Topic: Handlebar swap

[Jdickinson]

Hi

I'm switching out the bars on my '73 CB500. I've just finished looking through the forums for tips ..in particular for getting the wiring out of the old and into the new.

I feel a little stupid because no one mentions it explicitly. Do I leave the controls attached and disconnect from the wiring harness? Or leave the wiring harness connected and disconnect the wiring at the controls?

So far I have all of the controls disconnected...one stripped screw and one snapped bolt later.  But I left all the wires connected when I got that far. Would rather not make a mistake that will end up taking more time/effort that I don't need to.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Joel

[HondaMan]

You just have to unplug the wires for the handlebars (inside the headlight) to lift the bars off once the bolts (and disc brake master cylinder) are freed. Find a way to keep the master cylinder upright, or you may risk leaking some brake fluid out, which is real hard on paint!

[Jdickinson]

Awesome HondaMan! Thank you.  I actually had to replace the front brake line (the old one was cracked) so I removed the whole front brake control.

Can't wait to see what it looks like with the new bars.
Joel

[Don R]

   If the new bars are drilled for wires, feed a pull wire in first, then tape it into the wiring bundle, loop a couple wires so it doesn't slip out, try to make them pointy. pull them in with a little lube, I use silicone spray. Pull and push at the same time, don't let the edge of the hole chafe the insulation. Sometimes you need to cut off the sheath because it's too hard and replace with heat shrink.

[rb550four]

What kind of bars are ya going to get?
fold a towel over the tank if you care about the paint , incase you drop the bars on the tank while you're feeding the wires through the unsecured bars. It also gives you a handy surface for tools and bolts for re assembly.

[Jdickinson]

Thanks rb550four and Don R! great tips. I realized about the towel right AFTER I had loosened the clamp on the old bars, but luckily I got away with my mistake with no damage!

The new bars are not exactly drag bars but pretty close. They are low enough to give me the cafe feel but I'm a very short women so not so low that I'll be stretched out so far that I'm laying on the tank.  Luckily they are already drilled for wires.

I'll post some pictures of my progress later. Thanks again!

Joel

[Jdickinson]

WooHoo! All done! Took it out for a spin and it handles great

[Killer Canary]

You picked a tasteful blend of colours. Nice job.
I just had to say it.

[Stev-o]

Looks good!

[Jdickinson]

Thanks killer and Steve-o!