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Article on how to measure for a new handlebar from JP Cycle Tech Talk
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2004 Monday, January 12 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Kim, Thursday, January 29 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Barb, Tuesday, February 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Darwin, Wednesday, February 25 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Nancy, Here is a good page on pullback risers, that discusses why they make sense, how to decide how much "pullback" you need, and installation thoughts. The basics are this: you undo the bolts clamping your handlebar in place, you add the pullback riser piece, and then retighten with the new, longer bolts. Make sure to get a pullback riser matched to your make/model/year bike. Tool-wise, it's important that you torque your handlebar back into place to the specification noted. After all, your safety is of upmost concern, so don't skimp at this stage and think "I can just hand tighten this." If you don't have a torque wrench, check with riding friends. Still not happening -- consider buying one from your local hardware shop. Lots of things on bike maintenance call for correct torquing of bolts and nuts and quite frankly, I added this to my tool kit early on. Yes, it costs a bit, but is well worth it. Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rick, Thursday, March 18 For Rick whose shifter seems to be stuck too far down and is causing downshifting problems: Something for Rick Fowler to check for the shift lever problem: twice in the last year I've worked on bikes with this same issue, right down to it just being a 'once in while and worse when hot'. And both times the culprit appeared to be by going from a regular oil to a synthetic type. WHY it causes this to happen I'm not sure. But both times the shifter shaft became scored where it comes through the side cover causing the shifter to stick on the downshift. And both times the problem was fixed by removing the shifter side cover and taking a very fine emery cloth to both the shaft AND the where the shaft comes through the side cover to remove the score marks or burrs AND changing the oil back to a non-synthetic type cured the problem. I believe anyone with a reasonable amount of mechanical ability can do this but any less than that I would leave it to those that know. Best of luck and Ride Safe. HammerLady (note from Mama: omigosh, who would have thunk?! Thanks for the input which may trigger something for Rick to check into.) Sounds like you have a sticking problem. Try bending the shifter out a little bit so that it doesn't rub and stick. Metal expands when it gets hot. If that's not the problem, then it's in your transmission, and needs a tech to look at it. Traci (note from Mama: good point -- what may seem "simple" may in fact be something a bit "deeper" into the bike) My Intruder does this and I am pretty sure it is normal. I believe he is saying that he cannot downshift more than one gear at a time when the bike is slowing down or stopped. If you're moving, you need to let the clutch out between down shifts. If you're stopped, you need to let the clutch out and roll a little and then down shift. Preferably, you'll downshift while slowing down and be in 1st or 2nd when you've stopped. Here's some more downshifting advice: Dear
VTwin
Mama, Dear
Garrison, Now, did they offer any thoughts on this? It seems not. Hmmmm . . . we've all been through the embarrassing "missed second gear and revved the throttle in neutral" thing, and this is usually because our foot just didn't do the positive, forceful action needed to move up to second smoothly (foot/toe slip, lazy movement, etc.). Are you by chance lifting or having to move your foot in order to shift at all? Possibly a slight adjustment to the position of the shift lever on its peg directly over your toe would make a difference (usually can just be loosened and then repositioned). Did you recently change riding boots? Another thought is that maybe you're not pulling in your clutch all the way each and every time (it's a quick gearing up from first to second and perhaps you're only pulling in part way). Your clutch lever might need a small adjustment to place the release/engage point of your clutch closer to the middle of the action, instead of all the way to one end. Clutches can be fickle with even a small maladjustment. That's all I can think of for now. Perhaps it's a quirk with the make/model bike in which case I hope that riders of this bike type will chime in with their thoughts. Mama Saturday, March 20 Dear
VTwin
Mama, Dear
