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Cobra Freeway bars on a V1600A. really!?

1881 Views 16 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  niteowl
I just read the directions on the cobra Fatty Bars for my 07 VN1600A Classic and from what the picture shows. The top half of the bar has no...

(how do I say...)

Forward/side impact support? Meaning the bracket that secures the top half. Does not have a backing to it?

So for example if the bike tipped. All 700+lbs could press on that bracket and then all the tubes and wires behind it will be torn out?

Does that make any sense?

Ill take a picture of the online instructions I found on a site. Give me a minute to figure out how.
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I almost thought I was wrong. But no. The top part of the bar has a metal extending bracket. So no real reinforcement up top. And looking at my 07 Vulcan 1600 Classic. It looks like the top right end of the bar may sit pressed against some box that has 2 tubes coming out of it.

Is this a real issue. Or am I just being a typical Pieces? And a stickler for details and facts.
The point of the bar is to prevent the bike from falling on its side, or at least to only bend/damage the bars, which are easily replaceable.

The entire weight of the bike will never be on the bars...in facts its only a tiny fraction.

My wife dropped her bike twice (in the garage) and it just rolled on the bars...not actual damage.

I had to set my bike (1700 Classic) down once...trying to inch up a weird compound incline driveway while turning around...I was just able to lay it over on the bars. A bit of help and we got it picked up and righted.

That is the advantage of those bars.
Have you seen the upper bracket I'm wandering about? Tge bottom bar brackets connect to the floorboards bolts. But the upper bar connections are not centered on the frame. Im just worried in a full tip or slide. That upper part would damage tge internal parts going to the radiator and wires going through the frames neck and fork area.
Have you seen the upper bracket I'm wandering about? Tge bottom bar brackets connect to the floorboards bolts. But the upper bar connections are not centered on the frame. Im just worried in a full tip or slide. That upper part would damage tge internal parts going to the radiator and wires going through the frames neck and fork area.
If you drop it hard enough to break that top connection, you'll have bigger problems than that to fix. These things aren't roll bars, or even "crash bars" (though that's the slang term for them). They're mostly decorative, a place to hang highway pegs, and will keep the bike from getting much damage if it falls over from a stop. If you're going much over 10 or 15 MPH and you drop it, those bars will probably fold back.
If you drop it hard enough to break that top connection, you'll have bigger problems than that to fix. These things aren't roll bars, or even "crash bars" (though that's the slang term for them). They're mostly decorative, a place to hang highway pegs, and will keep the bike from getting much damage if it falls over from a stop. If you're going much over 10 or 15 MPH and you drop it, those bars will probably fold back.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Good Point.
Point taken.
Does anyone have a picture of the lower portion that the fatty bar. Just so I know what bolt is the "M10 bolt" the instructions are talking about?
On the classic, it's the front bolt on the floorboard bracket
Got em installed
I have a vn200 whch is a bit heavier than the 1600, I went down about a month and a half ago due to a tire blow out at 70mph. Had Cobra Fatty installed and I know they aren't for crash protection, however I was surprised how well they held and saved the bike.

Here is how she looked after the accident

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Yours u-bolts to the frame. I like that. Sorry for your crash. They should pay you for your product review pictures.

On my 1600 classic. That top half is on a off set bracket that extends behind the downward frame. Working on getting a picture posted.
I hope this works.

This is the top half of the Cobra fatty on a VN1600 Classic

https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/16199732809/in/set-72157646455909686/
Not sure I really like that top mounting design. But... It feels pretty solid.
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