Swapping handlebars

[equipo5]

Probably not as big a jump as for you but I have just replaced my r75/5 US bars with low (euro) bars.

I guess the new bars must be a little bigger (22mm) and the controls proved bloody hard to get back on. Hated doing it but used a wooden mallet. No perch wedge to be seen anywhere but everything seems tight enough.

The cables seem ok. They are the standard length.

cheers

[timkil]

Thanks for that equipo5. I think my cables will work with some pushing around and rerouting. I wonder whose bright idea it was to put the bar clamp nuts on the bottom of the upper clamp? Oh well, we learn to deal with it.

[PITAPan]

Thanks for that equipo5. I think my cables will work with some pushing around and rerouting. I wonder whose bright idea it was to put the bar clamp nuts on the bottom of the upper clamp? Oh well, we learn to deal with it.

It's 'cause they look nice. Those clamps will take a very high polish if you want and you ditch the fako plastic dash pad.

The nuts-under can be pretty fiddly, but you figure out what tool to use (I like a 1/8" drive socket on a flex handle) and just how to turn the bars and where to stick your hand, etc. Then it isn't so much of a pain. Really, it gets better with practice. (and knowing what is where so working blind isn't an issue) You remove the clamps to change fork oil with the lower bars and certain fork tops (I think you can skip it with the stock '83 tops, you only pull the central allen plug bolt) , so you get good. I mark the bars with masking tape so they go back where I had them. One edge of the tape l;ocates one clamp and a mark on the tape locates the crack between the clamps.

Your instrument mounts skewer up on two of the handlebar clamp studs. They have a rubber bushing in them, a steel through spacer and a pair of special thin cup washers. The rubber is usually good but give a poke for hardness if all is apart. Don't loose the special washers. Don't over tighten.

When all is together and you like how your controls are set, take a look and make sure the clutch cable isn't pushing on the speedo cable. Can happen in some configurations. They wear each others jackets away and the clutch cable can cut right through the speedo cable attachment knurled nut,.

[ibjman]

I'm gonna have to go do some shopping for tools! You actually have 1/8" drive sockets? Those must be some tiny mothers

[PITAPan]

I'm gonna have to go do some shopping for tools! You actually have 1/8" drive sockets? Those must be some tiny mothers

mm..uh...yeah. You...uh...shim down the 1/4" drive ones. Yeah, that's it....