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Topic : Twin T Handlebars
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 EnGage 
Thor
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 15:43   Post title : Twin T Handlebars
 
I've been considering the Twin T Handlebars. Triumph states that they have the same ergonomics, which for me would be good since I find the bike comfortable as is.

For those of you that have them, is the hand grip position is the same or close?

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 daz 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 16:24   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
heres my take. Because the stock bars are adjustable, not only do some people change the position, but i suspect many come from the dealer adjusted slightly different. So you will get conflicting opinions. My feeling is they are a bit lower and further back, but then i had mine adjusted further forward then the bike came which also brings them up some. So when i switched to Tbars i felt the were considerably further back and lower. I wasn't used to that so i wasn't too pleased at 1st. Now that i'm used to them i think i prefer them, but it's probably just a matter of preferring what you are used to, barring of course any position that really is hard on you in some way. The biggest improvement to me tho is looks. The look to me really cleans up the looks, makes it look more quality, makes it look meaner and sleeker. I would be very disappointed to have to go back to stock.

that said, my feeling is that they are as i said further back and lower, but compared to how the stockers came adjusted i would say the difference is very little. Probably a 1/2" back and down or somewhere thereabouts. And like me i'd say you will find that once you get used to them if there IS any notable difference, you will likely feel the same as you did with the stockers. By the way, if you DO get them, get the chrome switch housings and chrome clutch cover. It looks sooooo much more quality. teardrop mirrors too, but i realize those are a lot more subjective. heres a pic of mine with all that on it. Not a great pic to see that stuff, but it'll have to do.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
Post edited by daz on 23 Sep 2010 - 16:25
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 EnGage 
Thor
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 16:37   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 
Thanks for the pic Daz.

I definitely agree that they look better, which is why I am considering them. I have your picture up on one screen and my bike on the other and it looks close enough so I think I'll given them a shot.



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 CornerBanger 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 16:51   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
+1 on what Daz said. the look of the bike is so much better with the bars. I put Kury grips on mine as well. It looks real nice.

 
There are those who own and there are those who ride!

2010 Thunderbird
2007 Kawi KX250F
2010 Kawi KX85 (My boy's ride)
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 Birdy68 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 17:09   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 

daz wrote:
heres my take. Because the stock bars are adjustable, not only do some people change the position, but i suspect many come from the dealer adjusted slightly different. So you will get conflicting opinions. ...


+1

My opinion - they were just about the same as the stock bars. I had personally tilted my stock bars up, so that I could see over my elbow with the mirrors!


One thing you should know if you hadn't already thought about - the bars are thicker! I don't mean in the 'stoooopid' sense, but in diameter
So if you have any 1" fittings for anything - THEY WONT FIT THE TT-BARS!!!
The TT-Bars are 1.25"


I'm happy with them - even if it's a PITA when you want to lift the tank


 
Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!

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more info at Fuelly.com
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 daz 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 17:17   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
By the way, two things i should mention. See the chrome wiring harness retainers that came with the bars? Well, they look nice but they don't fit the bars correctly. Unless mine somehow were packaged with the wrong ones, you may find the same things. They seem to be made for thicker bars. So what you will want to do is get some sticky back rubber sheets and cut pieces to fit on the area that contacts the bars. this not only makes them fit the smaller diameter bars, but also keeps them from scratching the handlebars. I believe they are made for 1.5" bars, while the Tbars are 1.25".

Second, and it seems this probably isn't going to be as close to what you want as far as hand position but i figured i'd mention it, Thunderbike in Austrailia make a T bar for the Tbird too, and it's higher and further forward from what i can tell. Tho possibly quite a bit. You'd have to ask them. It also has 2 other differences...it is 1.5" thick, and the area where it narrows down to 1" so the controls and grips will fit is NOT a gradual drop like the Triumph tbars. It is a 1.5" to 1" immediately, like if you lathed it down if you get what i'm saying. In other words, a 90 degree cut down from 1.5 to 1". The Triumph bars slope down to 1" over the course of a inch or 2. I prefer the thunderbikes for that. i also like the position better i think, but like i said once used to the triumph T's i like them as fine as i did the stock bars, which raised up like i had them were probably about the same as the thunderbike T's. however, one big drawback....almost double the price at $392 shipped USD ! (i may have bought them tho had i known at the time)

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 19:45   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 
The Thunderbike's are nice, but I haven''t decided if I like the thicker look any better. Given that it would be a toss up on looks, the $392 price for them means I'll stick with the Triumph bars.

