Lowering the Bar(s)

[Storm]

I have been wondering about putting a set of low bars on my 05 GN 250 (dont laugh too hard) and am looking to see what my options are re buying new ones vs the trouble of getting some made up to my own specs.
Bearing in mind that this is all just a pipe dream at the moment, I would welcome any thoughts, comments and/or experiences

Chairs

Storm

[bungbung]

Generic bars, made in a variety of heights and widths are made by Ventura. They should be available from pretty much any shop. About $40 at Boyles in Wellington. Price will depend on finish, black or chrome etc.

[vifferman]

The GN should be a piece of piss, as the bars are just your normal-sized bars clamped on the top of the forks. Paul in NZ did this mod for one of the other KBers a while back.

It's a good idea - check out a bike shop and see what they have or can get for you. Alternatively, someone else may have some spare ones flaoting around.

[James Deuce]

Jazbug found that Yamaha SR250 bars made a huge improvement to comfort and riding position.

PaulInNZ put them on for her, so you should maybe contact him to see where he got them.


Buckets N Bits have an SR they are wrecking at the moment.

http://www.motorcyclesnz.co.nz/dismant1.html#YAMAHA

[White trash]

Get some clip-ons for excellent handling, or some apehangers for street cred.

Either way, you'll be too cool for school on your GN.

[JohnBoy]

i think that it maybe a good idea, i lowered my bars on my ZXR (albeit somewhat a different setup) and it made a huge change to the handling for the better.

my best advice is to just pop into ANZA and they should be able to sort you out, they have a good range of ventura products etc... a mate put some ventura bars on his cb900 hornet and he loves them and they're a lot cheaper than you think.

good luck :ride:

[FROSTY]

seriously dude Id try a set of MX bars. theyre flatter and make the gnu easier to ride

[Storm]

Get some clip-ons for excellent handling, or some apehangers for street cred.

Either way, you'll be too cool for school on your GN.

Already got mini apehangers on it, thats the problem!!
Cheers for all the above suggestions folks

Also I am looking to do it on the cheap if possible, and have had someone suggest to me the idea of bending some up . Any thoughts out there on the pros and cons of this idea?

[James Deuce]

Already got mini apehangers on it, thats the problem!!
Cheers for all the above suggestions folks

Also I am looking to do it on the cheap if possible, and have had someone suggest to me the idea of bending some up . Any thoughts out there on the pros and cons of this idea?

Seriously the SR bars are much flatter and second hand they'll be cheap as chips. Give Buckets N Bits a call, or give some of the big Auckland ones a call.

[unhingedlizard]

I replaced my TDR bars with some wirtz ones. The old ones are going on TM today if you want them, they are more of a MX style thing with a built in cross brace.

[Pancakes]

I have a GN 250 also and ride on the M'way and find myself huckered down so I don't have to wind it all the way out, save gas too so if anyone does have some 2nd hand flat bars that would work I'd love to know.

[Storm]

Seriously the SR bars are much flatter and second hand they'll be cheap as chips. Give Buckets N Bits a call, or give some of the big Auckland ones a call.
Would you by chance happen to have the number around ?

[James Deuce]

It's in the link I posted above. Be really really nice. Bryce needs to be seriously convinced you really want to buy stuff from him. He has zero tolerance fro time wasters. Definitely not Kiwi Host material, but he can do good stuff if treated right.

[Storm]

Ta muchly and pardon my shocking eyesight

[unhingedlizard]

It's in the link I posted above. Be really really nice. Bryce needs to be seriously convinced you really want to buy stuff from him. He has zero tolerance fro time wasters. Definitely not Kiwi Host material, but he can do good stuff if treated right.


Been to buy stuff from him before. Ho hum, nuff said.....

[skidz]

Have you seen Phil Turnbull for any suggestions on your bars?

[Storm]

First port of call actually :) They suggested a couple of options - make your own or the wreckers and I rang this morning and they do Ventura bars for fiddy quid and have a catalougue.
Am getting quite keen to do this as it would seem to have worked well in the past for others GN's

[Eurygnomes]

Hey Storm,

I thought about doing this too, because I had a sit on someone else's GN and they'd replaced the bars with straighter ones than the models' own, and it was WAY more comfy. I get a sore shoulder when I"m battling the wind and motorway traffic - you? (even though you're in PN...)

Let me know how it goes and whether it improves your perception of your stability etc. - I've subscribed to this thread to keep an eye on it.

