Ahoy peoples.

[Troney]

Hey just thought I'd post a hello and question. Bought this bike last fall.



Looks like it was dropped/laid down once. (scraped brake reservoir, crash bar and bent right handlebar)

Now my question.

Can I put a different set of bars on other than the stock aluminum ones?

[crazy steve]

Can I put a different set of bars on other than the stock aluminum ones?

Decent lookin' XJ....

First, are you sure they're bent? They may just be knocked out of alignment, those are adjustable.

As far as swapping for conventional round bars, it can be done but not easily. You'll need to remove the stock bars then build/modify a pair of 7/8" round risers to fit onto your top tree. You'll probably have to remount the ignition switch too. If all this is too much work and you do have a bent piece, post a ad in the 'parts wanted' forum and somebody may be able to fix you up with a replacement.

[Troney]

I'll have to check to see if they are just out of adjustment. It seems to bent in towards the tank. Also I won't be able to lower the front end on it will I? (well not by just lowering the tree anyway). I've read that I can lower the rear by swapping out the suspension (I have short little legs lol).

[skids]

Welcome Troney.

[XJkid]

I have an XJ and short lil legs too. The suspension is air adjustable, but it won't drop it by much. There is a Schrader valve on the left side shock and fork that feeds both sides. You need to keep at least 14 PSI in the rear, 5.7 in the front. As for the bars, are you wanting longer for better reach? As per my signature, I got a set of '83 XV (Virago?) bars off of E-Bay that are 2 inches longer and angle back at twice the rate the stock bars do, essentially giving me 4 inches of length and, since I have short legs, I also have short arms. The XV bars allow me to lean back against the seat rise with no leaning forward to grab the bars. I did not have to get any new cables, a straight swap.

[Troney]

XJkid you got a pic of how they look on your bike? I saw the adjust on the rear but yeah it doesn't go low enough. I actually just have short legs lol 30" inseam. Topside is normal.

[XJkid]

I am not sure if I like the way it looks with the new bars, but I like the comfort it gives me.I will post a pic once it stops raining. Been raining for a week. Garage pics don't do justice.

[Joab]

I finally got around to putting a set of old GL1000 bars on my bike today, and so far, I really prefer them to the stock bars. Much better riding position. And I think they cost me 10 or 15 bucks on Ebay, so it was a cheap, easy swap.

[XJkid]

I finally got the chance and time to post pics. I tried to get the best angle to show the '83 bars.






[/IMG] Hold on! Don't know why pics did not show! Ahem, we are currently having technical difficulties. Please stand by.

[XJkid]

No, again fail.

[XJkid]

[XJkid]

I can't get the thumbnail. Here is the link:

http://s1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh594/guylytle/

[Rasputin]

XJkid. What are you using for a photo storage place. Most here use photobucket. If that is what you are using then highlight the photo, you will get a drop down menu ...choose...the IMG code. then simply copy it amd paste it into your post.

[Rasputin]

[Rasputin]

Now you try it!