Now, do I order them now or put them on my x-mas list

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 daz 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 20:04   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
You only live once....waduyawaitinfor?

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 20:11   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 
OK, OK - I just emailed the parts guy. If they don't have them in stock (they are good at stocking one of most everything) I'll order them.

Since I got the Easy Brackets I've had my bags off most of the time and I haven't used my windscreen much either so I have been really enjoying the lines of this bike again. Looking at it the other day the T bars just kinda came to mind

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 daz 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 20:23   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
That why i won't buy things like windshields and bags....the look is too important to me. I do have throw over bags i bought for the speedy in case i do an overnighter, camping, etc. Never used them so far.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 23 Sep 2010 - 23:57   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 

daz wrote:

That why i won't buy things like windshields and bags....the look is too important to me. I do have throw over bags i bought for the speedy in case i do an overnighter, camping, etc. Never used them so far.


I understand, but I take a lot of long trips on the Tbird and with the Easy Brackets, the bags go on and off so easily that it is a great solution.

The screen is another story. I find myself using it less and less. It is nice when it rains, however, or when it is really cold - I just wish Triumph's quick release bracket wasn't so damn big - its too noticeable with the screen off.

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 daz 
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Posted : 24 Sep 2010 - 00:09   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
I always forget not everyone lives in so cal ! I suppose if i lived in a much colder wetter climate i'd be more likely to have a windshield too. I would have one now if someone made one i could pop on and off in a minute and didn't leave brackets as you mentioned. Wouldn't mind on on the long high speed freeway jaunts.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 29 Sep 2010 - 15:35   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 
Tbars are in

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 EnGage 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 14:02   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
And ... they are installed

It was more difficult than I expected. The instructions state the tank should come off, but I figured I wouldn't need to until I realized that I have heated handgrips that have wires that thread through the handlebars and connect under the tank.

Then, I was unable to remove the lower left-hand switch housing screw - the ones that only tighten to 3 NM. I had this issues with the heated handgrips so on Wednesday when I picked up the handlebars, I had the dealer try, but no luck, the screw will have to be drilled out. I was able to remove the top screw, remove the handlebar bolts and with the handlebar in one hand I slid the switch housing off with the other.

The tank will not clear the T bars, but can still be installed by grabbing with both hands and sliding it under the bars. Then place the pin in the back and you can prop it up enough to make the connections - I hand my wife hold it up instead. Removal will be more difficult because of the clearance and dexterity needed to press the clips on the fuel line and electrical connectors. With two people, you could remove the front and back tank bolts, have one person, grab the tank, pull it back and up while the other disconnects everything.

Put everything back together and turned on the switch - no hum from the fuel pump. Hit the starter switch - nothing. I'm thinking I didn't get one of the connectors seated, but I turned the switch off and on again and the fuel pump hummed and the bird started right up, but the Engine Management System Malfunction light is on. I know everything is hooked up right, because everything works and the bike runs fine.


Edit: Daz mentioned they feel lower and farther back. I'm not sure about farther back, but they do feel lower to me. To back that up, I have one issue with them, the lower portion of the metal flange on Master Cylinder Brake Hose Connection hits the top of my gas cap - I have the locking gas cap.

Post edited by EnGage on 01 Oct 2010 - 14:14
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 Birdy68 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 14:12   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 

Pictures please... 'Cos we know you have a good camera


Regarding the Engine Light thingy - I believe it says in the SM that you should be OK - if the computer stops getting the error message from where it has gotten it from then it will be cleared after a 3rd or 4th start up. Something like that...



EDIT:
Here you go:

Triumph SM says in Section 10.22:

On-board Fault Detection System
The on-board diagnostic system has two stages to fault detection. When a fault is detected, the DSM (Diagnostic Status Manager) raises a flag to indicate that a fault is present and increments a counter. The counter checks the number of instances that the fault is noted. For example, if there is a fault in the crankshaft position sensor, the counter will increment its count each time the crankshaft turns through 360°, provided the fault is still present.

