Handlebar replacement

Why

The standard handlebar of the NTV is a bit bicycle like. The grips reaches to much to the rear to get comfortable, especially on the highway, where it will be nice to lean forward against the wind.

Choosing handlebar

One thing to watch for is that the new handlebar is not bumping into the tank on right or left lock. Just to be sure, I parked the motor outside the shop and checked the handlebars one for one for a size until I found the one that suited me best.

Another considartion is the length of the cables. As long as the new handlebar is lower and more forward then the old one you are safe.

Procedure

Before click to enlarge
Before - from the back click to enlarge
Preparations:
  • put a cloth on tank to protect paintwork (removed parts will rest there)
  • remove mirrors
  • loosen up screws of left and right clusters so that things can be slided to get easy access to the grips
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Remove left grip.
The grip went off with a little help from a screwdriver and a lot of squeezing and rotating. 		click to enlarge
Remove right cluster. click to enlarge
The throttle is pinned to its place by a small pin on the bottom of the handlebar.
After releasing the throttle cable a bit the throttle came off. 		click to enlarge
Unscrew the four mounting screws. click to enlarge
The the handlebar is free now, and you can slide off the left and right cluster on both sides click to enlarge
Done with the old handlebar.
Note the locations of the wholes on the bottom where the throttle and left cluster are fixed. 		click to enlarge
Drill holes in new handlebar. Measure location on the old handlebar.
It's easy to start with a thin drilling bit, say 3mm, and then to move to the right size (8mm if I remember right). 		click to enlarge
When reassembling check carefully that the handlebar is not touching the tank on left or right lock. click to enlarge
At last fit grips and mirrors. click to enlarge
Done in about 2 hours. click to enlarge