Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Breaker19 on March 27, 2012, 05:12:26 AM
-
Greetings, I'm a new Concours owner, but not a new motorcyclist. Been there, done that. Ride Street and off-road (dual-sport), many years now. Anyway, love the Connie, mine's a '12. So I've been reading posts about handlebar risers; I like Murph's, but I can't see how they wouldn't require modification of the brake lines. Is that for sure that they're just bolt-on? Thanks. Ride safe.
Tom in Bradenton, FL
-
Congrats on your new bike. You don't have to modify brake lines if you go with Murph's risers!
-
Roger that, thanks. I read what he has on his sales site, I just found it interesting since there doesn't appear to be hardly any slack in those short lines that run from the steering head part of the handlebars to the actual "bars" (assemblies).
-
Roger that, thanks. I read what he has on his sales site, I just found it interesting since there doesn't appear to be hardly any slack in those short lines that run from the steering head part of the handlebars to the actual "bars" (assemblies).
That was my first thought too, but I can assure you there is just enough slack there to make it work!
Good luck with your project!
-
Yep, installed mine just yesterday. Took all of 15 minutes. No problem with relocating the lines whatsoever.
-
If can unstall yourself, great. I tried and could not figure it out. My dealer installed for $20
-
Installed the risers a month ago, wedges last night. Risers were an easy install, wedges, I needed a second set of hands, but nothing hard. Just enough brake line and cable length...
-
The hydraulic lines have a stop that keeps them from rotating during assembly. When the banjo fitting hits the stop, it may be rotated beyond the point where it is in line with the block. If you need a little extra length, you can slightly loosen the banjo bolt and rotate the line so it points in a better direction freeing up a little slack. Then re-tighten the bolt while holding the banjo fitting in that position. Be very careful not to leak any fluid during this process. I've done it and if you only loosen the bolt slightly, you won't leak any fluid or admit air.
-
Yep, installed mine just yesterday. Took all of 15 minutes. No problem with relocating the lines whatsoever.
Ok, thanks again.
-
The hydraulic lines have a stop that keeps them from rotating during assembly. When the banjo fitting hits the stop, it may be rotated beyond the point where it is in line with the block. If you need a little extra length, you can slightly loosen the banjo bolt and rotate the line so it points in a better direction freeing up a little slack. Then re-tighten the bolt while holding the banjo fitting in that position. Be very careful not to leak any fluid during this process. I've done it and if you only loosen the bolt slightly, you won't leak any fluid or admit air.
Yea, I'm familiar with these style lines, I'll keep that in mind regarding the banjo bolts and fittings. Thanks.
-
Yep, installed mine just yesterday. Took all of 15 minutes. No problem with relocating the lines whatsoever.
BTW, I'm a huge Smokey and the Bandit fan, saw it about 15 times when in the theater in '78 I think it was. You might find this interesting: http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm (http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm)
Smokey and the Bandit "then and now" as to the filming locations, very well done by the author.
Sorry, off topic, but I wanted to add that. Thanks again.
-
Welcome B19, nice avatar! :-*
As the others already posted, the stock lines will reach just fine for adding risers.
-
Welcome and enjoy your new bike!
I also second ZG's opinion about the nice avatar! ;D
-
Welcome!
I'll third the opinions on the very attractive picture you're using for an avatar, the bike ain't too bad either.
-
BTW, I'm a huge Smokey and the Bandit fan, saw it about 15 times when in the theater in '78 I think it was. You might find this interesting: http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm (http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm)
Smokey and the Bandit "then and now" as to the filming locations, very well done by the author.
Sorry, off topic, but I wanted to add that. Thanks again.
Great Site's
-
BTW, I'm a huge Smokey and the Bandit fan, saw it about 15 times when in the theater in '78 I think it was. You might find this interesting: http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm (http://atlantatimemachine.com/smokey/poster.htm)
Smokey and the Bandit "then and now" as to the filming locations, very well done by the author.
Sorry, off topic, but I wanted to add that. Thanks again.
Good stuff.. 8) I'd like to have that poster for my basement.
-
Congrats on your new bike. You don't have to modify brake lines if you go with Murph's risers!
Nor will you have to with the Helibars or even Helibars with Phil's/Murphs Wedges. In fact, very few riser kits will require replacing or modifying the brake or clutch lines. Most are just moving the banjo fittings from the triple tree to the riser... I don't call that "modifying" (modifying would be having to replace the lines with longer ones). It is super easy and requires no special tools or additional equipment.
