Lsl Superbike Bar Conversion - 5Th Gen

I finally went and got the kit for my '98 VFR.

This one, but bought from Bombaymotorsports locally.

http://spieglerusa.c...on-kit-4271.htm

Also bought grips and bar ends as they are the only thing not included. :cool:

It looks good, nicely made aluminum pieces. The kit consisted of the handlebar, 2 round clamps for the fork legs, and 2 other smaller clamps that bolt to those and hold the bars, and the bolts for those pieces.

The instructions say no replacement of lines is needed, they tell you to remove the front fairing (which requires removing the sides and center lower piece too), so you can slightly reroute the brake lines, cables, and stuff.

Looked pretty straightforward, but because of lack of time, and not wanting to unleash a barrage of garage words, I decided to have the shop do it along with the other service it was due for anyway. After getting into it, they told me it looked like the brake line and throttle cable were not going to be long enough. The next day, they said they figured it out, and it was fine. Finally got it back today. They did have to put a small wheel weight on the frame on the left side, reducing the steering lock a little bit, to keep the bar from hitting the tank. No dremeling the faring required.

Test ride today, and it's really nice. Much better than stock, and much better than with just the Gen Mar risers I had before. Instead of leaning forward, weight on wrists, I can sit up and beg. Comfy. This would have made a great factory option. :beer:

As you can see, I also added a Givi rack, and JC Whitney Chinese knock off top case. Also quite nice, and handy.

Still debating with myself that cross country trip to Arkansas, that includes a lot of droning. But, this bike is better than ever, imho. :woohoo:

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Congrats, looks good.

I installed Renthal 755 bars on my 6th gen.

Still debating with myself that cross country trip to Arkansas, that includes a lot of droning. But, this bike is better than ever, imho. :woohoo:

Forget Arkansas, head to NC for Tmac, and do 2-lane backroads as much as possible! Stay off the Interstate!

Looks good! Damn thats a clean 5th gen!

:cool:

Looks great. Could I trouble you for a picture of the bars lock to lock, how close are they to the tank? I like my riser clipons but they've always felt very narrow and this could be a good solution.  :fing02:

Kevin, your setup most likely cost less money, but more time.

I was looking for it, but can't find right now.

I'm sure it has a better diy how to than my "take it to the shop". :laugh:

I'd love to do TMac, but that's quite a bit farther. Not likely.

AR calls because I have 3 young grandsons there, and their parents of course. :wub:

Thanks, Mello Dude, I try to take care of my stuff. Love this bike. You can see it has some miles.

70,000+ of them by me.

capn, You can see the switch clusters come darn close to the tank.

The closest point of the switch cluster gets about 1/4" from the tank.

Those pics are full lock. There is room for your hands, no sweat.

Don't forget the shim on the left.

I notice sitting on it just now, the more upright seating position also lets me get my feet down a little better. Almost flat on the floor.

Less contact between boys and tank too. What a difference grips a couple inches or so higher, and also wider makes. Sweet. :beer:

I need someone with a bike with a stock handlebar setup for comparison pics. :sleep:

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capn, You can see the switch clusters come darn close to the tank.

The closest point of the switch cluster gets about 1/4" from the tank.

Those pics are full lock. There is room for your hands, no sweat.

Don't forget the shim on the left.

Looks good, clearance is about the same as my risers but they're much further forward, yours look a lot more comfortable.

There is only one downside - if you'll ever think of getting steering damper you'll be hard pressed where to put it. Otherwise this setup is much more comfortable.

Cheers!

I guess I hadn't thought of that.

But, I can't remember it ever giving me any headshake or anything to say steering damper. :wink:

Other bikes have provided that excitement. :comp13:

to our friend in Romania...Can't think of anyone here that has found it necessary to install a steering damper on a VFR...but from the looks of your mod list you will likely be the first.

Postscript.

Took a ride yesterday of 472 miles over about 8 1/2 hours.

Some freeway but lots of 2 lane like 33 north out of Ojai, 166 west, and 58 east out of Paso Robles.

At the end I was a little tired and sore, but not bad. Actually felt pretty darn good.

Contrast that with previous rides with the stock setup and clip ons raised to fork tube tops.

