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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Phil B on March 01, 2012, 04:43:29 PM

Title: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 01, 2012, 04:43:29 PM
FYI, here's some new pics, of my rotated (stock) handlebars. with better lighting, and an all-important side shot :)

As you can see, the bars get almost as low as the '89 "clip on style" bars.

So this gives great "tuck in" position when you want it, yet its a good compromise for commute riding.

(http://i39.tinypic.com/345kdb4.png)


(http://i39.tinypic.com/1jktia.png)

There's just one thing:  at FULL turn lock. it just barely depresses my horn button. lol.
I'm never at full lock so it doesnt bother me.

(http://i40.tinypic.com/2vxiqmw.png)
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: redge on March 01, 2012, 05:08:00 PM
I was just thinking bout this the other day! instead of getting new bars, just reverse it, haha, but not sure if it was even possible.

How you ridden on it? More aggressive ridding position? Hard to do?
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: wildcat333 on March 01, 2012, 05:39:29 PM
Thanks, Phil. I really appreciate the pics. I'm more of a visual person sometimes.

Could you compare your setup at all to a Clubman bar in terms of riding stance? I'm still trying to figure out what my best option would be.
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 01, 2012, 06:29:27 PM
redge:  this is my normal day to day setup. it's great for me.
At one time, I did actually "reverse" the handlebars.  however.. that did not work well. it turns out to be TOO low that way.  I posted about it way back.
You might think it would be just like clubman bars... unfortunately, there's too much bend . You'd  have to change the curvature of the bars, forcibly.
Which is technically possible, but I didnt want to go there.

wildcat: nope, I've never actually tried a clubman. However, judging by the pictures on the wiki, clubmans would be lower still. I personally would not like that, as I commute with my bike as well as ride it "recreationally".

Not to mention that my house is 1 hr's drive away from any decently twisty roads as well.


Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Twisted on March 04, 2012, 01:54:22 AM
So you leave the steering unlocked when it is on the side stand? While the handle bar flipping idea is a good idea I think the horn beeping every time I turned the bars would piss me and everyone around me off.
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 05, 2012, 05:28:55 PM
Quote from: Phil B on March 01, 2012, 04:43:29 PM
FYI, here's some new pics, of my rotated (stock) handlebars. with better lighting, and an all-important side shot :)

As you can see, the bars get almost as low as the '89 "clip on style" bars.

...
There's just one thing:  at FULL turn lock. it just barely depresses my horn button. lol.
I'm never at full lock so it doesnt bother me.

Wanted to mention: I was doing a "full turn" on my bike, while walking/reversing it today, and my thumb (while on the bars) actually touches before the horn does.
No major pressure.. It's not going to snap your finger off or anything, it just pushes into the "meat" a bit ;)

To me, this is perfect. This way I'm not going to scratch my tank ;)

I LOVE MY BIKE!!

(now I just wish I could stumble over a replacement left fairing for dirt cheap. sigh..)
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: adidasguy on March 05, 2012, 05:35:28 PM
See my fairings for sale. Gotta paint it, though.
I have a 2nd set I guess I could sell piece by piece instead of giving away if I can make some money - see, I didn't expect to dig into the money bags for that TS-185. Impulse buying.
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 06, 2012, 07:55:04 AM
Lol.
I cant buy anything this month.  But out of curiosity, how much is shipping on fairings?
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Kijona on March 07, 2012, 01:07:41 PM
I had a good laugh about the horn button - I just picture you trying to turn around and the horn beeping.  :icon_lol:
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: kg1709 on March 07, 2012, 04:18:14 PM
It looks good.

Possibly a silly question, do you need to adjust the position of the clutch/brake lever or do they just seem fine in their current positions with the bars rotated?

Any pointers on how to complete the work e.g. how long it takes etc?
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: walkthejosh on March 07, 2012, 05:27:09 PM
I had mine exactly like this for a while. I didn't feel the need to adjust the clutch or brake; the rotation just made them more parallel to the ground. Since the controls have those nubs on them it would have been a bit more involved than I wanted just to try out the angle for a while. I ended up putting them back to their stock position because I felt like they "jammed" my hands up closer to my body than I would have liked. I did like the height that was achieved; I would just need something more forward.
Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 07, 2012, 08:21:11 PM
kg:  yes I adjusted clutch and brake lever. it was a trivial adjustment. Loosen screw, position, tighten screw again.

walkthejosh:  I'm guessing you're closer to being 6ft tall, then.

Title: Re: clipons vs rotated handlebars, revisited
Post by: Phil B on March 07, 2012, 08:32:08 PM
Quote from: Phil B on March 01, 2012, 06:29:27 PM
redge:  this is my normal day to day setup. it's great for me.
At one time, I did actually "reverse" the handlebars.  however.. that did not work well. it turns out to be TOO low that way.  I posted about it way back.

For the curious here's the thread.
With pics and reasons why it didnt work out

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57912.0