Size question due to bar swap

[Sojourner]

I've got a GS1100ET (that's a 1980 if you didn't know) and I'm in the process of making it a bit more "L", be that L model or GL model because I like the 70's look. I recently ordered these bars...



Now I've had an '81 XS1100 Midnight Edition in the past and loved the bars and the seat, and eventually learned to love the shaft bob. The thing is that I'm mounting them on my Suzuki. The question I have for the boards is do you think I'll need to purchase new throttle and clutch cables due to the size difference (Read: length of cables)? Specs are: Handlebar Yamaha Special Bar Width: 28" Rise: 7 1/2" Pullback: 11" 7/8" Diameter. If so, do I just order cables meant for an '80 GS1100L? I'd love to get them mounted ASAP, so if I need the cables I'll go ahead and order them from Z1 while the bars work their way here from Canada.

[lifguardct]

I have an 82 1100L, trade ya? lol Just kidding...

I don't know for sure but I would assume there may be some issues. It may be possible to re-route the cables to gain a little slack.

[Sojourner]

I haven't really had a chance to check the microfiche yet (kids + football = time/2), but I noted the Bike Bandit part numbers between the L model and the E model differed.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see when the new bars show up.

[dr_fosg8]

You will most likely need the cables from the 1980 L model. Also, you will most likely need a longer brake line.

[tkent02]

Wow, have you ever actually ridden a big bike with L bars?

[Sojourner]

As stated previously above, I've owned a Yamaha XS1100 for a while. From what I can gather, these bars are the same size.

[bruin]

I can't believe you actually paid for these handlebars. I am willing to bet that most of us here have a set we would gladly give you for free or trade for your E bars. Better hang on to your stock ones, you will see how much the handling sucks with the new ones. All kidding aside, if you like it then more power to you I guess, but wanting buckhorn bars makes less sense to me than turning it into a "custom chopper".

[Sojourner]

I can't believe you actually paid for these handlebars.

I can't believe you thought I'd really want to hear your opinion rather than an answer to my question.

All kidding aside of course.

[cableguy]

I think bruin WAS kidding......

It's just that it's not common for someone with the goal of making their
GS more L like. Better dust off your sense of humor and don ye olde flame suit.

[Sojourner]

I think bruin WAS kidding...
<SNIP>
Better dust off your sense of humor and don ye olde flame suit.

You're probably right. I should make it a rule not to post in the morning till I've had my cup of personality (aka coffee). Note it's not easy to convey humor, or any emotion for that matter, in an electronic format. Just saying, a few emotes go a long way.

As for L'ing an E, Steve gave me the scoop yesterday when I asked him about forward controls for my E. It was something akin to "I'm sure there are, but you're going to be that guy on the forums". Wait till they see the green Docs I ride in or the cuir bouilli leather side covers I'm working on! LOL, I've been 'that guy' most of my life. It doesn't bother me in the slightest.

[DanTheMan]

Two sets of "L" bars gathering dust in my garage. Just sayin'......

[Sojourner]

Two sets of "L" bars gathering dust in my garage. Just sayin'......

I appreciate the offer, but the bars are a bit different. Note how the handle part of the XS bars dips down to more of a vertical than the standard L bars?

XS1100 (I had the '81 Midnight Edition a few years ago)


GS1100GL:


Now some of the difference can be attributed to the angle the bars are mounted in the hooks, but trust me, not all of it. The XS Special bars are almost like holding reins while riding a horse.

[Sojourner]

Um, WOW. The new bars came in the mail and they're huge. I'm going to carefully mount them up (sans controls) and have a long think about them. I took a lunchtime ride today now that I'm got most of the bike's issues resolved. Got it up to 70 for the first time out on some nice rural highway (Rt. 128 east out of Miamitown OH). One of the big wants, comfort wise, is bar height. I'm 6'3" and have to hunch over to reach the bars from a comfortable/upright riding position. I wager a 3" riser would do about right. Second, the angle feels wrong in the wrists. If the bars were higher than maybe it would resolve some of the angle discomfort, but I don't think it'll nail all of it. So what to do? I might keep the "Special" bars I ordered, but I'll be sawing off a couple inches off the ends. Can't say for certain till I get a few minutes to get them test mounted.

What I can say is that the bikes has brought me about 147 miles of smiles since I bought it. I'll admit it. I've been weak, I've wavered on getting a Harley or trying to find an L. Then I blip the throttle. The bike feels like it needs another gear! I've had about 4 bikes off and on since college. A '77 KZ650 (sorry Steve, I still want to say it was brown, my memory's admittedly shot though...), a blue '82 GS1100GL, an '81 XS1100 Midnight Edition, etc. Some I only had for a summer, some longer, but I simply cannot remember riding a bike I enjoyed more than this one. Maybe it's the skin my knuckles have shed, maybe it was learning to adjust the valves from Steve, maybe it was the fiberglass I had stuck in my hands for three days after wrapping the exhaust, maybe it's the countless other hours spent changing this, or testing that, or whatever. Honestly I think it has more to do with the response though. The bike is a weird mix of ice skates and Saturn V rocket. It glides across the rode- nimble and smooth. On the other hand I'm still occasionally surprised when the powerband kicks in- when you can feel it come alive under you, begging for you to open the throttle wider.

I've had bikes come and go, but I have a feeling this one is going to stick around for quite a while.

[dr_fosg8]

The red 1100gl you posted isn't wearing the stock bars if you were trying to compare to the yammie bars. Stock gl bars look like these,

[Sojourner]

Well I got the bars mounted, but the lines are short as I expected.

Could one of the L/GL owners measure the length of the brake line (not the cable, need the one with the fluid in it) from the front master cylinder to the first banjo? Thanks.

I could get by with the old throttle and clutch cables, but might as well change them out while I'm at it.