Advice on S4 handle bar conversion kit

[Andy Lad]

Hi,

I'm looking to convert the S4 bars over to the more conventional arrangement (reasons: better riding position, they look better and I assume they will be stronger than the OE bars and will not snap easily and wreck the tank the next time I put the bike down the road) anyway, I have located two kits offered by Ducati, namely kits 96827601B and 96844102B which contain the top yoke, bars and fixings. Can some one give me some advice on what the differences are as its difficult to tell from the web pictures of exploded bits. Both are around £250. Also I have heard that one is probably the standard S4R one - but which one. If anyone has fitted one these is it straight forward or are there things I should be considering now before I part with my cash.

Thanks folks
Andy Lad
(missed the TT and now missing all this great weather...)

[DesmoDom]

Hiya, the bar kit ending in 102B is the Light Weight one as fitted on the S4R, I have this kit on my S4 Cromo, they are slightly higher and wider than the standard bars and I find the riding position and handling is much better than with the standard bars (look cool too :D :D :D ). Also means you can fit the S4R steering damper. (2001-2002 models)
The kit ending in 601B is the Standard one with chrome bars and are, err, standard, sort of, like err, what's on Monsters with err, standard bars :D :D :D (2001-2002 models)

Both are very easy to fit, as there are no mods needed to cables brake lines etc.

Hope this helps

Baz

[Andy Lad]

Thanks Baz for the info - very helpful.

12.48am posting - I didn't know this site had a night shift!

Appreciate the quick response.

Now off to spend £250. I guess I'll have to wait a while as its unlikely that these kits are stock items in the UK. I hope the summer last that long!:mand:

Ta Andy Lad

[DesmoDom]

No probs mate, They are very easy to fit though, it's just the removal and re-fitting of all the associated parts, clocks, switches etc, that takes the time.
My kit took 2 days to arrive (Riders in Bristol) and took just over 2 hours to fit
with lots of swearing for good measure :mand: :mand: :mand:

No night shift, just unable to sleep :grump:

Baz

[Andy Lad]

Not a great day: I rang around numerous Ducati dealers and found out a) no one has this in stock in the UK and b) Ducati Italy have no stock and cannot say when they will have the next batch in. This kinda leaves me in limbo. Looks like I have to buy an orginal bar for now just to get some miles in while the summer is here...

Anyone out there know anything better? I'm trying to source the 96844102B S4 handle bar conversion kit.
Thanks
Andy Lad

[Albie]

occasionly they go on ebay for about 135.00 up

[DesmoDom]

Try sending Natty Boy on here a PM, he may be able to sort you out with one, or know where there is one.

Or contact Stuart from Spareshack, he may also be able to sort you out.

Baz

[claicerrig]

Try Cycle cat from the USA

Top notch quality, very adjustable and they stood up to my little off in Mallory park :eek: very well last week.

They sometimes come up on Ebay but i find they go at redicules prices second hand.So i got my set from Stuart @Spareshak (He is the only UK importer i think as Cyclecat themselves dont deal direct)

They are easy to fit and a doddle to adjust to suit your size and particular riding senario IE Down as a Race clip on or in a more Upright less commited position for touring

If you need pics i will endevour to hobble to my garage to get some for you

Good luck

Clai:mand:

[gjfevans]

No probs mate, They are very easy to fit though, it's just the removal and re-fitting of all the associated parts, clocks, switches etc, that takes the time.
My kit took 2 days to arrive (Riders in Bristol) and took just over 2 hours to fit
with lots of swearing for good measure :mand: :mand: :mand:

No night shift, just unable to sleep :grump:

Baz
JUst been thinking about new bars and came across this thread. Do you have any pictures nudge nudge wink wink?

[DesmoDom]

The one's I've got are exactly the same as the one's that are fitted as standard on the S4R. Comes as a kit including the top yoke, bolts etc.
If you go for one, make sure you order the right kit, as they also do one that comes with standard chrome bars.

Sorry I don't have any pic's at the moment, but if I can get some sorted out, I'll post them.

Baz

[katana]

How about renthal lows?

Thats what I'm going to put on mine, just to keep the handle bars away from the tank.

[DesmoDom]

The top yoke on an S4 will need changing if anything but standard S4 bars are to be fitted.

Baz

[claicerrig]

The top yoke on an S4 will need changing if anything but standard S4 bars are to be fitted.

Baz

Not if you fit the Cyclecat bars Baz they sit on top of the Original Yoke the same as standard bars

[DesmoDom]

Well you learn sumfink new everyday, dontcha !!!!
:D :D :D
Cheers Clai, (BTW, hows the repairs goin, both bodily & bikely ???)

Baz

[claicerrig]

Well the leg seems to be healing up to the hospital`s satisfaction

Started back in work last week on light duties so not too bad

As far as repairs go i am wrestling with what to do ?

I like the naked C/F look but the scrapes etc means that it will have to be painted to cover the repairs :hissy: .
Not sure if i want to do this ???
So that means should i replace all the parts with new and sell the bits on here too someone looking for repairable parts to recoupe my losses or just go for a complete new look ????????

Good ideas on a postcard please :ukm:

Clai

[DesmoDom]

Good to hear you're on the mend, I'm just getting over a case of shingles :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: NOT recommended, I'd rather have broken bits, than have that.
I aint seen any pics of yer bike, so I would'nt know what to suggest, sorry Mate (not that my suggestions would be any better than what you had already thought about. :D :D :D )

Catch you soon

Baz

[walkingpictures]

Well the leg seems to be healing up to the hospital`s satisfaction

Clai

Did they cure the snoring problem too Dave ??

:chuckle:

Get me to Germany :drunk:

Kimbo

[retskcid]

Are the S4R bars (kit 96844102B) higher than std S4 bars? I have to get new bars (my clip ons were found to be fecked) and I was ready to order new S4 bars until I found this thread.

