The Perfect Motorcycle Riding Position: Handlebars, Lines and Cables (Part 3 of 3) Tip of the Week from Cruiser Customizing

Kyle Bradshaw (manybikes) of Cruiser Customizing discusses Motorcycle Handlebar, Line, and Cable Modifications as part 3 part of a 3 part series talking about how riders may go about obtaining their Perfect Riding Position.

See Video Handlebar Tip of the Week Here 

Daily I hear customer service on the phone with customers asking age old questions about riding position and the most effective ways to obtain the perfect riding position...

In the past two weeks we have discussed how changing your motorcycle seat or your handlebar risers will allow you to make minor changes to your riding position. See below for the recap Videos and Stories from the previous weeks!

This week we will talk about motorcycle handlebars, lines & cables… and how the changing of these will give you the greatest change in the look and feel of your motorcycle. Many riders think of a handlebar change as a scary endeavor, but in all actuality, its not that bad… take a look!
 
There are three major dimensions changed when a handlebar change is made:
1.    Height
2.    Pullback
3.    Width

There are 4 main categories of bars commonly used on Metric or American Cruisers (Click type to view photo)

• Classic or Cruiser
• Beach Bars
• Drag Style Bars
• Ape Hangers

The anatomy of a handlebar:
Knurls – pockmarks put into the bar where the riser clamp will sit so as to eliminate slipping of the handlebar once the riser clamps have been tightened.
Dimples – indentions pressed into the bar to allow space for the electrical wires to allowing the switchbox housing to sit flush against the handlebar.
Drilled – Holes drilled in the bar at the switchbox and again in the center of the bar which allows all wires to be run internally so as to clean up the cockpit.

How handlebars are properly measured? Check out the photos below:

• Height or Rise = Total height of the bar sitting on a flat surface to the highest point.
• Pullback = Measured from the center of the bar to the farthest bar point rearward.
• Width = Total overall tip to top width handlebar end to handlebar end. 

Lines and Cables: How to Measure

#1 (Best Option) Mount the bar to the bike and measure the additional length of lines and cables needed.
#2 (Real World Application) Additional length = Increased height + half (1/2) the increased pullback.

Here are the video and story recaps from the past couple weeks:

Video Recap:
See Part 1 = Motorcycle Seats Tip of the Week Video
See Part 2 = Motorcycle Riser Tip of the Week Video
See Part 3 = Motorcycle Handlebar, Line and Cables Tip of the Week Video

If you prefer to read the recap, please read the text versions below:

Story (text) Recap:
See Part 1 = Motorcycle Seats Tip of the Week Story
See Part 2 = Motorcycle Riser Tip of the Week Story
See Part 3 = Motorcycle Handlebar, Line and Cables Tip of the Week Story (See Story Above!)

Until next week - Take Care and Ride Safe!

Kyle Bradshaw  aka: manybikes