Rides of 6 or 7 hours with a longer break for lunch and more like 330 or 340 miles (Laguna Seca) left me worn out and sore.

So, a huge difference in comfort and well worth it imho. :beer:

Road trip!

I finally went and got the kit for my '98 VFR.

This one, but bought from Bombaymotorsports locally.

http://spieglerusa.c...on-kit-4271.htm

Looks great... so good I ordered a set myself!  Looked like a GREAT deal when I followed the link... $149 for the handlebar conversion set.  Went to my local bike shop, Dave Clark's Forever Endeavor Cycles, and found out when he tried to order them it was mis-priced on the website... it is $299 for the set.  It has since been corrected to the $299 price on the web page. 

Dave's a good guy and is BMW/Ural specialist and restoration expert.  We worked out a deal on these and some other stuff so I'm still getting them.  Just wanted to give folks a heads up in case they saw the same sweet deal I did and got their hopes up...

to our friend in Romania...Can't think of anyone here that has found it necessary to install a steering damper on a VFR...but from the looks of your mod list you will likely be the first.

Sorry to disappoint but I can't be the first. Many other VFR owners have a steering damper for various reasons. Mine is a situation from last autumn when (luckily) on the highway, at 90 mph, I got a severe head shake due to front wheel air valve failure - the tire got almost full flat. Imagine the sensation... Lucky that the road was relatively free, strait and the truck driver I just overtook slowed down and gave me free space. The did not stop until the bike stopped. After few minutes taken to calm myself I said thanks to "Twist of the wrist" movie and it's teachings.

Cheers!

to our friend in Romania...Can't think of anyone here that has found it necessary to install a steering damper on a VFR...but from the looks of your mod list you will likely be the first.

Sorry to disappoint but I can't be the first. Many other VFR owners have a steering damper for various reasons. Mine is a situation from last autumn when (luckily) on the highway, at 90 mph, I got a severe head shake due to front wheel air valve failure - the tire got almost full flat. Imagine the sensation... Lucky that the road was relatively free, strait and the truck driver I just overtook slowed down and gave me free space. The did not stop until the bike stopped. After few minutes taken to calm myself I said thanks to "Twist of the wrist" movie and it's teachings.

Cheers!

Well there is an easy way to find out how many here on VFRD have in fact installed a steering damper...create a thread with a poll.  Your choices might be:

1.  Have installed a steering damper

2.  Have not and don't think it would be beneficial

3.  Have not but it's on my list cause I need one!

Cheers!

P.S.  Glad you were able to save an unintended get off at 90...that would have been potentially life threatening!

Great job. I want to install the same set. I have only one question. Are you ordered the "superbike low" or the "superbike" handlebar.
( http://spieglerusa.c...handlebars.html )

I'm looking for the highest possible bar, but without replacing the cables and tubes.

Cheers!

"I'm looking for the highest possible bar, but without replacing the cables and tubes"

That would be the bar from a Honda 599/919 (Hornet). They are tallest, most pulled back but slightly narrower. The bad part is you can't buy just the LSL block and riser by itself, so you'll have an extra bar sitting around, or you can resell. Bonus on the Honda part is that it is predrilled for the indexing pins on your switchgear. You will still have to reroute the clutch cable behind the fork tube necessitating a fluid flush, the throttle cables need to be routed behind the tube which were easiest for me to disconnect at throttle body, and you'll have to adjust your right brake fluid hose by adjusting the banjo bolt (keep thick towels over your tank and paint so nothing get's spilled or dropped.

You can get the LSL bar mounts w/o the bars, but you won't be saving any money!  I've ordered from Louis.de when I lived in the UK, and I believe they also export to the USA, but even w/o VAT (which is included in these prices, but not charged on exports), once you add shipping and potential US customs duties, it would probably be more expensive than buying locally.

Ciao,

Thanx for your answers. It is easy to buy the riser without the handlebars in Europe. This is the reason why I want to find the best fitting handlebar for my bike.

I just want to know whitch one is on the pictures from VFR4Lee to have some base for comparism.

Cheers!

Nice  and  not that expensive  ......

I'd be interested in the Lsl bars from Louis as well, trying to get a total price from thm including the handlebar,i don't know if my oxford grips will fit the new bar,a gold handlebar would suit my bike to match the gold wheels.