Bar risers cause problems for steering stabilizer?

Got questions? We got answers....
Post Reply
User avatar
wanaride
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 460
Joined: 12:05 pm Dec 20 2004
Country:
Location: Salisbury, NC

Bar risers cause problems for steering stabilizer?

Post by wanaride »

Hello all, I have a Scotts stabilizer mounted above my upper triple clamp. (Typical setup for KX125 front end; stabilizer mounts to clamp, and the clamp also serves as the upper handlebar clamp.)

I'd like to add bar risers to my bike but I'm concerned that as the handlebars move up, the stabilizer will move up too, and the stabilizer link arm won't slide down over the stabilizer pin (that mounts to the frame).

I'm not in front of my bike so I'm working off of memory, but it seems that bar risers won't work with this type of stabilizer setup. Has anyone else had this problem? Will I have to pay more money to Scotts for a different mounting option??
I love someone with autism!

2006 KTM 250XCW
2003 KDX200
2006 CRF70
2006 KTM 50 Mini Adventure
User avatar
Indawoods
Creator and Founder
Creator and Founder
Posts: 9951
Joined: 09:59 am Jun 12 2003
Country:
Location: Midwest

Post by Indawoods »

The further from the mount... the weaker it will become. There are limits.
*** Administrator //***
****'95 KDX 200/****

"People ate cows a thousand years ago for the same reason we eat them now. Cause they are easy to catch.We're not savages,we're just lazy. A cheetah could taste like chocolate heroin. But will never know. Those bastards are fast!!! "
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

I have yet to see a top mount Scotts damper that won't tweak the pin when the bars are slammed.

Mount it low!

..then tell me all the parts, extensions and spacers you used so I can do it, too. :wink:

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
wanaride
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 460
Joined: 12:05 pm Dec 20 2004
Country:
Location: Salisbury, NC

Post by wanaride »

Okay, so I'm not crazy for asking this. A taller pin could work, but when I was looking at my bike a few minutes ago I too was worried about getting the pin TOO tall.

I sent an email to Scotts today about this. If they don't answer, I'll call and ask for options.

I checked for their SUB mounting kit and only Kawasaki's new 4-stroke bikes are listed.

And to think, once upon a time I thought the fender mounting technique was a bad plan. Sheesh...
I love someone with autism!

2006 KTM 250XCW
2003 KDX200
2006 CRF70
2006 KTM 50 Mini Adventure
User avatar
canyncarvr
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 6943
Joined: 01:07 pm Nov 05 2004
Country: US
Location: The Mythical State of Jefferson

Post by canyncarvr »

Silly boy!

You don't ASK them if they have something to fit....you MAKE something to fit!!!!!

(well...not me...which is why I'm looking forward to the particulars!)

Consider the source
Using a perceived level of knowledge to boost my self worth.
Non impediti ratione cogitationis

bike profile: !clicky!
User avatar
skipro3
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 4329
Joined: 11:58 pm Nov 04 2004
Country:
Location: BANNED FOR LIFE!!
Contact:

Post by skipro3 »

I did what you are talking about. In order to make it all stiff enough, I got a frame bracket and welded it to the frame. Don't use a clamp-on bracket, they just will tweak out no matter how tight you clamp to the frame. To make a taller pin, I started by finding a long drill bit that fit the bracket. Then I cut it to length, and ground down flat sides to just fit the damper. It worked and was solid. But I wanted it even more solid, so I got a metal tube same size as that in the bracket and welded it on with little wings on the side for more strength. I used the drill bit to keep the tubes lined up right. It wasn't going anywhere! Just a longer shaft, like my drill bit shaft, would have been enough, but I had a torch. And when you have a man with a torch, suddenly everything needs to be welded. Ha!!

Also, before using the drill bit shank, I used a screw driver shank. It was just as strong, but wasn't as tight fitting as I would like in the bracket. Look around your garage. There's something there to stiffen it up and allow you to run the damper on the top clamp mount.

Main reason to run the damper on the top clamp mount is to have the adjustment handy. I adjusted mine as much as 10 or 12 times in a single ride. Hit sand wash, adjust. Hit a rut hill climb, adjust. Hit a technical tight trail, adjust. Hey, I bet I adjusted that thing more than CC adjusts his AS for the SSS. HaW!!!
Jerry

I'd rather be a smartass like carvr, than a dumbass like.... well, you fill in the blank!
User avatar
wanaride
Supporting Member II
Supporting Member II
Posts: 460
Joined: 12:05 pm Dec 20 2004
Country:
Location: Salisbury, NC

Post by wanaride »

I just called Scotts and verified my/our suspicion; bar risers are a bad idea with a Scotts on a KDX/KX. Taller handlebars are the only official option (note Ski's solution above).

"James" at Scotts felt strongly that "mini" bars only belong on a mini-bike (his words, not mine) and he suggested I try a Renthal Carmichael High bend for more room.

James also suggested that newer bikes have more mounting options for a Scotts. He wasn't being rude or anything; to the contrary, he was very helpful. He was just explaining why, say, a CRF450 has lots of mounting options whereas a KDX doesn't.
I love someone with autism!

2006 KTM 250XCW
2003 KDX200
2006 CRF70
2006 KTM 50 Mini Adventure
User avatar
tim
Supporting Member I
Supporting Member I
Posts: 240
Joined: 10:12 pm Mar 10 2006
Country:
Location: East Tn.

Post by tim »

is there room under the bar with the risers for the stabilizer? if there is could you drill and tap the triple tree and mount it directly? i know it will make it harder to adjust on the fly but it may be an option.
06 200H

GALLERY!
Post Reply