So my bike is up and running (thx for the help everyone)!  One last issue is that the handlebars turn all of the way to the left (gear shifting side) until the handlebar hits the tank.  However, turning the handlebars to the right, the bars turn but they stop about an inch away from the tank... thoughts???

Thanks!

I'd take a close look at your bars and see if they look bent from a previous drop.  You should have equal space from the tank at full lock on both sides.  If they are bent, they can be easily replaced in about an hour for about $25 USD.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "full lock"? I've been reading about it but I don't know exactly what it is?  They don't look bent, so idk what the issue is.

Full lock is the point where you cannot turn the bars any further.

If the bars are hitting the tank only on one side, my guess is that they are definitely bent.

If you could post some pictures it would be helpful so could spot any possible problems.

Ok, I'll upload a pic of the bars on the bike tomorrow.

Scratch that, here's a pic of the bars on the bike.  I know not the most helpful pic, but the only one I had handy.  They don't look bent to me, but I've been wrong before 

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/892ij

Well, those are aftermarket clip-ons.  They are called clip-ons because they "clip on" to the fork tubes.  I was assuming that you had stock bars.

You can try to loosen the bolt that clamps them on to the fork tube and rotate it outward from the tank, then re-tighten.  I don't think you'll be able to go out any further though because the clutch cable it hitting the gauge cluster.  This is a known issue with aftermarket clip-ons on the GS.  You might consider switching back to a stock-ish style bar such as this:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/68/15394/ITEM/BikeMaster-Superbike-Handlebar.aspx

If you like the clip-on look and riding position, the '89 model came stock with them.  Some members on the board have put them on later models but they are in high demand and hard to come by.  They have better fitment because they mount above the upper triple clamp rather than below like yours and they also have an integrated riser to provide more clearance.

I would recommend reading the handlebar page on the wiki:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.Handlebars

Also check the stop tabs. You might have a bent one or a missing one 

Michael

Where are the stop tabs located?

The stop tabs are located on the lower triple clamp and will be pointing up towards the upper triple clamp.  You can see them circled in the diagram below.

Just noticed this thread.

A warning:

if you're REAAALLY unlucky, like me.... you have frame damage.

it's unlikely to me, that there's anything wrong with your stop tabs, unless one is entirely missing.

What happened to me, is that the part on the frame that they actually "stop" on, was not straight.

and... that part does not just get bent out of shape by itself. The entire .. ummm.. dont know what you call it...
triple clamp mounty-thingie part of the frame   was pushed over to the side a bit.
[picture a broken/bent to the side nose on a person's face   ]

"Neck". That's where the steering stem goes thru.

Thanks for the help guys! I'm at work now, but when I get home I'll definitely give it a look and check the tabs as well as the frame.

So my stop tab on the left is hitting the part that stops it.  Thoughts?  It doesn't look bent and the frame looks fine. 

Quote from: crobwolfpack on July 10, 2012, 09:08:16 PM
So my stop tab on the left is hitting the part that stops it.  Thoughts?  It doesn't look bent and the frame looks fine.

(you werent explicit, but does that mean "the stop tab on the left, is hitting, but the stop tab on the right, is not" ?  I'm presuming so)


SOMETHING on your bike is not symmetrical.
It's up to you to find it.

If you havent already, put it up on the centerstand while checking it out. You cant find this stuff out while it's on the sidestand.

There's only a few possibilities:

1. your handlebars are unevenly bent.
Should be easy enough to find this out. put a long straight stick across the main part, and compare distances from that to each grip part, if you cant just eyeball it to be sure

2. your top plate with with the handbar mount, is misaligned with the lower triple clamp where the stop tabs are.
Doubtful; they can only be misaligned a little bit, worse case, without your fork tubes being noticably bent


3. something wrong with your stop tabs.
  This should be flamingly obvious. They cant come "loose", so one wold have to be missing, or badly bent

4. frame/neck problem. (ie: damage/bent to that side)

This one is actually sort of difficult to see, because the frame is so durn curvy, not to mention black.
Hate to say it, but I couldnt really make this out clearly, until I had taken off the whole front assembly. Then I realized it was messed up .
(probably denial played a large part, too :/  )

Actually, i take that back  a bit. I think it was when I took one or both of the fork tubes off, that I really noticed it. Not the ENTIRE front.

Trying to think of a good way you can check this. Any one got ideas?

If you perhaps borrowed one of those laser plumb lines, and aligned it right down the full length of the bike on the centerstand... then made it so it overlapped the little stop thingie on the frame neck. That might make it clear to you.


alternatively.... you might take the handlebars off. then you dont get distracted by them. Then notice how much the top plate turns, to each side. If you find it turns significantly more to one side, you kinda guaranteed its frame damage.

erm... you might also take the headlight off, which will give you a much clearer view to eyeball fork tube straightness, and also to properly eyeball the straightness of the stoppie thing on the neck.

#5049

Since you have non-stock bars, a slight angle as to how they are tightened can make a difference. Have you tried loosening and moving the bar a little?

You can add a little bit of shim to the stop to prevent it from going so far. Remember that it must go far enough to lock. If it hits when locked, it is the after market bars. So just rotate them forward a little.

That tab stop is really precise. If it is installed to the frame even 1/16" left or right, it will cause the steering to stop a half an inch different on each side. From what I have seen on most of my bikes, they all seem to turn right 1/2" more than they turn left. Analyze it - stick a piece of thin cardboard there and notice how the steering stops 1/4 to 1" less.

One other thing is the tank. Look at the front of the tank. It can me moved left and right about 1/2". Maybe your tank is shifted a little to the left.

I do not thing there is any serious problem. It is just the mechanics of the steering stop and the after market bars.

Thanks so much for all of the help!  Definitely going to do some more troubleshooting tomorrow!