Topic: Need some help figuring out new handlebars

[Harsh]

I damaged my left wrist a number of years back playing softball.  The clubmans I have on the bike are causing enough pain that after about 30 minutes on the bike I just want to get off of it.  So I am looking for something less agressive.  Off the top of my head I am not sure what the measurements of the bars I have on the bike currently are, but I can get those later tonight.  In the mean time I have found two sets of bars that look like they might work for what I want.  They look identical, but the specs that are provided aren't the same.  Ultimately, I want to retain the clubman style/look.

Mikes XS:  Width: 27"  Rise: 3"  Pullback: 1"
DCC:  Width: 28"  Center Clamp: 5"  Horn Distance: 9.5"  Drop: 2 1/8"

What the hell is horn distance?

Mikes XS:  http://www.mikesxs.net/product/25-0109.html
DCC:   http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-handlebar-parts-chrome-cafe-clubman-handlebars-23-12540.html

If anyone has had any experience with the bars in question or know of another set that would suit my needs I am all ears.

[Harsh]

Gotcha.  That is kind of what I was thinking, but I had never heard the term used before.

[wowbagger]

I've got clubmans as well and have been debating about swapping. I know a lot of guys have raved about the Norman Hyde M bars as a more comfortable clubman alternative.

Here's a couple of shots of them on 550s:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112511.0

[cheftuskey121]

Harsh, I can tell you for sure the superbike bars are comfortable! Not sure about the m bars yet but they will replacing my clubmans on my 78f soon. My wrists don't hurt, it's my lower back and I am hoping the m bars give me back a little space so I'm not lurched over.

[flybox1]

I had stockers on my 350F and switched to Euros.  HUGE improvement in leverage, and I was still comfortable.
At a meetup for the first relay rally, I sat on member BikerBart's 750 with M bars.  I was sold.
They were one of the first items i purchased for my 750.

[Harsh]

My wrists don't hurt, it's my lower back and I am hoping the m bars give me back a little space so I'm not lurched over.

The lurching over actually helps my lower back problems since it keeps me stretched out relieving the compression issues I have.

Thanks for the input so far.

[bjbuchanan]

Dime city cycles sells the superbike ish chrome bars that are predrilled for 35$. Don't buy them up before I do, other vendors sell them for 20-30 more

[donny]

 same problem,  I flipped my Tomaselli clubmans over.
 everyone thinks I don't know which way they mount , but I like how they feel.

[PeWe]

I used drag bar on my bike during several years and long holidays on wheels.

[bjbuchanan]

 same problem,  I flipped my Tomaselli clubmans over.
 everyone thinks I don't know which way they mount , but I like how they feel.

Upside down is more comfortable

[Stev-o]

+1 Super bars are super comfortable. Here they are on my K4.....

[brewsky]

 same problem,  I flipped my Tomaselli clubmans over.
 everyone thinks I don't know which way they mount , but I like how they feel.

Upside down is more comfortable

+2
much more comfortable, free, and cool too!

[Chaser60]

I bought bars from the CB400f from the four into one website.   They are similar to superbar with nice low rise and pullback.   I am in middle of project so have not had a ride with them yet.    Test mounted before taking front end off bike.   Seems like a good choice but time will tell.    Added bonus, these are predrilled for wires and switch pins.

[lucky]

I damaged my left wrist a number of years back playing softball.  The clubmans I have on the bike are causing enough pain that after about 30 minutes on the bike I just want to get off of it.  So I am looking for something less agressive.  Off the top of my head I am not sure what the measurements of the bars I have on the bike currently are, but I can get those later tonight.  In the mean time I have found two sets of bars that look like they might work for what I want.  They look identical, but the specs that are provided aren't the same.  Ultimately, I want to retain the clubman style/look.

Mikes XS:  Width: 27"  Rise: 3"  Pullback: 1"
DCC:  Width: 28"  Center Clamp: 5"  Horn Distance: 9.5"  Drop: 2 1/8"

What the hell is horn distance?

Mikes XS:  http://www.mikesxs.net/product/25-0109.html
DCC:   http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-handlebar-parts-chrome-cafe-clubman-handlebars-23-12540.html

If anyone has had any experience with the bars in question or know of another set that would suit my needs I am all ears.

The width of those bars is kind of narrow.
If you get wider bars then your wrist will suffer less punishment.
You will have more leverage.
30 inches wide would be better. The ends of the bars should slant back to match the angle of your wrists.

