| Author | Message | ||
     Firebolt020283 |
 This is the first part to my lightningbolt transformation. I switch the top triple with a lightning one and installed a set of renthal ultra low bars with it. Next week I should have the rest of the parts to change out the front but I was tired of being bent over so I went ahead and at least made the handle bar switch for now. Only problem I noticed so far is I do need to switch my brake line out so that I can attach it back to the bottom triple clamp like it is supposed to be and I will have to change the clutch cable out before i will be able to run it threw the top triple like it is supposed to run for the lightning set up. On my test run tonight I must say I really love the new seating position. I feel like I am on a dirt bike(in a good way). | ||
| Boliver |
It's kinda funny how us guys with Lightnings want a more aggressive riding position like the bolt gives and you guys want more of the lightning position. Personally my back started bothering me from sitting in a more upright position. My lower back would really cramp after an hour of riding. So I now have crossroads and like them a lot. But now the weight is on my wrist instead of my kidney area. I've come to the conclusion after 25 years of using my back to earn a living, aside from riding a lazyboy recliner with wheels I gotta learn to like pain. Or I can sit at home and just look and motorcycle magazines. I hope your ergonomic switch makes you a happier rider. Safe journeys to you. (Message edited by boliver on March 25, 2011) | ||
| Andymnelson |
boliver, I agree that it is funny! I think that most people are uncomfortable not because of the seating position bu because of posture. I have a very messed up lower back from an accident in high school, and I can be comfortable on just about any bike as long as I remember a couple of things: 1) keep my shoulders down and back. Just like when working out, any time you let your shoulders rise you are putting pressure in odd areas. 2) try to sit with a natural curve to my back. Hips back, low back forward, shoulders back, relax. As soon as you hunch over there are both pressure and vulnerability added to your low back. the bars look great, you should keep the FB fairing  | ||
| Gunut75 |
There ya go!  I'm 6'2, and I put bars on my Bolt to bring my arms closer to a neutral riding position. When I ride, I like to keep things just like Andymnelson said. With the stock bars on my Bolt, and my arms relaxed, my forearms are just about parallel to the ground, about bellybutton height. With the handlebars on, my reach to the bars is completely neutral feeling. If I take my hands off the bars, my torso is not effected at all. I don't have to tighten my core up to support my body weight. For me, it's perfect. AND, the added wind protection from the Bolt fairing is an added bonus. Do you have any issues with the stock MC resivoir hitting the fairing? I went to a radial, and I need a new brake line too.......  Thats the only thing holding me back from riding right now. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
no my brake resivor does not hit but both levers are pretty close to hitting both mirrors. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I think what really had me wanting to do this was the fact that I had test rode several bikes that were either street fighter or big bore motards and I felt so much more at home on those bikes then I did my own. That and ever since I seen a lightningbolt for the first time I have thought those looked so cool so now I am going to make my own. and Lastly the roads here in south west Louisiana are too strait. I just moved from central Texas were all I had to do is jump off on to some country road and there was curves galore. | ||
| Gunut75 |
The roads in NE IL/SE WI. have no turns at all. I have 3 roads that present some sort of leaning that are close to home. Otherwise I gotta go about 20 miles north into WI. Ya can tell my bike in a crowd by the BIG flat spot on the rear tire. It's a sure bet that those 3 roads are going to be worn out by me though.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Ian your not looking then. Speak for yourself Bro. The RR doesn't have much for a chicken strip. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Im looking. I know where they are. Im just stuck going from work to home and vice versa. Now that the little punk is getting easier, I'll hopefully get a few more miles in, and north a little more. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
   almost done I just have to re wire the headlights because apparently the firebolts and lightnings have the opposite fittings on the headlight connectors. and I can't figure out were I am going to put the horn yet. also I have to wait for my mirrors to come in so I can ride it. I also still have to change out the clutch and brake cables still but it is rideable without changing those. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
Well I was almost done then some how I screwed something up some kind of way because now my blinkers and my dash don't work and it was getting to dark to see any more so I have to wait until in the morning to finish it. |
