Handybars

[blueshound17]

Hi All! Ok, I'm wanting to put new bars on and I am wondering the size of the steering post, and diameter of stock bars. I've seen a lot of mtn. bike stems on the rucks and want to do the same but I don't know if it's easier to use a mtn. stem or the battlescooter stem. For one, I can get a mtn. stem for WAY cheaper than the battlescooter one. Any info. would be great!

[rollinjunk]

i think with my little knowledge that i know it maybe dependant on what kind of bars your looking at also just an fyi...

[smacky aka foo]

Blues,
the steering tube on the ruckus is appx. 1" dia. A mtn bike stem is 1-1/8". Bike shops should have a shim to make the mtn stem work, since older bikes had 1" steering tubes.

[robomod]

No, the diameter of the the steering tube is 15/16 of an inch. I used calipers to measure the post before I made a shim that went from 15/16 to 1 1/8.

Trust me

15/16"

[blueshound17]

Robo, thanks for the accuracy. I saw a shim for sale on the web earlier and didn't know if I should get it. I will pick one up when I do the swap.

I'm not sure what dia. bars yet. I am still looking around for the one's I want.

[SpoonKiller]

Some kind hearted soul should do a how-to for those of us (probably just me) who are mechanicaly challenged! I really want that cafe racer look.

This person will get my undying gratittude along with mucho karma points! (at least 5)

[smacky aka foo]

robomod said:

No, the diameter of the the steering tube is 15/16 of an inch. I used calipers to measure the post before I made a shim that went from 15/16 to 1 1/8.

Trust me

15/16"

Appx 1" = 15/16", others, such as nicad on RC, have used the shims available at bike shops. Most people don't have access to a machine shop like robo, so crafting an exact shim to size is not an option. But alas I have not made said switch, and should shut up.

[chopchop]

The most pain in the ass thing with using drag bars is the brake and throttle cables are a little long. The key is to run those cables so there is no drag for the cable under any condition. At first when I turned the bars all the way to one side the throttle cable got pulled and the brake cable would firm up and got pulled. The key to preventing this is to make large radius bends to minimize friction/contact between the cable and cable housing

I recommend using the BBS stem cause it's a more secure attachment compared to using a mtb stem and shim. What ever stem you end up using make sure you use motorcycle handle bars, bicycle bars are just too weak. Actually a mtb stem won't work cause the diameter at the mounting point on mtb bars are larger then motorcycle bars. You'll have to use a bmx stem.

[PomeRuck]

what i did and what i recommend, is using the piece from the old handlebars that slid over the steering tube. it takes cutting and grinding. when it's removed from the old handlebars you have a cylinder a couple inches long. then you make a vertical cut along the entire length about an 1/8 inch wide. this creates a gap so the tube becomes a clamp. then when you use it as a shim, the clamping force of the new handlebar stem will secure it to the steering tube. does this make sense? also, before you bolt on the new stem, rough up the inside and outside of the cylinder shim with sand paper to ensure a good clamping "bite." i'm telling you, if you can cut and grind THIS IS THE WAY TO GO to mount custom stems.

i agree with the comment about the bss stem being more secure than custom ones because there is a bolt going through the assembly on both stock and bss stems. i didn't do it, but you could also drill a hole in the custom stem and do the same thing as stock. basically this would not allow the wheel to slide turn left or right, breaking loose from the stem.

however, chop chop i disagree about the handlebars part. if you use bmx bars they are strong as FUCK. probably stronger because they are MADE to be smashed and resist great amounts of impact. i'm of course talking about good bar manufacturers. you can't tell me that these handlebars aren't strong.


moving on, mtb handlebars are almost always aluminum. since they have a straight design, i don't think strength is an issue with those either. if you want to be certain, use a "downhill" mtb handlebar that has a cross brace.

remember the only real concern is that a custom stem doesn't have a positive connection like stock or the bss stem which use a "through" bolt. for safety reasons, i probably wouldn't let my daughter (if i had one) ride my ruck with my custom stem. my fear is that i'm riding and all of a sudden the wheel turns sharply while my handlebars are still pointing straight ahead causing me to flip over the bars head first. this sucks really bad. i know because the same scenario happened to me on a downhill mtb. the stem wasn't tightened enough and whammo. FUCK!! however, if you have a REALLY good (expensive) stem and tighten the SHIT out of the two bolts that secure it to the steering tube, you should be fine. hope this helps!

[robomod]

When Nicad put his stem on he used a shim kit and peices of aluminum can, I believe, to account for the extra 16th of an inch.

