Got my handle bars

[g15usmc]

So I got my handlebars today...they look like this



These Bars are a the 7/8ths where all the controls go however they are 1 1/8 where they are they get mounted at...So, here is my idea...I know they are too big for the bike but I am going to install a set of these



these will allow me to mount the bars without changing out the stock tree system...

My idea is to invert the handlebars allowing for a more aggressive stance...I haven't made any for certain plans but i think that it will look nice...

the next question i have is...Has anyone ever put taller springs on the back? I know that some have lowered it about 1 1/2 inches before...but im wondering about rasing it 1 1/2 inches...and what would this do to handling? I want to do both...lower the rear as well as raise it in order to have 3 set ups for my bike...
1 - Stock Set Up
2- Sport Aggressive Setup
3- Chopper/Custom look Bike...

[CatatonicBug]

Why didn't you just get the same shape bars in full 7/8"? Why get the tapered ones and have to mess with the adapters?

[g15usmc]

Why didn't you just get the same shape bars in full 7/8"? Why get the tapered ones and have to mess with the adapters?

I got the bars on ebay for 15 bux...they said they were 7/8 and ended up not...and i found an adapter for $27 free shipping...i was thinking it will prolly work out fine for me anyway since a lot of Ape Hangers come in the bigger size anyway, gives me more options...so i figure bars and adapter both cost me under the 60 it costs for the 7/8 bars anyway...

[natemoen]

If you go up with the rear you are going to be changing the u-joint angle. Depending on where you end up you might have too steep of a angle on the u-joint. Gotta be careful as to where you end up with it.

[psycoreefer]

I can't remember without searching what the stock length is, but I bought the shocks from mikesxs that were 1" longer than stock. Been riding with them for almost four years now without any sort of problem. My reasoning was that the lighter springs (for a 650) would sag more and so I'd need a little taller shock.

[fredintoon]

So I got my handlebars today...
- - - - My idea is to invert the handlebars allowing for a more aggressive stance... - - - I haven't made any for certain plans but i think that it will look nice... - - -
the next question i have is...Has anyone ever put taller springs on the back? - - -

Hi Nate,
the pro-taper logo should have clued you in that those bars were fatter in the middle?
WTF, those adapters will put them on the forks just fine.
And never mind how they look when inverted, the only thing that matters is whether they are comfortable.
And yes, Mr. Stupid bought good quality NOS shocks at a swapmeet that were 2" too long.
Longer shocks move more weight onto the front wheel and tilting the frame lessens the rake angle to quicken the steering.
Alas, they also make the shaft drive U-joint run at a worse angle so Mr. Chicken took them off again.

[DiverRay]

I ran a 1" longer rear shock for about 30K miles with no problems. IIRC the eye to eye was 13.5". I have progressive shocks/springs on that bike.
As far as the bars, just post pictures when done, and we won't razz you too much!

[cywelchjr]

I can't remember without searching what the stock length is, but I bought the shocks from mikesxs that were 1" longer than stock. Been riding with them for almost four years now without any sort of problem. My reasoning was that the lighter springs (for a 650) would sag more and so I'd need a little taller shock.

Stock is I believe 12.5" IIRC. You would be able to go at least an inch either direction without putting any bind on the universal joint or the FD coupling (remember, that angle change will make that change slightly too though nowhere near as much as the front does, just a very little bit).

If lowering, you may have to stiffen the suspension to prevent bottoming though. Raising it, the only problem I can see is that it changes the frame geometry and thus handling some, but so does raising or lowering the front end as well. And like psycoreefer's, my shocks sag a little more, but not because they were made for a 650 , it's my fat arse that makes them sag, so I just increase the air pressure in them.

[natemoen]

12.5" I beleive is the stock shock eye to eye.

[cywelchjr]

12.5" I beleive is the stock shock eye to eye.

Hah! I type faster than you!

[natemoen]

Hah! I type faster than you!

You would!!

[g15usmc]

Hi Nate,
the pro-taper logo should have clued you in that those bars were fatter in the middle?
WTF, those adapters will put them on the forks just fine.
And never mind how they look when inverted, the only thing that matters is whether they are comfortable.
And yes, Mr. Stupid bought good quality NOS shocks at a swapmeet that were 2" too long.
Longer shocks move more weight onto the front wheel and tilting the frame lessens the rake angle to quicken the steering.
Alas, they also make the shaft drive U-joint run at a worse angle so Mr. Chicken took them off again.

Fred, Protaper makes mostly 7/8 handle bars...only one kind that are the 1 1/8 the contours... which i had been looking for as a logo on the picture provided on ebay but it wasn't there and advertised as as 7/8 i went with it...figure for 15 bux its not a big problem anyway...the reply to my questioning of the seller after receiving them was "the 7/8 was referring to the mounting of the controls" no big deal to me though ill have the mounts in a couple days...

[g15usmc]

Got the Mounts...LOOKS NICE!

So here is what they look like mounted no handlebars attached first the side view

then the top view

then we have a few pictures of the handlebars mounted on top...and i though i haven't gotten the controls on they feel good where they sit...i might change them a little after the controls are mounted...i'll post a pic after the controls have been changed...

[Mendizale]

It's going to look like an angry red cape buffalo. In the best of ways, of course!

[g15usmc]

It's going to look like an angry red cape buffalo. In the best of ways, of course!

You Know i was kind of thinking that...