Stylish XJ900F handlebar conversion

Hi all


Although this topic has come up on this site before I thought I’d add my take on a neat handlebar conversion for the XJ900F.

All that’s needed is some basic machining and a pair of handlebar risers from an XV535, XV125, XV1100 Virago, or XVS1100 VStar.

First, machine down the handlebar locating serrations on the existing fork top yoke (triple tree I think it’s called in the US).

Machine the existing handlebar bolt holes out to 14mm.

Then make a couple of top hat inserts from alloy or brass (see measurements on attached diagram) with an internal hole diameter to match the intergral mounting studs of the risers. Should be M10 if using the Virago risers. The threads of the riser studs may need extending slightly. This can be done with a hand die. Fine 1.25 pitch if I remember rightly.

Additionally my machinist made a couple of chamfered alloy disks to tidy up where the serrations had been removed as part of the peg locating hole still showed.

After that, just fit the top hat inserts (from the bottom of the yokes) pop in your risers, tighten them up and you’re good to go. I used a custom drift to fit the inserts, but it’s not necessary if you’re careful!

Bear in mind that you’ll lose the “oh so pretty” plastic cover. Again my machinist came up with a rather stylish ignition switch surround. I also fitted a nice M22 x 1.00 titanium nut on the top of the fork stem to neaten things up a bit and found a rubber bung to cap that off.

It’s quite a stylish conversion that looks ‘factory’.

Incidentally, the Virago risers are swept back but you could fit the VStar risers which are straight. I’m not sure of the stud dimensions of these. They look bigger in the photo so a top hat spacer may not be necessary.

Now just choose the handlebars of your liking. I used Renthal 755-01, 7/8 (22mm) Titanium Road Bike Medium bars.

Bear in mind you may need to alter cable/hose lengths depending on your choice of bars.

Shaun