Category Archives: HeliBars History

Yamaha FJR1300: Why a Replacement Triple Clamp?

29 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in FJR1300, HeliBars FAQs, HeliBars History, Uncategorized, Yamaha

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A common question we receive on the 2006-2012 Yamaha FJR1300 is why did you design a replacement triple clamp.  It’s usually followed with “You did a riser for the earlier version, why not just keep it the same.”

Here is the detailed information from our engineer:
1st:  The stock triple clamp on the 2006-2012 has a horizontal mount for the handlebars.  So any riser that would be added onto the triple clamp would only make the handlebars taller, not closer to the rider.  (And really that’s what people want is the bars closer to them so they aren’t stretched over the tank.)  Also the handlebar mounting hardware complicates any riser design.

2nd:  The stock clamp is very wide front to back and this uses up cable and hydrualic line slack very quickly when the controls are raised and moved back.

3rd:  The stock triple clamp is rather thin sectioned and uses a single fork tube pinch bolt per side.  This is one of the reasons FJR’s have a buzz at cruise speed.

All three of these issues are addressed in the redesigned triple clamp (HRT076-2 or HRT076ES-2).
Specifications:

  • 1/2″ taller than stock
  • 1 1/4″ to 1 3/4 ” rearward (towards rider) with the option of 2 handlebar mounting locations.
  • Reduced vibrations
  • Improved wrist angles

If you want additional height, you can also add our Optional Accessory Risers which increase the height to 1 1/4″ taller than stock.  (HRTR01 only fits with the Heli Triple Clamp)

Safe Riding!

HeliBars: What’s the Difference?

10 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Helibars - Other Handlebars, HeliBars FAQs, HeliBars History

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“Rise”?  “Pullback”?  “Rear Offset Location”?  It’s all Greek to me!  What do you mean it’s only 1 1/2″ taller?  Are you sure that’s going to make a difference?

These are all questions I hear daily.  Case in point.  I received an email this week telling me that our advertising was wrong.  The bars were not 1 5/8″ taller.  So we did a little photography for proof that we were indeed 1 5/8″ taller.

Stock bar for Hayabusa on Bottom, HeliBars for Hayabusa on top.

Here’s the facts:   Our product specs are measured at the end of the bar, where you place your hands.  We take measurements from the stock location to the new HeliBars location.  This tells you exactly where your hands will be and really this is the information people want.

Let’s talk “pull back” and “rear offset location”.   Basically, we move you up and back into your seat more.  So “pull back” or “rear offset location” means moving your hands closer to your torso.

A great resource for finding out how that “minor” 1 1/2″ adjustment is really going to affect your riding position is Cycle-Ergo.com.  There you can pick your motorcycle, your height, inseam and then vehicle customization.  Some people are strictly visual people and this site is a fantastic resource to help give you that visual.

The bottom line.  Our products work.  We have been producing HeliBars for 25 years and we offer a 30 day money back guarantee.  What’s our return rate you ask?  Less than 2%.  Almost unheard of.  People just love our bars!

HeliBars-25 years of Comfort without Compromise (part 3)

26 Thursday Jan 2012

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We were saddened to learn recently that Dana Sawyer, the founder of the Honda V-4 Sport Touring Association passed away last summer. Dana was a great guy who carried out his vision in 1982 to bring together like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts who shared his passion for the new Honda V-4 motorcycles. There are those who credit Dana with coining the term “sport-touring” motorcycles. The V-4 HSTA organization grew to include all sport-touring motorcycle enthusiasts, and it continues today as the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association.

RIP Dana.

Continuing our history…after he bought his 1982 V-45 Sabre, Harry spent lots of time getting together and talking with Dana and other Sabre owners about the attributes and deficiencies of the bike, as motorcyclists are prone to do when they’re not riding. These conversations led him to do some tinkering with the handlebar position to make it more sporty.

This review was from the V-Fourum, Official Newsletter of the         Honda V-4 Sport Touring Association, December, 1983:

“Harry Eddy’s modified low handlebars…Harry’s bars are a tremendous improvement over the stock bars! They do NOT require extreme forward lean. The quality of workmanship is impeccable and the finish first-rate! The bars (about 2 ½” lower than stock) come with stainless steel adjustment adapters. Cost for members is $79.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling ($95 a set plus $5.00 shipping for non-members). Prior to February 1st, members may have their bars modified for $65.00 plus $5.00 shipping. No modifications needed to install; they work particularly well with the Corbin Canyon solo seat (and the double bucket touring seat, for that matter). Make check payable to Heli Modified; the bars will be modified within 48 hours, and returned by U.P.S. Allow one week for delivery time…”

Harry’s handlebar designs weren’t called HeliBars® until 1987, which is why we’re celebrating HeliBars 25th anniversary in 2012.

