they could have gone before hitting the seals.  I don't have a center stand, I just had it in the wheel chock strapped down.  I had no one else to help me lift the font end so I had to get a ratchet strap, throw it over a beam in the shop and lift the front end until the top clamp hit the clamps for the clip ons.  Wasn't too bad, wasn't as easy as I'd hoped but I got it done.  And boy, do I ever LOVE those clip ons.  Much more so than my clubman bars!.  The front end feels MUCH much more solid!
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: dgyver on April 17, 2008, 09:50:35 AM
Only need to to loosen side at a time to adjust the fork height.
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: RobTheTyrant on April 17, 2008, 11:52:25 AM
yeah... picked up on that one the tough way  :cookoo:
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: qwertydude on April 17, 2008, 12:09:48 PM
Do the engine vibes affect you more with the clip-ons?
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: frankieG on April 17, 2008, 12:40:23 PM
i get more feel with my 89 triple and clip ons but i don't feel allot more vibration



Quote from: qwertydude on April 17, 2008, 12:09:48 PM
Do the engine vibes affect you more with the clip-ons?
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on April 17, 2008, 02:40:43 PM
I feel some vibrations, but only 'cause I can't find weights that will fit my bars. :cry:
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: frankieG on April 17, 2008, 05:50:34 PM
i forgot about that, i took mine off and yes i did notice a difference.  i just have aluminum fake carbon looking ones now

Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on April 17, 2008, 02:40:43 PM
I feel some vibrations, but only 'cause I can't find weights that will fit my bars. :cry:
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: mach1 on April 17, 2008, 08:34:20 PM
if you got aftermarkey clipons than you may not find barends when I had my woodcraft on my bike they came with a plastic end that doesnt come off
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on April 18, 2008, 03:39:12 AM
Quote from: mach1 on April 17, 2008, 08:34:20 PM
if you got aftermarkey clipons than you may not find barends when I had my woodcraft on my bike they came with a plastic end that doesnt come off
I've been wondering if anyone knows of any that'll work on the 7/8" aluminum bars. Mine have plastic plugs in them but they come out pretty easy.
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: guitarking135 on April 18, 2008, 05:11:37 AM
ebay. just type in bar ends I found my chrome ones on there for like 12 that was wtih shipping the only problem was they were shipped from hong kong so it took like a month for thm to get here but really good price so ebay it up
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: RobTheTyrant on April 18, 2008, 06:49:32 AM
Quote from: mach1 on April 17, 2008, 08:34:20 PM
if you got aftermarkey clipons than you may not find barends when I had my woodcraft on my bike they came with a plastic end that doesnt come off

Same with my Vortex, there are black caps that don't come out.  The vibes are more noticeable but not unbearable.
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on April 18, 2008, 06:53:04 AM
Quote from: guitarking135 on April 18, 2008, 05:11:37 AM
ebay. just type in bar ends I found my chrome ones on there for like 12 that was wtih shipping the only problem was they were shipped from hong kong so it took like a month for thm to get here but really good price so ebay it up
Which bars are you running? I can never figure out which bar ends are for the regular bars and which are for the thick aluminium ones.
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: guitarking135 on April 25, 2008, 08:05:22 PM
bar ends are fairly universal. just search the bar size they are problebly 7/8"  most of them have a rubber thing that expands as you tighten them down.
Title: Re: So that was fun...
Post by: GI_JO_NATHAN on April 26, 2008, 07:57:00 AM
Quote from: guitarking135 on April 25, 2008, 08:05:22 PM
bar ends are fairly universal. just search the bar size they are problebly 7/8"  most of them have a rubber thing that expands as you tighten them down.
The problem is the aluminum bars are 7/8" with a thicker wall tubing, so the inside diameter is around a 1.5mm smaller than the steel. Just enough to not allow the normal bar ends and mirrors to fit.