Modifying a stock handlebar

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I want to check out the feasibility of modifying a stock handlebar to bring the grips back about an inch or two but I don't want to take mine off until I figure out if it can be done. Anyone have any idea if this is doable? I have a post in For Sale and WTB asking for one.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you buy the Tri-Axis Bars; all of the heavy lifting will have been done for you...
Modifying the stockers... :shocked: :dontknow:
Remember: what you see... is just a cover!
So you'd have to bend both the bars and the cover, and then hope that they match up okay...

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

If you buy the Tri-Axis Bars; all of the heavy lifting will have been done for you...
Modifying the stockers... :shocked: :dontknow:
Remember: what you see... is just a cover!
So you'd have to bend both the bars and the cover, and then hope that they match up okay...

I just checked the price. I was thinking they were on the order of a grand, but the black one is $650. At that price it may not be worthwhile trying to modify one, but it would still be interesting to look at the stock bar and see if it's feasible!hyea:

 

[Bob Denman]

I always wanted my grips aboutthree-quarters of an inch closer to me; the price of the bar (PLUS installation!), made it easy to just wallow in my misery...

 

[finless]

I always wanted my grips aboutthree-quarters of an inch closer to me; the price of the bar (PLUS installation!), made it easy to just wallow in my misery...

Same here Bob. The price is keeping this low on my farkle list. I would do the install myself and save that money but $650!!!!! If these were maybe $400 it would be an easier decision.

Bob

 

[Jmez]

Tri Axle Bars

I just hand them installed couple weeks ago. LOVE THEM !!!! Happy I went for it or spent for it!!!!
Was pricey, but worth it for me.

Same here Bob. The price is keeping this low on my farkle list. I would do the install myself and save that money but $650!!!!! If these were maybe $400 it would be an easier decision.

Bob

 

[Chupaca]

Seems like..!!

there is enough stuff out there to help out that modifing the bars is not needed. But will tell you bending the cover will not work...:thumbup:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

there is enough stuff out there to help out that modifing the bars is not needed. But will tell you bending the cover will not work...:thumbup:

After my long rides these past 3 weeks I think having the grips back about 1 or 2" would help. My left elbow got to hurting. I put adapters on my Goldwing that brought the bars back and up and that helped a lot. I think it may help alleviate the lower back pain I encountered.

Modifying the handlebars would not be as simple as bending them. It would require cutting and machining and possibly welding, or some other way to reconnect the parts together. Don't know at this point if the handlebar metal can be welded or not. I'm sure it's cast, but from what?

If I could come up with a mod method that's workable and reliable and cost less than say $400 it might be worth making it available as an after market mod. The downside is that the adjustability of the tri-axis would not be available.

 

[KX5062]

I did the triaxis bars, but have the original center bracket.

From the looks of it, you MIGHT be able to just take the controls off of the bar ends and then cut the bars. Install the pivoting riser like used on the RS/GS and then replace the bars themselves. Some kits come with replacement bars and some do not and just use the replacement bars used on sportbike clip-on type bars.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Doesn't someone make a riser that would do this?

 

[finless]

I always wanted my grips aboutthree-quarters of an inch closer to me; the price of the bar (PLUS installation!), made it easy to just wallow in my misery...

Just got a deal on the Tri-axis bars that I could not pass up. hyea:

I will do a video on installing them should anyone ever decide to go for it.

Getting lots of help from folks here via PM that have done it before. :yes:

Bob

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I will do a video on installing them should anyone ever decide to go for it.

Any idea when you'll have that? I just got the tri-axis bars on a super deal and plan to install them probably next Wed.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Going with Tri-axis bar

I got a super deal on eBay from a liquidator. One of these 'make an offer' sales for a new bar kit but not in a factory box. I shot an offer of $450 to them expecting it to be rejected, but they took it! Now I just have to put it on. Hmm, wonder if I could have gotten it for $400? :dontknow:

Question for those who have done it. Is it really necessary to take off the entire console unit? Or can you change out the bar by just removing the center tupperware? It looks like in the instructions the whole upper part of the bike has to come off, including the windshield and headlights and the whole kit and kaboodle.

