slight cafe mod - suggestions?

[patrick]

Hi all!
Besides this being my very first post, it is also the first time I've considered a modification for my '82 GS850. I've been riding this same bike for 13 years.. when she turned 20, it was time for new reg/rec, gaskets, and new paint (originally it was the two-tone maroon); now that she's 30, I'm considering some slight modifications, mainly (in this order):

1. a dragbar or clubman style handlebar,
2. a new seat,
3. maybe new turn directionals and a
4. 4-into-1 if i can find one that looks and sounds killer.

Not planning a full out mod.. I'll save that for a 'new' old bike. Just want to change the riding style and appearance of the bike I love. Any recommendations, or things I should avoid at all costs? I've read through the posts, and thought it'd be more resourceful to start this thread. Much appreciated, I'll post pics as I start work!

Thanks, rubber side down,
Patrick

 

[spyug]

Welcome. I am glad that you are still enjoying your bike and are planning on spicing it up rather than trading.

As far as the upgrades it all sounds reasonible especially if you are not planning on hacking and chopping. The only things I would recommend you consider very closely would be the bars and seat. Both contribute greatly to your comfort and safety so I urge you to think it all through.

Drag bars are not comfortable for riding for any length of time. They look cool yes but if you are getting older they will introduce pains to your neck and shoulders.

The seat can be even more of an issue. The cafe type seats are as hard as a plank and even with good padding will introduce road feel directly to your spine. Even worse you can injure the sciatic nerves in your legs or lower back. Those can be debilitating injuries that can permanently scar you as it were. Ask me how I'm the expert on that and just tust me you don't want to have that happen. Stock seats have give to them and are designed to support and isolate from the shocks of uneven road surfaces. If you are staying stock but getting the foam recut just make sure you keep enough to be comfortable.

Turn signals are good as long as they still can be seen clearly and pipes are fine as long as they are not too loud. Depending on the type however, you might need to rejet your carbs for proper performance.

Well the best of luck with your projects and please share with some pics as you get into it.

Cheers,
Spyug

 

[patrick]

Though comfort is good, I am going to sacrifice some for looks. I don't ever want to be too comfortable. Clubmans look cool; clip-ons are too severe; dragbars look like a happy medium ?? More importantly, how would dragbars change the handling on a GS850?

Some tech stuff: When it comes to removing the existing grips/throttle and turn signal, it appears I need to crack them off, I don't see any hardware holding them on. Need new grips anyway, but do I need new hardware? this may be obvious but I'm pretty new at this stuff and I don't want to do irreversible damage or add costs.

 

[Scudder]

I recommend Clipons about he triple tree. I've tried clubmans, and dragbars an the clipons are way more comfortable for me. Also, above the triple tree doesn't cause as much forward lean. Although that forward lean looks cool, it is comfortable for only about 5 minutes and then you realize your hands are feeling most of your body weight, and then the back kicks in. Clip ons allow you to adjust the angle of the bars as well, which is nice.

I have a cafe seat which is Ok as far as cafe comfort goes. I ride 30 minutes to work and 30 minutes home most every work day. Expressway and city riding. Extra padding is the cafe seat is helpful.

http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l624/scudder2/My Cycles/DSCF5015.jpg

This is my main commuter for now.

Scudder

 

[patrick]

i had been test riding Triumphs before deciding to modify my GS. Have you heard any luck with Norman Hyde M bars?

Saw your ride.. pretty sweet. 30 miles in that seat on our Wisconsin roads.. I'd need teeth guards!

which clip ons did you end up with?I like the adjustability option of which you speak.

 

[ChicagoBob]

Most bars are cheap, so you could experiment with different configurations without too much expense.

If your budget allows, you could also consider a W bar or a Renthal ultra-low, or maybe the "Sport Bar" made for Kawasakis, which is like a set of clip-ons that mounts to the stock handlebar lugs.

