[Archived - 2009] All About Cosmetic Mods

[Izrin]

Hi guys,

Anyone here modded to a wide handle bar? What do you do with those big fat wires that dangle out from the sides? I just modded to a wide bar and the wires [controls for light (left side) and engine switch (right side)] are too short to be cable-tied to the bar. And what's the recommended length for brake and clutch cables? Mine are so short now, that i can't make a full left or right swing on my bar. And I'm thinking of getting long risers, or is that a bad idea for wide bar riders?

 

Anyway, it feels so damn comfortable riding on a wide bar. Makes me wonder how those HD riders feel with their 'ape' bars...

 

Help...

 

Cheers!

[Quiet Guy]

Originally posted by Izrin@Sep 24 2006, 01:58 AM

Hi guys,

Anyone here modded to a wide handle bar? What do you do with those big fat wires that dangle out from the sides? I just modded to a wide bar and the wires [controls for light (left side) and engine switch (right side)] are too short to be cable-tied to the bar. And what's the recommended length for brake and clutch cables? Mine are so short now, that i can't make a full left or right swing on my bar. And I'm thinking of getting long risers, or is that a bad idea for wide bar riders?

 

Anyway, it feels so damn comfortable riding on a wide bar. Makes me wonder how those HD riders feel with their 'ape' bars...

 

Help...

 

Cheers!

hmm... how come you didnt ask the shop what is the problem face when changed to an wide handle bar?

but now you already modded it, either you changed all the cables or changed back to normal handle bar.

 

CHeers..

[Izrin]

hmm... how come you didnt ask the shop what is the problem face when changed to an wide handle bar?

but now you already modded it, either you changed all the cables or changed back to normal handle bar.

 

CHeers..

Hi Quiet Guy,

I did ask the guy if it would affect my cables, and he said he could adjust the cables so they'll fit. Now my throttle cable is sticking out from my side, between the tank and silver casing. So much for adjusting.

 

Anyone know where I can get longer cables? Or do they have them in the workshops?

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by Izrin@Sep 24 2006, 01:58 AM

Hi guys,

Anyone here modded to a wide handle bar?

I did

What do you do with those big fat wires that dangle out from the sides? I just modded to a wide bar and the wires [controls for light (left side) and engine switch (right side)] are too short to be cable-tied to the bar.

I left them there as it is, coz I don't like the cables to be tied to the handlebar

 

And what's the recommended length for brake and clutch cables?Mine are so short now, that i can't make a full left or right swing on my bar.

No idea what's the standard length, but not being able to have full swing of the handlebar is NOT acceptable. Your bike handling will be affected. Get it fixed.

 

And I'm thinking of getting long risers, or is that a bad idea for wide bar riders?

Your personal choice. No comment

[paradoxicalz]

Hey... since you guys are on the topic of wide bars, i would like to ask a couple of questions, cos i'm considering getting one in the near future..

 

1. can you still squeeze through traffic with wide bars? are there wide bars that arent that extremely wide so theres still room for squeezing?

 

2. is it hard to manuver with a wide bar? Eg. When doing U turns, will ur turn also be extra wide?

 

thanks

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by paradoxicalz@Oct 2 2006, 05:45 PM

Hey... since you guys are on the topic of wide bars, i would like to ask a couple of questions, cos i'm considering getting one in the near future..

 

1. can you still squeeze through traffic with wide bars? are there wide bars that arent that extremely wide so theres still room for squeezing?

 

2. is it hard to manuver with a wide bar? Eg. When doing U turns, will ur turn also be extra wide?

 

thanks

1) Yes. but still no where near the squeezing agility of cubs. Squeezing through parking gantries & into narrow lots will be a challenge of your skills

2) Relatively more difficult, Will tend to wobble more at low speeds, especially with pillion

 

Takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, then its ok.

[etky85]

madman.. the spotlights u selling $35 for a pair? or juz one spotlight for $35? anyway is the spotlight bright? thanks..

[Izrin]

Hi guys,

It took me a couple of days to get used to a wide handle bar, and now that I'm so used to it, a normal handle bar looks and feel so inadequate. As for U Turns and squeezing, they're not a problem anymore (also takes a little bit of practice), but I've still yet to get use to low speeds with a pillion on my wide handle bar.

 

For those interested in changing, you'll be faced with the problem of short cables. For the time being I'm using a 'Steed' clutch cable which i now realise is too long for phantom. And Ah Chuan ( mech from SPC Speedy Care in Pasir Ris) tells me he can order me a longer brake hose (meant for racer bikes) for my front brake. Only still stuck with my short throttle cable.

 

To the guy in the previous post, awesome paint job on the bike. Your bike should be called a super phantom or phantom 4 or something.

 

Cheers and beers fellas!

