Handle bars / Fork springs

[nathan12]

I have the '82 gs1100 gl with the stock bars which are the ones with the sweep. I want a flatter/wider bar as I am fairly tall and I have never liked the sweep of the stock bars, very uncomfortable. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also what is the diameter of the bar, cant find that info in the manual.

Progressive rate springs? Z1 enterprises does not seem to have them for my particular bike. Any ideas?
thanks,
Nathan.

 

[Nessism]

There are tons of threads in the archives about different handlebars. Did you try the search function yet? If not please do. The Advanced Search function works great but I suggest you use Titles Only and search on a word like "handlebars". You will get tons of hits. My favorite bars are Daytona type (try a Google search to find sellers of the popular Bike Master brand bars). I also suggest you get shorter cables from a bike like the 1000S for the clutch cable and either the '80 1000S or the 550M for the throttle cable. Some people reroute the cables to make up for the shorter bars but the new shorter cables are the way to go in my opinion.

For fork springs you can use any of the GS1000/1100/850 springs since the fork diameter is the same. After you install the springs you need to make PVC spacers that will extend to the top of the fork tubes when the forks are fully extended. Very simple.

 

[Roadrash]

I have the same bike, I put a set of bars off a 79 E it is a much better riding position then the stock bars. I did try a set of Daytona but being 6"2 they just weren't right for me.

 

[nathan12]

What didnt you like about them being tall as you are?

 

[posplayr]

I have the '82 gs1100 gl with the stock bars which are the ones with the sweep. I want a flatter/wider bar as I am fairly tall and I have never liked the sweep of the stock bars, very uncomfortable. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also what is the diameter of the bar, cant find that info in the manual.

Progressive rate springs? Z1 enterprises does not seem to have them for my particular bike. Any ideas?
thanks,
Nathan.

get a HF digital caliper; the bar is 7/8"

 

[Roadrash]

What didnt you like about them being tall as you are?

With the rake and leaning forward, I just didn't feel comfortable.

 

[Wallowgreen]

Progressive rate springs? Z1 enterprises does not seem to have them for my particular bike. Any ideas?
thanks,
Nathan.

They can get them though, give them a call, they were very knowledgeable and helpful when I've spoken to them before on a couple of things. I put progressives in the front end of mine when I did the seals, you need 11-1107 springs, give them a call. That's what I did and they supplied them no problem.

As for bars, my machine came with daytona bars and I couldn't ride for more than 15 minutes without getting back ache. In the end I had to change back to bars more like original but they were aftermarket, nighthawks I think. Just a thought.