fuel tanks plural

The subject of this post may seem unusual to be in the handling section, but read on. In early 2010 I was searching for an EC300 gasgas to replace my KDX200. Instead, I discovered a 2002 FX470E and entered the world of Husaberg. Being one for minimalist machinery, I discarded the E components of the 470. When it was cold they barely worked and when it was hot it started with one stroke of the kickstarter anyway. Then I came across an '04 FE650 with 37 hrs and discarded its headlight, battery and kickstart as well. With a gaping space on top of the gearbox, and another behind the shock and me being a short person I set to making this bike's handling and manageability better for me. If you refer to "fuel tanks plural" in the FUEL section you will see that I have dramatically lowered the bike's center of gravity and now tossing it around in tight situations is just better, easier, more confidence inspiring....just fantastic. The bike is a different animal and in awkward situations where the bike may have dominated me...well now the boot's on the other foot.
Lets face it, when it comes to handling there is little substitute for lowered weight distribution combined with lowered height. Yes there is a slight reduction in ground clearance but realistically for 99% of the time how much do we need? I know that slinking across some hillface and being able to reach the ground comfortably if I need to is great for my confidence. With forks raised in the clamps and virtually no rear preload (on heavier springs) I feel my balance/geometry is good and handling, flickabilty and tight maneuvering is just so much better with this suspension set-up and these fuel tanks. For those who can do without the E components then these spaces are better utilised for fuel carrying than way up high like "normal".

So, to add to my eccentricities, I had a gripper seat cover fitted, and it felt like the seat was taller, so I had the upholsterer shave some off the seat, which felt much better, except that the bars felt like apehangers, so I got some flattish Zeta bars (YZF bend) and put them on UPSIDE DOWN! It actually works excellent and my seat height to handlebar height is 860mm/1120mm, or a difference of about 260mm, the same a lots of other bikes. If I roll the handlebars upwards they feel like a speedway bike with the upward flare and elbows up and out with a ready for action stance. So, my bike is lower, my bum is lower, my hands are lower and my fuel and consequently COG is lower and my ground clearance has probably only sacrificed 1 inch. LHRB works a treat.