Topic: School me on Handlebars. Take a look at mine. Advice/Opinions?

[fendersrule]

When I purchased my bike, I knew that the handlebars were not stock. Back at the time, I had believed that the CB750 was a "cruiser" bike, but in reality, it's not: It's a vintage sport bike. I want to keep it as a vintage 70s sport bike, and remove the "cruiser" stuff.

I used to think these were cool, but now, they are starting to nag me on the looks.

The handlebars are actually, kinda comfortable, especially being that I'm about 6'4". You get to sit back and relax. There's been times, especially on short trips where I would like to lean forward so I can keep my lower back straight, so I'm thinking about getting something that is closer to stock. It doesn't have to be stock for a '78, but I think I want stock profile for a CB750, whichever is on the aggressive side.

So does anyone have pictures or links to stock handlebars so I can see how they look?

Or maybe pictures of anything slightly custom. Not looking for drag bars, or clubman bars (too aggressive). I just want something that is more stock and makes the bike look slightly more aggressive, while also still being comfortable and looking in place.

Here's what's on there now:

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width:
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rise:
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[goldarrow]

The stock bars look pretty much the same, except the rise may be about 4-5 inches high.  You can also get aftermarket bars that are about 3 inches rise that are sportier. 

[fendersrule]

My current bars:

Pullback : 12"
Rise: About 9"
Width: 31"

[Bootlegger56]

You could also opt for a set of Euro or sportbike bars which are even lower if you like that look and feel.  I like my old comfy 12" apes on my K5.  They may not look the best but they fit me and I don't feel like I am leaning over all the time.

[LesterPiglet]

Euro bars as provided as stock on European bikes are nice.

[Schnell]

Is it possible to use the stock cables (throttle and clutch) when switching from the stock bars to euro bars?

[goldarrow]

May be best to go with new cables as you're looking at about a foot diff in length

[LesterPiglet]

You may get away with keeping the throttle cable but I think the clutch cable would need to be shorter. I ordered a clutch cable from tinternet and it was a few inches too long, possibly for the US market. It's routed over my speedo now.  As you can see in the pic.

[fendersrule]

Looking at this site:

http://www.cb750supply.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/63/handlebars

Gives me some good examples. It seems that the Euro bars are extreme. I'll have to go out and sit on my bike for awhile to see how it would feel. There's no doubt that I would have to lean forward with this.

Euro Bars:

30"- 30.5" width
2.5" rise
5 1/2 - 5 5/8 pullback

That's a huge change.

The Daytona tour bar seems possible:

29 1/4" width
2 2/8" rise
7 1/4" pullback

That's even still a significant change.

GS-E type bar:

30" width
4 1/8" rise
10.5" pullback

That's closer to what I have now.

Seems like I need to get my ass out on my bike and just really feel and play to see what works good while also keeping in mind confort.

The bars now seem to fit me perfectly, but It also causes me to slouch when I ride (like I'm pimping out a Harley or something).

[fendersrule]

Thanks guys. Part of the reason I'm also doing this is because I need to replac emy clutch cable, and it's very veyr hard to find the length that I have now.

I do have a brand new Motion Pro Made in the USA clutch cable that is "stock + 1.5 inches" in length.

I would think the other cables would be fine...

[lucky]

CB750's were not sport bikes.
They did not even have that word at that time.
It was just a standard motorcycle that you could go to school or work with.

You are 6 feet four inches. Almost no motorcycle is going to fit you.
You will need to make adjustments.
The oldest handlebar company in the United States is the Flanders Handlebar company.
They have and make every handlebar style you can imagine.

How to measure handlebars.
Sit on your motorcycle while it is on the center stand with your feet o the pegs.
Look forward and raise your arms in a relaxed way elbows just slightly bent.

Have someone measure for you and write it down.
Rise =distance above the center of the handlebar risers.
Pull back= distance from handle bar risers to where your hands are located.
Width= Distance between the ends of the bars. Otherwise distance between the outsides of your hands.

Now go to the Flanders website and select the bars you need.

[toytuff]

Euro bars as provided as stock on European bikes are nice.

LP, those are just about the same as I have. Bought all that goldarrow had for sale.

Old set.



New set.





I had to replace the upper brake line to a shorter one. (not in pic) Thanks again to Sam Green Racing. 


tt

[TwoTired]

Here are profile pictures of the bikes as delivered.

You should be able scale up measurements to determine where the bars were when delivered.
For example you know your tank length and you can measure the one in the picture, these two will give you the scale ratio, which you can apply to any measurement taken of the profile picture.  You could also use wheel diameters to get the multiplier ratio.

I'd guess your bar have a higher rise than stock. But, I've had no examples to personally inspect.  I thought 5" rise was stock, though.

[Tews19]

I've swapped out all my bars with superbike bars and never had to change out any cables.

