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| Thatch | | Thor |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 Feb 2010 - 18:57 Post title : Drag bar test | | | Well I fitted some drag bars this weekend on the stock risers. It didn't end up working because of break lines coming off the bottom of the brake cylinder. Another inch or so and I'd clear the tank. I really hate tall risers and since the purpose of drag bars is to pull the rider down and forward I find them a bit antithetical to drag bars. I also had an issue with cable length, just too much slack and it caused binding with the throttle. Soooooo, the bars are off and I'm back to the standard setup with an eye towards a better solution.
Of course this isn't for everyone. A shorter rider might have real problems with it... just thought I'd share a couple quick pics for the curious.
(sorry they're not very good)
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| daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 15 Feb 2010 - 20:25 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Thanks for this. I've been considering deuce risers and drag bars (tho bars with bends, not straight) and trying to envision whether they would come up and back enough. This tells me they won't because the stock risers are 2" shorter than the deuce, and 2" more up and a bit back is obviously not going to put them where i want. So i think this has helped me to eliminate at least one possibility. the other two being the triumph Tbars, but they aren't available here yet, and a longer set of risers, but very few are more than 6". So i'm stuch waiting on this dammit.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Feb 2010 - 02:10 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: daz) | | | Glad it was helpful. I know most folks aren't after this sort of thing, but it works for me. I thought the pictures might answer some questions for some folks. I was disappointed that the cables bound up like they did. I would of loved to have ridden it as it was. I actually quite liked the riding position, very aggressive. Granted on a long ride it would of been a bit much I'm sure.
In these pictures the grip is pulled far out on the end of the bar to try to alleviate the pinch on the cables but it didn't end up working, which is why I didn't put the effort into pulling the other grip off.
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Feb 2010 - 15:23 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Thanks for the photos.
I'm looking for some bars that are further forward as well . I like the T-bars but they come back to far. I had a quick look at a set on the Thunderbike site in NZ. I think they are fatter but haven't found out about the pull back yet.
Cheers Steve
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| Speed_Bird | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 15/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 77 | | Location | : | Netherlands |
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| | Posted : 16 Feb 2010 - 20:11 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Buzzo) | | | In december 2009 I got this reaction from NZ about development of the T-bar:
Quote:
It's taken a while but we've finally got some 1.5" T Bars made up to fit the Thunderbird.
After talking to a lot of people we decided to keep the original pull back but lower them very slightly (15mm). They replace the whole riser and bar assembly, I've attached a couple of photos for you.
Pricing hasn't been finalised yet but it's likely to be around NZ$500. Keep an eye on the website, they'll be up there shortly.
End Quote.
The Thunderbird bar is a copy of the Rocket III bar:
Fat 1 1/4" tube with standard size mounting.
190mm rise and 160mm pullback.
Width of bars (not including end weights) approx 820mm
and only lower (15mm) an d changed the width of the risers.
 
| Speed_Bird pictures Link Video's Link 
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 16 Feb 2010 - 21:43 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Speed_Bird) | | | I don't get this. I mean, they are pretty much exactly the same as the T bars triumph has for the bird but way more $$$ ! how do they figure to sell any? I don't know exactly what NZ$500 comes to in USD, but i know it's at least $300, and the ones they show right now for the R3 like these are indeed $321 USD. The triumph ones are $200. I don't get it. $200 USD is a lot for bars. $321 is jaw dropping for bars.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 16 Feb 2010 - 22:00 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: daz) | | | Thanks for that Speed bird.
Yep they are dear but I do like them.
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| odamus | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 21/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 56 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 02:04 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Buzzo) | | |
I think you will find they are a bit thicker than the triumph bars
Further to that I think the price quoted by triumph is just for the bar, then I believe you
need cable extensions etc which raises the price a little more. I could certainly be wrong about that but thats my understanding.
Still havent seen any specs outlining the dimensions of the triumph tbar, Birdy stated he believed his tbars were approx 1.25 diameter.
I think all in all they work out to be approx the same cost, but with a slightly thicker bar.
The thing that worries me about buying the bars from an online shop is not having the ability to see them in the flesh before paying for them. I like to see what Im buying so that there are no surprises with rust or general poor workmanship when they arrive at your door.
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 04:47 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: odamus) | | | I believe the Thunderbike ones are 1.25" also. Tho why anyone would want them any thinker i don't know. And while the cost is $200 for the triumph bars, you do NOT have to buy cables. The bars put everything right where the stock ones do. they are for looks, not to change your hand position. So if thats what you want maybe the thunderbikes might be slightly different in that regard.
But given that you don't need cables, $321 compared to $200 (or $180 if your dealer gives you 10% discount on all accessories since you bought the bike from them like most do) is a huge difference
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Speed_Bird | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 15/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 77 | | Location | : | Netherlands |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 06:45 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Buzzo) | | | For those who want a very cheap solution.....
