Need help from 900 Hornet riders

[Harry the Barstard]

As some of you will be aware Auckland had up to 90KM winds on friday. Long story short my 05 900 hornet blew over (even though it was in a sheltered spot).

Damage wasnt to bad but i managed to scuff the crank case and bend my handlebars. I rang cyclespot (my local Honda dealer) and found that the genuine handlebars are $260+gst. Now ill be buggared before i pay that for some staock bars.

So heres the advice i need. Has anyone fitted Renthal bars and found them good? If so what was involved in fittment and what style/size bar did you put on. Also what was the all up cost.

Any help, info or advise would be greatly appreciated.

[AllanB]

Man that's some bad luck.

All you need re bars is here:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32223


I am running a set of steel ones that are lower than stock - $39, the renthal 22mm alloy bars carry a RRP of $140.

Easy to replace- just take your time. I found removing the bar end weights a arse - the end screw just holds on the visible end bit. There is a long weight inside the bar - it has a 'clip' that hocks into a hole in the bar - the best way to remove was put a good squirt of CRC or similar down there - grab a short bit of scrap steel plate (about 150mm long)- drill a hole in the middle of the scrap that will take the end cap bolt. Put the end bold through the scrap plate and thread it into the inner bar weight, pop down the retainer that goes into the hole in the handlebar and pull like crazy. You are using the scrap as a hand hold. It will slowly slid out.

[pritch]

Rather than me writing what I remember, try this:

http://www.919.org/

There's a whole range of after-market bars people use and a lot of people have done this already. You should find relevant info at the following:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/hornet900/

http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/

[HenryDorsetCase]

DONT REPEAT MY ERRORS!!!!

I am running Renthal gold alloy bars on mine. From memory they are "street, low" in the catalogue.

In fact this is the second set, the first set being trashed in my lowside at levels. Not a drama, but:

on the first set I drilled the bars for the locating peg for the switchblock. I dont think this is a good idea. I like the idea better of filing the peg out of the switchblock (its plastic) and then IF the block spins (which it didnt on mine and is only a real issue on the throttle side anyway) you can use a thin piece of rubber (I used pushbike innertube) to shim it into place. Worked like a charm.

I use accessory end weights which work OK, at one point I was going to go to bar end mirrors so only got the cheapest ones I could find. they are in fact fine. The original weight/handlebar fitting wouldnt fit inside the renthal bar because the renthal bar has a thicker wall, being alooominum.

I really disliked the narrowness and bend of the original steel bars, replacing them was the first mod I did, and probably the most rewarding!

[TerminalAddict]

I've got super low renthals

Requires a ruler, and a 5mm drill. Easy as !!!

Some care is needed, but not much.

If you don't like drilling the bars you can cut the tabs of the controls, but then need to stop the controls from spinning around the bar.
Note: the hole for the tabs are not the on both sides. Measure each side before drilling.
The hole on one side is about 10mm further from the end of the bars, than the other side

[Trudes]

Still loving mine!!

[discotex]

Saw someone mention bits4bikes.co.nz in another thread. Might be worth a look.

[avrflr]

Just can't keep a bike upright, can you, Jackass?

[Harry the Barstard]

Just can't keep a bike upright, can you, Jackass?

Thats a bit rough it droped it's self. At least my bike can fall over, not like your car, oh i mean bike.

Yeah thats right............ i went there.

[toebug]

Go to MX fat bars! Change your risers $69 at a local shop and bars start at $50-$60 upwards. All available at your best local MX shop. The original bars on a hornet are gay! I am surprised at the price they are trying to get for them!

[avrflr]

I'm surprised your car doesn't fall over. Or your house.

[Gremlin]

pm Zapf... he fitted some sort of wide bars to his... very handy mx style ones

[HornetBoy]

Go to MX fat bars! Change your risers $69 at a local shop and bars start at $50-$60 upwards. All available at your best local MX shop. The original bars on a hornet are gay! I am surprised at the price they are trying to get for them!

yep got the same setup here ! bloody changed the bike for the better ,and alot cheaper than the oem price they gave you .

[Harry the Barstard]

Man that's some bad luck.

All you need re bars is here:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=32223


I am running a set of steel ones that are lower than stock - $39, the renthal 22mm alloy bars carry a RRP of $140.

