Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

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cfairweather
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Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#1

Post by cfairweather »

One of the hardest parts to obtain for the GL1000 is the grabbar; especially the 1975-1977 version, so I decided to try and make a couple of these myself. The original bar is made out of steel and chrome plated, which is very expensive these days. This is why I used 3/4" stainless steel tubing in 4 foot lengths from EBay. Bending 3/4" stainless steel tubing is not easy to do and I had to make some tools out of oak to get the job done. One of my bars closely resembles the original 1975 version and the other is less expensive and easier to make. For this one, I made the turn signal mounts that fit under and behind the bar. The original turn signals are used in the brackets and are basically in the same place as the ones mounted on the bar. I actually like this system better. I also created "rubber" inserts for the mounts with my 3D printer. I did all the work myself except for the TIG welding.
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Chainman
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#2

Post by Chainman »

Nice work.
Would you post a picture of the oak tools?
1975 GL1000
cfairweather
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#3

Post by cfairweather »

The 180 degree bend is made with the tool mounted on a wall in my workshop. The other tool is used to clamp the bar after the first bend is made. This makes it easier to do the second bend.
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Pony Ruiz
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#4

Post by Pony Ruiz »

Nice Work!
I like it when a plan comes together. dancr
Those are some serious jigs.
Did you have to heat the tubing to get it to bend?
1978GL1000 naked - kinda sadly gone. no bike at the moment.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Albert A. Bartlett.
cfairweather
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#5

Post by cfairweather »

Thanks. I didn't use any heat to bend the tubing.
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Track T 2411
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#6

Post by Track T 2411 »

Excellent outcome! Now that you have the tools and experience, you might think about offering them for sale... ;)
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
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'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
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tomk1960
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#7

Post by tomk1960 »

Very nicely and cleverly done. I agree that you should consider offering these for sale - it will make a number of the guys here very happy if you do.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
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Track T 2411
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#8

Post by Track T 2411 »

And now you've got me thinking about how I could make some custom engine guards, lol!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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5speed
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#9

Post by 5speed »

fantastic work and ya..expect a lot of people knocking on your door for one.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
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2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Jonesz
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#10

Post by Jonesz »

Sure drive the price of my hoarded oem one down :lol: !! GR8 work and I agree that you can make some bux if you are interested
Last edited by Jonesz on Sun Nov 29, 2020 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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Sugs
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#11

Post by Sugs »

Nicely done!
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'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#12

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

Sooooo.....whatcha thinkin' price-wise..?? For a '75, that is...;)
cfairweather
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Re: Home Made GL1000 Grabbar

#13

Post by cfairweather »

Not sure I want to make more of these, but I will consider it. I will send you a PM.
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