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bar risers

Started by Tuned forks, September 24, 2018, 10:12:18 PM

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Tuned forks

So how many of you use bar risers on your FJ's?  I see many of us are in our fifties in this forum.  Like many of you, my hands get either sore or numb plus the lower back gets cranky.  So what is the consensus among bar riser users?  Love 'em, hate 'em, meh?  Does it take away some of the sport from our sport/touring motorcycles?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Joe
1990 FJ1200-the reacher
1990 FZR 1000-crotch rocket

ZOA NOM

Love 'em. It's amazing how much they affect the weight on your palms.
Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Tuned forks

Rick, you bought the 3/4" RPM risers?

Joe
1990 FJ1200-the reacher
1990 FZR 1000-crotch rocket

TexasDave

One of the first things Randy installed on my 1100 were his bar risers. I rode 800+ miles to his shop then rode 2200 miles home. I was 60yrs old at the time and the effect on my neck, back and wrists was a joy. You would not think 3/4 of an inch would make a big difference but it made my bike a lot more comfortable. I have them on both my 1100's and one of my 1200's. The PO of the other 1200 had the stock risers cut and lengthened an inch. No telling what that cost.

Dave
A pistol is like a parachute, if you need one and don't have one you will never need one again.

Bones

Yep they make a difference, well worth the money.
93 fj1200
79 suzuki gt250x7


Too young to be old but old enough to know better.

FJ Flyer

Helis make a considerable difference.
Chris P.
'16 FJR1300ES
'87 FJ1200
'76 DT250

Wear your gear.


red

Quote from: Tuned forks on September 24, 2018, 10:12:18 PMSo how many of you use bar risers on your FJ's?  I see many of us are in our fifties in this forum.  Like many of you, my hands get either sore or numb plus the lower back gets cranky.  So what is the consensus among bar riser users?  Love 'em, hate 'em, meh?  Does it take away some of the sport from our sport/touring motorcycles?  Inquiring minds want to know.
Joe
Joe,

As age and battle-damage creep up on me, I know I will soon ditch the stock handlebars.  I also know that bar risers are a lousy, expensive, half-baked "fix" for the problem.  I am going to convert to standard two-bolt or three-bolt handlebar clamps, and normal handlebars.  Then the handlebar options on spread, height, tilt, and sweep are about endless.  Bar risers are just too limited, there.  I plan to fill a stock top clamp with JB-Weld, flush all across the bottom.  I might like to spend the big bucks for large custom handlebar adapter plates, but for me, that is just not realistic.

Install the clamps on the new (standard) handlebars, where you want them spaced.  Drill holes to fit the adapters, through the top fork clamp.  The top fork clamp is not flat on top or bottom, so I would use JB-Weld to build up a flat surface around the bolt holes for the clamps.  When the epoxy is partially set but still soft, add a washer to the top and bottom of the fork clamp holes, then bolt the adapters into place, just snug, not tight.  Trim the still-soft epoxy excess to neatness with a hobby knife.  Use a release agent (silicone lube) on the bolts and adapters, or you may never get them apart, later.

Once the epoxy is fully cured, you can install the top fork clamp and tighten everything to reasonable torque values.

two-bolt handlebar adapters


three-bolt handlebar adapters

Cheers,
Red

P.S. Life is too short, and health is too valuable, to ride on cheap parade-duty tires.

ZOA NOM

Rick

Current:
2010 Honda VFR1200 DCT (Full Auto!)
1993 FJ/GSXR 1200 (-ABS)
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera (Race)
1988 Porsche Carrera (Street)
Previous:
1993 FJ1200 (FIREBALL)
1993 FJ1200ABS (RIP my collar bone)
1986 FZ750
1984 FJ600
1982 Seca

Millietant

I wanted to get the stock handlebar position when I swapped my front end for a FZR RU set up.

After a load of measuring, I found I could fit the bar risers and handlebars from a 1st Gen (2001-2004) FZ1/Fazer 1000 and get exactly the same positions and angles to match the FJ at the handgrip position.

Used the FJ bar ends and used the rubber riser mounts from the FZ1 and no probs with vibration.
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Pat Conlon

For 10 years I had bar risers, they helped, but...I have found that you will get more options and adjust-ability with tubular handlebars.
2002 oem Yamaha FZ-1 bars are perfect for me.


On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:


A night and day difference.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Millietant

Quote from: Pat Conlon on September 25, 2018, 12:56:36 PM
For 10 years I had bar risers, they helped, but...I have found that you will get more options and adjust-ability with tubular handlebars.
2002 oem Yamaha FZ-1 bars are perfect for me.


On the other end, my creaky knees, get some 1.5" lower foot pegs from the Buell:


A night and day difference.

Aahhh - I think I have a language problem - "bar risers" here is also the name for the handlebar clamping units, not necessarily just the aftermarket extender bits that raise the bars above standard.

I really do agree about the FZ1 bars !
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Pat Conlon

Quote from: Millietant on September 25, 2018, 03:27:39 PM
I really do agree about the FZ1 bars !

Yep, and the ends of the FZ1 bars are threaded so the oem FJ end weights fit right in, or even better, the RPM Vibranator bar ends.



http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMbarend
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Country Joe

The 3/4" RPM bar risers took the twinge out of my shoulder blades. I may need something a little closer to me some day, but so far so good.
1993 FJ 1200

Tuned forks

There have been some really good replies here.  Thank you very much.  So my first take away is that the aftermarket bar risers do work.  However, the second take away is that there are better options, maybe more work and money though?  I think I shall go with the 3/4" risers for the remainder of this season.  Provided I can make the Fall Rally, I'll try to update this thread with real world results.

Joe
1990 FJ1200-the reacher
1990 FZR 1000-crotch rocket

racerrad8

Quote from: Tuned forks on September 25, 2018, 10:24:14 PM
I think I shall go with the 3/4" risers for the remainder of this season.

Provided I can make the Fall Rally, I'll try to update this thread with real world results.

Joe

All the more reason to make it, you can ride over without them and ride the rest of the weekend with them. That is about as close to back to back testing you can do.

Randy - RPM
Randy - RPM