Another Handlebar Post

[roadventure]

I am considering replacing my CUSTOM handlebars with TOURING handlebars. I currently have the MG heated handgrips installed.

For those of you who have the MG heated handgrips, how difficult are they to remove and then re-install on new bars? (They were already installed on my bike when I bought it, so I don't have any experience installing them).

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

dave
bel air, md

 

[kdirtrider]

I put the heated grips on my custom and if I recall correctly, there are just a couple of set screws that hold them in place

 

[Longrider]

...there are just a couple of set screws that hold them in place

kdirtrider is correct: just a couple of set screws. Easy.

The Custom cables will work with Touring bars, BUT you will have to route the throttle cable ABOVE the top triple clamp.

Attach everything loosely to the bars, then clamp the bars to the risers and do final tightening of all the components.

You will need an assistant. Or three hands. Drape a heavy blanket over the tank to protect it if you drop something.

 

[roadventure]

Kdirtrider & Longrider,

Thanks for the tip about set screws. I'll look for them tomorrow and then get some handlebars ordered.

I was considering getting the riser spacers from Fast by Ferracci, but they want $160.00 for those things! I have seen the Touring handlebars retail for $149.00.

dave
bel air

 

[Joe Wiza]

The Custom cables will work with Touring bars, BUT you will have to route the throttle cable ABOVE the top triple clamp.

Hey longrider. Can you elaborate on the install of the touring handlebars using the stock custom cables? Did you do this yourself and it was that easy? Can you elaborate on "Above the triple clamp". I'm not sure what that means. Can you post a photo of how you routed the cables?

 

[Longrider]

View attachment 8736

...Did you do this yourself and it was that easy? ...Can you post a photo of how you routed the cables?

Yes, I did it myself and it was fairly easy. Actually, I did it twice because I decided I preferred the Custom bars and reinstalled them. Sold the Touring bars on eBay.

Take a look at your Custom. You will see the throttle cables curving up to the handgrip from under the top triple clamp. The attached photo shows those same cables rerouted above the triple clamp.

You have to detach the cables from the throttle tube to do this. I don't have any pictures of that, but it will be obvious after you remove the plastic part (with the starter button and light switch).

 

[Lou]

Kdirtrider & Longrider,

Thanks for the tip about set screws. I'll look for them tomorrow and then get some handlebars ordered.

I was considering getting the riser spacers from Fast by Ferracci, but they want $160.00 for those things! I have seen the Touring handlebars retail for $149.00.

dave
bel air

Hey!

I am also considering the riser block from Fast By Ferracci, but, like you, put an exclamation point on that $160!! If it solves the ergo issue it's a simple solution but wow, that's crazy for a riser block. Please keep us posted if you go for it!

 

[Joe Wiza]

Thanks Longrider for the info and photo! So I tried to order handlebars from AF1 racing and they informed me they had to be ordered from Italy and it would take 6-8 weeks. Anyone out there know any dealer in the US that has the touring bars in stock? I would prefer the chrome ones. I would consider the black chrome ones as a possibility. Anyone know if the black chrome ones are true black chrome (really dark grey and mirror polished like chrome) or do they look more like black gloss paint?

 

[Longrider]

...Anyone know if the black chrome ones are true black chrome (really dark grey and mirror polished like chrome) or do they look more like black gloss paint?

They have that mirror polished look you are describing. You might also call them "piano black". Moto Guzzi says they are black chrome; I thought they were but I'm no metallurgist. In any case, they are nice looking.

 

[mikeaedmonds]

I am considering replacing my CUSTOM handlebars with TOURING handlebars. I currently have the MG heated handgrips installed.

For those of you who have the MG heated handgrips, how difficult are they to remove and then re-install on new bars? (They were already installed on my bike when I bought it, so I don't have any experience installing them).

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

dave
bel air, md

Here is a PDF of the heated grip installation.

 

[roadventure]

Here is a PDF of the heated grip installation.

Thanks Mike. Very helpful!

 

[Touringman]

They have that mirror polished look you are describing. You might also call them "piano black". Moto Guzzi says they are black chrome; I thought they were but I'm no metallurgist. In any case, they are nice looking.

I would bet lunch they are high gloss powdercoat...at least that's what mine look like.
Kirk

 

[Joe Wiza]

That's good to know. True black chrome is not black at all. It is dark grey. I'm going to go with chrome. Unfortunately there are none in the US right now and they are backordered from Italy. Which would really suck for someone who had a crash and needed to replace the bars. Bike would be sitting around for many weeks.

