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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Banned on August 31, 2009, 06:37:55 PM

Title: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Banned on August 31, 2009, 06:37:55 PM
Or anything other than the handlebar that just arrived?
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Punkalflufen on August 31, 2009, 06:52:06 PM
Umm all you need is a good fillips screw driver and the right sized alen key thingy and something to get under and lift the caps over the alen bold... if you got clip-ons you will need a 12mm (i think) spanner and a bigger alen key as well.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Bluehaze on August 31, 2009, 09:16:44 PM
Well. Depending on your year. you will need to transfer over those bar end weights. you just unscrew it but then you need to get a metal hanger.. make it straight and a small hook at the end then use it to pull out that small rubber deal that holds the bar ends in so you can transfer it to your next bar.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: lamoun on September 01, 2009, 01:26:06 AM
You may also need to drill two small holes on the handlebars to fit the small alignment tabs found on the signal - kill switch assy.
Or you could just cut the tabs and screw the thing tight so it won't turn freely.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: tt_four on September 01, 2009, 09:27:35 AM
If you let us know what you're switching from and to, we can give you better specifics. If you are switching from the stock bars to something much lower, like clipons, or possibly even drag bars, you might have to re-route some of the cables. I moved the clutch and I believe throttle cables so they come out on the opposite side of the head tube on the frame. You'll need to actually lift the tank for that. If you have small hands and patience, you might be able to work them through with the tank still on, I'm not sure. If you're going from clipons to taller bars it's possible you could need a longer brake line, but if it's the stock brake line you can make just about anything work.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Banned on September 01, 2009, 10:19:04 AM
Ah the handlebars that i'm gonna switch to is a Bikemasters Superbike handlebar. sorry for forgetting to include that.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: tt_four on September 01, 2009, 12:07:49 PM
I'm assuming you're just going from the stock bar to the super bike bars? If that's the case you shouldn't have to do much to swap it over. Like people said, drill the little holes for the kill switch and turn signal controls. If you're not sure what we're talking about, just pull them off your stock bars and you'll see. I just shaved the little peices off the controls on mine. I don't have a problem with them spinning around.  No need to mess with cable routing or anything else.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Banned on September 01, 2009, 01:14:48 PM
alright thanks everyone. gonna get started within the hour.
Title: Re: Handlebar swap, Do i need any special tools?
Post by: Banned on September 01, 2009, 04:29:28 PM
just finished the task and didn't have to do any hole drilling or assembly shaving. everything fit back as is.  The bars i believe are just a little bit more forward than the stock and i suppose that's okay.