EXUP Handlebar Conversion

Thermicman · Post by **Thermicman** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:00 am

Due to my age (45!!), I decided to convert the handlebars on my '89 FZR1000 EXUP to a more sensible riding position set-up! I bought an LSL superbike conversion kit for my bike and fitted it over the winter months. The difference is fantastic! Riding is much more comfortable with no neck / back ache and the steering is a lot sharper around town because of the streetfighter / Fazer style of handlebars. Trimming the top fairing was the bit that worried me, but I fitted the (supplied) MRA screen and used it to show me where and how much to trim the ends of the top fairing. The result is a lovely neat job that you would be hard pressed to tell that it wasn't always suppose to be like that! The quality of the top yolk, longer braided brake hoses, handlebars and all the other bits and pieces is first class and typically, has the German TÃœV quality stamp on everything. However, the mirrors supplied with the kit are crap! They are mounted on the front brake / clutch master-cylinder assemblies and look naff. The clutch master-cylinder bracket has a new half-clamp supplied with a fixing point for one of the mirrors and this is vertical. The other mirror goes into the threaded hole (which usually has a blanking grommet in it) on the front brake master-cylinder housing but this hole is at an angle. The result is that the mirrors are not symmetrical. Also, over 100 MPH the mirror ends begin to bend in because the swivel joint is not that tight. I have looked around for some other mirrors and have just purchased some new BMW R1100S mirrors (49 Euros Tax each) and fitted them to the end of my (shortened) top fairing. The result is fantastic. They do not vibrate either and the view behind is better than with the originals /which I even had spacers fitted below the base plates to give a bit more view past my elbows!!). They also retain the sport bike "look" that handlebar mounted mirrors don't. Anyway, I could rabbit on for ages but thought I would post this article with the view that any interested readers could e-mail for further details. I could also take some digital pictures if that would also help. By the way, the wind protection was so good on the EXUP (as it is with most older sports bikes) due to its highish screen that the conversion is still as comfortable (wind-wise) as before.

FZ750SC · Post by **FZ750SC** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 12:07 pm

I have been thinking of changing out my bars as well. Could you send me some pic's of the finished work? T FZ750SC@yahoo.com

MCAMPIAN · Post by **MCAMPIAN** » Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:02 pm

I've got an 88 and was thinking of doing the exact same thing. I've also wanted to replace the screen to the touring model that MRA has. Is that the screen you have on yours or did you just use the same one "stock version". Just a couple of questions first. When you bought the kit, it came with everything that you needed to do the conversion? or are there some other surprises that you run into mid way? I'm not talking mirrors. The web site says that some mods have to be done to the screen and stuff, do I have to be a rocket scientist to do this, or is it pretty straight forward. Last question, is there any kind of selection in terms of different bars for different positions. Or is it kind of limited to just one. pics would be great if you can send them.. Thanks in advance boss, please send it to. MCAMPIAN@HOTMAIL.COM Mike

Thermicman · Post by **Thermicman** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:27 am

Hi Mike, sorry for the delay in answering your email! The kit includes everything you need - even mirrors but they're crap!! However, you will need a hacksaw and smooth files to cut the fairing. You do not have to mod the screen as the kit includes a specially cut one (made by MRA and available in different shades) to go with the conversion; you only have to cut the upper fairing. To do this, I took the upper fairing off and removed the original screen, lights, etc. Then I fitted the new screen so I could see where the right & left ends came in relation to the fairing. Then I scribed a line in the fairing paintwork which followed the line of the new screen. I then removed the new screen and trimmed the fairing. For this, I used a hacksaw and then some smooth files making sure that the edges were smooth and that I had a nice curved bottom edge on each side of the fairing. When you trim the fairing, you will see that it is made out of black plastic which makes blending in the exposed edge less of a problem. Don't worry about this operation; it is simple to do and is not as traumatic as it seems.......honest!! The rest of the kit is easy to fit and bleeding the brakes after fitting the new brake hoses is as easy or as difficult as the method you use. I personally fill the master cylinder up and wait for a while with the bleed nipples slightly open until the fluid comes out. First, I bleed in the conventional way until I've got a fairly stiff lever. Then I attach a piece of tubing and a hyperdermic syringe to the bleed nipple and force brake fluid back up into the (half empty) master cylinder. This usually gets rid of all those pesky bits of air trapped in the top corners of your calipers! The top yolk is replaced by a new one and is easy to fit. A clamp is supplied for the clutch side switchgear assembly that will take the new mirror. Forget it and keep your original clamp and use the Beemer mirrors; they're fantastic. Of course, you will have to fiddle with the actual position of the handlebars with respect to forwards & backwards and then the position / angle of your lever assemblies but this is all childs play. You do not have to be a rocket scientist but a little care and attention to detail will result in a lovely job. Many people see my bike and know it's different but just can't put their finger on what I've done! When I tell them, they thought that the bike looked like that as standard because it doesn't look like a crap kit or a crap job. Do it and your riding experience will only be enhanced. I have just joined the 21st century and got myself a home PC. I will take loads of still piccys with my Sony digital camcorder and see if I can work out how to download the Memory Stick to your email address. The only minuses are that when you're doing 120 mph + you can duck down out of the wind but a double-bubble screen may be the perfect solution. I hope to contacty MRA to see if the adapted EXUP screen they supply with the kit is available in a double-bubble version. This would be perfect as the wind would go right over your head with just a very minor crouch (I'm 6 foot). The other minor winge is that I noticed a little more tingling through the bars which is probably down to two reasons. First, the bars are no longer rubber isolated as the clip-ons are. Second, the new bar end weights are anodised aluminium and are therefore, not so heavy nor offer as much "resonance damping". I will experiment when the warmer weather comes with re-fitting the original steel ones which I have had chrome plated. Your query about handlebar types is that the kit comes with one type but I'm sureyou could use others. Do the fairing mod and screen fitting first so that you can see how much clearance you have with other types of handlebars. Pictures will follow, I promise but meanwhile, I hope this helps. Regards, Paul

