ConvertiBARS INSTALLATION AND REVIEW
I liked the idea: adjust from my 'high-rise' bars I like for
commuting and distance riding to a low-set "race" configuration with just an
allen wrench and a few minutes time. I wasn't too sure about the price,
especially since I already had spent the $ on GenMar risers to get my handlebars
up to a comfortable level BUT I decided to check these out and now a month or so
after shelling out the bucks I'm glad I did. After all the price of a
couple-sets of low-end tires is much cheaper then a 2nd bike which is what the
ConvertiBARS appears to give me!
First impressions: they came quickly, with good packaging and
decent (if not model-specific) instructions. The fit and finish was
excellent, instructions were hand-printed adequate although not model-specific.
I was also missing the hex-tool and grommit to 'mount it' ... this was not a big deal
to me but shortly after posting my review I received an email and a few days
later the missing parts. Talk about pro-active service! Thanks guys!
My first impression was that this was not a simple gadget
installation - it was going to be a little bit of work to put these on - so I set it aside until the weekend. As it
turned out about an hours worth ... not too bad and the results were certainly
worth it.
A note on installation: I wanted these to make my perfect
Touring Sport a little more "touring" but with the option of going back sportier
so I mounted mine rotated 'back' towards the rider. This puts the bars closer to
me and allows me to sit further up in a more comfortable manner, but gives me
MUCH more front-end feel then the rubber-mounted and extended unit I had been
running did. Score one for the ConvertiBAR.
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So what was
involved in installing? Well, first I
removed the Bar Ends and the grips on both sides with Hex sockets, muscle, a
flat-head screwdriver and some WD-40 I sprayed up under the pads which I then
carefully cleaned off with kerosene so they wouldn't slip later.
Next I loosened the starter / throttle and left-hand control
assemblies; clutch and brake mounts etc. so they could be removed. Popping out
the four hex-bolt covers from the GenMar risers I loosened these 4 bolts then
took off the handlebars. With the handlebars disconnected and the
end-grips and bar ends off it was easy to slide off the various components and
set the handlebars aside.
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Using
a 27mm wrench I loosened the main nut, then with hex sockets loosened the
pinch-bolts holding_small.gif)
the upper triple-tree onto the forks. I could then slide the upper
triple-tree up and off the forks to flip it over.
Once removed and with access I used a 14mm socket remove the rubber-mounted
handlebar mounts from the plate and set them aside. NOTE the Gen-Mar
risers which gave me an extra 1" rise already - a simple elegant solution which
if you don't need or want the adjustable nature of the ConvertiBars - a
bargain IMO but one that locks you into a certain loss of feel and a specific
position. Depending on what you want this might be a better option for you, but
I'm sold on my CB's now!
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With
everything out of the way I could slide the ConvertiBars "Cyclops clamps" as
they call them onto
the upper forks. At first I was confused over how they
needed to align to get clearance on the fairing (see left, had to rotate them so
the hole's were "down" not out the side as they are shown in this image) but
after a few moments that become clear and I was able to reroute the wiring (but
NOT the cables or brake lines as shown in the picture) behind the forks for
additional clearance. NOTE: Some people have rotated them all the
way forward and that works as well but may hit the inner fairing
shrouds when rotated all the way back. Relocating the wiring to the other
side of the triple-clamp was necessary in that case too ... see the picture at
the right:
Make sure and play with this BEFORE tightening the
upper triple-tree back into position to make certain you have the best routing
for your cabling and lines. I also had to bend my front brake line
slightly to make it fit without kinking or getting in the way of the
positioning
I chose ... minor issues but noticeably absent or unclear in the supplied
instructions.
After this
things went back together fairly quickly, and I was left merely adjusting and
testing the unit. I received a notice from the mfg that depending on
how you mount the Cyclops Clamp that with the bars all the way down you may have
to trim your_small.gif)
fairing inners to avoid rubbing / contact. He included an image (below
left) of a yellow / black bike exhibiting this problem which I also noted until
I rotated my clamps all the way around so the risers were at the 'bottom' or
'back' of the triple-clamp ... I don't really think this is much of a problem
but does tread heavily upon the basic premise of the design so for the FZ1 it
may mean this is a qualified fit rather then a perfect one ... in my case
(rotated back I have seen no such impact although on very tight turns
(full lock) my controls begin to rub against my
tank protector but a
little adjustment could fix that as will the taller risers they mfg is supplying
me to test with (review to follow)
FINAL IMPRESSIONS:
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Overview: This is a Good product, expensive to manufacture and
therefore sell, and perhaps too expensive to be worth it for riders who are
looking simply to raise their bars. BUT if you're looking for adjustability
this is the only game in town! |
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Fit: I had hoped the final product would be
slightly taller then the GenMar solution but it turned out to be almost
identical (see above right) so no real gain there. There also was the
issue with the brake line and the contact on the fairing unless you align it
just right so this is the biggest determent to the fit of this product on the
FZ1. This is being rectified as the mfg is making an even taller
unit and supplying to me for testing! |
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Quality: Fit and finish is excellent, and the unit
weighs less then stock handlebars and risers, much less with the additional
GenMar risers so this is a plus. In fact the mfg even sent an updated
set of bolts with an improved 'feel' when they upgraded their supplier - again
pro-active service at it's best! |
|
Looks: The center console is much more visible and
'cleaner' looking, but the removal of the risers has left two nasty-looking
open spots so some carbon-fiber film is in order there as a next step. It
would be nice if the unit came with a custom-fit carbon-fiber look film cutout
for this and would have increased my perceived value .. on the other hand this
may be a marketing opportunity for me at
www.a-motorcycle-acc.com too!
(G) |
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Function: The adjustable aspect: You will need an
allen wrench or preferably an allen-socket and socket wrench to adjust this
but it is nice to have the option, and this also allows for quite a bit of
'infinite' adjustment front-back and up down to fit each rider "just right" so
overall I think this is where this product really shines. |
|
Feel: This definitely provides more front-end feel
compared to the rubber-mounted stock solution and for some this alone may be
worth the price although clip-on's would do the same. Of course you couldn't adjust
clip-on's on the fly either so it depends on what you are
after ... |
|
Value: At $300.00 I had originally rated it a B-
but after the changes and pro-active service I have to bump it up to an A-
which from an old curmudgeon like me is pretty darn good! It's lighter then
the stock solution. It as advertised and is a quality product.
Due to mfg costs it is a bit expensive but as I stated before MUCH cheaper
then a 2nd bike! |
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IF YOU NEED OR WANT
ADJUSTABILITY this beats Heli-Bars pricing, is as high if not higher a quality
product AND is available for your
FZ1! If you are simply trying to raise your bars and don't mind losing a little
front-end feel try GenMar's risers.
