libraryscooterg
10-15-2008, 09:49 AM
This week I replaced my Vino’s stock 4”-rise handlebar with a flat “drag” bar. I did this for two reasons. First, mostly because I found the factory hand grip to seat height ratio too high; this upright position put all of my weight right on my… butt. The flat bar position would force me to lean forward a bit and distribute my weight more evenly between my arms and upper legs, not straight on my butt. Second, I never liked the looks of the stock Yamaha riser bar. I thought it looked very clunky and Harley-ish. Leather fringe, anyone?! The flat bar would look very clean and scooter-ish, not unlike a vintage scooter. From the front it appears as though the bar comes straight out from the headlamp. Very svelte!
Not being sure if I would like all of this, I bought an inexpensive handlebar. If this turned out to be a disaster I could always use it as a closet rod in a really small closet, as or an offset rat-womper (I worked in a feed store as a kid…)! So I purchased a chrome Bikemaster drag bar for $16. This bar is 28” long or 2” longer than the stock Yamaha bar. It is a 7/8” diameter bar.
The swap was fairly easy. The biggest issue was removing the left hand grip. It was glued onto the bar. No amount of hairspray or compressed air would budge it until I realized the issue and loosened the glue by sliding a small screwdriver beneath and around the grip and bar. The stock bars have two small (1/4”) holes drilled into them, about 5-3/4” from the ends, to prevent the control housings from twisting. Drilling these same holes into the Bikemaster bar was very simple using some masking tape, an electric hand drill, and a good vise. No drill press needed! Once the old bar was removed and the new bar was drilled, it was a matter of slipping the controls and grips back on, centering the bar, and torqueing it down. The mirrors needed to be readjusted, but a 5-minute ride with a 17mm wrench took care of that.
So far I have found the new position, as hoped, more comfortable. As predicted I lean forward a bit, into the wind. At 45-50MPH I no longer feel as though I am holding into the scooter rather that I am part of it. Again, this is a very subjective opinion; all of my road motorcycles have used this same "GT" position, so this is what I like and what am used to. Your results/opinions may vary! My first ride felt a bit cramped, but it now feels very natural. I do not sit any farther back, just lean forward slightly. My initial worry that the throttle cables would strike my right knee is unfounded. I would have to cut a perfect 90-degree turn for the bar to be turned this far.
Still, I have discovered two small issues. First, the fuel gauge is hidden by the bar. I have to look down in front of the bar to see it. This sounds worse than it is; I only have to lean forward slightly to read it on the road. Second, the bars are a bit wider than I would like. I left them at 28”. This winter I will likely bob an inch or so from each end. Of course this means re-drilling those pesky holes, but I think I can do this without completely removing the bars from the scoot.
Thank you to Frankenscoot over at Scootertime.net for posting his experiences and photos of this same project!
Not being sure if I would like all of this, I bought an inexpensive handlebar. If this turned out to be a disaster I could always use it as a closet rod in a really small closet, as or an offset rat-womper (I worked in a feed store as a kid…)! So I purchased a chrome Bikemaster drag bar for $16. This bar is 28” long or 2” longer than the stock Yamaha bar. It is a 7/8” diameter bar.
The swap was fairly easy. The biggest issue was removing the left hand grip. It was glued onto the bar. No amount of hairspray or compressed air would budge it until I realized the issue and loosened the glue by sliding a small screwdriver beneath and around the grip and bar. The stock bars have two small (1/4”) holes drilled into them, about 5-3/4” from the ends, to prevent the control housings from twisting. Drilling these same holes into the Bikemaster bar was very simple using some masking tape, an electric hand drill, and a good vise. No drill press needed! Once the old bar was removed and the new bar was drilled, it was a matter of slipping the controls and grips back on, centering the bar, and torqueing it down. The mirrors needed to be readjusted, but a 5-minute ride with a 17mm wrench took care of that.
So far I have found the new position, as hoped, more comfortable. As predicted I lean forward a bit, into the wind. At 45-50MPH I no longer feel as though I am holding into the scooter rather that I am part of it. Again, this is a very subjective opinion; all of my road motorcycles have used this same "GT" position, so this is what I like and what am used to. Your results/opinions may vary! My first ride felt a bit cramped, but it now feels very natural. I do not sit any farther back, just lean forward slightly. My initial worry that the throttle cables would strike my right knee is unfounded. I would have to cut a perfect 90-degree turn for the bar to be turned this far.
Still, I have discovered two small issues. First, the fuel gauge is hidden by the bar. I have to look down in front of the bar to see it. This sounds worse than it is; I only have to lean forward slightly to read it on the road. Second, the bars are a bit wider than I would like. I left them at 28”. This winter I will likely bob an inch or so from each end. Of course this means re-drilling those pesky holes, but I think I can do this without completely removing the bars from the scoot.
Thank you to Frankenscoot over at Scootertime.net for posting his experiences and photos of this same project!