Dirtbikin’ (Edited to add more pics)

Ok, so not really, but I did finally get around to installing the dirtbike bar conversion kit that’s been sitting in the garage for nearly a month.  Fairly straightforward operation: Pull steering damper and top triple-clamp, measure for holes, drill holes, install riser brackets, pull clip-ons, reinstall upper triple, swap controls, check for leftover parts (very important step!)  I’ve still got to hunt down a steering damper which will work  with the conversion since the Scotts I had installed is too tall, and I’ve run out of clutch line to use the risers I bought with the brackets.  I’d like to ride to work tomorrow, but it looks like I’m going to have to pick up some various nitnoid crap at lunch, so that’s out…

The bars sit approximately 5″ higher, and although the bar ends didn’t move back much (maybe a 1/2″), they’re at a much more comfortable angle than the TL clipons were, so the riding position is much more upright:

I think my lower back might actually start talking to me again after this upgrade.  The look isn’t quite as mean as before, but I’ll take comfort over looks most days.  I may end up installing a braided clutch line, but we’ll see.  Still a pretty good looking bike:

I had to re-route the throttle cables to the rear of the forks because they weren’t long enough, and had to unbolt the clutch line bracket and let the line sit free above the bracket to get enough length.  The braided front brake lines had plenty of slack though, so that was pretty easy. I also flipped the mirrors so they come off the bottom of the bars vs the top, and basically stick straight out past the bar-ends. They’re so wide now I should have zero issues seeing behind me.  Funny, but the tiny 3″ ‘blind spot’ mirrors are better than the stock mirrors ever were, since I can see more than just my shoulders.

I had a helper during all this work, but she was basically useless, whining and moaning the whole time.  Maybe I’ll get her some biscuits or a chew-bone next time around:

Edit:  I gave up on trying to figure out which mount to buy, or which damper to use to clear the riser adapters, and just went down to ACE Hardware and picked up some longer bolts for the adapters and dropped in the 30mm risers I had already bought.  I had to re-route the right-front brake line to the outside of the forks to get enough slack (and there’s just barely enough) so it didn’t bind while the forks are fully extended.  And, since it was sunny outside today, I rode around the neighborhood to see how she feels.  Very much a big dirtbike now.  I’ll probably get a longer brake line and a new clutch line eventually, but for now I’m content with what I’m running.

Also, since it was sunny, I was able to take some better pictures:

All the clicky-clicky got the usual suspects interested…

From the seat:

Yes, the horn switch cable is unplugged and tied up, it was the one thing that wouldn’t reach.  I’ll have to reposition the horn or fab up a longer set of leads.  I’ll probably just move the horn.

First impressions of how she handles now:  Turns in quick.  Real quick.  Almost telepathically, even with the damper installed.  I’ll have to get used to it again before I’ll be comfortable hanging off the side very much, as the amount of force I used to use to steady myself and shift to the inside of the turn is now enough to yank the whole front end over.  Very, very stable under braking, even on the spotty surface of the paved roads here near the house.  Seems more lively, as I’m not having to work as hard to throw her around.  Final three words: Wheelie MONSTER. Zoinks!