Handlebar swap

[MikePHX]

I recently bought an XB9 from an older gentleman who installed some "hi-rise" wide bars. I have the OEM ones to replace with. Can I swap out the bars by loosening the triple-clamps and wedging over the forks, or do I need to remove the top fork pieces first? I'd prefer not to have to mess with the fork business if possible.

thanks,
Mike

 

[Chicknstripn]

Depends on the "bars" you're trying to replace. Is the stock triple clamp still on the bike? Are the "bars" mounted in a way it's impossible to remove them without removing the top triple clamp? HOW are the "bars" mounted?
A pic would help.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I have to be brutaly honest; if you can't figure this out by looking at the handle bar set up, you might want to take it to a pro.
www.buellmods.com
Go to the above sight and download a service manual. Might help you out a bit to see how to remove the top triple clamp and what not.

 

[Cooter]

If "top fork pieces" means the fork tube caps (with the adjustments in them), do NOT remove them

Post a pic. The PO might have put on a lightning upper triple. Lightnings came with "bars", Firebolts (the section you're in) came with clip-ons.

 

[MikePHX]

Thanks for your comments guys. I should have been more explicit and included a pic which I'll attach for your curiosity. The bars currently on the bike sit on aftermarket risers and its own triple clamp. I have the OEM bars attached to the original clamp. I just wasn't sure I'd have enough clearance loosening the clamp over the fork caps, I now realize I do, at least on the side that doesn't have a stripped bolt...DOH! I figured it best to avoid removing the fork tube caps if possible as Cooter suggested. Ever since I struggled over an hour to remove an engine from a 74 Honda CB550, only to look at the manual after-the-fact which said it needed to be removed from the OTHER side, I've been more careful to make sure there was a correct way, versus the brute force hammer and pry bar method my frustrated self can quickly turn to.

 

[Cooter]

I get it now...

Yes, you can take the stock upper triple clamp with clip-ons over the tops of the forks.

Take off the stuff on the bars, take off the bars, loosen the 3 pinch bolts, remove the steering stem cap, and the whole thing should slide up and off.

 

[Chicknstripn]

^^^^^believe the service manual cover this?????
I might be wrong.

Follow the gracious advice of Cooter and you should befine. Just make sure the bike is braced/secured in a manner that won't cause the forks to move much. Once the top triple clamp comes off the forks can get a little squirrelly