 

[Guest]

To remove the grips I just stuck a stiff piece of wire, like a hanger, down and work it around until it let loose and I could remove the grip. Anymore I just cut off the old grips and replace them with new ones since I don't have to do that very often. I prefer Progrip Rally which they sell at my local dealership for $15-20

For the turn signal removal or removal of any part for that matter, I've found it's best to look on the parts sites like boulevard suzuki, bike bandit or whatever to find out what the full assembly of that part consists of and then you should be able to figure out how to remove the part without breaking it or cutting wires etc..

I say that now but when I first started wrenching on my 82 GS1100GL, I cut the wires for the rear brakelight assembly because I was impatient but now I know to just trace the wires back to where they connect to the main wiring harness.

Another invaluable tool is Bikecliff's website for which we are all thankful for.... http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/. On that site you can find just about anything you need but I'm sure he will be along to give you your welcome package soon enough.

 

[tkent02]

It's an "L", how comfortable can it possibly be?
Cut away, my friend. The "L" feel no pain.

 

[Scudder]

I went with clipons off ebay. Around $80. There are plenty out there that are more expensive, but these they work great for me. I tried M bars, but decided to go in a differenct direction with the bike. Me and a few buddies, rode up to the rockerbox in Milwaukee, last summer. We had a great time up there. You should check it out, if you like old, modified, bobbers, choppers and cafes. Jap, British and harleys. All were welcome.

Scudder

 

[herostar]

I use drag bars on my bike and agree that they get uncomfortable after about an hour. You could look at something with just a little more rise like Superbike bars.

Another thing to mention when putting lower bars on... You may want to invest in new shorter throttle/clutch cables because of the ~10" reduction in height. Someone who's done this on an 850L can probably help you more with this...

 

[patrick]

Ordered my Norman Hyde M bars for my first attempt, will post more photos a this project goes on. Thanks for the suggestions, feels like I'm home here.

 

[patrick]

my new Norman Hyde M bars

my new Norman Hyde M bars

my new Norman Hyde M bars! new grips next .. any recos?

 

[patrick]

Norman Hyde detail

Norman Hyde detail

need new grips!

 

[old_skool]

Those look like the sponge grips, don't really like them, get a nice set of gel/rubber combo compounds with some bar ends, here's what i did on my L

Here you can see the bar change, new grips, bar ends, different mirrors,even a throttle rocker II

 

[Good Times]

Sent you a PM.

 

[Cixelsyd]

I'd go with old skool in terms of the superbike bars, if you're worried about cable length and comfort. They are pretty much as low as you can go and still be comfy, and with these bars you've no need to shorten the cables. (Just stuff the extra down inside the tree.) Btw old skool. I've got the same setup, with different grips.

 

[old_skool]

I'd go with old skool in terms of the superbike bars, if you're worried about cable length and comfort. They are pretty much as low as you can go and still be comfy, and with these bars you've no need to shorten the cables. (Just stuff the extra down inside the tree.) Btw old skool. I've got the same setup, with different grips.

Cool! show some pics

 

[Good Times]

Glad you are looking at making some changes while not cutting and making permanent changes. It's too purity for that.

 

[kawfeedave]

Got a wife or girlfriend who spends a lot of time on the back? If not, you could cut down the hump in the passenger seat to smooth out the looks. Remove the seat cover, it's more or less stapled on to the bottom of the seat pan, and then use an electric knife (thanksgiving style) or a fine tooth coping saw to cut throught the seat foam, and then reattach the cover. It might take a little work to get it to fit 'smooth', but for zero dollars, you should be able to do OK.

The other way is to get a used seat, cut that down, and have a cover made at a local shop. Call around to bike shops and get the number for the local 'seat guy', every town has one. I'm not sure if any other GS seats will fit your frame, but if anyone knows what will work on an L, you might be able to get a G or E seat and just use that as is.

 

[kb_air]

get an air compressor under those grips to get them on/off. its is easier to just cut them off and blow new ones on. don't lube them up as they will slide around for a week or so as they have no air on them to dry (i guess you could use a compressor to dry them out as well) good luck!