Degree of Difficulty Swapping out handlebars?

[Rider Rick]

I've been following the Vario riser thread, and the idea of getting the Wunderlich Touring handlebars appeals to me. I need to bring the bars back some, and the handlebars sound like the ticket. I've only replaced one bar, back in high school, and it was almost a straight piece of rebar . This looks...interesting. Anyone done it, or is it worth paying the labor to get it done? Currently trying to find a thread about it.

[macx]

Well, step right up! :-)

Haven't actually replaced my bars, but have had all the stuff off of the left side
to work on the clutch master cylinder.

They are tricky with where they put the little screws that hold the covers on
over the switches.

Start by taking off the bar end weights, then the handgrips. BUT be careful
with the wires for the heated grips!! I think you might need to follow the wire
down into the area under the tank and unplug the harness. I didn't think about
that and screwed up my wiring on the left grip.

There's a nut for the mirror underneath that's kind of tight access, but you can
get an open end on it and then turn the mirror to loosen that. Don't lose the
little thin wave washer.

Look to the rear and underneath and to the outer end of the cover over the switches
and wiring - you have to either get the handgrip off, or bend down the inside edge
to get at a couple small screws on the outer end of the cover. Once you get that
cover off, it's much easier to figure out.

The master cyl and the fast idle more or less comes off I think mostly in one piece
once you get that cover off and can get at the I think it's one larger screw or bolt
that you'll find easily enuf.

What bars are you looking at just out of curiosity?

Good luck! Slow and easy, don't lose any little screws etc. Not complicated if you
just watch what you're doing and stop to figure things out as you go.

[Rider Rick]

Hey Mac! Yeah I was out there eyeballing it earlier, and it had that attitude...I could tell while I was staring at it and it was staring back at me..."There are things under here you don't know...can't know."

Sounds like a doable project...I learned a long time ago about every screw on a label, lol. I may try it.

I stumbled upon mention of those Wunderlich Touring bars, that come back 2 inches and fit on a 1150R, and it sounded like a simpler solution than risers and such, especially considering the price...$135? Now, as long as I don't break something, I will be happy. lol.

[omg1010]

If the bike is WITHOUT heated grips it is an easy task. Loosen the bar, loosen the grips, remove the bar and install new one in reverse order.

If the bike is WITH heated grips it is way more complicated. You need to remove the tank and locate the plugs for the heated grips. Unplug. Since it is impossible to get the plugs through the hole in the handlebar you have 2 choices: a) cut the wires or b) pry the connectors out of the plugs. Now loosen the bar and the grips. Carefully remove the grips and pull the wires of the heated grips through the bar. Take the new bar and fiddle the cables of the heated grips through the bar and mount the grips. Mount the bar. Crimp the wires together again (case a) or put the connectors back into the plug (case b).

Took me a good hour to change the handlebar (with heated grips).

Brgds
Oliver

[macx]

I hadn't seen those before, course hadn't really looked for bars.

I do see they're a couple inches wider - do you think that would work for you?

Those setbacks I've got move the grips I think it's 1-7/8" to the rear and raise them,
and nothing to take apart except the clamps. Just best to cut some of those wire
ties that you probly already have done - nothing needs to be disconnected or extended.

Decisions! Decisions!

I see where you're located - my wife & I might - just "might" for right now - be going thru there on
the 13th and if we do would be staying overnite on the West edge of OK City that nite.

[Rider Rick]

Your description of dealing with the grips does make a case for the risers...I may review your riser setup again.

That would be fun if you come through. By all means get in touch and we can set up a meet. You heading to Vegas? I'll PM my phone.

[MIXR]

Up and back risers work well on the R. There are a couple of zip-ties that need to be snipped to avoid stressing the wiring harness of full lock, but far simpler than stuffing with your heated grips and control grub screws. I used the inch up, inch and a quarter back, risers. Very effective, and quick and simple to install.

I guess you have the option of a 15 minute job versus a two hour job.

[Rider Rick]

Hmm, good point...lemme think

[tlwood28]

Rick, Let me know if you want to go with the touring bars. I have a brand new bar in the box that I have never installed. I was looking to fix a comfort issue and ended up buying another bike, so the mission for my R1150R has changed from a long distant bike to an around town, short trip bike.

[Rider Rick]

Hey TL, thanks. I will probably try the barback first and see if it gets me back where I want to be. If I need more and you still have the bar let's talk more. We aren't that far apart, either.

[tlwood28]

Sure, I've changed the mission of my RR from tourer to urban assault vehicle, so I should have a bunch of stuff to sell on the buy/sell forum. Assuming I ever get around to it

[Rider Rick]

Macx said: "All in all, that was one of the best little ergonomic improvements I made to that bike. The bar setback
were another. Same thing - old stiff back, etc etc. I got the ones that moved the bars the farthest
back and up without having to reroute cables or add longer ones. And now I can get the darn keys out
of the thing without fighting the bars! Here's those setbacks - they fit really nice and aren't near as
expensive as some others available.

http://www.moto-techniques.com/061062.htm
You need the -061M to get the right fit. Wouldn't be without them!"

Hey Mac, that 61m is only 5/8" back...I am thinking I need more than that...why wouldn't the 62m work? Not enough slack of the cables?