Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

[randyshipp]

I just picked up this bike, but I'm fairly certain I want handlebars more like this:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydispwnd.php?RegID=97

than like this (which is the actual bike I bought today):

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydispwnd.php?RegID=366

Any thoughts?

Randy...

[gs650rider]

Re: Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

Randy,

I did the same thing on my GS650GLZ. Here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb900/

I'm pretty sure I got the "Euro Cafe" bars from Cycle Re-Cycle

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

-Tim

I just picked up this bike, but I'm fairly certain I want handlebars more like this:


than like this (which is the actual bike I bought today):


Any thoughts?

Randy...

P.S.-- No clue why the pics didn't work...cut and paste, I guess. :?

[randyshipp]

Re: Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

Randy,

I did the same thing on my GS650GLZ. Here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb900/

I'm pretty sure I got the "Euro Cafe" bars from Cycle Re-Cycle

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

-Tim

How straightforward was the handlebar swap?

Randy...

[gs650rider]

Re: Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

Randy,

It was very easy to do. I only thing I had to worry about was the cables and brake lines were longer on the new bars. And I also upgraded the grips while I was at it.

-Tim

Randy,

I did the same thing on my GS650GLZ. Here's the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cb900/

I'm pretty sure I got the "Euro Cafe" bars from Cycle Re-Cycle

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

-Tim

How straightforward was the handlebar swap?

Randy...

[randyshipp]

Re: Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

Randy,

It was very easy to do. I only thing I had to worry about was the cables and brake lines were longer on the new bars.

Meaning you had some slack you had to worry about routing neatly, or that you had to come up with a way to *find* some slack? The former doesn't sound too bad -- lengthening brake lines and cables does. ;-)

Thanks for the info. For as cheap as a new handlebar is, it seems silly not to try it. I'm just not sure I like the "chopper" feel of the stock bars.

Randy...

[Chris Daniel]

Mine is not an L model. BUT, I put a set of "superbike" bars on my 650GD and I absolutly love them.

I had quite a bit of slack to deal with, but after some careful rerouting everything came out working great.

I dont know how they would look or feel on an L model, but you might give them a shot......bars are cheap.....so keep trying untill you find a set that you like.

http://www.oldbikebarn.com/part.php?id=10107&subcategory=Handle%20Bars&bike=GS650&DisplayPerPage=20

Those are the ones I have, and again, I love them.

[gs650rider]

Re: Handlebar replacement for 1980 GS850GL

Randy,

I meant that I had to re-route the extra slack on the cables,etc. It definitely makes the bike feel more responsive and more like a cafe-style. My bars don't force you to lean forward as much as clip-ons would. The original bars bother my wrist on long rides.

-Tim

Randy,

It was very easy to do. I only thing I had to worry about was the cables and brake lines were longer on the new bars.

Meaning you had some slack you had to worry about routing neatly, or that you had to come up with a way to *find* some slack? The former doesn't sound too bad -- lengthening brake lines and cables does. ;-)

Thanks for the info. For as cheap as a new handlebar is, it seems silly not to try it. I'm just not sure I like the "chopper" feel of the stock bars.

Randy...