Prices sure have changed since 1983, but the innovative, customer-driven HeliBar designs that Harry and team continue to put into production has not changed. Our craftsmen and women at HeliBars takes pride in the impeccable quality of the workmanship that we produce in our shop in Maine, and with the guaranteed satisfaction that comes with  every HeliBars product that we ship.

 

Brought to you by Heli Modified, Inc.:  The Makers of HeliBars

HeliBars – 25 years of Comfort without Compromise (part 2)

16 Monday Jan 2012

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In 1982 Honda introduced their brand new sport bike, the V-45 Sabre with the revolutionary V4 liquid cooled engine.  Harry picked one up at Cycles 128 in March, 1982 and it was motorcycle love at first ride. It was very evident that Honda had created a motorcycle that people were passionate about, as Road Runner Magazine wrote in  November/December 2003:

“ It all started with a bike! In the case of Dana L. Sawyer, HSTA founder and member #0001, it was a 1982 Honda V-45 Sabre, which he enjoyed riding very much. Wondering if other people were having the same experience with this bike, he sent a short one-paragraph letter to the editors of motorcycle magazines. A stack of replies arrived in his mailbox with some enthusiasts asking for the foundation of a club. One of them was Dave Nicolson, a Texan who became member #0002 and assumed the duties of Vice President. Together, Sawyer and Nicolson formed the Honda V-4 Sport Touring Association.

They published their first newsletter in August 1982 with nine members counted in the HSTA fold.   That number climbed near 100 when the second newsletter was mailed in October 1982 (Harry was member #48).  The initial members’ meeting was held during Daytona Bike Week in 1983. For the May issue in 1983, the club counted 296 members in 44 states and three foreign countries. The first National Rally was held June 13-16, 1983 at Prairie Creek near Rogers, Arkansas, attended by 100 people, including folks from American Honda and Honda R&D…”

Harry and I, along with his cousin Chris, and our kids – 8 year old Aaron, 5 year old Dara and 3 year old Lana – attended, but I’m pretty sure they only counted Harry as one of the 100 attendees. Our 3 week road trip was an adventure!

At that time Heli Modified had a contract with Fomac of Wilmington to build the first 120 frames for the Avatar 2000, a unique recumbent bicycle. In his spare time Harry rode his Sabre lots of miles, and he began to identify what he could change to make it truly his own custom fit motorcycle – the process which would lead to the creation of the “Inter-Sabre”- which will be the subject of my next entry.

25 years of HeliBars-Comfort Without Compromise- will be continued…

Brought to you by Heli Modified, Inc.:  The Makers of HeliBars

HeliBars 25 years of Comfort without Compromise

03 Tuesday Jan 2012

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2012 marks the 25th anniversary of HeliBars® introduction to the motorcycling community, but the roots of HeliBars started back in 1978.  For those who’ve wondered how one gets into the business of manufacturing more comfortable motorcycle handlebars, Harry and I’ll take this anniversary year to shed some light on the subject. Like Dr.Seuss said, “You have brains in your head, You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose… “

As an avid mechanic who loved motorcycles, Harry had a garage where he spent a lot of time tinkering when he wasn’t working as a certified welder of aerospace and aviation components for General Electric. In 1978, Jimmy Carter was president and when he cancelled the B1B bomber project a large portion of GE’s work dried up. In May of 1978 Harry joined the ranks of the unemployed as GE laid off hundreds of workers.  This was one month after the birth of our second child, and the growing family didn’t fit into his (beloved) 1977 Ford F150 stepside 4×4 pickup. Seeing his “time off” from work as an opportunity he sold the truck, purchased a brand new Linde UCC 305 tig welder and set up shop in his garage. The intention was to cater to industry in the greater Boston area, doing the prototype and R&D work that he enjoyed while he waited for a call-back from General Electric.  At the same time, he could continue to pursue his passion for “all things motorcycle” while offering mechanical and fabrication services to the local motorcycling community.

He called the company Heli Modified (Heli for heli-arc welding, and modified because that’s what he did).  The little company did OK, and when the callback came from GE for a third shift position he made the decision not to return but to continue to work for himself….(to be continued).

Brought to you by:  Heli Modified, Inc., the makers of HeliBars