New owner from Saskatchewan, Canada - 1978 GS1000C

[Gorminrider]

here maybe

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?239292-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Guide

(pensively) it's a shame Griffin's thread is sifting down into the heap like an autumn leaf... (sigh) but that's the internet for ya

[MIK1989]

The sizing chart for Renthal bars in that link seems to be different from the sizing charts I see on Canada Motorcycle and Motorcycle Superstore websites. Specifically the clamp area dimensions. Don't know which one is correct.
I think I'm pretty much settled on the Renthal Ultra Low bars in black, will order them soon. I like the knurling feature for the left grip, I think it will help to keep the grip in place.

Now, once I do that, I will need to replace cables from the 1979 GS1000S since they are shorter, correct? Which cables exactly would I need?
Thanks.

[argonsagas]

The sizing chart for Renthal bars in that link seems to be different from the sizing charts I see on Canada Motorcycle and Motorcycle Superstore websites. Specifically the clamp area dimensions. Don't know which one is correct.
I think I'm pretty much settled on the Renthal Ultra Low bars in black, will order them soon. I like the knurling feature for the left grip, I think it will help to keep the grip in place.

Now, once I do that, I will need to replace cables from the 1979 GS1000S since they are shorter, correct? Which cables exactly would I need?
Thanks.

I know of no rule on this, but will offer an opinion.

Cable routing is critically important, as you must have the cables free to move at all times.

This means no kinks or sharp bends that will cause inner cable restrictions ( inner binding against the outer one,) and they must not be subject to binding when turning or when shocks are compressed.

Aesthetics may be a reason for change, but as long as you do not create any such restrictions in your cable routing, I see no physical reason not to continue use of the original cables.

[Nessism]

The sizing chart for Renthal bars in that link seems to be different from the sizing charts I see on Canada Motorcycle and Motorcycle Superstore websites. Specifically the clamp area dimensions. Don't know which one is correct.
I think I'm pretty much settled on the Renthal Ultra Low bars in black, will order them soon. I like the knurling feature for the left grip, I think it will help to keep the grip in place.

Now, once I do that, I will need to replace cables from the 1979 GS1000S since they are shorter, correct? Which cables exactly would I need?
Thanks.

Humm, if you dismissed the Bikemaster bars because the center clamp area is too narrow you better dismiss these Renthal bars as well because the clamp width is only 4.3", not the required 5" you mentioned previously. http://road.renthal.com/shop/road-pr...s/road-se-bars

Regarding what cables, how about all of them that attach to the bars in some way.

[MIK1989]

Okay, sounds good, I will install handlebars first and then see if I need to replace the cables due to kinks and whatnot.

Ed, on the canadamotorcycle website if you click on the size chart the value for clamp area is different: https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/ren...handlebar.html
Well, anyway, I already ordered the renthal bars so if they don't fit then will have to return them.
By replacing all cables, you mean brake hose and electrical cables as well or just clutch and throttle?

One more thing I noticed, there is something wrong with the brake switch. Brake light turns on only when I fully squeeze the brake level or pedal, if I am squeezing 1/4 or half way it's not on. What could be the problem?
Thanks.

[Nessism]

Okay, sounds good, I will install handlebars first and then see if I need to replace the cables due to kinks and whatnot.

Ed, on the canadamotorcycle website if you click on the size chart the value for clamp area is different: https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/ren...handlebar.html
Well, anyway, I already ordered the renthal bars so if they don't fit then will have to return them.
By replacing all cables, you mean brake hose and electrical cables as well or just clutch and throttle?

One more thing I noticed, there is something wrong with the brake switch. Brake light turns on only when I fully squeeze the brake level or pedal, if I am squeezing 1/4 or half way it's not on. What could be the problem?
Thanks.

I'd do the clutch and throttle cable during the bar swap. Fresh cables are a thing of beauty and will give you a buttery smooth clutch pull. The brake lines should be replaced at some point, and the system torn down and cleaned out if the fluid looks dark.

Check the Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature for more info on critical maintenance tasks.

[MIK1989]

I'd do the clutch and throttle cable during the bar swap. Fresh cables are a thing of beauty and will give you a buttery smooth clutch pull. The brake lines should be replaced at some point, and the system torn down and cleaned out if the fluid looks dark.

Check the Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature for more info on critical maintenance tasks.

I will make sure to check out that thread you pointed out, and order new clutch and throttle cables but for GS1000S since they are shorter. May even order new clutch springs because I have a suspicion they are aftermarket right now, clutch is hard to pull.

[azr]

I ordered 1000S throttle cables for my 78' 1000 for the same reason but they were too short so don't bother. You can easily re route the stock cables to work with the lower bars just as I've had to do with my 78' 1000.

[MIK1989]

I ordered 1000S throttle cables for my 78' 1000 for the same reason but they were too short so don't bother. You can easily re route the stock cables to work with the lower bars just as I've had to do with my 78' 1000.

Why were they too short, the S model has lower bars from the factory, wouldn't they match perfectly? Too bad I didn't see your post earlier because I already ordered them yesterday. The bar I ordered is Renthal Ultra Low, hope the cables will work or I will have to try and return them.

[azr]

I'm using what I believe to be superbike bars on my 78' but I'm not really sure the model as I just used what felt the best out of the stash I had on hand. The cables might work with your Ultra low bars. The issue with my set up was the OEM S cables would simply not reach far enough onto the carbs no matter which way I routed them. At the time I was changing to to a lower bar a friend came by with his 79' 1000S and I sized my bars to the stock bars on his S and then fitted the ones I had that were the closest match. I was quite surprised that the factor S throttle cables would not work on my setup for that reason.

[MIK1989]

A small update, Renthal bars have arrived along with clutch cable, throttle cable and clutch springs. Bars are installed, clutch cable is installed and I replaced the clutch springs too.
Clutch feels much better now, not as stiff, I believe the springs in there were aftermarket before because they look slightly thicker and a bit longer too.
GS1000S clutch cable looks to be a good fit, have not installed the throttle cables yet, as I am still waiting on a new throttle tube. The stock one has ribs on it and I think it would not be a good fit with the new grips. So I decided to replace it with the 2004 Yamaha R1 tube, appears to be a common mod.

[argonsagas]

Sounds like you are planning this well. Keep on going with it.

[MIK1989]

Throttle tube arrived, I tried to assemble everything together using the S model throttle cables, and... guess what azr was right, they are a bit short.
To clarify, I was able to attach both cables, but the pull cable was just a bit short when turning the handlebars to the right. So I had to go back to the dealer and order original length cables and wait another week.
What I did in the end was use original length cable as pull cable but S model cable as push cable, works good so far.
Renthal bars seem to be good, I will play with the tilt adjustment a bit, haven't decided which way is best yet, right now they are tilted slightly up. Any recommendations about that?
Can't tell if the R1 throttle tube made a difference, mostly because I don't remember what the stock one felt like anymore. Got the left hand grip from R1 to match as well.

Here are the pics:

[steve murdoch]

I know it is a little thing but i like the look of the black handlebars.
Could just be the photo but your brake fluid is VERY dark.

[Nessism]

Those bars look to be wider than the stock S bars. That's why the S cables won't fit. You could always shorten them by 1/2" or so and try again.