FT Cafe Racer Drag Bars

13999 Views 59 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Dave Johnston, Sep 13, 2016

Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · Aug 26, 2016

All, I posted similarly in a different section and got no response.

I want to install drag bars similar to what is on the Italia Independent. Does anyone know if these bars from Rizoma will work on the FT without having to shorten cables, buy new brackets/clamps, etc....?

RIZOMA Drag Bar Handlebar

Any help is appreciated,

Dave

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mr shifter

· #41 · Sep 7, 2016

Dave when I fitted the bars I also installed pazzo levers which being adjustable made the pull feel lighter, changing the bars whilst retaining the OEM levers shouldn't make any difference to the feel.

Geoff.

jonktay

· #42 · Sep 7, 2016 (Edited)

I played around with it and adjusted the cable, think I fixed it. I must have just had the cables in a weird position before because there wasn't any free play in the clutch when I did it the first time.

I still need to drill the throttle hole but here it is with a clamp on underbar mirror. The throttle side sticks out too much to attach the right clamp on, so that'll be my next problem to tackle.

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Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #43 · Sep 7, 2016

Looks awesome, great job.

I didn't drill holes, I ground off the pins.

jonktay

· #44 · Sep 7, 2016

4

Dave Johnston said:
Looks awesome, great job.

I didn't drill holes, I ground off the pins.

Thanks! How do keep you throttle from sliding without the pin?

Also including some before and after pictures for anyone else thinking about it

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Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #45 · Sep 7, 2016

jonktay said:
Thanks! How do keep you throttle from sliding without the pin?

Also including some before and after pictures for anyone else thinking about it

Tight screws and bolts. Haven't experienced sliding or slipping yet. Admittedly, I'm a newbie and winging it so take my comments with huge discretion!

mr shifter

· #46 · Sep 7, 2016

I think it's better to dremel the pin off as if you drill a hole in the bars and get it wrong you then have to drill another and that's a recipe for disaster in that it will fatigue across the holes.
I have fitted many rizoma bars and have never drilled holes preferring the above method and I've never had any failures or complaints, after you've sorted the bars you just have to be patient and make sure that the cables and hoses are free to move and don't get snagged.

Geoff.

Reactions: 1

NardoScrambler

· #47 · Sep 8, 2016

jonktay said:
Thanks! How do keep you throttle from sliding without the pin?

Also including some before and after pictures for anyone else thinking about it

these pictures didnt work for me...anyone else?

jonktay

· #48 · Sep 8, 2016

4

See if this works

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NardoScrambler

· #49 · Sep 8, 2016

yes looks great. Guess ill be first to try with rizoma risers and gauge kit. Curious to see if this allows bar end accessories or not.

If not i may just get the full throttle bar and sell the drag bar. Really like the look of the bar end signals.

jonktay

· #50 · Sep 8, 2016

So I have a dumb question about these bars... I placed mine so that the Rizoma logo and lines are facing the back of the bike and the bars droop down... But every other picture I see has the bars set with the logo on top (I.e. You look straight down at the handlebars and see the logo/lines) and I assume the bars are bending back towards the rider.

Is that a preference thing or is that generally how the bars were meant to be installed?

Thanks in advance for answering such a basic question haha

Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #51 · Sep 8, 2016

jonktay said:
So I have a dumb question about these bars... I placed mine so that the Rizoma logo and lines are facing the back of the bike and the bars droop down... But every other picture I see has the bars set with the logo on top (I.e. You look straight down at the handlebars and see the logo/lines) and I assume the bars are bending back towards the rider.

Is that a preference thing or is that generally how the bars were meant to be installed?

Thanks in advance for answering such a basic question haha

I don't think that's a dumb question at all. I installed mine the way they are just because I was trying hard to make sure they were even. I'll be spinning them a bit so that they go back toward me but still down a bit, if that makes sense.

Also, thanks for posting your pics, you have me good ideas for stowing wires/cables better.

My lane splitter mirror will get installed tonight....hope it looks as good as yours. Can you see your mirror from the bottomed out position?

Well done,

Dave

jonktay

· #52 · Sep 8, 2016 (Edited)

Dave Johnston said:
I don't think that's a dumb question at all. I installed mine the way they are just because I was trying hard to make sure they were even. I'll be spinning them a bit so that they go back toward me but still down a bit, if that makes sense.

Also, thanks for posting your pics, you have me good ideas for stowing wires/cables better.

My lane splitter mirror will get installed tonight....hope it looks as good as yours. Can you see your mirror from the bottomed out position?

Well done,

Dave

Thanks! I just changed my bars to be more similar to your pictures, really helped the throttle spacing issue, I can get it flush with the bar now.

I can see the mirror fine in the driveway. I'll take it on the road when I finish it up and let you know!

jonktay

· #53 · Sep 8, 2016

So the low mirror actually has much better visibility than I thought. The scan is a little slower since you have to look down to see it, but not too bad.

Took the bike for a quick spin around base and damn does it feel mean. It'll probably get uncomfortable on a long ride but it's a blast so far.

Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #54 · Sep 9, 2016

jonktay said:
See if this works

BTW, what mirrors are those? Can't remember if you posted on here.

I installed CRG lane splitter on the left side. I must say, I like the looks of your under-mounted mirrors. I'll post mine tomorrow.

jonktay

· #55 · Sep 9, 2016

It's a Rizoma "Classic Retro". It's a little expensive. I thought I was paying $130 for two mirrors until only one came in the mail haha. So I guess I don't mind that I can only fit one since that's all I have.

Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #56 · Sep 9, 2016

2

jonktay said:
It's a Rizoma "Classic Retro". It's a little expensive. I thought I was paying $130 for two mirrors until only one came in the mail haha. So I guess I don't mind that I can only fit one since that's all I have.

The fine print will get you every time! Funny enough, I like the single side mirror look.

Alright, I'm considering my project here complete. Posting two more pics below with bar end CRG lane splitter mirror installed.

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Motorcycle accessories Automotive lighting

Land vehicle Vehicle Motorcycle Motor vehicle Automotive tire

I'm expecting my Mugello seat and body panels in two weeks. I'll start a new thread once they are received.

thanks much to everyone who helped out on this project. It felt good to DIY the job.

Dave

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Reactions: 3

jonktay

· #57 · Sep 9, 2016

Dave Johnston said:
The fine print will get you every time! Funny enough, I like the single side mirror look.

Alright, I'm considering my project here complete. Posting two more pics below with bar end CRG lane splitter mirror installed.
View attachment 8769 View attachment 8777

I'm expecting my Mugello seat and body panels in two weeks. I'll start a new thread once they are received.

thanks much to everyone who helped out on this project. It felt good to DIY the job.

Dave

That's a good looking bike man! If you remember, post a link to your new thread with the mugello when you get it.

Joooooooosh

· #58 · Sep 12, 2016

I'm thinking about installing the drag bar but think I may have gone off it now, seeing how the cables have to be routed. Would get right in the way of my phone mount on the riser bolt.

Looks like life is a lot simpler with the centre mounted clock kit but that changes it from a relatively cheap mod to something pretty expensive...

motomeek

· #59 · Sep 12, 2016

Thanks for the pics. I went ahead and purchased the CRG lanesplitters.

Dave Johnston

Discussion Starter · #60 · Sep 13, 2016

motomeek said:
Thanks for the pics. I went ahead and purchased the CRG lanesplitters.

Cool, I'm happy with mine. Quality component and easy installation.

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