stock handlebar specs?

[randyshipp]

I'm looking at maybe replacing the stock handlebars on my 1980 GS850GL. In an effort to get something looking like this:

I'm considering buying some "superbike handlebars" such as these:

First off, do you think bars like these are similar to the ones in the pic at the top? Second, how do you interpret the dimensions they give for handlebars? These are listed as 2 inch rise and 5 1/2 inch pullback...how does that compare to the stock bars?

Finally, how does one make the transition most smoothly? I've seen some mention of challenges routing cables and such...are there any tricks to getting this right the first time? Mechanically, it seems like this would be a pretty straightforward job.

Randy...

 

[ddaum]

Second, how do you interpret the dimensions they give for handlebars?

Go Here:http://209.15.36.61/swcart/shop/flanders/guide.jpg

These are listed as 2 inch rise and 5 1/2 inch pullback...how does that compare to the stock bars?

Measure the stock bars given this information and see for yourself.

 

[randyshipp]

Perfect explanatory picture! Thanks for the tip. It's a shame that this measuring system doesn't really do anything to describe the angle of the grips at the end, but it's what we have!

Thanks again.

Randy...

 

[kent]

I don't know if this will help much, but I swapped my plow handles out for bars similar to the ones you have pictured on my 550l, and here are some of the things I had to do:
you have to drill holes in the new bars for the switches to index into, other wise when you twist the throttle the whole mess turns on the bars.
The wiring was too long, so I pulled some of it under the tank and secured it, and stuffed the remaining into the headlamp bucket.
I then swapped the cables out with a later model 550E cables, with a little bit of modification they worked out OK.
The brake line was too long, so I took it down to Cycle Gear and had a new one made (can't recall the cost) but it worked out sweet.
The bike is now a lot more comfortable to ride, and I think it looks a whole lot better

 

[randyshipp]

Sounds like you had the same issues as the other folks I've read about. Thanks for sharing how you worked around them. This is definitely on my list!

Randy...