 

[Touringman]

That's good to know. True black chrome is not black at all. It is dark grey. I'm going to go with chrome. Unfortunately there are none in the US right now and they are backordered from Italy. Which would really suck for someone who had a crash and needed to replace the bars. Bike would be sitting around for many weeks.

Joe, call the guys (or better yet Lindsey) at RPM Cycle in Farmers Branch TX www.rpmcycletx.com.
They may have a stock chrome touring bar in the back. It would have come off mine when I had the black one installed when I bought mine...If Lindsey cant find it ask for Wade.

 

[roadventure]

The Custom cables will work with Touring bars, BUT you will have to route the throttle cable ABOVE the top triple clamp. Attach everything loosely to the bars, then clamp the bars to the risers and do final tightening of all the components. You will need an assistant. Or three hands. Drape a heavy blanket over the tank to protect it if you drop something.

Okay, I read you. I have the TOURING handlebars in place, but the clutch hose seems EXTREMELY TIGHT with the handlebar turned to the left lock. I am not concerned about the brake hose or the wiring. They all seems okay.

Is there something that needs to be done for the CLUTCH HOSE to enable a slight amount of slack?

Help SOONER is greatly appreciated. I was hoping to use the TOURING bars for a ride this weekend (tomorrow.........)

(If possible. please call four one zero - nine three seven - seven six three six.)

 

[Longrider]

Sorry Roadventure, but mine had sufficient slack. I did not have to fiddle with the clutch line.

The only thing I can suggest is to loosen the bar clamps, rotate the bars slightly forward and re-tighten. If that is not enough, rotate the clutch handle bracket downward a little bit.

Combining those two small adjustments should give you a little more slack.

 

[roadventure]

Sorry Roadventure, but mine had sufficient slack. I did not have to fiddle with the clutch line.

The only thing I can suggest is to loosen the bar clamps, rotate the bars slightly forward and re-tighten. If that is not enough, rotate the clutch handle bracket downward a little bit.

Combining those two small adjustments should give you a little more slack.

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. The clutch hose on my bike WILL WORK, however it is to tight at full-left-lock for my comfort. This is purely a subjective thing. I was wondering if anything might have been done under the gas tank or in any other area of the run for the clutch hose and you have told me that you did not.

I can rotate the TOURING bars forward/backward to create some slack in the clutch hose but at some point the bar position will be uncomfortable for me. Again, a subjective thing.

Well, the CUSTOM bars go back on for now as I am doing a weekend ride and find handlebars very helpful in controlling a motorcycle. But, I may try again when I have a little more time to mess around with the clutch hose and try to find some more slack in it.

 

[MikeBike]

kdirtrider is correct: just a couple of set screws. Easy.

The Custom cables will work with Touring bars, BUT you will have to route the throttle cable ABOVE the top triple clamp.

Attach everything loosely to the bars, then clamp the bars to the risers and do final tightening of all the components.

You will need an assistant. Or three hands. Drape a heavy blanket over the tank to protect it if you drop something.

Well I got everything done but unfortunately, the brake and clutch hoses are too short. Yours must have been longer. I can barely get them on the bars, and as far as positioning the bars, impossible to ride with them all the way down almost touching the tank. What do you suggest LR or anyone, other than getting new hoses? Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Wiza]

Hey Mike. I just did the handlebar change myself last week following tips from Longrider (Thanks Longrider!). It worked out fine. Brake and clutch lines are tight and just barely long enough but they work. Sounds like your problem is you are trying to lower your bars into an unusually low position. Even if you had the proper touring lines and cables installed, I'm not sure you could drop them that low. Incidentally, when you attach the custom lines back to the touring handlebars you are only able to use one set of the black plastic clips (the top ones). There's no way to attach the lower clips as the lines are too short for that.

 

[MikeBike]

Hey Mike. I just did the handlebar change myself last week following tips from Longrider (Thanks Longrider!). It worked out fine. Brake and clutch lines are tight and just barely long enough but they work. Sounds like your problem is you are trying to lower your bars into an unusually low position. Even if you had the proper touring lines and cables installed, I'm not sure you could drop them that low. Incidentally, when you attach the custom lines back to the touring handlebars you are only able to use one set of the black plastic clips (the top ones). There's no way to attach the lower clips as the lines are too short for that.

Believe me when I tell you that everything fit onto the bars, but getting them into a comfortable riding position is absolutely impossible. I'm taking the plastic cowl off tomorrow or Saturday to see if those braided lines can be moved or if I need to get some that are a few inches longer. Hopefully, I will have access to them without having to remove the tank which I am not going to do.