Renee, Now, go to your garage and sit on the bike. Put your arms in the same position. How far up and away are the ends of the handlebars from your previously identified position? Now, read this article on measuring for new handlebars. It will help you identify how many inches you need to move the position back and apart (and give you the overall preferred measurements, as this is how a new handlebar will be defined). This will help you buy the right pullback riser, or get a new handlebar altogether. Good luck and let us know how it's going! Mama Sunday, March 28 For Garrison who is having shifting/sticking problems: I have a 2003 1100 VStar Custom - shifts like a dream - can't find a single problem with performance. E. Johnson in Iowa (note from Mama: glad to hear your bike is doing fine -- hmmmm . . . am hoping Garrison is finding a solution to something that sounds like it shouldn't be.) Sunday, March 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Lorraine, Many aftermarket sites offer "ergonomic" brake levers, but from what I can see, they are just decreasing the distance between the lever and where your hand curls around the throttle grip. Still, this may offer you some relief, if not an easier pull. I would head to the local Harley dealer and have them open up the aftermarket books: lever sections, but first, measure the distance of your current brake lever so you know what to measure against. Mama Friday, April 2 For Garrison who is having shifting/sticking problems: I bought a Yamaha VStar 1100 classic on 2/7/04 and already have over 1600 miles on it - some city, highway and group ride miles...it shifts beautifully but I have had 2 incidents with the 1st/2nd issue. I do believe they were both my error and not a problem with the bike. I had a new pair of boots with a thick toe - my other boots were thinner - and am convinced this is what was wrong. I have since adapted to the boots and have had no other problems shifting. I hope your issue is something that simple and nothing really wrong with the bike! Good luck - I do love my 1100 (last bike was a VStar 650 custom and I supersized it!!) Lisa in Conroe, TX (note from Mama: super duper sized I think! Garrison has not written back, but I had a similar incident when I recently bought new boots and didn't realize how thin my old pair were -- was a bit tricky in the beginning, but I quickly adjusted and am glad to have better foot protection than previous.) Saturday, April 3 More for Garrison who is having shifting/sticking problems: Hey, I don't have a solution unfortunately but I just wanted to let Garrison know that I am having the same problem with my Yamaha VStar Classic (650cc). I noticed when I first got it and being a new rider I initially thought it was my inexperience but then the hubby had problems with it as well which raised red flags to me. It's a dangerous problem and if I get any information on fixing it then I'll let you know. I would appreciate if you could do the same for me. Ride safe. Karen (note from Mama: ok, readers, technical knowledge and possible solutions are needed -- any clues?!) Wednesday, April 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Diane, Ok, here's my very first thought. Get a kill switch added to your bike. Can't be that hard. A switch, some wire rerouting, drill a hole in the handlebar. Check with the local dealer's service department and noodle that one out. The fact is that this model bike might let you pull out the key without shutting down the bike, i.e. turning the key to shut it off and then the key will release (not all bikes let you do that). I'm not surprised that you couldn't get the bike started right away. Gas flowing everywhere is nasty on the plugs (reason to always have a sparkplug wrench and cloth and emery board with you on rides), but suppose it could have goofed up the carb as well. Still, I'm hoping everything dried up by now and you've got it started again! Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sue, Saturday, April 24 For Sue who is looking to add a heel/toe shifter to her VStar 650: I have a Yamaha VStar Classic 650, '03 model and it came
with a heel toe shifter. I'm assuming you can go through your nearest
Yamaha dealer in order to see if that's something you can order from the
manufacturer for your make and model. I don't know for sure, but it's
worth a try. Karen (note
from Mama: so it is possible - thanks for letting Sue know!) Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
DeDe Tuesday, April 27 For DeDe who is looking for a pullback riser that is more "back" than "up" for her VStar 1100 I have a VStar 1100 also and just had Baron DT risers added. They pull back the bars about 2 inches without raising them. They were also able to be installed with the original cables. They are available from Cruiser Customizing at the following link. Lynn (note from Mama: oh, this sounds exactly right!) I have a VStar 1100 and I'm 5'3". I added Pro One 4" pull back risers and they're perfect, didn't raise them too much but brought them back to me a lot better. Diane (note from Mama: just type in "Pro One motorcycle risers" in a search engine and you'll find lots of online sources for this product!) I recently bought a V Star 1100 and have the same problem. Darn tendonitis in elbows make riding this bike a pain with short arms. I found pullback "risers" made by Barons that bring the handlebars 2" back and don't raise them up at all. PERFECT! Only thing is they're expensive . . . $164.99 at www.accessoryinternational.com.They're beautiful, made from billet aluminum. The direct link to this item is here. Otherwise you can go to the site and search by brand of bike. (It's cheaper to buy many items here versus the manufacturer direct . . . shhhhhhhh!) They have so many accessories there it'll make your head spin! I'm in heaven! So many sparkly things . . . so little money! I saw an add for pullback handlebars at www.aeromach.net
but I don't think they're going to be any cheaper. I've found many
pullback risers, but none than come as far back as the Barons I listed
above. They others are much less expensive but the farthest I've seen them
come back is 1 3/4 inches. They mostly raise the bars instead. Good luck!