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148294/Peacocksmall.jpg

[paradoxicalz]

Originally posted by Izrin@Oct 3 2006, 01:53 PM

Hi guys,

It took me a couple of days to get used to a wide handle bar, and now that I'm so used to it, a normal handle bar looks and feel so inadequate. As for U Turns and squeezing, they're not a problem anymore (also takes a little bit of practice), but I've still yet to get use to low speeds with a pillion on my wide handle bar.

 

For those interested in changing, you'll be faced with the problem of short cables. For the time being I'm using a 'Steed' clutch cable which i now realise is too long for phantom. And Ah Chuan ( mech from SPC Speedy Care in Pasir Ris) tells me he can order me a longer brake hose (meant for racer bikes) for my front brake. Only still stuck with my short throttle cable.

 

To the guy in the previous post, awesome paint job on the bike. Your bike should be called a super phantom or phantom 4 or something.

 

Cheers and beers fellas!

Hey, thanks for the complement Izrin! You go to spc speedy care? So you live in pasir ris?

 

Will consider getting the wide bar soon...

Btw, is that the shadow style fender on your bike? you got it from madman?

[Tanarthur]

Izrin, you can try Ah Koon for the cables. I got the information Nevelk.

 

BTW, total how much do you spend on this wide handle bar plus the cables and installation? You mentioned to me SGD30 for bar, 10 for installation. What other cost? My mechanic tell me if get cheap cables, will easily snap when braking. A change for the handle bar will take roughly $200+. Anyone care to clarify?

[Izrin]

Paradoxicalz,

Yeah I have shadow styled fenders, which I got from 'Aunty shop' for $200. It's still a ripoff and an insult to shop there (You can read my entry in the 'Newbie thread'.) They're not too bad. Just saving up to spray my entire bike, but for now my fenders are unfinished, and can-sprayed black.

 

BTW, I stay in bedok reservoir area but go to Ah Chuan's cos I dunno anywhere good and reliable around my area (Nothing is quite as precious as trust: Lee Hwa Jewellery). Maybe someone in my area can point me to some places?

 

You stay in the east too?

 

Tanarthur,

I really don't understand why your mech quoted such a price. I've spent $40 flat on my handle bar mod. An extra $10 if you count the Steed clutch cable I bought to replace my short one.

 

Anyway, thanks for the info about Ah Koon, I'll check it out soon.

 

Gracias guys!

 

(My Bike. you can see me in the reflection of my helmet!)

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1148294/backsidesmall.jpg

[BlackDawn]

FYI guys, it is not necessary to change cables/brake hoses just because you have wide bars.

 

I used back all my stock cables/hoses when I changed to beach bars.

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/12402/pk06.jpg

[Izrin]

Hi kiamh,

I dunno why but my cables are seriously too short. Maybe cos my bar is wider than yours. But it doesn't look obviously wider tho. Not that I can tell from looking... but you can see from the previous picture. The bike's left side, that's my short clutch cable. Can't make a full right tilt.

(Where'd you get your handle bar BTW?)

 

Anyways, nice 'shadow' fenders. Love the HD touch on it. And awesome headlight. Very classic look. (Where?) Thinking of changing my light next cos my original light looks kinda dwarfed compared to the rest of my bike.

[BlackDawn]

My bars are already freaking wide... if your's are longer, then I to you

 

The stock cables need to be rerouted to run outside the forks so that they will be long enough. I was using the stock brake hoses initiallly also, until I changed to HEL steel braided hoses for better performance (these are made to custom length)

 

Most of my major bike mods (paint, fenders, handlebars) were done at CoolCustoms @ Ubi. Unfortunately, they have stopped customising bikes & are now (I think) doing window films for cars.

 

My headlight was bought in a pretty obscure motordiam up in Batu Pahat, Johor. It was the 1-n-only piece. I happened to be browsing there & I saw it. Mind you though, it is not a plug and play headlight for phantom. I needed to custom make a bracket to make it fit & also do some rewiring of ALL the wires in the headlight.

[paradoxicalz]

Originally posted by Izrin@Oct 4 2006, 07:10 PM

Paradoxicalz,

Yeah I have shadow styled fenders, which I got from 'Aunty shop' for $200. It's still a ripoff and an insult to shop there (You can read my entry in the 'Newbie thread'.) They're not too bad. Just saving up to spray my entire bike, but for now my fenders are unfinished, and can-sprayed black.

 

BTW, I stay in bedok reservoir area but go to Ah Chuan's cos I dunno anywhere good and reliable around my area (Nothing is quite as precious as trust: Lee Hwa Jewellery). Maybe someone in my area can point me to some places?

 

You stay in the east too?

Hey Izrin,

Yeah i'm from the east side... in fact i live in pasir ris..

