Author Topic: Suggestions for Sportier Bars on a CB550 (Read 11390 times)

tomk1960 · « **on:** May 27, 2015, 08:09:06 PM »

My son loves his '77 CB550K and has been enjoying the ride. He would, however, like to put some lower, non-stock bars on it and we would like to know what the options are or what you guys would recommend. If any of you have 550K's with lower bars, feel free to share pics and tell us what you got.

Thanks.

Tom

HondaMan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2015, 09:39:40 PM »

I would suggest the "flat bars", like the CB400F has. It sets you a little further forward without excessive fold-up of the legs, increasing your body's authority over the bike in turns. It's for young men with stout shoulders and strong backs, but it all 'evens out' at around 60 MPH when the wind lifts your chest.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2015, 09:51:10 PM »

Quote from: HondaMan on May 27, 2015, 09:39:40 PM

I would suggest the "flat bars", like the CB400F has. It sets you a little further forward without excessive fold-up of the legs, increasing your body's authority over the bike in turns. It's for young men with stout shoulders and strong backs, but it all 'evens out' at around 60 MPH when the wind lifts your chest.

Superbike bars are close to the 400 bars, very popular and the only bars I ever use on these bikes, still makes for a comfortable ride..

flatlander · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2015, 11:50:40 PM »

what bars do you have now? looking at pictures on here i find the ones that the US versions of the bike came with, very tall. the european stock bars for the 550 were lower and i find them very good for varied riding. the ones for the 400 are somewhat narrower than the stock EU 550 ones but very close in profile.

hondaman is right about the wind effect. as soon as you're on anything but inner-city-traffic-speed these lower bars become much more comfortable then the US style high-rise ones, and give better conrol.

Deltarider · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2015, 12:43:16 AM »

You all are right. The lower bars are the ones you want and will give you the feeling you are riding a bike. You're more in it and not on it. I suppose it was a marketing thing to let the US Honda's have the higher bars. Honda knew their markets and that in the US motorcycles were more of an extra plaything next to the car everybody owned. Moreover, it was dead easy for US citizens to get a licence and ride a motorcycle. In those days bikes were cheap, Americans were loaded with money, craving for toys and Honda wanted to make their bikes as accessible as possible, meaning to all kinds of people, including those that actually were a bit afraid of riding (women maybe?) and preferred to sit upright (the 'sit up and beg position' as a British Motorcycle magazine commented). Maybe Honda also calculated there were more fat bellies than elsewhere or that bikes were more used for shorter rides like around town than in other markets. If you're not obesed, I strongly recommend to have the lower bars and ride the bike as it was ment. Better for your butt too.

Bailgang · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2015, 01:34:45 AM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on May 27, 2015, 09:51:10 PM

Quote from: HondaMan on May 27, 2015, 09:39:40 PM
I would suggest the "flat bars", like the CB400F has. It sets you a little further forward without excessive fold-up of the legs, increasing your body's authority over the bike in turns. It's for young men with stout shoulders and strong backs, but it all 'evens out' at around 60 MPH when the wind lifts your chest.

Superbike bars are close to the 400 bars, very popular and the only bars I ever use on these bikes, still makes for a comfortable ride..

+1
I had them on my 550 and loved them both for the more positive feel I had in corners and all around comfort.

MoMo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2015, 04:09:16 AM »

400 four bars and here is a link for good repops

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/7-8-inch-chrome-pre-dilled-supermoto-style-handlebars.html

tomk1960 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2015, 04:59:06 AM »

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. The bars on Joey's bike now are the taller ones used on the U.S. models and look a bit silly. The bars shown on the Dime City link look like they'll do the trick. We really appreciate all the quick feedback.

Tom

Chachi · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2015, 06:02:56 AM »

If you want to keep internal wiring... You can get the 400F bars. Originals are still around or the repros. I used them on a 500/4. They worked well, but they were a bit narrow -- OK for a 500/550, but not for me on a 750. On my 750 I got some repro UK-spec 750 bars, which have a little more rise than the 400F bars and are a little wider, but much lower than US stock. If internal wiring is not a concern, Renthal makes nice bars. They have several rises. I think the 400F bars are 1.5" rise. Keep in mind you may want to get a shorter upper brake hose and clutch and throttle cables.

Some pics here may help...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,89003.msg998369.html#msg998369

Tews19 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2015, 07:37:49 AM »

Superbike bars all the way.