Easy to replace- just take your time. I found removing the bar end weights a arse - the end screw just holds on the visible end bit. There is a long weight inside the bar - it has a 'clip' that hocks into a hole in the bar - the best way to remove was put a good squirt of CRC or similar down there - grab a short bit of scrap steel plate (about 150mm long)- drill a hole in the middle of the scrap that will take the end cap bolt. Put the end bold through the scrap plate and thread it into the inner bar weight, pop down the retainer that goes into the hole in the handlebar and pull like crazy. You are using the scrap as a hand hold. It will slowly slid out.

Where did u get the bars from?

[AllanB]

I'm in CHCH - got them from Cycletreads, most dealers should have a stock of several different bends for the steel bars - usually in chrome. Ventura is one brand that they should all have or have a catalogue for.

I've also seen some low MX bars in alloy for the 22mm holders (stock hornet size).

Note if you are interested in the fatbar as suggested by some, on the Hornet the clamps are cast into the top triple. There is a adaptor available that bolts into the lower half then has its own clamp. These are around the $70 mark plus fatbar on top ($99 is the cheapest I've seen a alloy fatbar). The problem with the MX fatbars is that they are all 800mm or wider. You may end up with throttle cable issues that wide. And if you chop the ends off be sure there is enough 22mm width bar left for the switch gear (not a issue on a dirt bike).

My favourite for the fatbar route is the Rizoma adaptors and bar - bar is 720mm wide. Beautiful stuff but hellishly expensive (99 euro for the adaptors!) Pictures below.

[AllanB]

Just found one on Trademe with MX bars - I've nicked the picture - see below.

[HenryDorsetCase]

the thing with those bars (for me) is not enough sweep, which when sitting puts your wrists at an odd angle. Fine on a dirtbike where you move around all over the thing and stand up and such. Though bars are such a personal thing its hard to tell. I personally dont like that crossbar either.

[AllanB]

the thing with those bars (for me) is not enough sweep, which when sitting puts your wrists at an odd angle. Fine on a dirtbike where you move around all over the thing and stand up and such. Though bars are such a personal thing its hard to tell. I personally dont like that crossbar either.


I agree re MX bars - your hands end up tiswted up a bit. The Renthal alloy road bars (super bike, ultra lows etc) have a more natural sweep back, as do the chrome street bars available.

[crash99]

As some of you will be aware Auckland had up to 90KM winds on friday. Long story short my 05 900 hornet blew over (even though it was in a sheltered spot).

Damage wasnt to bad but i managed to scuff the crank case and bend my handlebars. I rang cyclespot (my local Honda dealer) and found that the genuine handlebars are $260+gst. Now ill be buggared before i pay that for some staock bars.

So heres the advice i need. Has anyone fitted Renthal bars and found them good? If so what was involved in fittment and what style/size bar did you put on. Also what was the all up cost.

Any help, info or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Yeah definitely go Renthals Low - same as in the pic from Trademe below. No vibes at all. I filed off the locating lugs, wrapped a bit of duct tape on the bar and the block doesn't slip at all. Sorted.:woohoo:

[crash99]

Hey Harry - here's the pics of my bars, as requested. These are the Renthal Streetfighter.
87317 87318 87319 87320
Note - the right hand throttle assembly - I ground off the locating pin - it is quite a snug fit so it is not the tension on the bolts that really holds it, but the lug. SO if you take the lug off, you need some other method of ensuring it doesn't twist - I just used a bit of duct tape. Someone else on the thread used a bit of inner tube, which is probably a better idea.
On the left hand side, the grip is quite difficult to get off, but just keep twisting it and a lot of wrist action (:spanking:) and you'll get there. Putting it on - I found just giving it a thump with my palm got it on after a while. Again, not easy but keep at it and you'll get there with patience. I found the bars took a bit of geting used to as quite a bit wider than originals, but after a week or so, no probs.
Cheers :niceone:

[Harry the Barstard]

Thanks for all your help fellas, Shes going to have her new bars on tomorrow arvo. So in light of this expect rain sat an sun because its been bloody great weather since she blew over till now.

Mark my words RAIN.

Pss will put up some pics for anyone elese following this thread for info.

Once again thanks for your help and advice. i had three people offering advice and pics within 24hrs of starting this thread. Bloody good work,

[Harry the Barstard]

New bars are on and i am pretty happy with them.

I went for Renthal roadbike bars and they are a fraction lower and a fair bit wider. The increased width has made a big difference for me, feels so much better and i also feel like i have more controll.

