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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through May 23, 2008 » XB Crossroads flexing??? « Previous Next »

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Jjk
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 04:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hey guys,

To those of you who have Crossroads 0 degree bars on their Lightnings, do you notice any flexing? I installed a new set on my CityX over the weekend and have noticed that the bars flex quite noticeably when any amount of pressure is applied to them. To my eyes, it looks like the plate that the bars mount to (and which covers the OEM top triple clamp) flexes aft of the fork tubes. The flex is VERY apparent to anyone who has seen it and goes in whatever direction you put the pressure (i.e. up, down, forward, backward).

I went back and checked all of the mounts, bolts, spacers, etc., and everything seems to be in the right place and tightened down. I had Pro-Taper alloy YZ80 bars on it before and they flexed a small amount under severe loads, but these Crossroads move around a lot more. Oh, and I am no He-Man - I only weigh 170lbs.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

John
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Vtwinracing
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 05:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

To get any flex in mine, i have to really jam on the bars. Nothing that i would see normal riding, since my weight isn't on the bars much. Only thing i noticed was much more vibration.
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Point_doc
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 05:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yea... mine do as well. If you inspect under the plate you should notice a gap between the bottom of the crossbar and the top of your forks. In the instructions I believe they instruct you to adjust your forks up to the point where the plate rests on top of the forks. This is how they are stopping the flex.
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Jjk
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 07:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the feedback, guys. The underside of the Crossroads triple does indeed rest on the top of the fork tubes but they still flex outboard of that point.
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Teddagreek
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 07:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Your fine...

I Had the 0 degree bars on my bike

I talked to Al about this Very subject and he said it was normal..

Give it a another week and you won't even notice it..
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Point_doc
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 07:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Teddagreek,

You wrote in past tense on the crossroad bars, are you running different bars and which ones?

I ask because I would like to go to fat bars, any opinion on these?

Thanks
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Teddagreek
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 08:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

LSL Clip Ons, mounted Under the triple


http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/361089.html?1211156921
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Spatten1
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 10:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I noticed the flex when tying the bike into my truck by the handlebar grips with soft ties. Scared the crap out of me, I thought they would keep flexing until they fatigued and broke. I now tie down around the lower triple clamp.

No problems riding though, but now, thanks to you, I'll probably be bothered by it!
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Jjk
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for all of the help guys. I am going to take them off because I have zero confidence in them. Yes, I doubt that they will break off in my hand when I do a stoppie or yank on the bars to lean into a high speed corner, but convincing myself of that is something entirely different! I am really surprised that it doesn't seem to bother you guys too much!

I am going to try the LSL 'Superbike Low' allow handlebars. The guy at Spiegler USA told me that they are super stout.
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Thulsadoom
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Never noticed flexing, but I am wondering if there is anyway to lessen the vibration? Anyone have the same problem?

DOOM
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Point_doc
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 04:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

JjK,

I have been looking at the bars from LSL, let me know what you decide upon and why? And then let me know if you like them?

I personally would like to know a little more about their fat bars.

Thanks
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Jcbikes
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 07:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have the -7 degree on mine and to get any movement at all, I have to use full body weight on them and they flex very little. I also do not notice hardly any vibration at all. I love the -7 degrees.
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Jjk
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 08:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Point Doc - I will post up my results when they get here next week. I have the LSL rearsets and they are works of art (and cut a deer in half while riding last summer, but that is a story for a different day!), so I am looking forward to trying out their bars. Thankfully I have my TL1000S, FZR400, and DRZ400SM to keep me occupied while I wait.

By the way, I did about 150 miles with the Crossroads, some of it freeway blasting at 90+mph, and never noticed any vibration. Of course, I might have just been so preoccupied with the flex that vibes didn't register with me!?!
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Point_doc
Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 01:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can't ever remember being concerned about vibration. My concern is that my carpel bones and tendons start burning when I travel on this one road. I believe that the crossroads (zero deg.) that I have are not ergonomically correct for me on this bike.
I look at the product and have to wonder if there ever was any testing done other then to ensure that the bolt holes lined up! I really don’t like my bars and IMO they look and feel like there was little thought given to the design, especially in regards to ergonomics.

Please remember it’s just my opinion based on several thousand miles of riding, they just don’t fit me or vise versa.
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Jjk
Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 12:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The ergonomics felt pretty good to me (I'm 6'2" 170lbs) but I am used to the sportbike stance. I have sat on some bikes that instantly made me cringe and others that are notorious 'racks' (Ducati 916) that feel fine to me.

I hate to say that I am also not happy with the Crossroads bars. The flexing is unacceptable on a performance bike where feel is so important and flex can hide that feedback. They look superb on the bike but the flex issue and the incredible pain to install make them seem poorly developed, like you said.
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Spatten1
Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 02:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've heard bad and good about the 9 degree bars, only good about the zero degree. my zero degree are perfect for street and track, for me.
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