My handlebars suck!!!!!!

[bscrive]

I finally got out on my bike for a good days ride and those bars that Honda put on suck really bad.  My right elbow was really sore from the angle of the grips.

That being said.  I have decided that I am going to build a set of bars to my specifications.  I have looked at all the bars out there that would fit, and I don't see anything that I like and that will fit.  They are either too small or too large.  I was looking for a 14" ape hangers with 8" center with a 14" rise and a width of 32 - 34", but I can't find anything. 
I think I will go back to something like the original Valkyrie bars, but modify them a little.  I think that I will curve the arms coming from the center bar up to the handles. 
I was going to get taller risers, like hubcapsc did, but decided that I like the dash where it is.
This should be a fun project and one that I will finish this winter.  Meanwhile, I will have to put up with these ones until the fall.

[hungryeye]

There isn't a bike made that will fit every person that buys it, its not a Honda fault, most people do some sort of adjustment to get comphy. For me so far I like the bar position and even the seat, the seat is usually what goes first for me, I'm gonna give this a few thousand miles before I go and dump $500++ on a new one.

BTW, the oem windscreen will only mount with the bars in one certain position. There is a dimple  on the bar that has to line up with the lower edge of the riser to fit. I have the tall windscreen and I do like it.

[Jess from VA]

It's my personal experience that very few cruising bikes come with satisfactory risers; almost everyone needs/wants more rise and pullback (short or tall, fat or thin).  Understanding that, it is a real disservice to design and manufacture a bike that cannot easily have new taller risers added as a straightforward bolt-on.  This one factor alone is a solid reason not to buy that bike (for me).   

[bscrive]

I tried to put on some 3.5" risers with 1" pull back.  The clutch and brake cables are a little too short  and the risers hit the plastic cover on the tank when I turned the steering.  Yep, you would think Honda would have put a little more length to the lines.

[hubcapsc]

I tried to put on some 3.5" risers with 1" pull back.  The clutch and brake cables are a little too short  and the risers hit the plastic cover on the tank when I turned the steering.  Yep, you would think Honda would have put a little more length to the lines.

I think you really need to go nuts with the risers. If you get past hitting the plastic cover, then
you gotta start worrying about hitting the key... my risers miss everything, but just
barely...



-Mike

[dans2014]

I'm 6-4 and the bars fit fine. Guess it's all about rider preference

[bscrive]

I decided to make a set of handlebars since I could not find anything that I liked.  I even found a guy on eBay that makes them to your specs but he never got back to me on what I wanted.  So, I went and got some 1"x1/8" round bar and brought it to a local metal shop and had them bend it.  I then went to a local welding/machinist shop and got the center bar knurled.  I made a jig and set the bars up to how I would like them and went at it.  My welding is ok, nothing to right home about but they came out ok.  Next I will be bringing them to the local powder coater and get them done in black.  I think I will get the rear grab bars done in black as well, the silver annoys me.

The bars are 32" wide at the grips and 9" at the inside front.  The bars are 16" long and have a 4" rise.  I put the grips in my hands and placed them where my natural angle of my hands are and it came to a 4" rise.



I curved the bars to miss the tank and give a nicer look.



I now have to measure the length of my clutch line so that I can order a longer one.  The brake is easy since I am only replacing from the top ABS line to the master.  I will also have to order new throttle cables and extend my electrical lines.  This will be done this winter.  For this year, I will just put up with the old bars.

I have had this in my head for the last while and I just needed to get them done.  Now, I can go onto other projects.

[hubcapsc]

I can't wait to see how that works out, I bet you'll be able to reach those bars...

You don't have to replace much brake line, but you'll have to deal with this,
and I don't know what else since you have ABS...



Spiegler was able to match the above fitting well enough, perhaps others,
Ida know...

-Mike

[BIG--T]

That is one great thing about the 1800 Valk, you can fab some bars, paint them black and they'll look factory. If I tried it on my old one....not so much. 

[dans2014]

  Be sure you post some pic's when your done for us

[bscrive]

I put the new bars on to see how they would look.  I tie strapped my old ones in place to show the difference.



Doesn't look it, but both bars are the same width.


You can see a big difference in the angle of the handles.


There is a good inch of space between the bars and the tank when the steering is fully turned.  Look at all the freakin pollen that has fallen on the bike in just a few minutes.


Much more relaxed seating.  This will work great when I get my Corbin seat.

[thork86]

Wow that is very nice! I'm pretty tall and long-limbed so I'm good with the stock setup but that is awesome. Well done! 

[bscrive]

I can't wait to see how that works out, I bet you'll be able to reach those bars...

You don't have to replace much brake line, but you'll have to deal with this,
and I don't know what else since you have ABS...



Spiegler was able to match the above fitting well enough, perhaps others,
Ida know...

-Mike

I believe that fitting #8 is the one that I will need for the brake line.  I looked at lines off a newer goldwing and they all seem to be like #10.
As for bleeding the system, my cousin is a mechanic and he says that it is not a problem.  Just let it gravity bleed.

[havoc]

bscrive this is such a cool project - can't wait to see the end result!

i haven't moved to modify the default handle bar or seat set up...yet. We will see how i feel after putting in an 8-10 hour day on the road. So far it's only been 2-3 hour rides. Things sure change after a few hours.

[bscrive]

Nothing I love more than making a bike my own.  I just wish it didn't cost so much.