Handlebar control options?

[SomeTexan]

After doing some thinking, I am about to start going crazy on my bike. Paint and powder coating, and a little engine work. But, for now It will be hard wiring and cleaning up a few things. One thing I want to do is ditch the handlebar switches. Are there any levers that fit the bars on an 05 Ridgeback that don’t have the switches built in? The more I ride the bike, the more I like the bars on it. I haven’t found anything online that I like better, and noticed that the “a little higher” part I wanted would be taken care of by replacing the bar mount bushings. Someone tied this bike down by the ends of the bars... I’m guessing BigDogPartsKingPin for those bushings?

If no controls without switches, anyone know of any bar options similar to the stock style but with a more common handlebar size?

 

[bigkelk9]

My bike is hardwired, but my bars are by choice.. a little more comfortable then the bdm bars. But there are a few options out there just depends on ur taste and why u want to do

 

[SomeTexan]

I like the stock bars, I just want to get rid of the switches on them. It looks like the switches are part of the lever assembly on this bike. So, before I get too far into changing the bars, I want to see if there are brake and clutch levers to fit these bars without the switches built in.

If I do have to change the bars, I guess the t-bars are the closest to what I like. But all that I have found with a similar rise and pullback to the stock ones have the stepped down tube at the end. Without switches, you end up with the smaller tube exposed and looking ugly. And it looks even worse if I do the internal throttle cable kit. I was just hoping that someone had found some better options.

 

[Hirter6Pack]

You can always cut the end of your bars off and weld on whatever size pipe you want, then have them re-chromed or powder coated.

 

[bigkelk9]

The stock switches are on a control board and bdm bars are unique in size. Ur probably going to have to stay with their controls if u stick with them bars. The do have other levers you can get that will make it to ur liking. A little hard to find though.

 

[SomeTexan]

The stock switches are on a control board and bdm bars are unique in size. Ur probably going to have to stay with their controls if u stick with them bars. The do have other levers you can get that will make it to ur liking. A little hard to find though.

The thing is, I’m going to hardwire the bike. So, the BDM switches will be useless. And, well, I hate clutter on a chopper.

Anyone know if there is enough material on the stock controls to mill off the switches and still be able to mount them? I haven’t pulled mine off to get a better look yet.

 

[SomeTexan]

You can always cut the end of your bars off and weld on whatever size pipe you want, then have them re-chromed or powder coated.

I have been thinking of that. But, my plan was to powder coat over the chrome with a black tinted clear powder. Give it the black chrome look. Welding would make me change that idea, or have to rechrome before powder coat.

Anyone know if there are bar controls that have enough meat on them to bore the mount out to fit these bars?

 

[bigkelk9]

The thing is, I’m going to hardwire the bike. So, the BDM switches will be useless. And, well, I hate clutter on a chopper.

Anyone know if there is enough material on the stock controls to mill off the switches and still be able to mount them? I haven’t pulled mine off to get a better look yet.

 

[bigkelk9]

That's my setup.. just ideas for ya

 

[SomeTexan]

The one problem with that pic is the little box with switches on it between the grip and the brake master. I absolutely hate switches on the bars. I actually hate them so much that if I can’t get rid of them, I will sell or part the bike out. Yea, I could go with 1” bars and use dirtbike levers, but that would be ugly as shit. I have spent 30+ hours in the last 4 days searching the net for what I want and keep drawing a blank. I can’t believe that there is no way to get this ugly stuff off the bars.

I’ve already been talking to a powder coater, and have started getting ready to start pulling it apart. But these switches are a deal killer to me.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

The one problem with that pic is the little box with switches on it between the grip and the brake master. I absolutely hate switches on the bars. I actually hate them so much that if I can’t get rid of them, I will sell or part the bike out. Yea, I could go with 1” bars and use dirtbike levers, but that would be ugly as shit. I have spent 30+ hours in the last 4 days searching the net for what I want and keep drawing a blank. I can’t believe that there is no way to get this ugly stuff off the bars.

I’ve already been talking to a powder coater, and have started getting ready to start pulling it apart. But these switches are a deal killer to me.

No buttons or switches? How would you propose to activate turn signals, starter or headlight?

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[SomeTexan]

No buttons or switches? How would you propose to activate turn signals, starter or headlight?