tnt5655 · Post by **tnt5655** » Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:36 pm

Hi Paul The kit you describe sounds perfect for me do you have an address or email for the firm that supplies it. Also could you say how much it cost because Im out of work due to a back problem and might not have the funds. Thanks mate Tony

Thermicman · Post by **Thermicman** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 2:26 pm

Hi Tony, I've just dug out the receipts for my conversion kit which I bought at a bike fair here in Munich at the end of 2002. There are a couple of extras that I added on such as anodised handlebar weights and a pair of mirrors but the total bill (including all the brake-lines, handlebars, replacement top yoke, brackets, screen, etc) came to 475 euros. The geezer at the show gave me a 10% "show discount" and made it a nice round 425 euros (including the 16% German VAT). This equates to about £285. The firm are called ABM and they have a web site which is www.ab-m.de Their telephone number is 0049 7667 94460 and they all seem to speak good English!! I know it's not exactly cheap, but it has just transformed my bike! It is so comfy to ride and so much more manoeuverable and the quality of all the parts is top-notch. Good luck if you decide to splash out!! I still haven't forgot about the piccys, I just need a few more hours in the day, that's all!! Regards, Paul

tnt5655 · Post by **tnt5655** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 6:41 am

Thanks for that Paul I'd better start saving the pennies. All the best Tony.

Thermicman · Post by **Thermicman** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:43 am

Hi Guys, I know that you EXUP purists will cringe into your cornflakes so please look away!! I have just put the finishing touches to "old-man-ising" my beautiful 89 EXUP! Recently installed was a Corbin seat (Gunfighter & Lady model) and I managed to get the very helpful people at MRA to do me a one-off double-bubble screen especially trimmed for the handlebar conversion. They asked me to send them piccys of the finished job as they may start offering the screen as an option in the superbike conversion kit. n The screen makes the bike look a little more up to date but the main difference is that it is a bit taller in the middle which makes a fantastic difference to the wind noise / buffetting. Now the wind goes straight over my head - brilliant! The Corbin seat is still new and still feels a bit hard but I'm told that they all feel like this and will bed in over time. Can any of you computer boffs out there tell me whether there's a facility to put some piccys of the conversion onto this very informative website? If so, stand by for some visual candy.......I promise I'll try to get the wife to pose in her best polyester and crimpelene frock next to the bike! Regards, Paul: <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)">

Post by **FZRDude** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 3:08 am

Worry not. I shall attempt to help. First, you need to find a site that will host your pic's. Try <a href="http://www.bikepics.com/" target="top">BikePics.com</a>. Once you have the address/url of each pic that you uploaded, you can post away. I have found that it is easier to have two broswer windows open at the same time. One of the site that is hosting your pics and the other one where you want to show the pics in the thread. Be forwarned, the image will move around once it is at Bikepics.com. I linked my bike there shortly after coming here. It was listed in the zepher section. Today I have to refresh the link and it is now listed in the goldwing section. You can view this info about the pics that you are looking at by right clicking on the image and then selecting properties. That will tell you the base address/url of the picture. Long winded, I know. Hope this gets you on your way to showing us your creation. Tim Director of Entertainment (eddieandthecrusiersmc.com).

Thermicman · Post by **Thermicman** » Thu Apr 22, 2004 1:29 pm

Hi Tim, .....and many thanks for your reply!!! You're right, it was a bit long winded but you kindly explained everything and I will attempt to have a go!! Crickey, I've only just found out how to use this web site and now you've almost gone and told me how to hack into the Pentagon's computer network. Cool! I know this thread isn't quite what most EXUP nutters want to read about but I hope the piccys will bring a little light relief to most afficianados! By the way, the bike was trick painted in 1993 by a geezer called Simon Templeman who lived near Kimpton near Bedford and he had a business called "The Art Asylum". I have done a bit of searching to see if he is still about to tell him that his "labour of love" is still as good as the day that he sprayed it. Has anyone out there had any art work done by him and does anyone know if there are any contact details for him?? Thanks once again, Tim. Regards, Paul

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