 

[fishassassin]

Ebay address? would love to get one myself. Thanks.

I got a super deal on eBay from a liquidator. One of these 'make an offer' sales for a new bar kit but not in a factory box. I shot an offer of $450 to them expecting it to be rejected, but they took it! Now I just have to put it on. Hmm, wonder if I could have gotten it for $400? :dontknow:

Question for those who have done it. Is it really necessary to take off the entire console unit? Or can you change out the bar by just removing the center tupperware? It looks like in the instructions the whole upper part of the bike has to come off, including the windshield and headlights and the whole kit and kaboodle.

Any chance of getting the address of the ebay location. Would love to get a set of those bars myself. Picking up my first spyder next Friday.
Thanks.

 

[PW2013STL]

I got a super deal on eBay from a liquidator. One of these 'make an offer' sales for a new bar kit but not in a factory box. I shot an offer of $450 to them expecting it to be rejected, but they took it! Now I just have to put it on. Hmm, wonder if I could have gotten it for $400? :dontknow:

Question for those who have done it. Is it really necessary to take off the entire console unit? Or can you change out the bar by just removing the center tupperware? It looks like in the instructions the whole upper part of the bike has to come off, including the windshield and headlights and the whole kit and kaboodle.

Sorry to tell you this, but yes the console unit has to come off. It does remove as a complete unit, but for safety have someone help you move it.
I did mine and did not know that the console could be removed as a single unit so I took it completely apart:banghead:
I helped Jim with his and he showed me about removing it as a complete unit. That saved a lot of time, but it still took us 5 hours to do it.
Take your time it will be worth it:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I got a super deal on eBay from a liquidator. One of these 'make an offer' sales for a new bar kit but not in a factory box. I shot an offer of $450 to them expecting it to be rejected, but they took it! Now I just have to put it on. Hmm, wonder if I could have gotten it for $400? :dontknow:
.

:congrats: :2thumbs:

 

[Jim&Teresa]

Take your time - tri axis worth the $'s and time - IMHO

---

Here's some info. from a previous link of mine....I love these tri axis handlebars -- no more neck or upper back pain on long trips - worked well for me! Any questions, just ask. Good luck with your install.

If you plan on doing this yourself, plan for a day of fun! :yikes:

I had assistance from a fellow Spyderlover, Les (PW2013STL), who helped greatly as he had previously installed on his 2014 RT.

Long story short - very long process, not really complex, but instructions were lacking. You basically had to remove the front panels, console module, etc. NOT the frunk. Removing the console module is a key point when doing this project! Yes, you need to buy a new GPS bracket to mount the factory GPS to the Tri Axis base.

It took 2 of us about 5 hours to install -- maybe it took twice as long since we both worked on it!! :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

Here's a few pics for your enjoyment! Turned out great! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: And....a big "thank you" to Les for his help! :clap::clap::clap:​

Attached Thumbnails

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Any chance of getting the address of the ebay location. Would love to get a set of those bars myself. Picking up my first spyder next Friday.
Thanks.

I think this was a one time deal, but maybe not. The seller was liquidnation. Your best bet is to regularly search ebay. The
best deal will be used, salvage, old stock clearance, etc. BRP won't allow dealers to advertise anything but MSRP on ebay for current items.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks for the pics and info. I'm going to have to pull one, if not both, of the headlights. The headlight modulator and the relay I had to install to make it work are inside the frame the top console straddles! :banghead:

 

[finless]

Any idea when you'll have that? I just got the tri-axis bars on a super deal and plan to install them probably next Wed.

I am leaving on vacation this Saturday so it's going to be a while.
But I want these installed before my big ride up to Reading, Ca. so it will be soon. Not sure if you can wait.

The info provided by Jim is great stuff. Thanks Jim!

Also there are a couple videos removing the console unit done by Shawn Smoak on youtube.

High speed:

Another one low speed

Bob