When the count begins, the fault is detected but not confirmed. If the fault continues to be detected and the count reaches a pre-determined threshold, the fault becomes confirmed. If the fault is an emissions related fault or a serious malfunction affecting engine performance, a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) and freeze frame data will be logged in the ECM's memory and the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) on the motorcycle instrument panel is illuminated. Once a fault is confirmed, the number of warm-up cycles made by the engine is counted. If the fault clears, the warm-up cycle counter will extinguish the MIL (Malfunction lndicator Lamp) at a pre determined count, and erase the DTC and freeze frame data from the ECM memory at another (higher) count.

A single warm-up cycle is deemed to have taken place when the following criteria have been met:
- The coolant temperature must be raised to 72°C or more.
- The coolant temperature must have risen by 23°C or more from its start temperature, when 72°C is reached.
- A controlled power-down sequence must take place.

Note:
When a fault has been rectified, the MIL will remain illuminated until sufficient non-fault warm-up cycles have taken place to turn it off.
The MIL will be immediately extinguished if, after first rectifying the fault, the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) that caused the MIL illumination is erased from the ECM memory using the Triumph diagnostic software.

Note:
In most cases, when a fault is detected, the engine management system will revert to a 'limp-home' mode. In this mode, the engine will still function though the performance and fuel economy may be marginally affected. In some cases, the rider may not notice any appreciable difference from normal operation.


 
Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!

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more info at Fuelly.com
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 daz 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 15:41   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 

EnGage wrote:
Edit: Daz mentioned they feel lower and farther back. I'm not sure about farther back, but they do feel lower to me. To back that up, I have one issue with them, the lower portion of the metal flange on Master Cylinder Brake Hose Connection hits the top of my gas cap - I have the locking gas cap.


Thats odd. Is it one of those flip up ones? Thats the only way i could imagine it would hit because those are really tall.Heres a thought....did yours come with a plate that goes between the cups the rubber mount is in and the bars and goes across to both bars? I noticed some, in fact many if not most don't have those, and i'm not sure if they didn't come with them or if they just didn't use them. But they will raise the bars about and 1/8" or thereabouts, maybe a bit more, which might take yours just enough higher to keep it from hitting the cap. Heres a pic of mine with it on.




 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 15:46   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: Birdy68)
 
Birdy - thanks for the information and I will get some pictures.

I went ahead and called the Service Manager anyway and I think we have the mystery solved. He said if the bike is switched on without the tank connections made, it will throw a fault. Well, after I got the bars installed and the heated grips connected again, I decided I should test the grips before I getting the tank on and loosing access to those connections. So ... I turned the key on and fired up the grips.

He said with the new OBD II, disconnecting the battery and waiting will not clear the code. He said I will have to ride it a few times - just turning it off and on won't do it either.

If that doesn't fix it, there are two vacuum lines under the tank that have been problematic in the earlier bikes (I believe we have seen a couple of posts on this issue). He suspects I could have dislodged one of them. They have redesigned these connections in the newer models and Triumph says to use adhesive in the older Birds, but this guy uses a small zip-tie as he worries about getting adhesive into the hole, making it a hard problem to diagnose.

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 EnGage 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 15:51   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 

daz wrote:

Thats odd. Is it one of those flip up ones? Thats the only way i could imagine it would hit because those are really tall.Heres a thought....did yours come with a plate that goes between the cups the rubber mount is in and the bars and goes across to both bars? I noticed some, in fact many if not most don't have those, and i'm not sure if they didn't come with them or if they just didn't use them. But they will raise the bars about and 1/8" or thereabouts, maybe a bit more, which might take yours just enough higher to keep it from hitting the cap. Heres a pic of mine with it on.



I do have that plate. In fact, it comes with a huge warning stating an accident and possible death will occur without its use.

I have the Triumph locking gas cap. It really isn't very tall, but I didn't compare it to the OEM one. I'll do this and get a picture.

It barely hits the cap, but it does hit and will scratch it.