-
Welcome!
I'll third the opinions on the very attractive picture you're using for an avatar, the bike ain't too bad either.
Thanks! The young lady in the pic is holding a record album I brought to a comedy club show in Tampa back in December (yes, actual vinyl record) and I took the pic with her camera at her request; but she steered me to her Facebook afterwards so I could get it. If there's any members from upstate New York, they might know the name John Valby, a guy who plays piano and sings dirty songs... I've been a Valby fan since the early 80's. She freaked out when she saw the vinyl and they were signed back then by Valby and I had him re-sign them; 30+ years later. A little Paintshop Pro work superimposed the Connie where the album art was... lol
-
Good stuff.. 8) I'd like to have that poster for my basement.
You and me both! A buddy of mine had the actual movie poster in his room at his house many years ago, he conned it off the theater owner or staff somehow... I'll have to email him and see if he still has it! :)
-
Thanks! The young lady in the pic is holding a record album I brought to a comedy club show in Tampa back in December (yes, actual vinyl record) and I took the pic with her camera at her request; but she steered me to her Facebook afterwards so I could get it. If there's any members from upstate New York, they might know the name John Valby, a guy who plays piano and sings dirty songs... I've been a Valby fan since the early 80's. She freaked out when she saw the vinyl and they were signed back then by Valby and I had him re-sign them; 30+ years later. A little Paintshop Pro work superimposed the Connie where the album art was... lol
So she's not your wife or girlfriend?? ???
I was trying to be polite before, but if you're not with her then now we can comment even more huh?? ;)
Welcome to the forum bro! :chugbeer:
-
So she's not your wife or girlfriend?? ???
I was trying to be polite before, but if you're not with her then now we can comment even more huh?? ;)
Welcome to the forum bro! :chugbeer:
Haha, nope, none of the above. Heck, she's like my daughter's age, I thought it'd be a neat pic to modify for an Avatar, that's all.
-
You and me both! A buddy of mine had the actual movie poster in his room at his house many years ago, he conned it off the theater owner or staff somehow... I'll have to email him and see if he still has it! :)
Just looked, there are some repros and originals on ebay. :)
-
Just looked, there are some repros and originals on ebay. :)
Cool, get yourself one! ;)
-
Haha, nope, none of the above. Heck, she's like my daughter's age, I thought it'd be a neat pic to modify for an Avatar, that's all.
Yeah, right...! I've heard that one before..... ;)
-
Cool, get yourself one! ;)
I think I will but I'm running out of room in my basement bar!
-
I think I will but I'm running out of room in my basement bar!
What's a basement? (Florida here).... lol
-
What's a basement? (Florida here).... lol
From what I have heard it is a room under a house that guys that can't ride their motorcycles hang out in while they wait for the snow to melt. I'm from SoCal where we keep that white stuff up in the mountains where it belongs. ;D
-
Haha, nope, none of the above. Heck, she's like my daughter's age, I thought it'd be a neat pic to modify for an Avatar, that's all.
Well if that's the case then I'll fix it for ya bro! ;D ;D ;D
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/SKMKWQJE1.png)
-
Z, here's another one for ya... ;)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/33703_877782704311_5028109_48271907_1148937_n.jpg)
-
Nor will you have to with the Helibars or even Helibars with Phil's/Murphs Wedges. In fact, very few riser kits will require replacing or modifying the brake or clutch lines. Most are just moving the banjo fittings from the triple tree to the riser... I don't call that "modifying" (modifying would be having to replace the lines with longer ones). It is super easy and requires no special tools or additional equipment.
Max, do you lose any fluid doing that? I mean, is that connection an independent block just bolted to the OE location (and thus, to the riser if so required) or does the OE location/riser serve as the banjo connection block? If the latter, then the system is being opened when that location is moved.
-
The banjo fitting that bolts to the triple tree/risers is sealed. There will be no leaking from just unbolting it. Putting risers on is literally a 15 minute job with one set of hands and a beer. ;D
-
Z, here's another one for ya... ;)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/33703_877782704311_5028109_48271907_1148937_n.jpg)
Now we're talking!! :P :-* :)
You're gonna fit in nicely here bro... :grouphug:
-
The banjo fitting that bolts to the triple tree/risers is sealed. There will be no leaking from just unbolting it. Putting risers on is literally a 15 minute job with one set of hands and a beer. ;D
OK, that helps. Thanks. One final question, with Murph's risers, do the brake lines get re-bolted to the risers instead of the bars themselves?
