headlight cover

[dcorym]

My A-15 came with some aftermarket Fly 'bars that I don't like at all - plus they hit the tank at lock. I've heard bad things about the stock bars, so what do you guys recommend? Or can anyone at least give me the measurements of the stock bars so I can go "shopping" and know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. TIA, Dan

[Chris]

On Sun, Feb 22, 2004 at 05:18:15PM -0000, dcorym wrote:

> know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- > busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there > really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. > > TIA, > > Dan

The 'Tusk' brand guards mentioned recently are what $23 for the bars and you can just stick the stock deflector buckets on them for 'free'. I thought about making my own guards, took an inventory of the machinery I'd need to make it worth doing and getting decent results and decided that even the more expensive Maier guards were worth buying. You'll need at least a mill or drill press, tap/die set, some sort of sander with metal abrasive cloth on it, band saw maybe. In order to come close to the fit of pre-made guards it would be a lot of work. If I had access to a machine shop I might have done it. I suppose you could weld up some in plain steel, but again I just didn't have that capability. Figure the effort and time to me at least was more costly than just buying this particular part. -- ___ ______ _____ __ ________ ___ / _ |< < / == / ___/__ / /_ /_ __/ / __ ____ _ ___ /__ \ / __ |/ // / ****/ (_ / _ \/ __/ / / / _ \/ // / ' \/ _ \ /__/ /_/ |_/_//_/ == \___/\___/\__/ /_/ /_//_/\_,_/_/_/_/ .__/ (_) 8600 miles*Russel Lines*Supertrapp Race* /_/ http://www.kingsqueak.org/klr650/

[Mike Torst]

> -----Original Message----- > From: dcorym [mailto:dan.miller@...] > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Best Handlebars? > > My A-15 came with some aftermarket Fly 'bars that I don't like at > all - plus they hit the tank at lock. I've heard bad things about the > stock bars, so what do you guys recommend? Or can anyone at least > give me the measurements of the stock bars so I can go "shopping" and > know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- > busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there > really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. > > TIA, > > Dan >

-reply You may want to consider your ergonomics first. Try the stock bars by sitting on a stock bar KLR. If you are using a different seat than stock, try to find a klr with the same configuration. In my case I have the Renthal bars (sold by Dual Star) and an Eagle riser kit. At 6'2" I would have preferred to get bars that were higher in rise in the first place, so that I would have not needed to spend additional funds on the risers. Mike Torst Las Vegas

[bigfatgreenbike]

dan.miller@... wrote:

>My A-15 came with some aftermarket Fly 'bars that I don't like at >all - plus they hit the tank at lock. I've heard bad things about the >stock bars, so what do you guys recommend? Or can anyone at least >give me the measurements of the stock bars so I can go "shopping" and >know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- >busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there >really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. > >

As others mentioned, unless the experience of making handguards is worth money to you, you'll spend less just buying them. Unless you already own machine tools. Bars that fit with stock cables- stock bars- comfortable, low bend, good for street, easy to bend, they rust. Renthal XR-"high desert bend", like stock bend. MSR Dominator bars (steel, inexpensive) Renthal bars for Raptor ATV Aluminum bars cost a bunch more, but appear to soak up a little bit more vibration. -- Devon Brooklyn, NY A15-Z '01 KLR650 '81 SR500 cafe racer "The truth's not too popular these days....." Arnold Schwarzenneger, in The Running Man

[dooden]

I am going to assume these bars are hitting at full turn ? If you loosen the clamps and push the bars forward this should clear the tank, make the bars feel higher and more forward, which helps give you more control when on the pegs since the are not straight down when standing with a bit lean forward. Just have to loosen the stuff attached and readjust the controls. Aluminum bars would be very nice I agree, but for now I am content with the stock bars pushed forward and some real grips on them. (currently have 737's, next will be the 714's to try them) Cheers.... Dooden A15 Green Ape Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh... more snow... ack Time to gas up the other thumper...

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Torst" wrote: > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: dcorym [mailto:dan.miller@c...] > > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Best Handlebars? > > > > My A-15 came with some aftermarket Fly 'bars that I don't like at > > all - plus they hit the tank at lock. I've heard bad things about the > > stock bars, so what do you guys recommend? Or can anyone at least > > give me the measurements of the stock bars so I can go "shopping" and > > know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- > > busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there > > really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. > > > > TIA, > > > > Dan > > > > > -reply > > You may want to consider your ergonomics first. Try the stock bars by > sitting on a stock bar KLR. If you are using a different seat than stock, > try to find a klr with the same configuration. In my case I have the Renthal > bars (sold by Dual Star) and an Eagle riser kit. At 6'2" I would have > preferred to get bars that were higher in rise in the first place, so that I > would have not needed to spend additional funds on the risers. > > Mike Torst > Las Vegas

[Lujo Bauer]

I'd like to point out that the MSR Dominator bars are available in aluminum, still for under $40. That's the version I have. I haven't noticed any change in vibes, but I'm not particularly sensitive to them. -Lujo

> As others mentioned, unless the experience of making handguards is worth > money to you, you'll spend less just buying them. Unless you already own > machine tools. > > Bars that fit with stock cables- > stock bars- comfortable, low bend, good for street, easy to bend, they > rust. > Renthal XR-"high desert bend", like stock bend. > MSR Dominator bars (steel, inexpensive) > Renthal bars for Raptor ATV > > Aluminum bars cost a bunch more, but appear to soak up a little bit more > vibration.