Jennifer (note
from Mama: lots of good info here -- thanks for sharing!) Monday, May 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Merry, Tuesday, May 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Teresa, Wednesday, May 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Boo-Boo, As to the product Rusteco, I've never heard of it. From my experience, a regular chrome cleaner takes off most of the crap I'm looking to remove, but looking at Rusteco's site, it looks like its made specifically for larger, more encrusted rust removal jobs. Let's see if any readers have more input! Mama Thursday, May 6 For Sue who is looking to add a heel/toe shifter to her VStar 650: The newer V-Stars can accommodate the heel-toe shifter,
but the older ones (mine is a '99) can't. The reason is that there
is a difference in how the the kick stand is mounted on the frame.
On my '99...the kickstand is more to the front of the frame than the newer
ones. Been there....tried it...didn't work! Hugs
Bootygrandma, aka Betty (note
from Mama: thanks for the added input!) Monday, May 10 Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
New Shadow Rider, Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
Diane, Tuesday, May 11 More for DeDe who is looking for a pullback riser that is more "back" than "up" for her VStar 1100: My V-Star is a 650 but we bought the risers at the local
Harley dealer. It is amazing how many parts are interchangeable.
Hee Hee....I have a friend that has a '99 650 V-Star Classic just like
mine....except that his has A LOT of Harley parts on it.
His bike was featured in V-Twin Magazine a couple of years ago. Most
folks can't even tell it is a V-Star.
Bootygrandma, aka Betty (note
from Mama: well I never would have figured on this one! Thanks for the
added suggestion.)
Wednesday, May 12 For Diane who wants cruising pegs but stock stuff doesn't seem to be made for shorter riders: Try this site: http://www.thepropad.com/chrome/lindby.html. They have engine guards that have built in foot rests. They're called Lindby Bar's, I guess after the site's namesake. I can't really describe it -- you just have to take a look. After I got my engine guards on my VStar I saw these at a rally and fell in love. See if ya like them. They might be what your looking for. If not I'll keep a look out for a better solution. Karen Leake (note from Mama: oh, I love the look of these! Could be a solution -- thanks for pointing these out!) I am short and have a VStar 1100 classic also. I
installed Baron DT pullback risers which really help with reaching the
handlebars. However, I also find that the natural position for my
legs is at the very back edge of the floorboards. I am having
someone install some extra foam at the back of my seat to pull me up
closer to the shift lever as well. That might be a consideration.
