Handlebar accessories position pins

I got a new set of handlebars to replace the original bent ones, but of course they don't have any holes drilled for the items that clamp on the bars. So I have two options... I can drill holes in the new handlebars and just hope I like the position... or I can grind down those pins and not worry about the holes, allowing me to move everything around until I find good positions for them (which is my preferred option).

So my question here -- are the clamp screws secure enough to hold the throttle and switches in place, or are those little pins actually required? Since my previous Yamaha didn't have these pins, I would assume the screws are good enough, but I wanted to make sure before I do anything permanent.

I drilled my bars for the pins. Depending on your bars and hand controls they may or may not clamp tight. It wasn't overly difficult to figure out where to drill. The brake master and clutch pivot don't have pins so you don't need to worry about the angle of the levers relative to where you drill.

I'm more worried about the switch clusters on each side, which do have pins. At this point in the build I haven't even settled on what angle I want the handlebars to sit at, which makes it impossible to also set the angle for the switches. I know on my last bike I moved things around for the first year until I got comfortable with the bike and where I wanted the switches to sit at, and this bike has a completely different feel to it so I can't easily just guess at where I'm going to want things to sit.

I thought I had read here that other people usually cut off those pins, but maybe not?

I wouldn't cut off the pins.

If you drill the holes where you think the switches would work for you you'll probably find they feel fine even if you end up moving the handlebars a little one way or the other. If you later find they really feel uncomfortable you can always cut the pins later if the switch positions bother you. Ed

Hmm ok, that makes sense. So any hints about where exactly things are supposed to be placed? For example on the throttle, should the outside of the plastic line up with the outer edge of the handlebars, or should it be slid in/out a little further? Once I have that side set, I can just measure the other side for similar placement.

Do you still have the old bars that can be used as a reference for the holes? Ed

I was actually just thinking about that, and yes I think I do still have them. Will have to take a look when I get home.

I use a piece of painter's tape on the bars, put the controls where you want them, then snug the screws a bit. You now have a dimple in the tape where the pins should go.

Good idea on the painter's tape. AAA+++ .... Also, if you drill a hole wrong, you could drill it larger, re-drill a new hole or replace the bars again. Emgo handlebars are good quality & inexpensive, so it wouldn't be that big of a mistake if you mess up.

Yeah I agree, I like that idea with the tape. Martin, I'm not sure what brand I have now, I think they were off of Amazon, probably pretty cheap. And who knows, maybe I'll decide I don't like these handlebars anyway, since I've never tried this style before. I was trying to avoid the swept-back style like the LTD has (my previous Yamaha came back even further) but I had to guess on the overall height.

All right, so I'll figure out locations, pull the bars, and drill some holes this weekend. Thanks folks!

I had a set of controls that the pins were ground off......guess where they are now?? the trash. just carefully mark the bars and drill the index holes. otherwise the throttle will not clamp tight enough and always want to move on the bar, or you will strip the screws/break the control trying to make it stay put.