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

Starter=plunger on side of starter
high/low beams=switch on bottom of side cover under seat
Turn signals=left arm

I have always used hand signals on a bike, it’s way more obvious than turn signals to drivers. Flashing lights mean almost nothing to the average driver, but a rider making “strange” movements will attract their attention better. I’ve lost 4 good friends that used their turn signals, but I’ve never had a single problem with hand signals. Well, there was one idiot cop that didn’t know the law, but that turned out better for me than for him. He spent the last 11 years in a wheelchair drooling on himself, I only spent 4 hours behind bars, and was found innocent by a jury.

 

[Forsaken]

Starter=plunger on side of starter
high/low beams=switch on bottom of side cover under seat
Turn signals=left arm

I have always used hand signals on a bike, it’s way more obvious than turn signals to drivers. Flashing lights mean almost nothing to the average driver, but a rider making “strange” movements will attract their attention better. I’ve lost 4 good friends that used their turn signals, but I’ve never had a single problem with hand signals. Well, there was one idiot cop that didn’t know the law, but that turned out better for me than for him. He spent the last 11 years in a wheelchair drooling on himself, I only spent 4 hours behind bars, and was found innocent by a jury.

Ole skool simplicity... love it.
Adam, If our paths should cross, I'd like to hear that story.... I'll buy the drinks.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Starter=plunger on side of starter
high/low beams=switch on bottom of side cover under seat
Turn signals=left arm

I have always used hand signals on a bike, it’s way more obvious than turn signals to drivers. Flashing lights mean almost nothing to the average driver, but a rider making “strange” movements will attract their attention better. I’ve lost 4 good friends that used their turn signals, but I’ve never had a single problem with hand signals. Well, there was one idiot cop that didn’t know the law, but that turned out better for me than for him. He spent the last 11 years in a wheelchair drooling on himself, I only spent 4 hours behind bars, and was found innocent by a jury.

Dont forget the horn is a requirement unless you got buddies that will pass it for ya.

I've stalled out accidently in traffic a time or two must spacing out trying to reach down and hit the starter might be a pain in the ass can be done on a rigid but would be impossible on other models. Those starter buttons are not as easy push as one might think.

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[SomeTexan]

Ole skool simplicity... love it.
Adam, If our paths should cross, I'd like to hear that story.... I'll buy the drinks.

I love simple, clean and without unneeded bs. I learned the art of old school when I was a young hot rodder. All my car buddies were retired, but knew how to make their shit fast.

It’s a good one, at least for citizens who know their rights, but it’s not my best. When I was 15, I caught 3 cops raping a girl. After stopping them, and even with surveillance video of their crime, the courts tried to prosecute me. The small town I lived in straitened them out quick. The prosecutor and judge were hung from the flagpole for protecting traitors, and their families moved on after they were banned from setting foot in any public place. A good majority of the crooked cops kept having “accidents” until they left and were replaced with people who weren’t traitors.

 

[SomeTexan]

Dont forget the horn is a requirement unless you got buddies that will pass it for ya.

I've stalled out accidently in traffic a time or two must spacing out trying to reach down and hit the starter might be a pain in the ass can be done on a rigid but would be impossible on other models. Those starter buttons are not as easy push as one might think.

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

Horn is simple, just another button that can be hidden. Plus, the Indian guys who do inspections around me don’t care at all. They passed my old 01 Camaro that had a blown big block and fender exit headers, no mufflers or cats.

Also, the wiring kit I’m looking at can be started with the key too. Don’t know if I will wire it or not, depends on how the button on the starter works for me.

 

[Jwooky]

You can always gut the BDM controls. You can weld up the button openings and grind /sand/polish back to perfection.

I personally think the BDM controls are awesome. No reason to spend $1000 on something less attractive IMHO.

Lastly even “hardwired” they can still be used as low current switches.

 

[Cesad]

View attachment 50455

Where can i fond it these handlebar for k9 ? Thanks ,it,s amazing

 

[SomeTexan]

It’s not about the buttons themselves, it’s about cleaning up the handlebars. I don’t want that big clunky box on them. Grips straight to levers, no extra bs at all. If you don’t mind that stuff, that’s absolutely fine. I don’t mean to insult those who do like them. But, since I am going to be tearing this bike all the way down, I might as well make it exactly MY vision of the perfect chopper. And, in my opinion, choppers are supposed to be minimalistic in design.

 

[Jwooky]

Yep understood! I like the super clean as well.

I remove turn sig, belt guard, lisense frame, including cutting tabs off frame and refinishing, etc.