Bedok reservoir... Ubi is kinda near that area right? There are plenty of bike shops the Ubi area, but i would definately reccommend Planet Motors...

The uncle there is friendly, good workmanship, and good price. Only problem is have to wait, cos they got alot customers... esp during the weekends...

 

Before i go , I got my bike resprayed there at planet motors after i had an accident and got a freaking big "fist size" dent on my fuel tank. It cost me $160 to knock out the dent and get a 3 colour paint job including the fender. This is, to my knowledge, the cheapest so far. Other shops quoted me $100plus just for knocking out the dent alone.

 

So my point is, when you're gonna get your paint job u can consider going down to planet motors and get a quotation...

 

Once again if i'm lol

[Izrin]

Kiamh>>

May be we've all overlooked the fact that my bar is tilted at a higher angle, or that my mech installed my grips nearer to the sides (FYI, my handle bar didn't come with any pre-drillled holes so he use agaration). All these could have contributed to increased distance.

 

BTW, where? & $? for your HEL steel braided hoses? Wanna compare with the deal i have with Ah Chuan.

 

Your bike is quite 'peacock'ed (that means: attracts good attention), but you should get a leather IU cover to complete the look. I've seen someone use it. Looks damn cool. Anyone know where to get one?

 

Paradoxicalz>>

$160 for undenting and bike respray is quite a good deal. I fell of my bike once and still have 'slightly bigger that 50c' diameter dent on my tank right between my legs. I escaped only with scrapes and my 'gun' is also unscathed and working fine. To this day, how that dent got there is still a mystery, but the girls are calling me Iron 'Man'......

 

I definitely wanna check out planet motors next, spray my fenders and maybe undent my tank. You got the address to Planet Motors?

 

[paradoxicalz]

Izrin aka Iron Man,

 

Planet Motors is located at:

Blk 3007 Ubi Road 1 #01-430

Tel: 67474740 (have you ever seen a motortiam with such a nice number?)

 

Its within walking distance of comfort driving centre. And if i can recall, its along the prac 6 night riding route.. lol..

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by Izrin@Oct 5 2006, 04:26 PM

BTW, where? & $? for your HEL steel braided hoses? Wanna compare with the deal i have with Ah Chuan.

VectorOne @ Lavender (next to Ducati showroom). Approx $180 for front & rear including stainless steel banjos.

but you should get a leather IU cover to complete the look.

FYI brother... The look IS ALREADY COMPLETE

 

No more modding for me. Next 'mod' will be a change of bikes.

[paradoxicalz]

Originally posted by kiamh@Oct 5 2006, 06:51 PM

No more modding for me. Next 'mod' will be a change of bikes.

Hahaha.... next 'mod' will be a real HD right?

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by paradoxicalz@Oct 5 2006, 09:40 PM

Hahaha.... next 'mod' will be a real HD right?

maybe

[TheYasMan]

kiamh, i drool everytime i see your bike on the road, even on pictures.. i know you appreciate a horn or gesture but all i could do was stare in envy everytime i see your bike along woodlands.

 

off topic.

 

The white-wall on tyres: are they.. safe? Heard people say they come off and are potentially accidents-causing. Any thoughts? How much are they anyway?

[Tanarthur]

Izrin,

 

There is one fellow rider doing paint job. His workshop is at AMK. His nick is winthur. There is a thread by him http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index....howtopic=110862

 

One more thing. Regarding the head light, many recommand the Super 4 head light but my mechanic said that it is very taxing on the battery cause it uses 50% more power. He recommended the Rebel 250 head light. Any comments on that? Cause I want to change to something brighter but dont want to stress out my battery. Advice needed.

[paradoxicalz]

Originally posted by theyasman@Oct 5 2006, 11:41 PM

The white-wall on tyres: are they.. safe? Heard people say they come off and are potentially accidents-causing. Any thoughts? How much are they anyway?

Question:

Whats white-wall?

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by theyasman@Oct 5 2006, 11:41 PM

The white-wall on tyres: are they.. safe? Heard people say they come off and are potentially accidents-causing. Any thoughts? How much are they anyway?

Yes, its true that they are not safe if not installed properly. I have heard of at least one case where a Phantom owner buanged his bike becoz the white wall inserts (which were not installed properly) caused his front tyre to lose pressure suddenly, resulting in loss of control of the bike & falling.

 

The white wall inserts for Phantom can cost anywhere from $60~$120 (depending on where you buy them)

[BlackDawn]

Originally posted by paradoxicalz@Oct 6 2006, 12:16 PM

Question:

Whats white-wall?

this is a sample of a heavily-modded Thai Phantom with white walled tyres.

(it should be self explanatory what it really means)

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/10940/normal_TA200.jpg