Topic: Lowering pegs/ handlebar raiser

[Polio]

Hi everybody,
In a couple of weeks I'll be leaving for a long trip on my cb400,
I've been riding it for the past two years with no too much of a second tought but I'd like to address an issue I have before leaving:

Back pain.
I'm just a little bit too tall for the bike, and I'm leaning forward all the the time.
So I was wondering if there was a pair of aftermarkets pegs that sit lower than the stock ones so I can at least get a little bit more space for my legs and be a little bit less cramped, and/or an handlebar raiser that can be fitted on it so I can sit a bit straighter.

Anybody has done something like this?   

[Kenzo]

76CB550FSS

I removed my peg rubbers per a suggestion I got here and reinstalled the metal support. Used washers to level them and been meaning to install longer sharper screws but grip on my boots or shoes is excellent. I come here from off road so I'm use to pegs with flesh tearing teeth.

On the bars I just installed CB400 low and narrow bars...hahahaaa... Maybe some stock bars? Actually think there are bar risers available and you shouldn't have to worry about needing different cables.

Cheers,
Kenzo

[Polio]

I removed my peg rubbers per a suggestion

Are they removable? didn't know that.
I was checking them out earlier trying to figure out what I could do with the stock ones,
they seem to be fixed to the frame with a bolt, that I first thought was just one of those to secure the engine to the frame,
but it seems that if I were to loosen it I might be able to lower them without changing them.

Am I wrong about this? only one way to find out I guess. 

I'm looking around for handlebar risers, I've found some 30mm (1.18 inch) options but they might be too much,
20-25mm should be more than enough.
I'm not sure if my handlebar is stock tough, so I don't know if it's 22mm or 28mm.

[DaveBarbier]

The guy I bought my bike from was pretty tall he had larger than stock bars and he also swapped the pegs from left to right. I actually don't remember if that lowered the pegs but it did put them at a different position. This is on my '78 550 though.

[Deltarider]

Sitting more upright is actually increasing the risk of backpain and I therefor wouldn't recommend higher handlebars. In the pic below you can see how Honda intended us to sit, clearly not the US handlebars. BTW, I also removed the rubbers from the pegs. Really makes some difference. I'm still studying what else I can do to give my legs more room.

[Bankerdanny]

The forward lean is a benefit during long stretches above 45mph or so. But my advice is get a small removable windshield. I know a number of guys here have taken many trips without one. But my personal experience as a tall guy on a 550 is that keeping the wind off your chest helps. If you are riding solo you might try moving your feet back to the passenger pegs. It completely changes your body geometry and I find it quite comfortable.

[Polio]

Tried to take off the right peg,
I was right to think the bolt was keeping the peg mount in place, but they're not movable.
There's a stub that keeps the mount where it's supposed to be.

I was even thinking about switching around the spring in the peg seat to gain a cm, but it's not possible.
I really hope I can find an aftermarket brand that fits  wonder how tall people dealt with this back then, they probably just bought the 750 instead.

he also swapped the pegs from left to right.
This is on my '78 550 though.

If the peg mount is the same as Kenzo's then it looks like that would actually put the pegs on a lower spot since you'd have to mount upside down to swap them.
Sadly the cb400 has a different mount, so it wouldn't work.

Sitting more upright is actually increasing the risk of backpain and I therefor wouldn't recommend higher handlebars.

Sorry but I disagree, I've tried riding a klr for a weekend and I had no backpain whatsoever.
I probably didn't express myself very well tough, my backpain is caused by hunching over too much and I get pain just a couple of inches under my shoulderblades,
if I were to lean forward and reach the handlebar with a straight spine I probably wouldn't have any problem,
but if I try to keep that position I'm holding the handles with my fingertips.

If you are riding solo you might try moving your feet back to the passenger pegs. It completely changes your body geometry and I find it quite comfortable.

I guess the cb400 has a different geometry,
because if I did that I'd be resting my chest on the tank, riding superman style 

As for the windshield... I don't know I never had much problem with the wind.
The real problem is that when I wear my riding pants my legs get so bent they become too tight and they cut the bloodflow behind my knees,
and also the aforementioned hunching problem.

[Kenzo]

Your 400 peg rubbers are different than my 550.

Cheers,
Kenzo

[Bankerdanny]

Well, I'm 6-4 Polio, so using the rear pegs may be easier for me than you.

But if an upright position is what you want, add the windshield just for the trip. You'll be happy you did.

[Polio]

Well, I'm 6-4 Polio, so using the rear pegs may be easier for me than you.

But if an upright position is what you want, add the windshield just for the trip. You'll be happy you did.

Indeed, I'm barely 6'2.
I'll see if I can find something that fits my budget.

[Bankerdanny]

You should have no problem finding something for well under $100. Check Craigslist.