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Message started by 01suzsavage on 06/23/15 at 12:52:05

Title: opinions on handlebars
Post by 01suzsavage on 06/23/15 at 12:52:05

Hey guys i'm in need of some advice for a new set of handlebars. Stock 01savage i'm 6' tall 220lbs. I have the stock bars on there and they seem so uncomfortable if im on my bike for more than a half hour. I find myself leaning forward to keep my back straight and these buckhorn style bars almost hit my knees when i turn. In your opinions whats the most comfortable combo with the stock seat and foot pegs? Thanks

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by chzeckmate on 06/23/15 at 14:34:34

I like my drag bars with the 6" risers because they allow for a longer reach, but... I'm short (only 5' 8") and even still my drag bars were too close when I got my bike. I had to reverse my pullback risers to give me more room and I still think they're a couple of inches too close. You being 6' tall surely have a longer reach than I have so I'd go with z bars if I were you...probably 9" would suit you. I might also consider extending the forward foot controls as well. That will change your posture entirely.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/23/15 at 14:55:28

One of the first things I did to my 2003 Savage was change the handlebars. Those stock buckhorn pullback bars made me feel like my elbows were always hitting my ribs on turns.

I looked around...sat on about a dozen different bikes...and decided on a set of 1" Triumph Bonneville bars. These are very similar to the Harley 883 sportster bars but the straight "handgrip" area is a bit longer than the HD bars.

The difference was huge. I'm 5' 11" and these new bars are much more comfortable for me. I used the stock 1 1/2" Savage risers but I will be changing them to a set of 3 1/2" aftermarket riser soon. Even with the stock risers the bike seems a lot more comfortable especially at low speeds.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by verslagen1 on 06/23/15 at 14:59:48

I'm about the same height and wt. as you and what check says is about right.

But I'd go to an independent store and just pick out a set that you like.
You'll want about 30" wide and at least 6" tall to clear the tank.
Take a set in your hands and extend your arms like you're riding.
If the pull back fits your wrists, that's the one for you.

You don't need dimples, you don't need holes.
when you fit your controls, just file off the "pin" that fits into the bar.
the control will grip the bar tight enough not to move on you.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/23/15 at 18:25:29

Verslagen, I decided to drill out my bars for the little tlt in the control brackets. I was amazed at how easy the bars were to drill into. Somehow I was expecting the chrome to be "harder", but I was able to do it with a cheapo Harbor Freight cordless drill. Only took about an extra 10 minutes and it gives me a bit more confidence that the controls will stay put.

Btw, the hole for that dimple is precisely 7" from the end of the bar (if anyone is interested). The position on the bar depends on your riding position. Just make a line completely around the bar at the 7" mark with a Sanford marker and then put your controls on. Get them into the right position and then move them back and forth . The nib will "scratch" off the black marker in the correct spot. Then simply drill about a .200" hole.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by 01suzsavage on 06/23/15 at 18:58:46

Thanks for the advice. I might stop at the store and just feel out some bars they have there. Might possibly do the forward controls as well.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by chzeckmate on 06/23/15 at 19:14:55

5B56565E505C144E504D51144A4D4C390 wrote:

Verslagen, I decided to drill out my bars for the little tlt in the control brackets. I was amazed at how easy the bars were to drill into...

That's cool that you managed to drill the bars without a problem. I've had chrome peel on me while drilling. I think I'd rather cut the anchor pin just to be on the safe side...plus cutting the pin would make adjusting them later easier if you needed to or if the bike is sold.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by markbacon on 06/23/15 at 19:30:36

I used Norman Hyde M Bars and ditched the risers. I'm about 5'11". They've been very good, just have to watch the tank clearance.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by verslagen1 on 06/23/15 at 20:02:34

4F42424A4448005A445945005E59582D0 wrote:

Verslagen, I decided to drill out my bars for the little tlt in the control brackets. ...Only took about an extra 10 minutes and it gives me a bit more confidence that the controls will stay put.

Well, I did that too the 1st time, then I readjusted the bars and realized how useless that was.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Dave on 06/24/15 at 03:15:04

On Off-Road bikes...we always leave the controls just loose enough that they are snug but can rotate with some pressure. It helps keep from bending or braking in a fall, as they can rotate if they need to.

I do the same thing on my street bikes.....I tighten them just snug enough to stay put when riding..

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by chzeckmate on 06/24/15 at 09:17:22

172C2136272B30362D252837440 wrote:

That's a very sensible suggestion. I'll take that advice and do the same to mine this afternoon.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Rylee on 06/24/15 at 12:43:08

Something else to keep in mind that's not talked about often enough. Your risers/bars are held on by a bolt that passes thru rubber bushings fitted into the triple tree. The taller the risers/bars the more stress your putting on the rubber bushings. Over time these deteriorate and cause movement/slop in your bars. For me personally unless your going with a drag bar type or broom stick type (straight bar) that won't clear your tank try your best to get the rise required to clear out of the bars and not the riser. The closer the mount point of the bars are to the triple tree the less stress your putting on those bushings. You can also swap to urethane bushings that hold up better. To many times I've seen guys with 6+" risers and you can literally shift the bars around because it's over exerting force on the bushings.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by zipidachimp on 06/24/15 at 12:58:56

street-tracker bars, no risers! +1 8-)

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Canadian_kiwi on 06/24/15 at 18:06:46

I use my drag bar and just turned the risers 180 deg and the extra reach is excellent for me as I have a very long upper body

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by chzeckmate on 06/24/15 at 18:23:58

4269717E727F7E792828100 wrote:

