Anyone Install Helibars on Their 5th Gen ?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by His&Hers VFR, Mar 18, 2016.

  1. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    I am getting ready to install my Helibars soon and would appreciate any tips / suggestions from those of you who did this install. I have ordered new bar end weight/dampers to avoid the PITA of removing the old ones from the stock bars.

    My biggest question is:

    Is it really necessary to remove the triple clamp to reroute the throttle side cables ?


    TIA
     
  2. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    From what I recall, you need to remove the triple clamp so you can flip the right hand controls portion around. It gets like a 180 degree twist that places all the cable runs in the right place. Unless you feel like unwiring stuff and bleeding down your brake system. Removing the clamp is super easy though.

    Good call on new bar ends and dampers. I transplanted the originals over to the helibars when I installed mine, complete PITA. I think I went through a whole can of PB Blaster.
     
  3. Y2Kviffer

    Y2Kviffer Insider

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    Good idea on the new dampers. Mine had one that was a bitch and the other was easy. I did not remove the triple clamp. I just unhooked the cables at the control and moved them. I have my bars pulled up flush with the forks for even more height. There isn't much slack left but they have worked fine for the 6 or 7 years they've been on.
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2016
  4. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    ^^^^^^^^^^^What he said. I didn't have any issues getting my dampers out. And you'll need to trim off the nub that keeps the brake line from rotating since you need to turn it more.

    But rather than replace the dampers with OEM, why not get the http://www.vibranator.com/street_bikes_s/23.htm ? They have a silly name, but they really do work. They might be a bit more than OEM parts, but better.
     
  5. Y2Kviffer

    Y2Kviffer Insider

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    I had forgotten about that nub. A quick task but necessary!
     
  6. Laker

    Laker New Member

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  7. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    I saw that before and was going to kind of follow it, but it's for a 6th Gen and there is no mention of removing the triple clamp. The Helibar installation instructions for the 5th Gen say the triple clamp has to be removed in order to reroute the various throttle side cables correctly..........** cough,cough ** I am not of the mechanically inclined type and removing the triple clamp seems a little intimidating. I have visions of the front end of the bike falling /sliding down the fork tubes after removing the triple clamp. So if I can reroute those cables without having to remove the triple clamp, I would feel more comfortable with the install.
     
  8. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    Lol, your bike's not going to fall apart. The main bracket for the forks is the triple tree mount at the head frame, not that upper clamp. The upper clamps job is more of a spacer to keep the upper ends of the fork tubes steady. It's not bearing the weight of the motorcycle. The clamp is super easy to remove, it's two allen bolts and the steering stem nut. As long as your front wheel stays on the ground, you're bike isn't going anywhere.
     
  9. Ken_VFR1200

    Ken_VFR1200 New Member

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    I also installed vibranator bar ends. Good call. Reduced fatigue. My 3" helibars gave me a better riding position.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  10. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    Because the Vibranator's are about $100 more than the OEM parts, and I never had a vibration problem with the stock setup to begin with...... I just read tons of posts about how much a PITA it is to get the stock dampers out for most people. IMO, I already spent WAAAY more than I should have on new Helibars as it is, but all you fockers who have them keep them and you hardly ever see them for sale used so I had to buy new. lol
     
  11. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    Ok, I'm going to trust you on this one. lol

    The Helibars arrived the other day, also got my BLS Peg Lowering Adapters the other day and installed them already ( still have to adjust the shift lever & rear brake pedal and light switch ). The OEM dampers should be here today or tomorrow, and then I will attempt the install this weekend.

    And if I can find a great deal on a Sargent seat or win the lottery, that will be next.

    Thanks for your help.
     
  12. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    Thanks for all the help everyone, will be attempting to do the install this weekend.
     
  13. Y2Kviffer

    Y2Kviffer Insider

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    The Sargent seat is worth every penny!!
    I was fortunate enough several years ago to get in on a group buy for my bars and my seat.
     
  14. His&Hers VFR

    His&Hers VFR New Member

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    Yeah, and I noticed you got the yellow piping as well. Very hard to find (tons of red though) unless ordering direct from Sargent at $428....... the red is nice, but we all know yellow makes it go faster.
     
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