-
One final question, with Murph's risers, do the brake lines get re-bolted to the risers instead of the bars themselves?
Yes, and same with the Heli risers too, you move the block from the upper triple clamp to the riser.
-
Yes, and same with the Heli risers too, you move the block from the upper triple clamp to the riser.
OK, that makes sense. I am assuming that the extra "length" therefore, comes from the 'long' part of the brake lines, and not from the 'short' section, between the triple tree and the handlebar ends themselves. That's where I was seeing a potential problem, those short sections have virtually no length left. But, if the fastening point is likewise raised up with the riser, then that length doesn't change and the extra hose comes from below. Am I seeing (in my mind) that correctly? Thanks.
-
OK, that makes sense. I am assuming that the extra "length" therefore, comes from the 'long' part of the brake lines, and not from the 'short' section, between the triple tree and the handlebar ends themselves. That's where I was seeing a potential problem, those short sections have virtually no length left. But, if the fastening point is likewise raised up with the riser, then that length doesn't change and the extra hose comes from below. Am I seeing (in my mind) that correctly? Thanks.
You are exactly right.
-
you can use anyones risers up to 2 inches without modifying brake lines. i use the 2 inch risers from helibar and its just enough for me im 6ft 195 lbs. I just ordered murphs wedge kit to go along with them , i hope it fits.
-
Now we're talking!! :P :-* :)
You're gonna fit in nicely here bro... :grouphug:
:thumbs:
-
you can use anyones risers up to 2 inches without modifying brake lines. i use the 2 inch risers from helibar and its just enough for me im 6ft 195 lbs. I just ordered murphs wedge kit to go along with them , i hope it fits.
2", wow! Them must be some long-@ss bolts! lol... I was evaluating it yesterday while zipping around and I think 1" give or take will be fine, it's close right now at stock height, I just need a bit more. As for the wedges, I don't have any problems with the angle of the bars at all. I'm 6' like you, around 210 lbs give or take whether or not I've had a night or two of 7 and 7's or Bud Lights.. lol 8)
Thanks for the info...
-
While you guys have your thinking caps on, here's another dumb-@ass question or two... where's the front auxiliary power wires? I looked in the owners manual and I can't quite grasp what it's saying as to location, under a cover somewhere? I'll need to find them eventually to wire in my Zumo550. Also, I have a GXM30 XM external antenna (the round disk) that I need to find a home, any suggestions on mounting that? I've not spent a lot of time looking for a spot, but I don't see much right out of the gate. I'm not talking about purchasing a mount for that, I can fabricate pretty well and have all sorts of tools including a welder.. I made my last one but it's designed for 7/8" round handlebars. Thanks.
And since she's such a hit, one last pic from my Avatar inspiration:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/354_598715567091_5028109_38338065_3583_n.jpg)
-
see post 73..you can see the leads. They are in the black boot/cover.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.60 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=6976.60)
-
While you guys have your thinking caps on, here's another dumb-@ass question or two... where's the front auxiliary power wires? I looked in the owners manual and I can't quite grasp what it's saying as to location, under a cover somewhere? I'll need to find them eventually to wire in my Zumo550. Also, I have a GXM30 XM external antenna (the round disk) that I need to find a home, any suggestions on mounting that? I've not spent a lot of time looking for a spot, but I don't see much right out of the gate. I'm not talking about purchasing a mount for that, I can fabricate pretty well and have all sorts of tools including a welder.. I made my last one but it's designed for 7/8" round handlebars. Thanks.
And since she's such a hit, one last pic from my Avatar inspiration:
Here's some info on locating the ACC leads in the front, and back.
http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/accleads (http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/accleads)
-
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/ksadjsaiu.gif)
And since she's such a hit, one last pic from my Avatar inspiration:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/354_598715567091_5028109_38338065_3583_n.jpg)
Sorry, what was the question again?? (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
-
Thanks for the links, the first of which is scary reading about KiPass failures and bypassing the system with that harness. Is that a problem with the 2012's too? Not that I'm going to run out and buy a harness right away.... ;)
Oh, and I totally understand where the ACC leads are now, I reached under that area and felt the rubber boot, so I get it now.