Handlebars and Extended Cables

Check any cycle shop's Custom Chrome catalog for Barnett cables of any length and Flanders (or others) handlebars of all widths and configurations.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars

Thanks for information on catalog and handlebars but do not understand your comment on any length cable can you provide more detail? I went to the local Suzuki shop here and was told that the cables length depended on what handlebars were installed i.e. handlebars that had a rise of 6" and tip to tip of 36" need cables of XXX length, yes/no. I'm not much on mechanical more into electronics but I do read my shop book even though I don't understand everything, that is why I talk to the people at the motorcycle shops. JEP

You pick your handlebar style by rise and length, compare it with the dimensions of the present bars and cables and match the new bars with a cable of a length that will span the added length needed.
Voila! Easier steering and cables that reach without binding.

Lonnie

OK Lonnie you make it sound simple so I'll give it a shot.

When I replaced the handlebars on my Suzike V Strom, I used Flanders bars. My buddy, whi did the work, got longer cables from Flanders (easy for us since they are almost next door). Flanders has several zillion different bends

http://www.flandersco.com/

Lots of places can make cables to length if your local Suzuki dealer can't help.

I got bars which were wider and pulled back. Much nicer than stock.

Thanks for the feedback. I have found Flanders handlebar that I like but my big problem is the cables. I do not know the length of the OEM cables on my bike in order to make sure that I purchase long enough cables for the change in handlebars. My local Honda/Suzuki shop did not provide much help so I feel that I am on my own here. So for now my rig is sitting in the garage until I can make the change.

Originally written by prinzbachje on 9/10/2007 5:54 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I have found Flanders handlebar that I like but my big problem is the cables. I do not know the length of the OEM cables on my bike in order to make sure that I purchase long enough cables for the change in handlebars. My local Honda/Suzuki shop did not provide much help so I feel that I am on my own here. So for now my rig is sitting in the garage until I can make the change.

This may sound obvious, but we took the old bars off and installed new ones first.

Then, we measured how much additional cable length we needed, took the old cables off and measured them, then went and got longer cables. It is probably easier in Los Angeles since there are so many places which can do it (i.e. don't have to deal long distance) but that may still be a way to go.

Good luck, for me at least, the effort was worth the result.

greg

Thanks for the response I just hate to take something apart without having the parts on hand to put back in. I have the shop manual which tells me how to replace the handlebars and cables but does not give any dimentions for the cables. You are correct about LA haveing lived in San Diego and gone to school in Mare Island things were much easier to get than living here in Southeaster Ohio. Seems like everytime I need something I wind up on the internet or I have to drive a hundred mile to a motorcycle dealer. However, I did purchase some Flanders handlebars, from CA of course, and hope to find the cables I need without to much down time.

Did you ask Flanders if they you help with the cables?
I thought they did that sort a thing as well.

Did not think to ask Flanders about cables because their web site only seemed to provide calbles for Harleys or material for making up cables. Thanks for the idea it might be worth a phone call.

Almost all shops and dealers have a Parts Unlimited and Tucker Rocky catalogue. Tucker Rocky has BikeMaster bars in many shapes according to rise, and pull-back. They retail for around $20 (a good deal). They are mostly about 29 or 30 inches wide, which is good for SC use anyway. If they are too wide, any hardware store sells pipe cutters for around $15-$20 (plumbing dept). You can get cables from any shop. They can order them, Measure what you want with a tape measure (it bends). When in doubt, just add a couple of inches- you can always re-rout cables so they don't look like an explosion at a spaghetti factory. The only danger is making sure there's no kinks or weirdness when you turn the bars both ways.
This is something that may cost extra to fix a mistake, but you won't blow anything up. Oh- get a cable oiler and a package of zip-ties while you're buying stuff.

Hack saw blades are a lot cheaper than pipe cutters.

Lonnie

But a chip in a valve may destroy it.
Sven

Originally written by Hack'n on 9/15/2007 11:14 AM

Hack saw blades are a lot cheaper than pipe cutters.

Lonnie

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Hack saw Lonnie? How about a saws all or maybe a chop saw? LOL.
To the poster:
You really do not have to remove your old bars to check for cable length increses needed. Use Greg's method but just hold th enew bars up as close as possible to the ones stil in place.
Also many bikes may not need new cables as the old ones still make work. Check for binding and that type of thing. Sometimes a littl ere routing will do th etrick and make it simple. Keep in mind that a little too long(within reason of course)is better than too short.