Handle Bar Riser Triple Tree Drilling

chak said:

Hi all, I've been eyeing out on changing the handlebars to a regular bar, just like the LSL super bike conversion kit. I’m still stuck though because 300 is a little too much for me. I’ve seen some comments about drilling holes on the stock triple tree to mount regular handlebar risers, but haven’t found any details about it. What kind of drill would be needed? If anyone’s done it DIY instead of the aftermarket kits, I’d really appreciate any help!

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If you want higher and wider handle bars, and you don't like to spend to much money, take a look the gpz 900 os gpz 1000, kz1100, gpz 1100 handle bars. They are wider and sometimes higher, and fit to the original handlebar places.

chak said:

I’ve seen some comments about drilling holes on the stock triple tree to mount regular handlebar risers, but haven’t found any details about it. What kind of drill would be needed?
If anyone’s done it DIY instead of the aftermarket kits, I’d really appreciate any help!

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this isn't the best idea. because the aftermarket bar fitment calls for precise drilling and the underside of the top tree is a honeycomb which makes perfect placement hard to find, not only that the bolt and nut on the underside when fitted fouls the steering head without careful grinding to achieve clearance.

the best alternative for the EX I have found is using the ER500 triple trees you need both the top (which has a universal bar mount) and the bottom one as a match pair.
only downside is the ER5 isn't a US model so the parts would have to be imported. the other thing to remember when changing bars is if you attempt to raise them more that about an inch the cables and switch gear wiring are too short.

Thanks! Despite being stingy I value my life so I’ll pass on the drilling.
I did find a kawasaki 2004 ER-5 triple tree, both top and bottom pair on ebay, would this be the one?
I did think about getting a different bike’s triple tree with a bar mount, but thought it’d be challenging to measure and find one that fits the EX500 forks exactly, so thank you for saving me the trouble.
Do you have any tips when it comes to the cables - for every inch of bar rise, should the cables also be an inch or half inch longer?

hi, if you have gen 2 forks yes that would work as both are 37mm. it would be prudent to change the headstock bearings though. simple job raise the front slide out the forks remove the bars change the trees and reassemble using universal bars.
Note. don't go too high on the risers or the stock cables and switch wires will be too short and require longer ones.

You have about 2 inches MAX, before it is stretching stuff, particularly the brake line for the front. I had to replace mine. Also when you do this, the resting on the ground and picking up the bike with the front wheel off the ground are different dynamic on the forks. When the front wheel is off the ground the cables can still get stretch even more.