Note to self... unlock handlebars before riding motorcycle.

My motorcycle has a security feature of being able to lock the handlebars in a slightly turned position. This is designed to be used when parked (not riding).  It seems that I forgot that yesterday.  The result -- I went about 4 feet and dumped my bike in the middle of our driveway.  The engine guard / highway bars on my bike (see pervious story) worked great, and neither my bike nor my underside leg were scratched.  However, my top-side foot did not fare so well. I'm not sure how, but I sprained it well enough that I can't put weight on it. I have a doctor's visit this afternoon and will have to use crutches for the first time in my life.

P.S.  If anyone cares, this is not the first time something like this has happened. When first starting to use cleats on my bicycle, I fell over once or twice when I forgot to unclip.

I also ordered highway bars from Vicente, a member of an online Kawasaki Vulcan forum.  These bars are custom made in a shop in Mexico. Then Vicente checks them for correct fit, has them chromed, and then ships them from his home in Texas. I received the bars in a well-packed box. As Vicente described, the bars were very sturdy and the chrome was high-quality. The included directions for installing the bars were great, including numerous photos.

When I installed the top black steel plate which the bars attached to, the holes in the plate were about 1/8" too far apart to match the screw holes on my frame. I had to elongate the holes on the black steel plate with a drill press. (Vicente tests them for fit before shipping, so we are not sure why my bike was off a little.) I also added a few extra washers to each end of the u-clamps. Other than that, the installation was straightforward.

I am very happy with the highway bars and tell anyone that cares about my custom-made bars that spanned 2 countries in being made. I would recommend them to anyone with a Vulcan 500 who wants bars.