I use my drag bar and just turned the risers 180 deg and the extra reach is excellent for me as I have a very long upper body

That's what I did too, but 01suzsavage has the buckhorns currently so this really isn't the option for him.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by 01suzsavage on 06/24/15 at 19:13:38

The stock risers? Drag bars are like 20 bucks on ebay its worth a try for the feel for that cheap

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/24/15 at 21:02:20

My opinion?
Like government, a necessary evil. Optimally,they would work more like arm rests, but, to herd the beast down the road, and control clutches and carburetors and stuff, dude, you're gonna hafta get ya some.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/24/15 at 22:20:26

14564C4E474A47250 wrote:

I found this post very interesting. When I put the new Bonneville bars on my Savage they felt very comfy...even though they are about 2 1/2" lower at the elbow than the stock buckhorns. Since they dont DROOP like the buckhorns, my hands are actually higher than with the stock bars and tank clearance is about 2". They are also wider from tip to tip than the standard bars.

I was thinking about getting those 2 inches or so back by going with a set of aftermarket risers. I searched ebay, Amazon, JP Cycles, BikeBandit...and there are a couple that look real nice to me. The problem is, they wont work with the stock riser hardware (M10 IIRC) Most have 1/2"-13 threads in the bottom. There is also the issue of our bushing/dress cap that I havent seen on any other bike. I havent had it apart, but it seems there are rubber bushings inside the triple tree with a chrome "dress cap" on the top and bottom. I looked for these items EVERYWHERE because one of mine is pitted...and could not find them. Just yesterday I ordered a triple tree set off ebay from a garaged 2004 Savage and the bushings, bolts, risers AND dress caps come with. They are all in like-new condition...for a price of $29 shipped. I was happy as a clam to find it.

Ok...after all that, here is the question: When adding aftermarket risers, do I have to use the stock bushings and dress caps? If so, the caps would need to be bored out to 1/2". There IS another option I found.

EZ-Locl makes threaded inserts (industrial grade) that screw down into a 1/2"-12 or 1/2"-20 thread and the I.D. thread is metric M-10! They cost a few dollars for a bag of 4. This would allow me to use any Harley or other risers and still use my stock Savage mounting hardware.

Here are the risers I am looking at...3" straight.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/24/15 at 22:22:17

And here is what the threaded inserts look like. Made of carbon steel and have locking compound already added...

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by verslagen1 on 06/24/15 at 22:25:47

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1306027682

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Dave on 06/25/15 at 06:21:10

The little "dress caps" and rubber bushings under the risers are Suzuki parts. If you want to find them you have to go to a dealer or an online parts seller. Some of these parts are specific to the S40/LS650....and the only choice you have is to buy the factory part.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/25/15 at 10:42:03

Vers, I appreciate the ingenuity and creative flair that the guys here on the forum have....honestly I do, but I would prefer to have a solid one-piece riser assembly if possible.

If this bike was a junker/hobby/who care what it looks like/ bike, then the socket mod would be fine. I dont mind spending 40-50 bucks on a nice set of risers.

I would like to keep the stock hardware though...hence the reason for my post :)

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by zipidachimp on 06/25/15 at 11:18:26

'SCOOTWORKS' have studs that are 1/2-13 thread on one end and M10 on the other. Work perfectly, you can use any riser, on any bike. Easy solution. 8-)

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by chzeckmate on 06/25/15 at 12:34:08

1A09100904010308090D10600 wrote:

'SCOOTWORKS' have studs that are 1/2-13 thread on one end and M10 on the other. Work perfectly, you can use any riser, on any bike. Easy solution. 8-)

That's excellent. Here's the link for that stud if anyone needs it http://www.scootworks.com/shop.cgi/page=partsstuds.htm/SID=1435259398.13084

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by Boogie_with_Stu on 06/27/15 at 02:39:14

Thanks for the link!

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by WD on 06/27/15 at 11:42:14

Harley Davidson Evo era Road King bars. With 2" baby dog bone risers clamped in the stock risers. Biltwell grips, rubber with palm swell and gunstock checkering.

Have the same bars (Shovelhead era FLHP instead of Evo FLHR) in 6 inch rise dog bones (70s originals, AEE cast) on the other Savage. Excellent feel for a 6'2" 235 pound rider with a 34" inseam.

Have used 13.5" rise apehangers and 15" rise apehangers. Loved them, but they wear the stock riser bushings out quick fast and in a hurry, so, use fender washers instead.

Current set up: http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y490/mphsgal/Jeffs%20pix/Sam/sam_03_2015_zpsbj9qtouq.jpg

Bike that had a fatal electrical meltdown: http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y490/mphsgal/LISA-HP/Photos/Savage/chikstik1_zps58d25c67.jpg

Real dog bone risers and Shovelhead police bar: http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y490/mphsgal/LISA-HP/Photos/Savage/fullrear_zpse5d3fcf2.jpg Yes, that fender and pipe, the floor boards and saddlebags are on the black one now.

Title: Re: opinions on handlebars
Post by WD on 06/27/15 at 11:48:21

And yes, former HD chopper guy, here's what is left of my 1957 Panhead powered barhopper. Knucklehead frame, Shovelhead transmission, springer off an old Big Twin flattie...

http://i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y490/mphsgal/LISA-HP/Photos/The%20Bikes/JunkPan_zpseb388e5c.jpg

Yep, real spool front hub. 6v kick only. 1200cc engine. Hydraulic rear drum, and that is a 1970s Acme tire on the back. 2 gallon (usable) fuel tank.

Had to leave it behind when we moved, the friend I got it from wasn't ready for it to go across country and reclaimed it. :'(