Euro bars look funny on a 550 IMO. Superbike is the way to go.... If anyone needs a clutch cable for a 550 I have one that I am not using. PM me and pay the 4 bucks postage and it's yours

[fendersrule]

CB750's were not sport bikes.
They did not even have that word at that time.
It was just a standard motorcycle that you could go to school or work with.

You are 6 feet four inches. Almost no motorcycle is going to fit you.
You will need to make adjustments.
The oldest handlebar company in the United States is the Flanders Handlebar company.
They have and make every handlebar style you can imagine.

How to measure handlebars.
Sit on your motorcycle while it is on the center stand with your feet o the pegs.
Look forward and raise your arms in a relaxed way elbows just slightly bent.

Have someone measure for you and write it down.
Rise =distance above the center of the handlebar risers.
Pull back= distance from handle bar risers to where your hands are located.
Width= Distance between the ends of the bars. Otherwise distance between the outsides of your hands.

Now go to the Flanders website and select the bars you need.

Thanks Lucky. Euro bars are out of the question.

I can still have relaxed arms with a couple inches lower on the rise and a couple inches less on the pullback.

I won't be able to lean all the way back anymore though....which I don't think I should be doing anyways because that creates bad posture.

Witha  couple inches lower on the rise and a couple inches less on the pullback, it actually straightens up my back.

It seems that the GS-E type bar:

30" width
4 1/8" rise
10.5" pullback

Would be pretty close to ideal.

One way that I compensate for my height is that I sit further back. Maybe I'll snap some photos for you guys later.

[toytuff]

There ya go.

Schools out! Have a great Summer!

tt

[fendersrule]

Here's how Honda wants me to sit (all the way forward):


Here's how I sit, a few inches back. My feet are less in a bind, and this feels "right" to me:


Here's what the GSE bars would do. Notice how my back straightens:

[Stev-o]

You're too tall, causes problems, as these "standard" bikes were made for the average Joe.

[Dream750]

Sounds like the stock Honda CB750 K0/K1 bars (53100-300-000) may be a good option for you:

32” width
4”   rise
8”   pullback

They come with knurls, pin switch holes and wiring cutouts to run the wires inside the bars if desired. 

[flybox1]

Fenders....looks like were about the same height (me..6'5")
I had my K8 seat custom made/altered so I could sit back as you prefer, and still have a small seat for my kid to ride with me.
The Norman Hyde m bars allow for a sportier position, but not so much pressure on my wrists, back, or hip compression as clubman bars put big guys like us in.

I did put the euro bars on my 350F, and they were really comfortable.

[Retro Rocket]

Is it possible to use the stock cables (throttle and clutch) when switching from the stock bars to euro bars?

Yes, if you buy the cables to suit the European or Aussie models.... All US models had the cruiser style bars so the cables are longer in the US....

Superbike bars are my favorite, some are a little wider than they used to be but its easy to cut and inch or so of the end to suit your preference...

[fendersrule]

Fenders....looks like were about the same height (me..6'5")
I had my K8 seat custom made/altered so I could sit back as you prefer, and still have a small seat for my kid to ride with me.
The Norman Hyde m bars allow for a sportier position, but not so much pressure on my wrists, back, or hip compression as clubman bars put big guys like us in.

I did put the euro bars on my 350F, and they were really comfortable.

I hear you. I didn't like the '78k seat for that very reason: it was more forcing of a seating position (and I don't think that 6" thick rear padding was necessary). The '77k on the other hand was more flat (not completely, but close), so you can sit really anywhere you'd like and the passenger gets ever-so-slightly more cushion. The '79 seat on the other hand (and the new CB750) are horrible for us. The seat makes all the difference in the world. I can hop on the little CB125 in the garage and have a decently comfortable ride, but the 1979 CB750 on the other hand, no thanks!

Tews got me taken care of with nice '71 CB750 bars. I'll be able to tuck some cables in now, and it will give it a sportier look and improve my posture. Can't wait!

Lucky- They may have not been "sport bikes" (wouldn't make sense at the time), but I hear people incorrectly refer to them as cruisers. The proper term is "street bike", and it wouldn't be a stretch to call it the affordable Sport Bike of the 60s/70s, since all sport bikes point to the CB750. They arn't cruisers because they don't weigh 700lbs and they actually have something called performance!

Thanks for the pics TwoTired.

Maybe I'll post some "after" pics here if you guys care to see. This '78 CB750k is getting all the classic and necessary touches.

[Bankerdanny]

Those look like GL1000 bars. For some reason Honda thought Americans wanted semi-apes. I swapped mine for the old bars from my 550, which are about 4" shorter.

Personally I like the Bikemaster European Bar

[fendersrule]

Those bars look good. My CB450 stock bars are similar, but they work great for me on that bike. The CB750 is a different animal though. If I sat all the way forward I could see going with even shorter bars, but sitting back where my feet are comfortable really only gives me the best option of K1 bars (or similar).

[lucky]

You're too tall, causes problems, as these "standard" bikes were made for the average Joe.

Yes...The average Joe in JAPAN. LOL..lol