temesvar Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Was wondering if anyone has lowered the handle bars on a RT? I have lowered the suspension and low seat, in order to make the bike more comfortable for my short inseam. Now the handlebars seam a bit to high, so would like to lower/shorten them about two inches. Could machine the upper yoke and mount a regular handle bar, but would prefer to keep the sturdy two piece casted handle bars. Thanks for any suggestions! Link to comment
Tri750 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Many of the gravity challenged riders choose to use the "Bar Backs" for the RT's no matter the generation. This reduces the reach by a couple inches and may help you out. The blocks actually raise the bars if you look at them but with the downhill slope of the top tripe clamp, they stay pretty level. With an install time of 15min or so, it's might be worth a shot. Normally you need to snip a plastic zip tie or two to bring the bars back and turn them lock to lock without stretching the cables . Link to comment
temesvar Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 Many of the gravity challenged riders choose to use the "Bar Backs" for the RT's no matter the generation. This reduces the reach by a couple inches and may help you out. The blocks actually raise the bars if you look at them but with the downhill slope of the top tripe clamp, they stay pretty level. With an install time of 15min or so, it's might be worth a shot. Normally you need to snip a plastic zip tie or two to bring the bars back and turn them lock to lock without stretching the cables . Thanks for the suggestion. Can get a set of those for $95, but will not solve my problem. By no means do I want the bars closer to me! What I want to accomplish is to lower and also to move further about a couple of inches. Reason is riding position rather slightly inclined forward. Therefore the weight being taken of the spine and transfer on to the arms. Am not claiming to be right, but is what I prefer!! I just purchased a set of used bars on eBay and will have something to play with in the winter months. Am machinist, so will not be a problem. When started this thread was hoping there may be some after market shorter bars. But the market is never for shorter, we all aim for longer, right?? . Link to comment
1NOTRED Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I made clamps to mount standard round bars to my R1100RT. Worked great. Made flat plates from 1/2" aluminum in the shape of the lower end of the cast BMW bar mounts. Made standard-type round bar mount clamps, again from 1/2" stock, bolted vertically to the new plates from below using recessed Allen bolts. Only used 3 of the 4 lower plate mounting bolts to allow space for the two vertical Allen bolts. Now you can choose any bar shape you want, although be sure to check bar-end and lever clearance to fuel tank, tank bag and fairing with steering at full lock. May need to consider limiting steering lock for use of your bar shape choice. I ended up with much shorter bars vs. the stock BMW's. This is not a difficult or complicated task for a machinist, so enjoy the project. Link to comment
lkraus Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) Most risers for this bike are just blocks of aluminum with extra holes to move the bars back and up. Thinner blocks or steel plate moving the bars forward might achieve your forward lean and would be easy to machine. Maybe mock them up out of plywood first to check clearances. Edited October 31, 2017 by lkraus Link to comment
temesvar Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Most risers for this bike are just blocks of aluminum with extra holes to move the bars back and up. Thinner blocks or steel plate moving the bars forward might achieve your forward lean and would be easy to machine. Maybe mock them up out of plywood first to check clearances. Thanks, Larry. It sure is a good idea to make a wood prototype to see what surprises are ahead, before spending the time and material and notice that it will just not work! Been there a few times!! Link to comment
tallman Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Many of the gravity challenged riders choose to use the "Bar Backs" for the RT's no matter the generation. This reduces the reach by a couple inches and may help you out. The blocks actually raise the bars if you look at them but with the downhill slope of the top tripe clamp, they stay pretty level. With an install time of 15min or so, it's might be worth a shot. Normally you need to snip a plastic zip tie or two to bring the bars back and turn them lock to lock without stretching the cables . Thanks for the suggestion. Can get a set of those for $95, but will not solve my problem. By no means do I want the bars closer to me! What I want to accomplish is to lower and also to move further about a couple of inches. Reason is riding position rather slightly inclined forward. Therefore the weight being taken of the spine and transfer on to the arms. Am not claiming to be right, but is what I prefer!! I just purchased a set of used bars on eBay and will have something to play with in the winter months. Am machinist, so will not be a problem. When started this thread was hoping there may be some after market shorter bars. But the market is never for shorter, we all aim for longer, right?? . Sounds like you need an RS... Link to comment
