Handlebar and Fuel Tank Clearance on Full Lock

4565 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by SteveJB, Jan 12, 2015

Romper

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2015 (Edited)

5

VN900 Custom - with stock handlebar setup, no risers, no change to anything on the bars.

On full lock (to right) I have interference (from the stuff underneath the brake lever) on the fuel cap.

On full lock (to left) I have interference (from the bar itself) on the speedo shroud.

Is this normal on the stock VN 900 Custom?

If not, recommended next steps to ensure no interference??

Romper

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

boy_welder2000

· #2 · Jan 1, 2015

I have this question also. While mine doesn't quite hit the fuel cap or speedo, there is less then a 1/4" of clearance. Plus I when I turned into my mom's garage, (where it is being stored for now) the handlebar hit my knee. I had to move my leg to finish the turn.

Shadow01

· #3 · Jan 1, 2015

IIRC, the bars are really close to the tank at full lock.

Yes, I hit my knees several times before I finally installed risers on my bars.

I'm not sure why the Kawi engineers made the Custom drag bars so low.

Anyway, risers did the trick for me, and helped with my "reach" issues as well.

SteveJB

· #4 · Jan 1, 2015

The bars are close, but there shouldn't be any contact. Did you buy the bike new? It looks to me like a careless mod was performed.

Romper

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 1, 2015

Thanks Steve.

Bought bike second hand. I have not touched anything on the front end, so it seems someone (previous owner) has adjusted something - but not too sure what.

Romper

WEG

· #6 · Jan 1, 2015

Hi Romper

If you know the bars are stock and adjusted correctly (if they can be adjusted on your bike) then make sure the gas tank is seated properly.
Happy New Year,

WEG

Romper

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 1, 2015

Thanks WEG.

Yes, the bars are stock. Don't think they can be adjusted??

How do I make sure the fuel tank is seated properly?

What do I check?

Romper

WEG

· #8 · Jan 1, 2015

Hi Romper

I don't know how the 900 tank attaches, but if like my 1700, it fits in rubber mounts up front. Do a search for removing the tank and see what you can find...

WEG

durox

· #9 · Jan 1, 2015

@Romper

that is not the stock/correct position when locked to right... it is either the handlebar is bent backwards, or the tank sits too high on the backbone.

Romper

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 1, 2015

Interesting, thanks.

But, the tank bolts into the rear bolt holes OK?

Can this tank still be mounted at the rear but still not sit correctly?

How do i know if the tank is sitting correctly?

Romper

VulcanJohn

· #11 · Jan 2, 2015

That looks like something bent the handlebars back like an accident.

HRH_Z

· #12 · Jan 2, 2015

That bike has been damaged. I wonder if the frame was tweaked. . .

Romper

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 2, 2015 (Edited)

Not good.

I think my fuel tank is way too high.

I did remove the fuel tank recently for the bobber build, and have not ridden it since.

I will now operate and report back.

Romper

crazyriderguy

· #14 · Jan 2, 2015 (Edited)

Romper, go to Kaw's website and compare the pictures of their VN900 Custom to your bike. Pay special attention to the bars. There is no reason your bars should be touching any part of the gas tank. Even the stock Classic bars don't touch unless someone adjusted them lower at the riser (unlikely).

Either your bars are jacked/not original or your gas tank isn't seated properly up front. It is common to have to move the gas tank around to change spark plugs. So, it is possible the gas tank is not sitting on the rubber grommets correctly. In fact, you should be able to run your hand up underneath the tank and feel for the grommets. The tank has slots on it which allow the grommets to slide in to.

Here's a profile pic of the VN900 Custom:

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Romper

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 2, 2015

OK - i can confirm that the tank was too high and not sitting in it's correct location re:grommet. Now re-installed with handlebars easily clearing both sides of fuel tank at full lock on both sides.

Now, I can still feel a little slight movement of the fuel tank when i press down on one side. Is this normal or should it be locked down solid rigid with zero movement upon pressing down on the fuel tank??

Romper

crazyriderguy

· #16 · Jan 2, 2015

Romper said:
OK - i can confirm that the tank was too high and not sitting in it's correct location re:grommet. Now re-installed with handlebars easily clearing both sides of fuel tank at full lock on both sides.

Now, I can still feel a little slight movement of the fuel tank when i press down on one side. Is this normal or should it be locked down solid rigid with zero movement upon pressing down on the fuel tank??

Romper

Slight movement is normal. The one/two bolts holding the rear of the tank will hold the tank on its own. The grommets are used for vibration dampening; otherwise, the gas would slosh around with the pulses from the engine; or, transfer more vibration from the road/engine to your seat.

Romper

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks for your help (and everybody else in this thread) to rectify this situation! Lucky I did not ride the bike as it was....

Romper

sailor v

· #18 · Jan 12, 2015

For what its worth, there is a tiny dot on the handlebar which is intended to line up exactly with the top edge of the lower stock handlebar mount, at the back , clutch side, ie nearest the rider. You need very good eyes to see it. Mine is set up one notch higher on the spline which prevents the bars fouling my knees on full lock, and is more comfortable for me. It does pretty much the same thing as 2 " risers.

While I do not suggest anyone does this, if you do, cover your tank well because the bars will drop suddenly when you undo the retaining bolts.

Poncho Villa

· #19 · Jan 12, 2015

durox said:
@Romper that is not the stock/correct position when locked to right... it is either the handlebar is bent backwards, or the tank sits too high on the backbone.

who ever put the tank on last time did it improperly. Take it off. put it back on and Be Sure that the Rubber Pucks on the frame go Inside the U shaped alignment/holders on the tank.. Currently the U shaped holders are above the Pucks and the tank is riding 1.5" too high.

Romper

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jan 12, 2015

sailor v said:
For what its worth, there is a tiny dot on the handlebar which is intended to line up exactly with the top edge of the lower stock handlebar mount, at the back , clutch side, ie nearest the rider. You need very good eyes to see it. Mine is set up one notch higher on the spline which prevents the bars fouling my knees on full lock, and is more comfortable for me. It does pretty much the same thing as 2 " risers.

While I do not suggest anyone does this, if you do, cover your tank well because the bars will drop suddenly when you undo the retaining bolts.

Thanks - Can you provide a few pics of this?

ROmper

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