[sleepngbear]

General info, as it had been asked here at least once:

The stock handlebar on the CTX1300 starts out at 1 1/8" at the risers. Then out towards the end it steps down to 1" for the brake and clutch levers. Then it steps down again to 7/8" for the grips. Strangest set-up I think I've ever seen.

Just curious, for anybody with an ST1300 (or ST1100, for that matter) -- I know the grips are 7/8"; but how about where the clutch and brake controls clamp on? Is that 7/8" also, or 1"?


Also -- if anybody has an extra pair of hands available and can take a stab at measuring the bar width, rise and pullback (especially if you're going to have the grips off), please post that here as well!

 

[bob]

Today is a maintenance day on my ST.
Parts to replace: spark plugs, rear brake pads, head cover gaskets (started seeping this winter), clips for my tank bag. My tank bag is not magnetic since the top shelter on my ST is plastic... just like on the CTX!

So while I was tearing into taking plastic covers off before lunch I measured the bars.
The ST1100 bars are only one diameter end to end at 7/8" with no steps for different diameters.


Note: the plastic clips/buckles for my tank bag are the only items that have broken from riding in extreme cold... after many years with them. A co-worker who prides himself on being a supreme motorcyclist used to ride all year like I still do but stopped due to plastic cover tabs breaking off on his bike. He has told me I'm looking for the same trouble continuing to ride in cold. His parts are much more expensive than mine. He rides a BMW... 'nuff said.

 

[sleepngbear]

Well, I'm never thing I was thinking -- with a bar with decreasing diameters like that, it's pretty unlikely that there'll be anything in the way of aftermarket alternatives for it. Maybe risers, if anything. Luckily they're nice and comfy just as they are.

 

[bob]

fortunately the vast majority of aftermarket stuff you would put on the bars usually comes in a variety of sizes. It's just a matter of knowing which step you're mounting to and order the size for that step.

I already have in mind something for the middle step (for my garage door button) so would move the reservoir clamps as far inboard on that step as they will go to fit that in between the clamps and the grips. I also would add a RAM bar mount to the inner step with a small RAM ball to hold my GPS. It would likely sit so it's in front of my view of the left speaker (don't need to see the speaker, just hear it sometimes).
That would be all I add to the bars.

 

[ShadowRider]

Since I am thinking of replacing the grips with ISO grips from Kuryakyn, today I was looking at the section about the handlebars and grips in the service manual. It appears that if you remove the weights on the end of the bars, there are parts that are destroyed in the process and have to be replaced!

I am NOT crazy about that. And I am concerned that if I remove the weights, it will affect the handling or smoothness of the bike. Kuryakyn has matching end weights as well, so I might consider those. But right now I'm not sure if I want to be a pioneer once again. Perhaps the Grip Puppies or something like them will be what I need to do for now...

 

[bob]

I've used grip puppies on my last 2 bikes. They remind me of my GW grips and about the same diameter when installed.

 

[sleepngbear]

Since I am thinking of replacing the grips with ISO grips from Kuryakyn, today I was looking at the section about the handlebars and grips in the service manual. It appears that if you remove the weights on the end of the bars, there are parts that are destroyed in the process and have to be replaced!

I am NOT crazy about that. And I am concerned that if I remove the weights, it will affect the handling or smoothness of the bike. Kuryakyn has matching end weights as well, so I might consider those. But right now I'm not sure if I want to be a pioneer once again. Perhaps the Grip Puppies or something like them will be what I need to do for now...

Now why do they do stuff like that. The Thunderbird has bar end weights that are just screwed into threaded tabs welded into the ends of the bars. Simple. Unscrew them off, screw them back on. Not that I'm on a hurry to start changing out parts, but I hate when they do stuff like that to make it ridiculously more difficult to do something than it needs to be. Like the battery, and the windshield.

 

[Bronson]

What size throttle lock

I was thinking of adding a throttle lock so what size should I go with 1 inch or 7/8?

 

[sleepngbear]

I was thinking of adding a throttle lock so what size should I go with 1 inch or 7/8?

7/8". The ends of the bar where the grips are, including the throttle cable housing, are 7/8".