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 daz 
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Posted : 01 Oct 2010 - 16:15   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
Might be a good idea to use something to cover the brake fitting. heat shrink tubing would be good, tho that would require removing it and therefore draining the fluid. But something like plastic coil, etc just so it doesn't scratch it if it hits.
Odd that it mentions danger by not using the plate ! doesn't make much sense considering the risers are welded together unlike the stock riser, which therefore i would think would be less rigid than these. Maybe i'm missing something there.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 02 Oct 2010 - 21:28   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 

daz wrote:

Odd that it mentions danger by not using the plate ! doesn't make much sense considering the risers are welded together unlike the stock riser, which therefore i would think would be less rigid than these. Maybe i'm missing something there.



This might sound odd, but maybe it's because of the weld. Bolt on risers could likely take more torque at the top with breaking than a welded connection. The risers do bolt through rubber, which is flexible so maybe the plate keeps each riser from moving independent of the other. Just a thought.


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 EnGage 
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Posted : 02 Oct 2010 - 21:30   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
The Engine Malfunction light (check engine light) is now out. It took two rides and then this afternoon I turned it on in the garage, let it sit, went out about 10-25 minutes later and the light was out.

The Service Manager must have been right about a code being trigger when I turned on the key without the gas tank attached.


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 daz 
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Posted : 02 Oct 2010 - 21:33   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
Ahhh, yes...makes sense. I have seen more T bars w/o it than with tho, soi hope that would be a very rare occurrence ! By the way, did you also find the chrome wire harness clamps to be too large to clamp tightly to the bars? As i think i mentioned above, i have to use some sticky back rubber sheets and cut them to fit the clamping surface of the halves.

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
Post edited by daz on 02 Oct 2010 - 21:35
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 03 Oct 2010 - 14:28   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 
The chrome wire harnesses are too big. I used a couple of layers of thick clear tape, but I think I'll get something a bit spongeier


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 EnGage 
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Posted : 13 Oct 2010 - 12:58   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: daz)
 

daz wrote:

Might be a good idea to use something to cover the brake fitting...


I ended up just angling the entire assembly with the brake reservoir up a bit and that cured it. Didn't have to rotate it very much and I don't notice any difference in the position of the brake lever so all is good.


Birdy68 wrote:


Pictures please... 'Cos we know you have a good camera




Not my best work, was rushed last night because I needed to leave for the weekly RAT Pack ride and I still need to replace the mirrors (on x-mas list), but here they are (I put my seat Merkin on because I know DAZ likes it so much ):









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 daz 
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Posted : 13 Oct 2010 - 13:59   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
Yeah, isn't that odd ? They seem to have packaged the bars with harness' that are made for the 1.5" bars. I don't get how they make such a flub then almost a year later they are still sending them out that way when they no doubt know about it by now. That kind of thing really irritates me. Oh, and take that damn merkin off that poor bird right now 1

 
2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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 Birdy68 
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Posted : 13 Oct 2010 - 14:50   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: EnGage)
 
EnGage wrote:
...


That is a lovely flat line you now have with those bar EnGage

Yeah - OK - I'm with you on the mirrors - a.s.a.p. says me!


Maybe we could get extensions for our merkins... line the back of the IronRider case! Keep you back lovely and warm...


Thanks for the pictures.
Interesting as Daz says - I too didn't get those cable-bar clamps!
It also appears to me that you have heck of a lot more cables on your clutch side in comparison to mine... Do you have additional wires for the:
- external lighting
- heated grips
?

If so - that's why it looks 'busy' to me.
I have to say - with the few cables I have and being loose - it doesn't disturb so much.

 
Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!

-x- -x-
more info at Fuelly.com
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 EnGage 
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Posted : 13 Oct 2010 - 18:10   Post title : Re: Twin T Handlebars (Re: Birdy68)
 

Birdy68 wrote:



Maybe we could get extensions for our merkins... line the back of the IronRider case! Keep you back lovely and warm...




A nice fur cover for the IronRider ... now wouldn't that be nice. Maybe matching gloves! I think Daz just had a heart attack


Birdy68 wrote:

It also appears to me that you have heck of a lot more cables on your clutch side in comparison to mine... Do you have additional wires for the:
- external lighting
- heated grips
?



It's the heated grips. It adds two set of wires - one to heat the grips and another for the control button. I like the button where it is, but I don't like the large cable associated with it (the line to heat the grip is pretty small). I might consider moving it.