The best way to decide on bars is to sit on the bike in a normal riding position with feet on the pegs. Then raise up your arms to a comfortable position without reaching forward. The bars should be right in your hands.
Get someone to help you measure.

The super bike bars sold by Cycle Exchange/Cycle -X are a nice relaxed fit and look very good.

[750K]

I sat on member BikerBart's 750 with M bars.  I was sold.

I thought the same thing, Bart's M bars are about a comfy as it gets.

Where did you get a set from?

[Stev-o]

I sat on member BikerBart's 750 with M bars.  I was sold.

I bought the same thing, Bart's M bars are about a comfy as it gets.

Where did you get a set from?

I've been thinking of getting some....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handlebars-7-8-Norman-Hyde-M-type-Cafe-Racer-Bars-Norton-BSA-handlebar-set-/201019334226?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ecdaf9e52&vxp=mtr

[tweakin]

Norman Hyde bars are nice bars.  I run Renthal super low street bars on most of my builds now, with the exception of the 915 (Woodcraft clip ons)  I like the Renthals because they are low but still up right so they allow you to shift the weight away from the hands and wrist.

http://road.renthal.com/shop/road-products/road-handlebars/road-se-bars?product_id=2007



Only problem is they don't come in Chrome, but the silver is nice.

[Harsh]

Thanks for all of the input fellas.  Not sure what I want to do.  I like the look of the DCC bars and they don't appear to be all that aggressive.  The M bars look very nice as well, but I am not sure I prefer their look over the others and the area for the grips seems very short.  Both bars appear to have about the same angles.

[wowbagger]

Yeah, honestly, the main thing that has kept me from ordering the M bars is that I prefer the look of the sharper bend on the clubman style bars. I'm not ashamed to admit that in some places I tend towards form over function.

[Chachi]

Harsh - if you want something a little more upright you can get repro 400F bars or repro Euro 750 bars. Both are drilled for wiring and controls. I had the 400F bars on my 500 - they were about 1.5" rise and around 27" wide. They worked OK on my 500, but I wouldn't want them on a 750. I have the Euro 750 bars on my 750 and like them - they are about 3" rise and around 29" wide I think. A friend also ran the Renthal road ultra low bars on his 750. They were similar to the two bars I've mentioned. The Renthal bars are really nice, but not drilled and problematic to mount bar end mirrors. They have all the specs on their site.

A few vendors sell the 400F repro bars (DCC and some others). Just search: 23-93142 handlebar.

DSS sells the Euro 750 repro bar:
http://www.davidsilverspares.com/parts/by-part-number/partnumber_32390/

If internal wiring is not a concern, I think most agree Renthal and Flanders make quality bars:
http://road.renthal.com/shop/road-products/road-handlebars/road-se-bars
http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/ImportHandlebars78.html

[Chachi]

Note: those 400F repro bars are made by EMGO and quality is debatable I guess. My 400F bars were off a 400F. I'm not sure who manufactures the DSS Euro 750 bars, but they are good quality. I have them and some others here have commented the same. Just my two cents.

[Harsh]

Well I made the decision to go with the DCC bars I linked earlier.  I hope I made the right decision, but there is no way to really tell until they get here.  When they do I will take some pics to show the differences between what I currently have and them.  Again thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Chachi...we need to get together sometime.

[Harsh]

Got the bars in and I think I am going to like them.  I snapped a couple of pics so you all could see the difference between the two bars.

[wowbagger]

Harsh, now that it's riding season most everywhere, do you have any update on how these bars feel v. the standard clubmans? I'm considering replacing my ratty old bars with new ones and am still torn between the M bars and these clubmans.

[Harsh]

These feel very nice on my wrist.  The quality and construction look good.  If you are looking for something to keep the clubman look than these are fantastic.  I don't run stock controls on my bike so the longer bar area definatley helps a lot.  I don't think I could have gotten my controls on the M bars.

My only issue is that they aren't as low.  I sit up a lot more than I used to which for me may not be a good thing.  If you are looking to sit up vice stretch out then these are perfect.  I have a lower back issue and the lower bars stretch out my back which relieves pain.  I think the main issue that caused the pain in my wrist was the angle in which the bars came back.  I am going to cut the ends off where they are welded to the hump and then re-attach them at a more outward angle.

Hope that helps.