 

[Bronson]

Thanks!

 

[MarkWebber]

ShadowRider,

Did you wind up replacing the grips with the ISO grips from Kuryakyn? If so,
what issues did you have and what needed to be replaced. I just ordered the ISO Grips, Throttle Boss and Weights from Kuryakyn, so I'm interested on what else I might
need when I install everything.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[sleepngbear]

ShadowRider,

Did you wind up replacing the grips with the ISO grips from Kuryakyn? If so,
what issues did you have and what needed to be replaced. I just ordered the ISO Grips, Throttle Boss and Weights from Kuryakyn, so I'm interested on what else I might
need when I install everything.

Thanks,
Mark

Just a tube of grip cement, and you should be all set. The vial of grip glue that came with my grips had set solid before I opened it, so I grabbed a tube of Honda cement from my local stealer.

Other trouble spots you might want to be aware of: 1, removing the stock grips can be a pain. Some guys have gotten them off in one piece, but I had to cut mine off. And 2, my left Kury grip was extremely loose on the bar, and I ended up needing to wrap a couple of layers of electrical tape first in order to get enough friction to hold it in place. The grip cement has held up just fine over the tape through my first season.

 

[MarkWebber]

Thanks for responding. I downloaded the installation instructions, which aren't much help. Other than I see where they say the Throttle side grip is slightly larger than the clutch side grip.

One question I have is, when I put the ISO grips on my Harley, I had to open up the switch housing and disconnect the throttle wire, then reinstall it in the ISO Grip. From what I've been reading on the CTX Forum, it appears that isn't the case on our CTX1300's.

Am I correct to assume that the ISO grip slips over the throttle housing and glues to it, so there is no need to disconnect cables or anything?

Thanks Again,

Mark

 

[sleepngbear]

Thanks for responding. I downloaded the installation instructions, which aren't much help. Other than I see where they say the Throttle side grip is slightly larger than the clutch side grip.

One question I have is, when I put the ISO grips on my Harley, I had to open up the switch housing and disconnect the throttle wire, then reinstall it in the ISO Grip. From what I've been reading on the CTX Forum, it appears that isn't the case on our CTX1300's.

Am I correct to assume that the ISO grip slips over the throttle housing and glues to it, so there is no need to disconnect cables or anything?

Thanks Again,

Mark

Yup, you're correct -- on the HD's, the throttle tube and grip are one piece, while on Honda's (and some other meteics), the grip slides over a separate throttle tube. No need to disconnect any cables.

 

[MarkWebber]

Perfect, Thank you. They arrive on Friday and its suppose to rain all day Saturday, looks like I have a project.

 

[bruceb]

I put on a set of the ISO grips yesterday. Easy enough for the clutch. But very hard on the brake side. So hard that I didn't glue it for fear the glue would set before I could push it over completely. Not sure if I will leave it there or cut off the plastic sleeve and apply glue.

MarkWeber - how went your installation?

 

[MarkWebber]

I had the same problems. Clutch side was a little loose, used the electrical tape and the glue that came with the grips. I wound up pulling the ISO grip back off the next day because it wasn't tight enough. The throttle side was very tight, but I was able to test fit it first, pulled the ISO grip back off, applied the glue and put it back on. Since I had a rag over the grip to prevent glue from getting on the grip, I didn't see the rubber insert in the grip get pushed in an popped out through the metal part of the grip. I was able to pull the grip back off again. Then I cleaned the throttle tube, scraped off the dried glue, pulled the ISO grip apart and cleaned the rubber insert. I reassembled the grip and tried to dry fit it again. Went on with a little pressure, but when I tried to pull it back off, I couldn't get it off. So I left it alone. I went to the dealer, bought a tube of Honda grip glue, which I should have done in the first place, came home and reinstalled the clutch side grip. I let it sit overnight and when I checked it this morning, it was solid. If anyone else plans on installing the ISO grips, get a tube of grip glue first, throw the junk out that comes with the grips, then do the install. They look great and feel so much better than the stock grips. I did put the throttle boss and Kuryakyn weights on too. Really like how it came out, now if it gets above 50 degrees and stops raining, I'll be a happy camper.