The S4R bars look much better and if they are higher thats a bonus (I dont want them lower than S4 bars tho')!

Rich

ps this is turning into an expensive hobby. :eek:

[DesmoDom]

Well I found them to be slightly wider and higher as said previously, also, the riding position (for me) is improved, ie, not as much weight on your wrists and I found that the bike turns in easier.
All in all, well worth the money and easy to fit, although a lot of swearing was involved when I fitted mine, but then again I'm a very impatient bugger.
:D :D :D

Baz

[retskcid]

Mmmmm, thanks, they sound just the ticket. I want to sit as upright as possible. Moto Rapido are doing a good deal on them.

[Albie]

whats a good deal. How many hundreds.???

[DesmoDom]

Albie, try not to look at it in a monetary sort of way, think how much better you and your bike will be if you fit the kit :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

BTW The kit consists of, top yoke, risers and the very sexy S4R bars, + fitting bits, the whole lot is around £250.00, although may be a lot cheaper, if there's deals going on.

Baz

[Albie]

Oh its not the money.I dont mind paying top dollar if worth it but if they are a bargain price even better. I have not got my top yoke powercoated as I really want normal bars so I can adjust. Its something I will change eventually. I dont want to change my bike just bits on it. My next purchase this week is samco hoses as they are more important as not re-using old ones. Stainless clips are dear though aint they :biggrin: :biggrin:

[DesmoDom]

Albie, re hose clips, I got a set for my S4 on flea bay, they were for an MGBGT. Good stainless, polished up a treat and there were even some left over, which was good, as when I was trimming a couple so the tails didn't show, I got a bit enthusiastic with the hacksaw. :biggrin: :biggrin:
I think with the postage they were about £13.00.

Baz

[Albie]

ok ta. I will have a look

[retskcid]

whats a good deal. How many hundreds.???

£263 down to £240 - still expensive, but hey, what the hell. :flamed:

[Albie]

Still bl00dy dear though. It will have to wait that one. Mine work and are comfortable but !! Oh I ordered my red hoses and clips today. :mand: :mand:

[retskcid]

Agreed, but I have to spend £160 on new bars anyway so I may as well go the whole hog! :D If things had gone to plan I would have swapped my old bars for free and got the nice black tank that's in the "for sale" section...

[Albie]

Post some updated piccies when you start getting it the way you want.

[retskcid]

Will do, the (partial) strip down is already well under way, and parts are on order. Bikes are so easy to work on (compared to cars), like giant meccano sets!

I am still undecided on a colour scheme - I am very tempted by Yusaf's tank.

[Albie]

Are you getting blue overpainted then. The original Senna looks good especially if you had a spangly tank.

[retskcid]

I probably wont go back to the original Senna scheme (decided that it was too much agro to strip the paint off the CF), but quite fancy a black scheme of some sort. Buying that tank would speed the process up! I am a bit short of funds at the mo, and hope to sell my Blade this week.

[Albie]

well Alan C put me on to a powdercoaters and is very reasonable and just up road in Hackney. See what my bits come out like soon.

[retskcid]

My Light Weight S4R kit arrived yesterday, but with no instructions? There are lots of little items in the kit that I have no idea about, split pins? Then there are some brass inserts with one end slashed at an angle? Where do these items go? I assume the numerous bolts etc will be easily placed.

Can't wait to start fitting the stuff I've been collecting.....

Cheers

Rich

[DesmoDom]

I can't remember what all the little bits are for, so I would suggest, you get back onto where you got them from and tell them there's no instructions and you want a set as soon as possible, as without them, it is an incomplete kit and you paid for, a complete kit !!!!

Take no prisoners and if that don't work get onto Ducati UK and give them grief about spending so much on this kit and it comes without Bleedin instructions, it's just not on !!!

All the best

Baz

[retskcid]

Good point and I will. I did wonder how I am supposed to know what torque settings to use!:(

[Capo]

My Light Weight S4R kit arrived yesterday, but with no instructions? There are lots of little items in the kit that I have no idea about, split pins? Then there are some brass inserts with one end slashed at an angle? Where do these items go? I assume the numerous bolts etc will be easily placed.

Can't wait to start fitting the stuff I've been collecting.....

Cheers

Rich

Those 'brass bits' go inside the handlebars to secure the bar ends.
You should have two sets, one is threaded the other bored 6mm clearance.
Assemble: Bolt thru bar end, bored brass bit with the slant end out, threaded brass bit with the slant in. Slip assembly into bar and tighten
When you tighten the bar end bolts. it will draw the two slant ends together, causing the bored bit to go of center and jam against the handle bar bore.

I think the 'split' pins you refer to are in actual fact roll pins (6mm dia I believe) these fit into two holes on the underside of the top yoke. They fit into the nylon bushes in the ends of the headlamp U tube bracket. They are going to rust so put a little grease on them.

[retskcid]

Cheers Capo, that all makes sense - ah "roll pin", couldn't think of the name!

Thanks.

[Phatty]

does anyone have any more info on this? I hate the s4 bars and top yoke, i want some proper risers and some magura or renthals on there, and it DESPERATELY need a steering damper as i nearly got thrown off in in almighty tank slapper tonight. help!

[retskcid]

The bars I fitted (S4R's) are here:

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=26726&highlight=s4r+bar+conversion

[Capo]

does anyone have any more info on this? I hate the s4 bars and top yoke, i want some proper risers and some magura or renthals on there, and it DESPERATELY need a steering damper as i nearly got thrown off in in almighty tank slapper tonight. help!

You need the top yoke off of a S*R to accomplish this. I have one spare but its bored 53mm to take Ohlins forks.