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Message started by fryerszoo on 08/19/07 at 08:35:23

Title: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar ??)
Post by fryerszoo on 08/19/07 at 08:35:23

I have been a long time reader of this site. but this is my first post, and I Can't even begin to tell you all how much I have enjoyed all of the reading that I have done here. The knowledge that is contained in these pages on the ls650 is unparalleled any place else. I have benefited greatly from all of the information here. i have done a lot of the modifications mentioned here on my bike, carb spacer mod, timing chain mod, clutch mod, ect. But my latest modification leaves me with a question I am having a hard time finding an answer to I did the sportster seat modification and i love the seat buy now the handlebars just don't seem to be as comfortable as they used to be I think I am setting closer to them than before. I tried raising them up a little but it seems to stear funny. I would like some different bars but there are so many to pick from I like the drag bar look but new risers are kinda high priced, what works best for comfort. any sugestions ? sorry i kinda rambled on.

Here are pics of my bike {that is if i did it right}

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C08%5C17%5Cbikepics-996249-800.jpg

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C08%5C17%5Cbikepics-996272-800.jpg

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C08%5C17%5Cbikepics-996258-800.jpg

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C08%5C17%5Cbikepics-996253-800.jpg

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by azjay on 08/19/07 at 09:15:52

sportster or dyna bars ;)

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by ALfromN.H. on 08/19/07 at 09:35:21

i have the sportster seat on mine but I have the OEM drag bars. seems quite comfy.
AL

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by Ed_L. on 08/19/07 at 18:58:32

Sportster bars will give you more arm room if that is what you are looking for. I'm using clubman bars which look like sportys but only have a 2 1/2 inch rise.
I see you are in Lake Mary, I'm up in Port Orange, not to far as the Savage flies.

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by Rockin_John on 08/20/07 at 02:24:52

Other options besides the Sportster bars: A set of medium height risers of 3"-4" and some drag bars, but for comfort, handling and seeing back in your mirrors, besides you own shoulders: I recommend 28"-34" width bars. The short little 24" OEM bars just seem cramped and weak once you've had the leverage of some wider bars. Another option is medium height Z-bars, but stylistically I know those are a love 'em or hate 'em thing. And of course some mini ape hangers would move your hands a bit farther forward; so you don't feel like you hands are practically in your lap. All a matter of taste in style, and the feel you like in your hands and arms.

BTW, Sharp lookin' bike you got goin' on there! I've got a cat eye taillight picked out myself. I think I'll pass on the traditional side mounted chopper tag thing.

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by LANCER on 08/20/07 at 04:19:31

The Jireh cycles catalog/website has some nice 6" risers for only about $36, and when used with drag bars look good and work really well.

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by verslagen1 on 08/20/07 at 07:13:40

With the sportster seat you're sitting 2 to 4" taller than with the stock seat. I started out with buckhorns and stock seat. Then went to a low rise harley type bar. And that was good until I put the HD seat on. Then put on the stock drags and risers that come with them. They were a good feel except too narrow to see behind me. Back go the low rise bars and I real happy with them. ;D

So, it you like the buckhorns, add the 4" risers. I liked the stretched out arm position the HD bars give me.

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by Rockin_John on 08/20/07 at 17:44:39

That "buckhorn with risers" is one combo I didn't mention, because the old man I bought my 87 from still had both sets of stock bars for the bike. And he had the bike set up that way. I asked if he still had the short risers, and he said he "couldn't find them." So it was set up like this when I got it:
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/my_ls650/purple_1987savage_as_bought.jpg

That setup tore my back and shoulders up on the 50 mile ride home. After that, I tried to adjust the bars back in a better position, but there wasn't a good position for me with that combo. Since the old man "couldn't find" the original drag bars to give me, I bought some extra wide ones and put on it. That was an immediate relief, but then I discovered that I wanted something a bit higher than the stock risers and flat bars, and went to this arrangement:
http://catoosatrading.com/images/cycles/my_ls650/savages060507/P6040002.JPG
On the 87 model on the right. Those are about 6" risers, and the bars have another almost 2" rise and are my widest bars. I like them. They're on the 99 that I'm riding most the time now.

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 17:58:59

Rockin John,

What kind of seat do you have on the bike in the first picture?

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by Rockin_John on 08/20/07 at 19:58:38

FreeSpirit wrote:

Rockin John,

What kind of seat do you have on the bike in the first picture?

Hi Free,

If you're referring to the old purple 87 with the buckhorn bars, it is just an original 20 year old Savage seat with less than 5k miles on it. The same bike is on the right in the picture with two bikes, and by then I had put a Sportster seat on it. A great improvement, but still not enough for a heavyweight like me. :)

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 21:09:06

Oh....well the old seat looks good :-)

But if you find something better than the Sportster seat,save the sportster seat for me :-)

Title: Re: long time listener First time caller (hadlebar
Post by fryerszoo on 08/21/07 at 02:59:49

thank you all for your replies you have givin me some good ideas. Ed_L yea Port Orange is just up the road I was out riding around the other day up A1A and was in your neck of the woods. That is a nice ride. rockin John I do like the looks of the bike on the right I may have to give that a try and Lancer I will defiantly give them risers a look thanks again for all the input.