Nomes

[FROSTY]

Guys N gals--My experience with GN's has involved couriering on em and having a partner tour NZ on one
Heres what we did.
1)fitted a set of bars with a 75mm rise and a flatter (less chopperish) profile.
2) changed the fork oil to a heavier weight
3) fitted a handlebar fairing off of a suzuki GS450s
4) fitted a set of shocks off of a gsx400 -Konis
5) fitted the headlight complete off of a yamaha rd250lc -halogen

We put all the standard stuff in boxes and just transfered it from bike to bike then eventiually it got used on various projects of mine.
The improvement in rider comfort the handlebars and the fairing made were huge

[Paul in NZ]

Actually... The bars we stuck on Jaz's bike were and old set that were going to go onto the trumpy. Looked slicker than than an ameoba in a vasoline factory fire.

You want an A10 bend (BSA A10). I have some old ones here you can have that are similar. Bit spotty in places!

BE WARNED! The std GN bars have lead in the ends to dampen the vibes!

[Paul in NZ]

Hey Storm,

I thought about doing this too, because I had a sit on someone else's GN and they'd replaced the bars with straighter ones than the models' own, and it was WAY more comfy. I get a sore shoulder when I"m battling the wind and motorway traffic - you? (even though you're in PN...)

Let me know how it goes and whether it improves your perception of your stability etc. - I've subscribed to this thread to keep an eye on it.

Nomes

Hey! I'll get in a couple of sets and we can have a GN athon at my place

[FROSTY]

tya need a compresser to blow that handgrip off

[Paul in NZ]

tya need a compresser to blow that handgrip off

Nah! Sucked it right off... Blows just an expression Frosty

[Ixion]

Actually... The bars we stuck on Jaz's bike were and old set that were going to go onto the trumpy. Looked slicker than than an ameoba in a vasoline factory fire.

You want an A10 bend (BSA A10). I have some old ones here you can have that are similar. Bit spotty in places!

BE WARNED! The std GN bars have lead in the ends to dampen the vibes!

Velo bend. Better still

[Paul in NZ]

Velo bend. Better still

Harder to get ahold of at the right price. A10 bend has become an industry std along with the Honda 400F bend (a bit squarer in the bends)...

Cheers

[Eurygnomes]

Hey! I'll get in a couple of sets and we can have a GN athon at my place

That'd actually be very very cool Paul...

When do you have in mind? Since I'm leaving soon (6 weeks on Monday) I'm very keen to make the adjustments, but also am wary of weekends rapidly filling up!

Set a date...tell us what to bring (can't fit a crate on bike - but could bring a six-pack) and I'll be there!

Nomes

[Paul in NZ]

That'd actually be very very cool Paul...

When do you have in mind? Since I'm leaving soon (6 weeks on Monday) I'm very keen to make the adjustments, but also am wary of weekends rapidly filling up!

Set a date...tell us what to bring (can't fit a crate on bike - but could bring a six-pack) and I'll be there!

Nomes

Let me look in the garage tonight/tomorrow to see what's there and you can come up and we can do it any time that suits. Takes about 20mins if no real problems.

I have a couple of old sets there (free) but they might be a bit grotty for a new bike. (no seriously) Happy to let you try em though OR I can meet you at a bike shop and we can get some new ones? They are usually about $40

[Storm]

That'd actually be very very cool Paul...

When do you have in mind? Since I'm leaving soon (6 weeks on Monday) I'm very keen to make the adjustments, but also am wary of weekends rapidly filling up!

Set a date...tell us what to bring (can't fit a crate on bike - but could bring a six-pack) and I'll be there!

Nomes

Ditto. Do you guys have a time sorted as yet? Would be keen to see if these bars of Pauls are indeed slicker'n a politician in election year

[Paul in NZ]

Been and gorn and dunnit Storm.

Nomes wanted new ones so it was easy. I have 2 sets of older ones here but one has a bit much sweep back IMHO...

[Storm]

and the other set ?

[Paul in NZ]

and the other set ?

If you aint fussy they are OK.

Mate, ya just gotta try em out, different bends for different folks.

Cheers

[Bonez]

Storm I've got a collection of old bars. You are quite welcome to look at them to help you make up your mind on the type that would suit you. I live off Vogel Str. up from the old cemetry.

[Coyote]

A GN would suit Monkey Hangers

[Bonez]

A GN would suit Monkey HangersOnly if monkies ride them.......................

[NordieBoy]

I put a $5 set of flat bars from a wreckers on my Savage.
They were brilliant, just a slight bend for the wrists.

I even had harley riders complimenting me on my....

...carbon mirrors :D

[Eurygnomes]

Storm, I strongly advise changing bars over. I feel so much safer now that I've got straighter bars...and I'm sure my riding has changed because of it. Corners are no longer the "er..." situation they were before...I glide around with one peg on the ground (joke!!!). Good luck dude.

