ape hangers

[Anonymous]

anyone know how many inch rise a 1982 gs 650 GL will handle without changing throttle cable, fron brake cable...etc?
I would like 8 inch...but dont know if its possible

 

[Anonymous]

ape hangers

Man has evolved, don't hang like an ape. The closer the bars the better handling, for me anyway ?????????

 

[Anonymous]

I know, but I like the old school look

 

[joe.d]

whack on a pair of clipons and rear sets.....talking about old school

 

[robben]

whack on a pair of clipons and rear sets.....talking about old school

That's my old alma mater too... :twisted:

Robben

 

[Anonymous]

I know, but I like the old school look

Can't get the 'old school' chopper look with an '82 650GL no matter what you do - sorry.

 

[mcycle-nut]

I know, but I like the old school look

Can't get the 'old school' chopper look with an '82 650GL no matter what you do - sorry.

More chance of that than making it some sort of cafe racer wannabe. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm... no idea if anyone makes long cables for a suzuki, you might have better luck going to the local cycle salvage and crossfitting cables (and assemblies) off later bikes with taller bars. I think stock is a good way to stay, easier to get what you need to stay on the road. But, where there's a will there's a way. Riders will always argue about what is correct and what works best, but originality can happen anywhere. Even on a GS! Check this guy out- http://www.redneckcycles.co.uk/ His shop is closed but the website remains. -Joe in Boise

 

[joe.d]

I put drag style bars on my gs1150 and had to go to a gs1000 clutch cable....
the gs1100L has ridulously long cables you could have a look

 

[ikazuki]

ape hangars

ape hangars

opinions like the love of a good woman and a sound motorcycle are in a constant state of flux. today i have a good woman and am working on getting a sound motorcycle but we seem to be addressing two subjects here;
1: ape hangars as an appearence item.

2: ape hangars as a tool of comfort for the long ride.

they made my bsa look awsome, they made me tired. so what will it be?
there are so many issues involved when passion hovers over . good luck on your choice brother.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...what does not kill us makes us stronger. I don't have apehangers, but those who do have arms of steel. Everyone admires strength, especially a good woman. Food for thought :!: -Joe in Boise

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm...what does not kill us makes us stronger.

There are lots of ways to get stronger. I don't want to look stupid getting there. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

thanks a lot....nice to know my style is stupid!

 

[Anonymous]

That's just my opinion of course. Nothing personal. I didn't say you were stupid - there is a difference. Notice the smiley.

 

[Anonymous]

thats fine, next time you post about something that you like, I will call it stupid, but dont be offended because I will put a smiley.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with Swanny on this one. They do look stupid.

Nick

 

[Anonymous]

thank you all so much on your opinions on how they look...considering the question I first asked had nothing to do with your opinions on how they look.
I have put a lot of time and effort into designing my bike to look the way I like it. This is why I take so much offense. A lot of people on this site have modified the appearence on their bikes to their taste. Let me do the same without your comments. I wont give you my opinions when you dont ask...I ask that you do the same.
I am not posting on this topic anymore...I'm done with it. :x

 

[Anonymous]

Hey cameroman - this isn't personal. If I can't say that I don't like the looks of ape hangers, then I am restricted from saying 'shafties suck'. That would be like taking my sunshine away. :lol:

 

[robben]

Re: ape hangers

anyone know how many inch rise a 1982 gs 650 GL will handle without changing throttle cable, fron brake cable...etc?
I would like 8 inch...but dont know if its possible

Tell ya what. Since nobody's answered your original question, I'll take a stab at it. Lowering mine by three", and changing the angle to almost 45? downward cancelled each other out, so my cables and hydraulic lines were exactly the same. That's the extent of my experience, however... :|

The best way to see if they'll fit would be to unhook the left clutch lever assembly from the bar, and try to lift it into the imagined place (about 8") up, and at whatever angle you figure that spot on the handlebars would be. If you can't get it up that far, you need to get a longer cable. Same with the other side's levers. Almost guaranteed your throttle cable is going to have to be longer, as I've discovered even routing it wrong can be hazardous when you turn your wheel lock to lock, which is something else you have to look at. You can't be straining the cables from lock to lock. If you're going up any number of inches, those cables and hoses (you do have hydraulic brake hose on the front? not a cable?) will probably have to be that extra number of inches longer, and allowing for lock to lock. Brake hoses can be made to whatever length you'd need, and a good time to look at custom stainless braided, while you're at it. As for the length of the cables, you may need to take your existing cables into a dealer, and hunt for something that's the needed extra length... Might be able to find what you need at the HD dealer, since they're usually the only ones that most put 'apehangers' on... and what you're after is to match the little nubbin's at the ends of the cables, etc....

Simply put, the cables and hoses are exactly the right length for stock placement. Any rise is going to necessitate <sp?> changing them, I'm pretty sure.

Aside from personal tastes, if you're really sure you want to do this to your bike, just remember that it does affect the handling in a negative way, and if you're doing any number of hours on the bike at a time, maybe you should rent the Easy Rider DVD. In the bonus features, Peter Fonda mentions how tired his arms were after extensive filming/riding the Captain America chopper... I believe he mentioned something about his arms being stuck in that position for awhile. :? Choppers are about a certain 'style', but not about better handling. Some of those bikes were almost unrideable.

But, if you want to do this, fill yer boots, bro'. 8) Having a bike is about having it your way. Otherwise, we'd all be riding the exact same bike... but everybody's got an opinion, and that's what the worldwideweb is about... global opinions. :wink: Otherwise, one can always unplug the 'puter from the 'net and live in their own little world.

Good luck,
Robben

 

[mdole]

I am not a big fan of ape hangers but that's probably due to having a Triumph chopper in the early 70s with ape hangers, extended forks, rear struts, and a coffin shaped tank.

I was actually pretty comfortable going down the highway as long as you didn't have anything but slow sweepers. It was a little more challenging in the twisties and you had to take them at a modest pace.

But the real killer was trying to maneuver it around in a parking lot, it handled like a Dump truck with no power steering in a parking lot.

Back to the original question. If you check with independent shops in you area you may find someone who still makes their own cables. If you can find someone to do it you can get cables made to exactly fit your bike with the ape hangers. Not too many people do this anymore but we still have a few shops that do it here in New Mexico. They use good quality cable and with Teflon lined housings. The only bad thing about them is a lot of them use cable ends that are held on with a screw that can work loose over time.

One of the fixes I've used with these cables is to use a propane torch and solder the screw in place and the end of the cable where it?s flush with the fitting. You will have better luck finding someone who makes these cables if you look at shops that do a lot of dirt bike work.

Mike