| Author | Message | ||
     Fasteddieb |
In the interest of consolidating, I recently tried to sell my '03 Firebolt on eBay. I really thought it was priced right at $4,450 starting bid and no reserve. With about 18 "watchers" I thought it was sure to sell, but the auction expired without a single bid. So, at that price I might as well keep 'er! I think I'd be more likely to ride the bike if the bars were a tad higher, so I'm considering options. I HAVE tried searching, but the search function on this site is among the worst I've seen, giving all sorts of unrelated results, many buried in archives. Apologies in advance - I KNOW this has been covered before ad nauseum. I've seen the Spiegler (expensive) option to convert to superbike bars, and one other that replaces the top triple clamp but keeps the stock bars. a) are there any other options? b) does someone have a used kit for sale? c) does someone want lower bars on their Lightning, who maybe wants to swap the top triple-clamp and hardware (that's doable, right?) Thanks in advance. | ||
| Elff |
I think the Heli Bars will take care of what you want http://www.americansportbike.com Sell them Here is the description 3-06 Handle Bar Risers, Billet Aluminum, Satin, Triple tree, 1" taller, 1.5" back, XB9/12R Firebolt. Less weight on wrists, more comfortable seating position for most people. Installation requires a security torx wrench for ignition lock removal, see #16049. Note: 05-06 Firebolts have larger diameter fork tubes, but the outer tube fork diameter at the top triple clamp remains the same. These will work on 05-06 models as well. They even talked about these in Sport Rider altho the article was a little cheesy | ||
| Fasteddieb |
Wow, that was fast!!! I had seen the HeliBar option. Looks like a good choice, but $320 still sounds a bit high. Probably what I'll end up doing if nothing else presents itself. BTW, I've moved to the N GA mountains full time (Mineral Bluff, near Blue Ridge) if anyone wants to hook up for rides, etc. | ||
| The_new_guy |
I may get new bars too. FYI - I added the Buell Custom Seat and that made the bike much more comfotable too. Gregg | ||
| Espcustoms |
I wouldn't mind doing the swap with you if that will work. I've been looking into lower bars for my lightning anyway. | ||
| Raceautobody |
http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/sbk.cfm Not cheap Al | ||
| Morgans |
I had the helibars on my 04 XB12R. I loved them, definitely worth the price. I think the price tag of $320 is worth the added comfort. Get them and you will never regret them. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
OK, what's involved in a Lightning/Firebolt bar swap? Any "gotchas?" | ||
| Espcustoms |
Ed, you beat me to the punch on that question! Any concerns with cable lengths or anything like that? Just for the sake of thoroughness, is there any problem swapping between an '03 firebolt and an '04 lightning? | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
I don't think the firebolt triple clamp will work on the lighting because of the front fairing support. The area for the clip on's wouldn't fit in that location. Correct me if I am wrong but it just doens't look like it will work to me. | ||
| Kootenay |
I have the Helibars top triple on my Firebolt, it works a charm. Got it from Daves... | ||
| Bake |
So would a Lightning tripple fit the Firebolt? Anything else necessary? | ||
| Davefl |
Lightning upper triple does not have provisions for the ignition switch.. | ||
| Elff |
Thanes Alot of people have put a firebolt triple on lightnings. The conversion to an R front end on an S is documented pretty good on badweb | ||
| Grisman |
anybody ever go the other way xbr to xbs bars and clamp. id like to be a little more up right. im just about to try. got the clamp, bars, cables & fabed up ignition switch holder. may have to "adjust" the faring, we'll see. any advise would be great. | ||
| Elff |
Grisman Isnt that what this thread is discussing? The choices people provided are because the S bars will hit the fairing. | ||
| Espcustoms |
From what I can tell, swapping R/S top clamps/bars is not as easy as it seems like it would be. I've only found a couple of posts about it and there's not much consistency between them. Might be more trouble than it's worth. | ||
| Bake |
If someone has an S tripple they want to trade for an R, I am willing to give it a whirl! | ||
| Grisman |
well guys ill let you know in about a week or so when all the parts come in. | ||
| Srlorg |
I did a very cheap mod to raise my 9r bars. Get two 10" .875" stainless tubes. Two .312" thick 304 stainless plates. Bore two holes 4.5" apart in the plates. Press fit only! Youll need to cut a halfround clearance hole in the right plate for the brake cylinder. Cut bars leaving about 3.5" of original bar with anti rotation key. After assembling and rotating the short section into the correct position, Tig weld the bars into the plates. If done carefully, youll have about 3.2" rise and fairing clearance for about 20$. | ||
| Bake |
Mark, I was looking at doing something like that but your method sounds better, hows about some pic's? |