[PomeRuck]

i'm telling you, do what i did. you have to cut up the old handlebars anyway to release the cables, so you might as well cut off the sleeve that fits over the steering tube. a dremel gets the job done pretty well. when you are done, you have the perfect shim. no pop cans or rigging, just awesome clamping force.


ok, ok, let me put it this way. of all the things i've done to my ruckus, the one thing i would recommend as the BEST thing i came up with is probably this issue of what kind of shim to use to mount custom stems. there it is. I'VE said it. so now the ball is in YOUR court. TRUST me on this!!! once you start tightening your new stem bolts you'll be like, "whoa pomeruck WAS right. why doesn't EVERYONE do it this way?" you heard me, of ALL THE THINGS I'VE DONE TO MY RUCKUS...

[glow=red,2,300]NOW GO AND GRIND OFF THE SLEEVE FROM YOUR OLD HANDLEBARS, CUT A GAP ALL THE WAY UP IT ABOUT 1/8" THICK, ROUGH IT UP WITH SAND PAPER... AND ASK ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUES IONS[/glow]

oh and a little HINT: take your old handlebars are fabricated shim, depending on if you have cut it off yet, to the bike shop to pick out your new stem and handlebars. this way you can use the old bars or shim as a reference to find the perfect fit for the new stuff.

oh and another HINT: keep your dremel out after you mount your new bars. the throttle cable and brake housing (the thing with the grips attached to it) has a little nub that needs to be ground down. the stock bars have two holes, one on each side, for this nub to connect with. this keeps the throttle assembly from sliding forward or backwards or side to side. grind it off though. with enough force on the phillips screw, it should clamp hard enough not to shift. my grips haven't moved a bit or missed this little round nub thing. your's won't either.

[blueshound17]

Everyone,

Thanks for the pics and good info. I like your shim idea Pome. I like your setup a lot. That's pretty much what I'm shooting for. I found some sweet BMX bars that are similar to yours. Did you use BMX grips or moto grips? So you haven't had any problems AT ALL with slippage of your controls, bars, etc. That is a concern of mine. If it's a big safety issue I might just end up buying the BSS stem. There's is a great design, just a little expensive. I found a cool specialized stem that will let you adjust the angle of the stem and the bars seperately. Pretty cool. Thanks to all! Keep em comin! That would be really great if someone did a how to on the bar swap. I'm a little nervous about taking off the controls since I've never done this and don't want to screw it up.

[robomod]

I have a demo from a japanese scooter mag where they take the bolt on section, cut off the bars, then they weld on a flat plate with 4 holes in it. Then you go on ebay and find 7/8 diameter riser for 10 bucks

Stock bars- free
Risers- $10+shipping
Fabbed plate- can you make it?
Welding- do you know anyone?


Pome, do a demo of your stem install, and I will do mine.

[blueshound17]

Yeah! That would be cool to have 2 different ways to do handlebar swaps. Work it up and we will all thank you generously!

[chopchop]

I think hacking off the old bar from the clamp then welding on a plate is the cheapest way, and if done really well will look just as good as the BBS one. I think I've seen the risers/clamps at a moto shop for ~$15 then get some drag bars for ~$10.

[chucktuna]

blueshound17 said:

Yeah! That would be cool to have 2 different ways to do handlebar swaps. Work it up and we will all thank you generously!

Now's there's a third way.

I really don't see what's wrong with the stock bars.
Are some of you wanting to make them higher?
and some want them lower...I really don't get the handle bar issue, To each his own

Chuck

[bluesmokeracing]

i used some metal electrical conduit and a saw to make shims. cut a slit down the tube and then cut to length. pried it open and around the neck. i also drilled and tapped a hole through the side of the stem for a stay-bolt. ill put some pics up soon.

[robomod]

The stock bars make me feel like I'm reading a Highlights magazine on a kiddy toilet. They are too close, and scooters, being potentially pussy-ass, you need the bad posture to show that you don't give a fuck.

Let's Roll

[blueshound17]

I agree. I think Pomeroy's speed tuck pic is the coolest. That's almost exactly how I want mine. I have found that if I sit ALL the way back on the seat and the tube behind it, the riding position is very comfy (except around turns). There's so much room to stretch out it's hilarious, and everyone really looks at you weird.

[smacky aka foo]

How about something like this



low rise dirt motorcycle bars angled forward. I used the battlescooter clamp because 1. it doesn't interfere with the cables the way a bicycle stem will. 2. optional speedo mount is nice (it lifts speedo into perfect position). 3. the aluminum machined pieces are high quality (i didn't like the stem until i saw it in person at our runnin' meet). 4. Bolt thru steer tube assures safety.

[SpoonKiller]

looks good smacky! where did you get the bar from? I really want to do that to my ride, I'll probably ask you to help

[smacky aka foo]

spoon,
you'll see it tommorow. Got them from the local motorcyle shop.

[batgirl101]

hey smacky, is that your hood on the pic? looks like a great neighborhood.

[smacky aka foo]

Batgirl,
it is and it is. It's a cozy, quiet neighborhood in Vallejo.

[chopchop]

Hey spoon, I have some dirtbike bars that I had before the drag bars that you can have if you want'em.