I went for the gold ones because they are the same colour as my calipers and some of the mounting support part of my front disc. Also because the bar i wanted didnt have many colours available.

I have attached a few pics for anyone in the same boat. One thing i have found though is that handlebars are quiet a personal thing and that there is no right or wrong bar to fit as long as you like the feel it gives the bike.

Once again thanks to those who offered their help.

[HornetBoy]

Just found one on Trademe with MX bars - I've nicked the picture - see below.

nice bit of advertising for me bike their mate :niceone: thats my hornet :cool:

glad its getting some views then

[HornetBoy]

New bars are on and i am pretty happy with them.

I went for Renthal roadbike bars and they are a fraction lower and a fair bit wider. The increased width has made a big difference for me, feels so much better and i also feel like i have more controll.

I went for the gold ones because they are the same colour as my calipers and some of the mounting support part of my front disc. Also because the bar i wanted didnt have many colours available.

I have attached a few pics for anyone in the same boat. One thing i have found though is that handlebars are quiet a personal thing and that there is no right or wrong bar to fit as long as you like the feel it gives the bike.

Once again thanks to those who offered their help.

harry were did you get the lights and screen from mate? how much were they ?

[Harry the Barstard]

harry were did you get the lights and screen from mate? how much were they ?

From my local Buell dealer. If memory sereves i think the setup was about $200 to $300. You need to make up a simple lil bracket for them to mount. If you ever do it let me know as i found a few realy good tricks come wiring time.

They are from a Buell lightning.

[AllanB]

Looking good now :2thumbsup:2thumbsup

Also get on to e-bay and do a search in e-bay motors for Honda 919 (thats what they call the Hornet in the USA) - you will pick up a set of crash bobbins cheap - have a look around as there are a few sellers. I think mine worked out at under NZ$50 air posted to me.

Good for those high wind days...................:whistle:

[Harry the Barstard]

Lights, indicators, screen, bars and my cans are the only mods ive done.

I got my cans de baffled and they sound great. I was on a ride with another hornet rider who had micron cans. Even he agreed that my ones sounded better.

I got a 2" perf pipe in. Can still get warrents but sounds soooo much betta

[AllanB]

Cool - when u get the time can you post a picture looking down the rear of the cans - sounds like a plan.

I've just changed the turn-signals last week - gad the stock ones are huge!

looking for mirrors next...

And I have been looking at relocating the horn - there is sweet f-all spare space on the Hornet to hide it - It may end up mounted up under the swing-arm off a main stand hole.

[Kendog]

Cool - when u get the time can you post a picture looking down the rear of the cans - sounds like a plan.

I've just changed the turn-signals last week - gad the stock ones are huge!

looking for mirrors next...

And I have been looking at relocating the horn - there is sweet f-all spare space on the Hornet to hide it - It may end up mounted up under the swing-arm off a main stand hole.

If you are just trying to hide the horn, loosen its mount bolt and twist it round behind the headers. It is almost hidden in that position.

[TerminalAddict]

Harry: good work mate well done !!!
Allanb: I'd be interested to hear what you find about mirrors.
I've got some cheap arse ones on at the mo' that were a rush buy for a WOF. (originals didn't like the road :( )

Leave the horn where it is, and buy a stebel :D

[Harry the Barstard]

Cool - when u get the time can you post a picture looking down the rear of the cans - sounds like a plan.

I've just changed the turn-signals last week - gad the stock ones are huge!

looking for mirrors next...

And I have been looking at relocating the horn - there is sweet f-all spare space on the Hornet to hide it - It may end up mounted up under the swing-arm off a main stand hole.

Here you go. I kinda like the look of the standard cans and not so much the more oval after market ones, also i could then keep the heat shrouds. (Just a personal prefrance im sure there are those who diagree) But each to there own aye.



It has a nice deep rumble and sounds great under load, but is stilll nice and quiet once you start to maintain a speed.

Hope this helps.:niceone:

[Macstar]

Get rid of the twin cans all together:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68612

[Harry the Barstard]

Get rid of the twin cans all together:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68612

I kinda like the dual pipes but that just personal prefrence.

By the way Warren did mine too, he offered to take the cat converter out but that would have cost more and he would have needed the bike longer. At the time i was broke and the sun was shining but maybe get it done this winter.

Im in if your keen for the filter thing though.