AintNoEasyWay · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:25:20 AM »

+1 for super bike bars. They look awesome too.

strynboen · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2015, 09:36:51 AM »

i got some thomaseli bars..they looks like 400 four...and are the straight type..perfekt handling..and still abel to ride long vitaut to hurt anything

you need some vide ones..as the marster cyll is big..and needs some ekstra Space,,and the elektric konnsols also filles up...if you vant the vires to go inside driling the handel/or dreml the kontrol housings so the viring can go/get autside, the handel...i have moddet mine so the viring goes autside,,,for the ekstra safty of not drill the handel..

MoMo · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2015, 11:09:02 AM »

Quote from: tomk1960 on May 28, 2015, 04:59:06 AM

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. The bars on Joey's bike now are the taller ones used on the U.S. models and look a bit silly. The bars shown on the Dime City link look like they'll do the trick. We really appreciate all the quick feedback.

Tom

and they are pre-drilled, ready to go. I use them on my 400 fours and one cannot tell the difference between original and repro...Larry

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2015, 11:12:51 AM »

Renthal fatbars

Maurice · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2015, 12:19:52 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on May 28, 2015, 04:09:16 AM

400 four bars and here is a link for good repops

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/7-8-inch-chrome-pre-dilled-supermoto-style-handlebars.html

Finally... Been looking for these bars for a couple weeks, everyone seemed to be out of stock. Thanks!!

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2015, 12:49:36 PM »

I put an Emgo Euro bar on my 550. They are similar to the super sport bars in rise, but I think have a bit more pullback.

Tews19 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2015, 12:51:05 PM »

Danny what's up with your build?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2015, 12:54:22 PM »

Nothing going on right now Nick. I have been putting all my time into a substantial resto of my MG. I have a thread with pictures in the Other Topics board.

I was talking to a guy yesterday though about an FT500 Ascot single he has for sale. I have been looking for one because I want to use the wheels and maybe the fork on my 550 project. I am trying to negotiate a price.

The car will take another month or two, so maybe I get to the bike sometime in July.

Duanob · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2015, 02:02:04 PM »

Whart ever bars you go with just make sure they are 32" width like the OEMs. I put 28" 400F bars on my 550 thinking they would be cool but my shoulders would not forgive me for that. Half hour ride at the most my shoulders were in pain. Had to go back to OEM, shoulder pain gone. Maybe its just me.

socal1200r · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2015, 02:55:48 PM »

Superbike or GP bars should do the trick:

http://www.jpcycles.com/motorcycle-handlebars/bikemaster

Here are "before and after" pics of swapping the handlebars on my CB650:

Tews19 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2015, 07:06:00 PM »

Nice 650 socal. Mind if i ask how much you got it for and any more pics?

brewsky · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2015, 07:50:04 PM »

Clubman's (turned upside down) on mine feel just right to me.

Deltarider · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2015, 11:59:29 PM »

Quote

Whart ever bars you go with just make sure they are 32" width like the OEMs. I put 28" 400F bars on my 550 thinking they would be cool but my shoulders would not forgive me for that. Half hour ride at the most my shoulders were in pain. Had to go back to OEM, shoulder pain gone. Maybe its just me.

Good you posted this. It will keep me from experimenting. May I ask how tall you are and your width from shoulder to shoulder?

mrfish2 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2015, 05:49:53 AM »

Quote from: Duanob on May 28, 2015, 02:02:04 PM

Whart ever bars you go with just make sure they are 32" width like the OEMs. I put 28" 400F bars on my 550 thinking they would be cool but my shoulders would not forgive me for that. Half hour ride at the most my shoulders were in pain. Had to go back to OEM, shoulder pain gone. Maybe its just me.

I've got 28" clubman's on mine and they feel plenty wide to me.

Scott S · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2015, 08:02:32 AM »

The 400F bars are slightly more narrow and have a tiny bit less pullback than Superbike bars. They are very close, though. Superbike bars are wider.
I've also ran Euro bars (the ones sold by aftermarket places, like MikesXS for example). They are very comfortable and a little sportier looking than stock. Daytona bars fall in that same category.

Genuine 400F bars.

Euro bars

Superbike bars

Daytona Bars

News:

Author Topic: Suggestions for Sportier Bars on a CB550 (Read 11390 times)