Lynn (note
from Mama: a different way to look at leg position but a possibility
combination of things to re-evaluate for the overall ride comfort!) Dear
VTwin Mama: I have days that I just want to hang it up because I feel that I will never get over the nervous jitters of constantly being on guard for whatever hazard may be ahead. I am so looking forward to the day that I can feel confidant and somewhat relaxed. Will that ever happen????? On another note I do have a question. I am female, 5'7" and riding an HD Lowrider. I cannot get a comfortable position for my right foot. Always feel as though my toe is depressing the brake. My husband feels that this is due to the fact that I am new and will eventually get accustomed to this position. I on the other hand feel that this will never happen not to mention the fact that my heel is resting on my pipes and melting. Help -- I do not know what to do short of changing to forward controls which is fairly expensive and I prefer not to go there at this time. Has anyone else complained of this problem? Maybe I'm just to tall for this bike???? Would appreciate any input. Thanks. New Rider Dear
New Rider, The key is practice. There simply is no substitute. And this will partially come with time, but you CAN make a huge difference. How?! Practice. While it's fun to go out on the road and take those day trips, scheduling practice sessions (even one hour per week) in an empty parking lot goes a long way to honing the skills you'll need at every juncture, turn, curve, stop, start, etc. By mastering the basics, you'll soon not have to "pre-plan" every move in your head! What do I mean?! Well, it was once described to me by a friend, that as a new rider she couldn't just get to a stop light (things experienced riders take for granted and really don't even mentally consider, consciously at least) -- she had to mentally think through every step (shifting, braking, planting the foot, etc.) it took for her to do a controlled, smooth stop at a light. Whew! That's a lot of mental energy! So, consider practice sessions! As to your right foot position -- well, yes, maybe you'll get more used to it over time, but I'm thinking you've got a problem if you boot is melting on a pipe and you feel like your depressing the foot brake. Unfortunately, I can't think of an alternative solution to forward controls or a new exhaust pipe configuration -- both which are kinda' spendy. I don't think it's a matter of your height, but something is off. Hmmmm . . . readers . . . any ideas? Mama For New Rider who is having troubles with foot brake positioning on Lowrider: I am also 5'7" with a HD Lowrider (see my picture here on V-Twin Mama! Sandy L from Lexington on the yellow chrome pearl bike, "Greta"). This picture was taken BEFORE I got new foot pegs. I found some awesome ones on the Dennis Kirk website.
They are almost a triangle-shaped (I actually have mine reversed from the
side that they were suppose to be on, to fit my foot. Now my foot sits so
much better on this bigger, wider peg. I did not like the ones that came
with my bike. I feel as though my foot rests easier and I can move it
better and faster to the brake. The price on them was great!
Sandy L. (note
from Mama: I opened up my 2003 DK catalog and went to the Forward Controls
& Pegs section and found the ISO-WING Mini Boards, which fit your
description of the "almost" triangle shape. New Rider can call
800-328-9280 to get a free catalog and take a look at a number of
solutions that will help. Thanks for the suggestion!) Saturday, May 22 More for New Rider who is having troubles with foot brake positioning on Lowrider: Im also 57 and ride a 2002 Lowrider.
I have the Iso-wing mini floor boards and absolutely love them.
My feet and calves are now very relaxed when I ride and my foot is
in more of a ready position for the brake.
There is also a feeling of increased riding control.
I love them and highly recommend them.
They are easy to install as well! Tuesday, May 25 Dear
VTwin Mama, I also think that her brake handle may have been "modified" by a previous owner, it appears to be bent away from the grip more than normal. I'm willing to either replace the handle with some style of dogleg or other more close in handle if one is available, or add on a "kit" if that is available. I'm going to replace the current "bent" handle that she has anyway since it has been modified and would rather replace it with something a bit closer to the grip. Currently, the lever is over an inch from the grip when fully engaged.. Thanks! Marie Gallagher Dear
Marie, It's possible that the previous owner had someone with a welding torch heat that piece and bend out the lever. Hmmmm . . . that would mean that a new stock part might be closer. What you might do is trace the current brake lever on a piece of paper (as close as possible) and bring in to the local dealer and have them haul out replacement levers (stock and aftermarket) to see if there is a more ergonomic style that would fit the bill. The only other suggestion I have is to check with ASV Inventions -- they make clutch and brake levers that have an adjustable reach feature, but don't fit all makes and models. You'll find their email and phone contact info on the site for further exploration. Mama Monday, May 31 For Diane who wants cruising pegs but stock stuff doesn't seem to be made for shorter riders: For Diane & the Lindby Bars. They are great to look
at but as for highway pegs they don't work for me. I'm 5'4" & now
have a 1100 VStar. On a good day I might be able to put my toes on the bar
but that's no good. So it's now just engine guards. But they still look
good! And I am one of those late bloomers. Started riding at age 50. Never
too old! Be safe everyone!! Liz in Phoenix (note
from Mama: thanks for sharing your first hand experience on this issue!)
