New handlebars - what a difference!

[Skinner]

I just completed the installation of a set of Daytona bars on my 650GL, like so many "L" owners before me. What a difference they make! It's like I'm riding a whole new bike! I've only ridden two motorcycles in my life. The first was a 1983 GS450L and now my 1981 GS650GL. I've never experienced any bars other than the "L" style so didn't fully appreciate what a difference they would make. They provide a much more comfortable seating position and grip position, but the most important change is the control they provide. Slow manoeuvring is much easier and leaning into turns is a whole new experience. I know I'm going on about it but I was amazed at what a difference the bars made.

Installation was a bit of a chore. I had to deal with the usual cable routing issues but managed to make it work. And I need to order a shorter front brake line because the current one is making an "S" bend behind the headlight bucket. What I didn't realized was that the switch housings both have small metal plates inside with a tab that fits into a hole in the stock bars to prevent them from rotating. I initially bent the tab flat and installed the housings on the new bars but felt like I'd still get some slippage. And I didn't want to use any tape as a shim because it would eventually get all gooey from the heat. So I ended up drilling two small holes in the new bars, bending the tabs back up and installing them. That worked perfectly. No movement at all.

The windshield mounting points had to be adjusted somewhat too, but in the end all worked out well. The only issue I have is with the mirrors. The new bars aren't quite as wide so the mirrors are a bit more inboard than original. Either I get some mirrors with longer stems or just get used to it.

The pics:






Cheers!
K

[Nessism]

The 450S model came with lower bars so you may want to consider those. A fresh clutch cable in particular is a thing of beauty.

[barnbiketom]

HEY you stole my bike! and Bars!
seriously...it almost makes an "L" nice huh?? heeeeee
now if I could cheaply move the pegs back about 4 inches........

[eil]

Wow, now that's a gorgeous L!

FWIW, I know you one can buy mirror riser bracket things, I think I saw them on eBay or Amazon.

If you want period-correct mirrors, my 750E has the same classic round GS mirrors as your bike and my 850GL, except the stems are longer and thus protrude outward farther. They are great... I see virtually nothing of my arms, only a clear view of what's behind me. I might try to source a pair for my 850.

[Skinner]

Wow, now that's a gorgeous L!

FWIW, I know you one can buy mirror riser bracket things, I think I saw them on eBay or Amazon.

If you want period-correct mirrors, my 750E has the same classic round GS mirrors as your bike and my 850GL, except the stems are longer and thus protrude outward farther. They are great... I see virtually nothing of my arms, only a clear view of what's behind me. I might try to source a pair for my 850.

Thanks! I'm actually in the process of sourcing mirrors right now. Another GS member suggested mirrors from an 80's Honda CB900 or similar. A stem about 2" longer would be just about right.

Cheers!
K

[tkent02]

Consider bar end mirrors if you want to see anything.

[WingMan71]

Hey Skinner,

I'm considering changing the bars on the '83 GS650GL I'm restoring.

Where did you buy the BikeMaster Daytona bars?

I went to the BikeMaster web site and they don't show any prices there or anything.

Also, I wonder if just using a set of bars from the same year "G" model to put on the "GL" model would work just as well.

[BigD_83]

Hey Skinner,

I'm considering changing the bars on the '83 GS650GL I'm restoring.

Also, I wonder if just using a set of bars from the same year "G" model to put on the "GL" model would work just as well.

The regular G bars are still quite different from the Daytona bars. I feel they would offer some, but not much improvement over the L bars. If you have access to a set, try it out, and let us know how they feel n comparison.

[Skinner]

Where did you buy the BikeMaster Daytona bars?

I got mine from Babbits in Michigan. Z1 sells them, as does Bikebandit and I'm sure a lot of other places. They were around $20.

Cable routing will be an issue, as will brake line length. For the throttle cable I just routed it around the other side of the steering head and it works fine. For the clutch cable I went around the other side of the steering head, back along the top of the frame, then down behind the airbox (where the tubes from the carb go) to the clutch connection. Works great and the cable isn't visible like those who route it outside the carbs. The brake line is currently making an "S" bend behind the headlight bucket, but a 6" shorter version from Z1 is on the way to take care of that. Your 650 has the bar mounted choke lever as well so you'll have to deal with that.

The stock bars also had holes drilled in them where the switch housings mount. On my '81 the housings have metal plates inside with small tabs that fit in the handlebar holes to prevent rotation. I initially bent the tabs flat to install on the new bars but couldn't tighten the housings enough to prevent rotation. So I ended up drilling some 3/16" holes on the underside of the bars and used the tabs. It works great - no rotation at all. Just be careful to line them up perfectly.

One other thing to consider is mirrors. The shape of the Daytona bars locates the mirrors much more inboard as compared to the stock bars. I was unable to see behind me with the stock mirrors so I replaced them with some Honda CB750 copies. They are about 4" longer than stock and the stem is bent to a shallower angle so they sit out much further and work very well.

The Daytona bars are a great improvement over the stock bars. Just be aware of all the little issues that arise. The $20 bars turned into about $70 when the brake line and mirrors are factored in. Still well worth it in my opinion.

Cheers!
K

[eil]

Also, I wonder if just using a set of bars from the same year "G" model to put on the "GL" model would work just as well.

I actually did this on my 850GL... the G bars are an improvement over the L bars, but I still thought they were too high. Ended up giving mine away. I found some bars for a smaller bike that are somewhere between the G bars and Daytona bars and they're just about perfect.

[Bluepunk18]

Those new bars look great, and so does your 650GL! I also have a 650GL, I was wondering if anyone here has fitted any bars from Biltwell ? Also, are these bars 7/8 or 1" ?

[A-train]

I actually did this on my 850GL... the G bars are an improvement over the L bars, but I still thought they were too high. Ended up giving mine away. I found some bars for a smaller bike that are somewhere between the G bars and Daytona bars and they're just about perfect.

Too high?

Hmmmm. Wrist issues, or just feel? I think I know the bars you gave away. They feel perfect, but I do get a bit of wrist soreness after 4+ hours of riding.

Maybe I'm just a wuss

[Steve]

Also, are these bars 7/8 or 1" ?

All GSes with tubular bars have 7/8" bars.

.

[eil]

Too high?

Hmmmm. Wrist issues, or just feel? I think I know the bars you gave away. They feel perfect, but I do get a bit of wrist soreness after 4+ hours of riding.

Maybe I'm just a wuss

Just feel. At speed, the wind pushed me back just far enough that I felt like I was hanging on for dear life at about 50+. The lower bars give me some forward lean, although I'm considering going even lower in the future.

You have a good windshield so probably not as much an issue for you.

[WilliamGLX81]

Hey Skinner,

I'm considering changing the bars on the '83 GS650GL I'm restoring.

Where did you buy the BikeMaster Daytona bars?

I went to the BikeMaster web site and they don't show any prices there or anything.

Also, I wonder if just using a set of bars from the same year "G" model to put on the "GL" model would work just as well.

Actually, I have a set of Daytona bars that I bought before I got the bars that I have on my GS650GL now. I never installed them, but it wasn't worth it to return them for $10 after shipping both ways. Let me know if you want them. I paid $20+shipping, and I'd be happy to get $10+shipping or maybe even less just to get rid of them. I'm getting ready to move, so the less stuff the better.

*oops* They're actually the GP touring style of Bikemaster brand.