Handlebar Question

lragan · September 12, 2009, 01:52:14 PM

Looking at replacing the handlebars on the red/black '96 Magna. I found a number of on-line sellers of handlebars in correct diameter. One can pretty much select the pullback, rise, width, etc. one wants. Since I am going to have to remove the grips, controls, etc. from the T-bars that are on the bike, I might as well buy a set of bars that are comfortable with the Mustang seat. On Ol Blue I used Dobie's (Cyclistic) risers to (almost) solve this issue. I don't really care for the look of the Cyclistic risers, and prefer the round cross section of the OEM risers -- to each his own, of course, this is just a matter of personal taste.

I have never had the grips off of either bike. The service manual shows some plug looking items that fit into each end of the bars. They do not show a separate part number for these plugs, so I presume they are part of the grips.

Is this true??

It would appear they are force-fit into the end of the bar. Is this true?

Can one remove them from one set of bars and install on another safely?

Thanks in advance for your help, guys.

roboto65 · September 12, 2009, 03:47:31 PM

The left one will give you problems it may or may not come right off it is glued on but a little air blown under it may free it up now the throttle side will come right off after you take the switch housing off.. The plugs are threaded for the endcaps do not know about those weather they come out or not someone else will have to chime in on that..

Jerry G Turner · September 13, 2009, 08:05:25 PM

I just replaced mine with some different ones didn't see any plugs in the handlebars anywhere left grip if you can break the glue loose just twist it off on the rigth on you have to screw the end cap off of the grip before you remove it from the throttle body. If you can get them off without having to cut them I see no problem in reusing them just get some grip glue to but on your handlebars before putting them on you will really only need it for the left grip because the right grip will still be on the throttle body.

MagnaMan · July 10, 2013, 01:11:32 AM

Lawrence,

The last few long trips have led me to determine that I need to bring my handlebars closer to me as well. Even though I have the arm reach of someone 6 feet tall, my arms have to roll forward in my shoulder joints in order to reach the handlebars when sitting on a Mustang or a Corbin seat. At the end of the day I have some bad posture going which is tiring me out faster than it should. I like the shape of the Magna bars, I just need them closer to me. I'm also not a huge fan of the square-ish Cycle-Istic risers. (I like the brake stay rod though.)

What bars did you end up going with? And can I come by some time to sit on one of your bikes to see how it feels?

hootmon · July 10, 2013, 05:51:24 AM

Just a thought.. Instead of replacing the handle bars, You could go this route..
I did this on my wife's bike and they work well, they provide variable height and pull back capability...
They come in 2" and 3" lengths and come in black or aluminum color.. Just make sure you get 1" handlebar size..

Maybe Terry can get them for you thru his company???

Rox Handlebar risers

TLRam1 · July 10, 2013, 05:16:42 PM

I have a set of the Aeromach pullbacks on mine for the reasons you stated.

Here is a link to some Rox Risers, yes we can get this, look at about 1/3 the way down.

http://www.cli-maxridinggear.com/servlet/the-Bike-Accessories/Categories

hootmon · July 10, 2013, 06:50:39 PM

Worked better for me to search for rox...

MagnaMan · July 10, 2013, 08:56:07 PM

Terry and Hootmon.

I had thought about risers too but wasn't familiar with all that was out there. From looking these Rox risers it looks like the bold into the existing risers and then allow you to adjust the pullback? Has anyone used these on their Magna? I'm wondering if they look kinda like patch work since you have risers bolted into other risers. I mean if I'm going to go through the expense of buying longer cables, etc. I want it to look nice.

Speaking of cables, what about the electrical wiring on the handle bars? That seems that it would be a lot harder to deal with than brake, throttle and clutch cables.

My other alternative is to consider a seating change using my stock seat pan.

lragan · July 10, 2013, 09:31:49 PM

It has been quite some time since I posted this question. After looking at about a jillion different handlebars on line, I finally decided to go with the "stock" replacement bars and just add risers. Once I got everything in hand, changing it all out took about two hours. Allen's suggestion to use compressed air worked like a charm. This is the bike that I rode at MOOTMAG 11. It works well. I wound up using riser "extender" blocks. They look OK, but not great. What I would really like is a pair of risers from a Shadow. They are the right height, and have the factory look. I priced them, though, and decided mine look just fine...

MagnaMan · July 10, 2013, 09:47:57 PM

Hi Lawrence,

I knew it was an old thread but I wanted to keep the conversation together.

How long did you make your extenders and did you have to change all your cables?

Lurkin · July 11, 2013, 07:19:46 AM

Not Lawrence, but I have the Shadow risers on mine. I had to have a 2" over brake line on mine to accomodate the risers, then I also had some binding in the throttle cables, but that was dealt with by re-routing the throttle cables from in front of the steering head to behind it. After that, all is good. As for electrical, not a problem, there is enough slack to accomodate this level of riser.

lragan · July 11, 2013, 09:05:14 AM

I second what Lurkin said. I wanted a SS brake line anyway, so there was no additional cable cost to include the risers. Same re-route of the throttle line worked just fine.

hootmon · July 11, 2013, 05:27:01 PM

The ROX risers do look different, but they give you the most adjustment, which can be changed at any time...
I've always been more of a function over fashion kinda guy..
here is a shot of the ones on my wife's bike

Lurkin · July 14, 2013, 07:16:07 AM

Quote from: hootmon on July 11, 2013, 05:27:01 PM
The ROX risers do look different, but they give you the most adjustment, which can be changed at any time...
I've always been more of a function over fashion kinda guy..
here is a shot of the ones on my wife's bike

Let me see if I have read this correctly, you are a function over form guy, but you put the ugly adjusters on her bike, right?

hootmon · July 14, 2013, 09:10:50 AM

Quote from: Lurkin on July 14, 2013, 07:16:07 AM
Quote from: hootmon on July 11, 2013, 05:27:01 PM
The ROX risers do look different, but they give you the most adjustment, which can be changed at any time...
I've always been more of a function over fashion kinda guy..
here is a shot of the ones on my wife's bike

Let me see if I have read this correctly, you are a function over form guy, but you put the ugly adjusters on her bike, right?

Yes, I'm also a Wife over self guy... Once she gets ready to sell her bike, they will go on the Magna...