Tuesday, June 1 Dear
VTwin Mama, My biggest trouble is that I am only 5 ft tall so I need to find good ways to lower the 800. Does anyone make a lowering kit or am I limited to cutting down the shocks? Also, floorboards seem to be almost nonexistent for the Marauder 800. Any ideas? Dorathy Biddinger Dear
Dorathy, I was unable to locate a lowering kit, but did find floorboards for both the rider and passenger in the J&P Cycles and Dennis Kirk metric catalogs. However, both say they fit the '97-'03 models (and you didn't mention the year of the 800 Marauder), so this may or may not be a solution! Both catalogs are FREE, so I would definitely get those and then let's see if any readers have other solutions! Mama Thursday, June 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rhonda, Monday, June 21 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Cruzntogo, Wednesday, July 28 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Vivian, Wednesday, August 4 Dear
VTwin Mama, I wrote a few months ago about a problem with my foot configuration. Could not get used to my pegs and also had the problem of burning my heels on my pipes.. Thanks to your site Sandy L. from Lexington, Ky. solved my problem. Thank you Sandy!!! I ordered the pegs that she recommended from J.P. Cycles. I love them!!!!! NO more burning heels! I also had the handlebars rotated a little more forward, (thanks to your site) plus had my baffles removed from my pipes. She sounds so sweet. Thanks so much....... When I first wrote to you I did not mention that I am 56 and a new rider. I took the motorcycle course without telling my husband. Had never ridden before. I passed and got my license after spending the weekend on small bike. You know what I'm talking about. My husband was so elated that he ran out and bought me a 1450cc Harley. Well, we both know that two days in a safety course does not a rider make........ My new bike scared the crap out of me!!!!!!Your site and I'm not kidding has saved me from so many simple mistakes that I would have never known about had I not read about them. I have put 2000 mi. on her this year. Have dropped her twice. (Luckily both times standing still!) I am getting more confidence all the time and were it not for all the kind people that share info on your site and make one realize that they are not alone and you can look back and laugh at your mistakes, I think that I might have thrown in the towel. As it is now I hope that I will be riding into my seventies. Thank you so much. The main reason for this letter is that next Thursday we will be heading for Sturgis. We are from Maine. Wondering if you will be there. Will you have a booth????? If so, would love to meet you. Also if you post this many thanks to Sandy L and want her to know I have named my bike Sandy!!!! Kudos to all the sisters out there. You are never to old to pursue your dream and discover the freedom of the road. No matter where it takes you. LowRider Dear
LowRider, Unfortunately, VTwin Mama is still
very much in her infancy (even after three years) and so road trips
to even the bigger rallies is not on the radar scope financially.
Hopefully this winter Ill have the chance to really sit down and figure
out how to take this site and realize my dream (working on the site
full-time) with some sort of financial backing or non-profit status or . .