temesvar Posted November 2, 2017 Author Share Posted November 2, 2017 . Sounds like you need an RS... That is what I was looking for, more like for a ST. Couldn't find one that was worth buying, so here I am with this RT . Love it as it is, but there is always a few things that could be improved. Link to comment
Cinko Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 (edited) Just thought I'd chime in, these are what I have installed and they work great. They ate Rox bar risers, here is a link. https://shop.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rox-elite-pivot-risers-for-78-or-1-18-handlebars?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzfPFycel1wIVyVmGCh1pkwKTEAQYAyABEgIy1vD_BwE Edited November 4, 2017 by Cinko Link to comment
dirtrider Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 (edited) Just thought I'd chime in, these are what I have installed and they work great. They ate Rox bar risers, here is a link. https://shop.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rox-elite-pivot-risers-for-78-or-1-18-handlebars?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzfPFycel1wIVyVmGCh1pkwKTEAQYAyABEgIy1vD_BwE Afternoon Cinko Those won't work on the OP's 1200RT as the 1200RT has cast individual handlebar risers that bolt on each side individually (doesn't use a tubular handlebar) . Edited November 4, 2017 by dirtrider Link to comment
Cinko Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Dirt Rider, your right clearly differnet, but that actually should be an easier fix as all you need to do is go to your local hardware store and grab the same SS metric socket screws an inch longer and thrown on 8 hardened 1" spacers below. The bars. That would raise it an inch (or what ever bolt and spacer length you get) Link to comment
dirtrider Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 Dirt Rider, your right clearly differnet, but that actually should be an easier fix as all you need to do is go to your local hardware store and grab the same SS metric socket screws an inch longer and thrown on 8 hardened 1" spacers below. The bars. That would raise it an inch (or what ever bolt and spacer length you get) Evening Cinko The OP wants to LOWER his bars not raise them. There are a great number of spacers on the internet to raise the RT bars but no good way to lower them as they bolt directly to the top of the upper triple tree. Link to comment
Cinko Posted November 4, 2017 Share Posted November 4, 2017 I'm blaming that response on the fact that I'm new to touring bikes and realized that now having saddle bags I could ride home today with two of these after my ride today... On a side note I nataturally assumed most shorter riders have shorter arms so you would want to raise the bars to bring them closer not lower them to make them further away... Link to comment
temesvar Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 I'm blaming that response on the fact that I'm new to touring bikes and realized that now having saddle bags I could ride home today with two of these after my ride today... On a side note I nataturally assumed most shorter riders have shorter arms so you would want to raise the bars to bring them closer not lower them to make them further away... There is nothing mathematically proportionate about most human bodies. I am 5'9" and my inseam is 29. I know people of same height with 32 inseam. By lowering the bars will not take the grips farther nor will they be closer by rising them. Just the body position changes. As of yet, I sit straight up on the bike. I would prefer to be slightly inclined forward. That would take some of my weight of my spine and transfer to my hands. But thanks for your input! Have a beer on me Link to comment
temesvar Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 I made clamps to mount standard round bars to my R1100RT. Worked great. Made flat plates from 1/2" aluminum in the shape of the lower end of the cast BMW bar mounts. Made standard-type round bar mount clamps, again from 1/2" stock, bolted vertically to the new plates from below using recessed Allen bolts. Only used 3 of the 4 lower plate mounting bolts to allow space for the two vertical Allen bolts. Now you can choose any bar shape you want, although be sure to check bar-end and lever clearance to fuel tank, tank bag and fairing with steering at full lock. May need to consider limiting steering lock for use of your bar shape choice. I ended up with much shorter bars vs. the stock BMW's. This is not a difficult or complicated task for a machinist, so enjoy the project. Am glad am not the only one who wants to lower the bars rather than raise them! I already have a used top yoke,, a set of clamps and a handle bar. Would just have to plug the taped holes (weld them) and drill holes to fit the clamps. No big deal there. I just thought that there may be someone that works/casts aluminum, and can make a set of handle bars just like the original ones, just a couple of inches shorter. Can only go so much shorter, as it will hit the tank. Also, I prefer the sturdy solid 2 piece handles as opposed to the one piece pipe bars. Once done, will post a picture and let you know if all this effort was worth the trouble Can always return to the original bars, as am keeping all parts unaltered. Link to comment
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