[deadtvs]

Thanks for the feedback on bars. Yes, they are hitting at full lock. I've tried them moved forward as far as I can stand it, and they still hit. Plus, the main reason I don't like them is they are uncomfortable! Whoever advised to sit on a bike with stock bars - that's a good idea! (Why didn't I think of that?) I'm pretty sure the stockers must be higher/further back than the ones that came on my bike, and that might be the ticket, although I've heard several people criticize the stock bar's lack of strength. That's why I was hoping to get some specific recommendations, but I know it's largely subjective, based on a rider's body size/shape and riding style, which I should have put in my first post. I'm 5'8", 170 lbs. (trying to get back to 160!). I ride about 50/50 dirt/street and am moderately aggressive in the dirt. So, with that additional info, any further advise? Thanks again. And thanks to the guy who asked how to align bars and front wheel! I was having the same problem, and know I don't have to start another thread on that. Dan

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Dooden" wrote: > I am going to assume these bars are hitting at full turn ? > > If you loosen the clamps and push the bars forward this should clear > the tank, make the bars feel higher and more forward, which helps give > you more control when on the pegs since the are not straight down when > standing with a bit lean forward. > > Just have to loosen the stuff attached and readjust the controls. > > Aluminum bars would be very nice I agree, but for now I am content > with the stock bars pushed forward and some real grips on them. > (currently have 737's, next will be the 714's to try them) > > Cheers.... > > Dooden > A15 Green Ape > > Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh... more snow... ack > Time to gas up the other thumper... > > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Torst" wrote: > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: dcorym [mailto:dan.miller@c...] > > > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Best Handlebars? > > > > > > My A-15 came with some aftermarket Fly 'bars that I don't like at > > > all - plus they hit the tank at lock. I've heard bad things about the > > > stock bars, so what do you guys recommend? Or can anyone at least > > > give me the measurements of the stock bars so I can go "shopping" and > > > know what I'm looking for? Also, Has anyone home-built any bark- > > > busters that they like? Between the price and the design, there > > > really aren't any after-market protectors I'm wild about. > > > > > > TIA, > > > > > > Dan > > > > > > > > > -reply > > > > You may want to consider your ergonomics first. Try the stock bars by > > sitting on a stock bar KLR. If you are using a different seat than > stock, > > try to find a klr with the same configuration. In my case I have the > Renthal > > bars (sold by Dual Star) and an Eagle riser kit. At 6'2" I would have > > preferred to get bars that were higher in rise in the first place, > so that I > > would have not needed to spend additional funds on the risers. > > > > Mike Torst > > Las Vegas

[xt535]

I have a set of Answer Racing AC3s on my KLR, and MSR Dominators on a couple of other bikes. All of these are ATV bends for additional height, and I find them very comfortable(5'11"). Prior to the AC3s on the KLR, I had a pair of stock bars from an old Yamaha XS650. They definitely had LESS vibration than the aluminum bars. The lower bars that were on my KLR allowed the choke to hit the tank. Eric Stevens mechanicsburg, Pa

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "deadtvs" wrote: > Thanks for the feedback on bars. Yes, they are hitting at full lock. > I've tried them moved forward as far as I can stand it, and they > still hit. Plus, the main reason I don't like them is they are > uncomfortable! > > Whoever advised to sit on a bike with stock bars - that's a good > idea! (Why didn't I think of that?) I'm pretty sure the stockers must > be higher/further back than the ones that came on my bike, and that > might be the ticket, although I've heard several people criticize the > stock bar's lack of strength. That's why I was hoping to get some > specific recommendations, but I know it's largely subjective, based > on a rider's body size/shape and riding style, which I should have > put in my first post. I'm 5'8", 170 lbs. (trying to get back to > 160!). I ride about 50/50 dirt/street and am moderately aggressive in > the dirt. So, with that additional info, any further advise? > > Thanks again. And thanks to the guy who asked how to align bars and > front wheel! I was having the same problem, and know I don't have to > start another thread on that. > > Dan

[buzzardco2000]

Heres a cheapie idea for a headlight cover. I bought a rectangler wire cover (available at most 4X4 shops) that are generic in that they fit most 4X4"s with retangler headlights. I then purchased velcro self sticking pads at Walmart, about a 1/4 inch circle. I then cleaned the fairing area with rubbing alcohol around the headlight. Then place the fuzzy side of the velcro on each corner of the headlight. Discard the stiff side of the velcro. I then placed a small bit of clear silicone on top of each velcro pad and placed the headlight cover over the silicone and taped it in place with masking tape. I then added more silicone to cover up the exposed wire on each corner and allowed it to dry overnight. By morning it was on good and tight. The velcro allows the cover not to touch or rub the fairing and it can be removed and reinstalled again with a little cleanup. Total cost around $15.00. Your Martha Stewart tip for the day. The only downside is that you can't buy only one cover.