. or . . . who the heck knows! Then, having a booth at the biggee shows
and traveling around would be more of a reality. Sunday, August 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
tmac5, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
fwswayze, Wednesday, September 1 For fwswayze who was looking to remove grips without damage: I have watched someone replace their handgrips on their cycle, a sport bike. He took an air hose that had a long small point on the end and blew air under the grip. This loosened the grip and allowed him to pull it off with no problems and did not damage the grip at the same time. He used the reverse method to put the new ones on. I hope this helps! Ladydruzer (note from Mama: now this is something I've not heard of, but if you have the equipment, it seems like a procedure less likely to incur damage.) Thursday, September 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Charles, Thursday, September 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Diane, Monday, September 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Robert, Unfortunately, I was only able to locate a set of floorboards that incorporate a heel/toe shifter, but not just a heel/toe shifter on its own. What does the dealer's part department have to say about this? Mama Monday, September 6 For Jody who was looking for floorboards for her Honda VLX 600: Here is a set of floorboards made specifically for your bike by MC Enterprises USA. Hope this helps. Knight Bows (note from Mama: every little bit helps!) Dear
VTwin Mama, They are little heel rests that mount right on the footpegs. You can get them alone or in combination with nice chrome and rubber footpegs. It really pays to go ahead and get the whole set though because the cost of the stirrups alone is not that much less than with the pegs. Kuryakyn has a nice selection of matching grips and other accessories too. Diane King Dear
Diane, Friday, September 17 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Neil, If you would like to correspond with a VTwin Mama Mentor on this, just hop on over to my one-on-one assistance mentor program page and you'll see someone listed who has this bike and could possibly be a more specific source of information for you. Mama Saturday, September 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Later, I was browsing through the catalog that came with the replacements and noticed that something looked odd. I took the book out and compared it with the pegs on the bike and realized my friend had put them on BACKWARDS. I had installed them the same way he had them on because I assumed he knew more about it than me. Anyway, I flipped them around the right way and they are great! They feel like comfortable floorboards, but have a much sleeker look. You can adjust them at different angles where your foot is cradled in there, or straight across like boards. I ordered a matching shifter peg, brake pedal cover and grips. The bike looks really nice. Sportster riders will love them because the vibration won't knock their feet off the pegs anymore. Darija Dear
Darija,
Tuesday, October 5 Hey
VTwin Mama, I love the Aero but had a few issues on a 200 mile ride yesterday. I'm 62" 113#, 29" inseam (is that a measurement to the floor? - that's what I did). My hands kept going numb and a hot spot in my back between the shoulder blades developed -- and this was not due to cold conditions. We made stops every 50 miles or so. Is there something I should do to adjust the bike? The other issue is that my reach to the foot pegs is much longer than when I rode the Savage and my right foot went a bit numb on the longer ride. The reach to the ground and the balancing of the bike is awesome. But like the previous lady rider, I also found that the turns were wide. I thought that I could correct the reach to the pedals by getting the foot boards with the heel-toe shifting when it comes out for this model in the spring. I tried the foot boards on the Suzuki C50 during a test ride and loved them. I would've bought the C50 for the plush ride that it gave but the reach to the hand controls was just way too far and too wide. Any thoughts on the heel-toe shifting/foot boards? RubyShadow from MA (42 years young, mother of three teenage daughters and a wind in the face kind of woman) Dear
RubyShadow, If you liked the floorboard/heel toe shifter then I'd say go for it, but please also consider that the seat on your Aero may be throwing you off on comfort. Again, sit on the bike and check on how the seat size is positioning your legs, especially the right one. Is it throwing your leg out wide? Would a narrower seat allow for better positioning? The seat could be opened up and part of the side padding shaved out or take a look at a new seat . . . the Corbin line offers a number of solutions recommended by readers of this site, especially the Corbin Gunfighter model. Good luck on checking into these modifications as I think small changes could make a big difference! Mama Thursday, October 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rickie, To me this suggests that you'll need to explore your options by visiting the service department of your local dealer or an independent bike shop. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but we'll see if any other ideas come in from riders. Mama Tuesday, October 26 Dear
VTwin Mama, I have been trying to find a chrome brake pedal with a larger foot area. I have talked to the local H/D store and they said Harley Davidson does not make this product and maybe a 3rd party mfg might. I sent a note to Arlene Ness and they never replied. Do you have any suggestions of a manufacturer or a reliable company that could make such a product? Sandy in Spring Hill, FL Dear
Sandy, Another big aftermarket part house for Harleys is J&P Cycle (they've been doing this since 1979!). Click on the logo below to get to their site and do a search, but you'll find their 800 phone number as well . . . I find their people to be very helpful in exploring for options. And, get a copy of their FREE catalog for future shopping options while you're at it!
If you still need more search options, check my new Aftermarket page that lists lots of sites for further exploration. Hope these suggestions help you find what you're looking for! Mama |
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