I recall someone saying that their Barkbusters wouldn't work on their Strada due to a difference in the brake lines on the right handlebar. Am I imagining this? I couldn't find the post anywhere now that I need it. Has anyone tried this?
I remember that post, too. Because the strada brake lines go backward to the ABS control unit, the brake line at the handle bar has a turn in it compared to the terra. If I remember correctly, the person did get the barkbusters on just fine, but was worried that if you hit them then they might interact with the hard brake line bend and quite possibly break it.
Hansenpfeffer, thanks for finding that. I searched and searched and somehow overlooked it. Copied and pasted for clarity.
I suspected this would be an issue, and I have a set of Barkbusters waiting on me at Eurosport. I mentioned this to them on the phone today, and they immediately went to look at a Strada to mock it up. They confirmed what I remembered reading in Krussell's post, even though I couldn't find the photo at the time. They just called and said that Moose makes a mounting bracket that is designed to go under such brake and throttle interferences. They have it on order, and will be doing the install tomorrow. I'll post up pictures of the solution in this thread when they are done.
To be clear, they'll mount just fine. If you never go down on the throttle side, you'll be all set! However, if you do go down, any rotation of the guard will potentially take the brake line out. I emailed barkbusters, they fitted a non ABS terra as the model, said there was plenty of room. Mine are going back unless I can figure out how to make them work with a cycra triple clamp mount, or if this Moose thing RidingDonkeys is referring to 'just works.' Looking forward to hear about it and see pics. I REALLY like the barkbusters becuase they come with some really nice bar end weights that look good and let my large hands fit nicely. Right now they are sitting the garage waiting for a miracle.
Cycra has the U shaped mounts as well, available at any retailer. Cyclegear has them, if you're near one of them. Should fit around the brake line without any problem. http://store.cycraracing.com/uclhamos.html
You can always re-terminate the hose. I just used this on my Strada. It uses a compression fitting and works fine. They come in several different styles.
SW Motech handguards are rebadged Bark Busters. Touratechs are different and do not have the aluminum frame.
Actually I think the Barkbusters fit quite nicely in the Strada. The brake line elbow is indeed susceptible of breaking if the handguards rotate downward, but that's something fairly unlikely on a street bike like the Strada. Beside more likely than not they will tend to rotate upward in case they hit something, as the aluminum bar is raised from the handlebar. In order to fit properly, the elbow needs to be lowered to around 6-7 o'clock. I have to say that the look of the Barkbusters on the Strada is well worth the risk
I just fitted a pair of Barkbusters to my Strada and after a bit of mucking around I ended up using their triple clamp mount. Seems to give a fair bit of clearance around the brake line.