[Str8 Jacket]

Storm, I strongly advise changing bars over. I feel so much safer now that I've got straighter bars...and I'm sure my riding has changed because of it. Corners are no longer the "er..." situation they were before...I glide around with one peg on the ground (joke!!!). Good luck dude.

Interested on selling those to me before you go . . . . I hate hate hate my handle bars, not only do they look ghey they suck when it comes to stability and riding in general!

[Odin]

I put a $5 set of flat bars from a wreckers on my Savage.
They were brilliant, just a slight bend for the wrists.


And how's the wind treating you now ? I had a savage in the mid 90's and seem to remember it being "hard work" riding it for 200+ kms in one go ? I got sore arms and lower back ? Hows it treating you and have you noticed a difference on that front ?

And they do look quite cool :Punk:

[FROSTY]

Has anyone tried fitting a little bikini fairing yet??

[Bonez]

Storm took my offer up on trying out some sets I had. He may have decided which he prefers so there may be a spare set available. Fitted a pair here at home. Nice chap who put up with a grumpy ol cunt for about an hour or so.

[Paul in NZ]

I still have a couple of pairs too...

Bonez.. If you can find another set of flats for $5 let me know. I have a plan!

[Storm]

Yep, I have tried the black ones for a couple of days (missus has been crook so riding time was scarce) and they are the ducks nuts. I never liked drag style bars before, but now I see clearly. They are bloody excellent! :ride:
Many thanks to Bonez for providing expertise and a useful tool or two making the process a bucketload easier than if I'd done it at home.
And he didnt laugh when it took me 4 tries to get the cables and stuff on in the right order. I must have caught him before the grumpy old bastard disease hit him. Oh well, maybe next time eh? :rofl:

Paul -
The other set are just kicking around at my house so, I will either get them to Bonez or you can get them from here

[Bonez]

Paul those bars have about a 1 & 1/2 inch rise and a bit rusty. Nice to see you are happy with those black Ventura ones Storm. Enjoy. :yes:

[NordieBoy]

Has anyone tried fitting a little bikini fairing yet??

Yes but it looked funny with a shirt on over top.




If I still had my Savage I would have one on there.

[Paul in NZ]

Nah! All sweet, just thinking of swapping the clip ons on dah Guzzi for some Norton flats etc.... Long story

[Storm]

And we have all day to listen to your story. Regale us once more, O teller of tales

[Bonez]

Just managed to score a pair of lower clip-ons for the Intregra. Tis funny how things work out. Paul how wide is your Guzzi top triple clamp? I have the handlebar risers/clamps off the CB250T I stripped a while back, which may be able to be adapted if interested. Were held on by four bolts, not rubber mounted. I'll post a pick tomorrow.

[ducatilover]

i was just thinking today about what my bike would go like with a lower set of bars. if theres anyone around p-north who can point me in the right direction or any one i can meet up with to fit a new set of low bars to me beast let me know. cheers.

[Bonez]

Paul here's pics of the adapter. Between mounting hole centres is around 1 & 1/2 inches. In line with the handle bar clamp holes. Still have the protrusions for instruments but are easily removed if needed.

[Paul in NZ]

D'oh!

Sorry guys.. Missed the replies.. (too much stuff to wade through these days)

The GREAT thing about Guzzis is that most of the bits are interchangeable with other Guzzis. The Mk2 actually has the std handle bar lugs on the top clamp alread AND I have genuine Guzzi tops for em too... I also have a complete spare top fairing and instrument mounts all of which (with a little poking and proding) should allow me to run normal bars with minimum fuss.

The restricting thing will be the length of the cabling to the switchgear but thats no biggie 'cos it all uses molex connectors (can get off the net)...

I'm finding the clip ons a little harder for a full days riding and the rear sets cramp Vickis feet up on longer trips, hence the desire to change... I can get the std controls for about $30 a side (ya gotta love Guzzis)

So whats stopping me...

I actually LIKE clip ons...

I'm worried it will look odd (yes I KNOW it already looks ODD)

I don't want to fuck up a nice original bike

I like clip ons

I'm terribly lazy (getting the old clip ons off is a drama - lifting the top yoke etc...

I'll think on it a little more....

[Bonez]

D'oh!

Sorry guys.. Missed the replies.. (too much stuff to wade through these days)
[Snip]

I actually LIKE clip ons...

I'm worried it will look odd (yes I KNOW it already looks ODD)

I don't want to fuck up a nice original bike

I like clip ons

I'm terribly lazy (getting the old clip ons off is a drama - lifting the top yoke etc...

I'll think on it a little more....
Fair enough too. I was a bar man myself till I got the FC2 {wanted to convert but never ever found one of those round-to-its}. The GB's seem to be spot on, but has the standard dings in the tank, something bars would have avoided. Seems Guzzi bits are quite reasonable in price Paul.