To get a good T-bar sitting position you can reverse your standard risers and lower the bar. It's not the most prettiest sith but very cheap and effective.
The driving posisting will be like a dragbar. I only want the bar 1/2 inch more forward so in the end I'll will correct the position for the risers and buy me a standard Highay Hawk Drag Style "Large" - 80cm
 
| Speed_Bird pictures Link Video's Link
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 12:44 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch wrote:
Well I fitted some drag bars this weekend on the stock risers.....
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HOT DAM....
THAT LOOKS AGGRESSIVE! 
Keep going Thatch....  I'm liking where you're taking it 
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
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| EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 12:48 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch - how do you find anything in your garage?
| | Post edited by EnGage on 17 Feb 2010 - 12:48 |
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 12:49 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: EnGage) | | |
Looks the same as mine!
The only problem I have is when the wife tidies up 
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 12:52 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Birdy68) | | | I'm a little OCD about my garage and work areas. I tend to clean them BEFORE I start a project so it doesn't drive me nuts while do the work.
Maybe there is a 12 step program for this.
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 13:02 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: EnGage) | | |
EnGage wrote:
Thatch - how do you find anything in your garage? |
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Yeah tell me about it.
I've had that thing cleaned up countless times but the wife is of the mindset that the garage is a 'I don't know what to do with this right now and I'm too busy to figure it out' holding place. I have managed to make it clear that nothing goes near the bike which almost works except it's starting to creep in. It's a yearly cycle. I'll do a big cleanout in the spring only to see it get back there again come fall.
I was wondering how long before someone made a smart ass comment, should of known I just needed to wait for you to show up. :P
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 13:04 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Birdy68) | | |
Birdy68 wrote:
HOT DAM....
THAT LOOKS AGGRESSIVE!
Keep going Thatch.... I'm liking where you're taking it |
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Thanks. I was real disappointed that I didn't have just a half inch more riser. I don't know what I'll do about the cables binding though.
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 14:30 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch... the Triumph extended cable/hose kit for the wide handlebars has all control lines (throttle, brake, clutch) at a +4" and is available for about $100... not bad.
Whoops... just noticed that your problem is the electrical. Never mind. 
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| | Post edited by ataDude on 17 Feb 2010 - 14:32 |
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 14:34 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: ataDude) | | | Worse, my problem is with the cables being too long, not too short.
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 17 Feb 2010 - 21:36 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Well, i just found out there ARE Tbars available in the states, and i just ordered mine. Boy, what a fiasco tho. Triumph's parts dept for the Tbird is so screwed up that between the dealer and triumph USA i had to jump thru a obstacle course of hoops to get one ordered reliably. neither could assure me if i ordered them i would get what i want and not have to pay a $30 restocking fee if they were the wrong ones ! I already had to pay a restocking fee once because they gave me the wrong info ! thier mistake, i pay....nice. TUSA had no pics other than on paper, the dealer had multiple pics of handlebars and none had the correct part # for the Tbars ! I finally had to send a pic to TUSA to get them to assure me they were the correct ones and the # was correct. Still if they send the wrong ones i guarantee you they will try to charge me a restocking fee, but they will have me to deal with and i won't be happy this time. This company is so screwed up when it comes to customer service it's pathetic. When i asked him (before i finally sent a pic and got confirmation) if i ordered them was there any way to know what i'm getting, and if you and the dealer can't show me, will i pay a restocking fee if it's the wrong part? His answer was basically yes. Honestly, this is pathetic at best for any customer service in any type of company. Wouldn't bother me so much if i hadn't gone thru similar BS with them so many times in the past from my speedmaster to my current bike. Rant over,  looking forward to the Tbars. 
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 18 Feb 2010 - 10:30 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: daz) | | |
daz wrote:
...looking forward to the Tbars. |
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Excellent choice! 
Remember to send pictures - please ! ! !
I'm still snowed down 
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Feb 2010 - 14:11 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Birdy68) | | | Well, if you want, but you have them yourself so you've seen them in person plenty ! I should have them in about a week i guess. I really wanted drag bars with risers that looked like the speedy, but no one makes 8" pullbacks which is what it would take to not be leaning too far forward. I think past 6" there an issue with strength being that risers are almost all if not all aluminum. So the drag bars were my only choice really, tho they aren't my fav look. But i like them better than stock.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Feb 2010 - 14:31 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | Anybody know how long / tall the stock risers are? I'm doing some looking online for risers (bike isn't here.... suppose I should be working) and I'm trying to find just an inch longer riser to clear the tank.
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,686 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 18 Feb 2010 - 21:48 Post title : Re: Drag bar test (Re: Thatch) | | | They're 4". You may wanna look at the Deuce risers which are usually 6". They are also cheap and fit the recess in the triple clamp just right according to those who've got them. Unless you want no pullback that it. But there are a ton of 6" risers on the net that are straight. Google/ebay.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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