I have been thinking that having my handlebars a bit higher might be nice for touring - but I am too cheap to buy anything! (Turns out that was a mistake as this took a really long time).
I copied the 20mm bar risers that I have seen on this forum, and it went fine. I had to buy $15 worth of 1-1/8" aluminum rod, $6.28 worth of 10x90mm allen head bolts, and I used some stainless sheet and stainless screws and nuts that I had on hand. I originally tried to machine the taper at the top of the riser to fit into the BMW handlebar mounts - but it turns out they were more stable with the single machined step. The only bolts I could find locally were black oxide - and although it doesn't look like it in this photo I plated them with an Eastwood plating kit, then painted them with spray gray so they won't corrode.
After machining the risers I powder coated them with Silver Lining Metallic powder coat that was an excellent match for the factory finish.
The only problem that I ran into is the brake line that goes from the master cylinder....the horizontal one from the bottom of the yoke to back into the chassis. The line gets moved up a bit to allow the bars to rise, and this resulted in the line rubbing on the bottom of the yoke at full lock to the left. I tried everything to make the bracket it a way that would provide clearance - but there just isn't room. The bracket I made was an accurate copy, and there really isn't much room for error in how you make it as the parts interlock and there really isn't any way to move the line to provide more clearance. I finally had to use a Dremel and die grinder to remove the sharp at the bottom rear of the yoke where the brake line interferes. (NOTE: Anybody that has installed one of the factory kits look over that area carefully at full lock to the left.......make sure your brake line is not rubbing the rubber coating away!)
When I sat on the bike it immediately felt better, and I could tell my hands were a bit higher. I went for a 20 minute ride - and now I can't tell the difference as it feels normal now.
I would suggest that anybody who wants bar risers go buy them......it is worth the price they charge not to have to do it yourself!
Dave
I copied the 20mm bar risers that I have seen on this forum, and it went fine. I had to buy $15 worth of 1-1/8" aluminum rod, $6.28 worth of 10x90mm allen head bolts, and I used some stainless sheet and stainless screws and nuts that I had on hand. I originally tried to machine the taper at the top of the riser to fit into the BMW handlebar mounts - but it turns out they were more stable with the single machined step. The only bolts I could find locally were black oxide - and although it doesn't look like it in this photo I plated them with an Eastwood plating kit, then painted them with spray gray so they won't corrode.
After machining the risers I powder coated them with Silver Lining Metallic powder coat that was an excellent match for the factory finish.
The only problem that I ran into is the brake line that goes from the master cylinder....the horizontal one from the bottom of the yoke to back into the chassis. The line gets moved up a bit to allow the bars to rise, and this resulted in the line rubbing on the bottom of the yoke at full lock to the left. I tried everything to make the bracket it a way that would provide clearance - but there just isn't room. The bracket I made was an accurate copy, and there really isn't much room for error in how you make it as the parts interlock and there really isn't any way to move the line to provide more clearance. I finally had to use a Dremel and die grinder to remove the sharp at the bottom rear of the yoke where the brake line interferes. (NOTE: Anybody that has installed one of the factory kits look over that area carefully at full lock to the left.......make sure your brake line is not rubbing the rubber coating away!)
When I sat on the bike it immediately felt better, and I could tell my hands were a bit higher. I went for a 20 minute ride - and now I can't tell the difference as it feels normal now.
I would suggest that anybody who wants bar risers go buy them......it is worth the price they charge not to have to do it yourself!
Dave