Triumphrat

UJMrider · 08-16-2005, 07:30 PM

Well, I put on the new bars today. Overall the installation was very easy, and since I'm the poster child for mechanical incompetence, it's safe to say that if I can do it, anyone can.

The only minor "issue" I had wasn't with the bars at all but with the aftermarket grips I tried to use. They have a plastic collar up at the top that wouldn't slip over the Tbird's throttle sleeve, so I left it off. Eventually, I'll just go to a different grip. Haven't had a chance to try it out, b/c it started raining just as I finished up, but I'll give it a try tonight.

Before pics:

After pics:

Side-by-side comparison of the bars:

As far as the hole-drilling issue, rather than hassle with measuring, I simply cut a piece of paper in half and made it into a tube, then slipped it over the old bar and punched a hole in the paper where the hole in the bar is, using it as a template. Then I slipped the template over the new bar, marked the spot (marked it on some tape I had put on the bar) and drilled the bar. Too easy.

[ This message was edited by: UJMrider on 2005-08-16 17:33 ]

Spooner · 08-16-2005, 07:35 PM

Much better! I never did like those stock handlebars.

Rincewind · 08-16-2005, 09:30 PM

Nice work, Martin!

How does it ride with them? Are you leaned forward more?

Also, is that a RAM mount you use for your GPS?

vonbonds · 08-16-2005, 09:37 PM

Looks excellent!

UJMrider · 08-16-2005, 10:47 PM

Okay, well, I just went on a little 45-mile shakedown cruise, and here's the skinny:

Pros: Much quicker handling in the twisties! I actually found myself speeding up to get to the curves just because it was so much fun to flick it around. The new bar seems to have much better leverage.

Also, it does look great! I think it has just the right "British" look to it.

Cons: Even for my long arms (I'm 6'1"), the reach is too far. My right arm feels like it's coming out at the shoulder socket!

So, next question would be: Where can I get a 1 or 1 1/2" riser for this bar?

And Rince, yes, that is a RAM mount that I got from Cyco-active. I've had it for about 4 months and 8,000 miles and it works great!

vonbonds · 08-16-2005, 11:43 PM

Genmar risers? Ugly for our bike but effective.

Genmar X102

Tom

UJMrider · 08-16-2005, 11:52 PM

Yeah, I saw the genmars, and they would probably do what I need. But the "ugliest" thing about them is the price. $110? ***?

Anyway, I found some more generic ones for about $40 on the internet and I'll do some shopping around tomorrow.

But honestly, even at $40 it would cost me half as much to just get another bar. Sure, I'd have to do the whole mounting and drilling stuff, but now that I know what to do that'll be a piece of cake.

And as nice as the new Euro bars look, my main purpose in getting them was function, so if they don't work right, then I'm worse off than I was to begin with.

vonbonds · 08-16-2005, 11:58 PM

I wonder how they would be on my TBS....I wonder what it would cost you to ship them to MD

.

Actually in all seriousness. If you want to go with another set of bars I might take those off of you. How would 20 bucks sound? You just pay shipping?

.

UJMrider · 08-17-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

On 2005-08-16 21:58, vonbonds wrote:
I wonder how they would be on my TBS....I wonder what it would cost you to ship them to MD

.

Actually in all seriousness. If you want to go with another set of bars I might take those off of you. How would 20 bucks sound? You just pay shipping?

.

Well, I'm not giving up just yet. Tomorrow I'll see if I can find some affordable risers, and if that does the trick, then they should work fine.

But if I can't or if I end up getting another set of bars, sure, that would be great. I can send them UPS and I doubt it would cost more than $5.00.

And of course you'd be getting a bargain because they're pre-drilled! :-D

UJMrider · 08-17-2005, 12:41 AM

But seriously, they look a lot like the bars that are already on your TBS. Also, are those stock risers?