Topic: Smallest Handlebar for CB550F?

[GreaseMonkey]

Looking for advice on getting a new handlebar for my 1977 CB550F.

Very small guy here and it's quite a reach to my stock handlebar. Too far forward and too high.

I am used to clip-ons on super sports and liter bikes, it's all I know. Don't want to go as agressive as having clip ons on this bike.

Want a "Standard/Sporty" riding position. So don't want a clubman bar or an inverted bar etc.

I may get some RAASK rearsets to suit, but am going one step at a time to figure out the ergonomics of this bike for me and first off, the handlebar is way off.

I hear the early OEM CB400F are small and bolt in. Are they truly a bolt in, like wiring and holes and all? (obviously if I find a genuine OEM one). Don't mind doing some drilling and getting my hands dirty if I need to.

But I am concerend even the CB400F ones might still be too wide for me.

Are there any quality aftermarket options that are similar to the CB400F or maybe narrower/closer which fit the CB550F well?

Maybe something common that the CB550F guys use?

Appreciate any input!

[PeWe]

There are Euro bars or superbike bars, very comfortable low bars. 
For CB500- 750 etc with holes for harness inner routing.

Classic Cycle City in Germany sell throttle and clutch cable set matching these.

Upper brake line 310mm center to center banjos.  300mm work too, a little tight.

#
Below my CB750 K6, has a low and wide model that is very comfortable with good bike control.
Harnesses outside.
I recommended it in this thread with same question as here.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=192538.msg2244270.msg#2244270

[newday777]

I did like Per and went to the European short rise bars @3" rise, 28.75" wide, 4" pullback.
Vintagecb750.com has them

https://vintagecb750.com/products/handlebar-stock-type-cb550f-1975-76

[PeWe]

I used drag bars in the 80's.
But clutch cable got bad route bending over left fork cap and brake banjo hit the tacho.

[RAFster122s]

The pullback will have a decent amount of influence on your comfort with the bars...given you do not have long reach...
Realize as you lean forward into the bars you add load on your wrists and if you have carpal tunnel that can really kill your ability to ride long days. Only if you keep your wrist position in neutral and your weight off your wrists will it not affect your wrist issues...unless you have a lot of vibration and that too can really cause flare-ups for many

So, strengthen your core so your riding position is not dictates by your grip on the bars..often the interactions with the handlebars should be lite anyway...

I know, you were not asking about this...just thought I'd point it out having dealt with carpal tunnel in my wrists since I was in my 30s...

[carnivorous chicken]

And if you're worried about width no reason you can't cut a little off the ends, just make sure your MC and controls are going to fit.

[jonda500]

I had 400-4 bars on my cb500 (seat is about 1" further forward than the 550F), but I am 6'2" and have changed to standard "low rise" 500 Four bars which are more comfortable for me and give me more leverage, and I feel more in control and confident.
When fitting the 400-4 bars, getting the brake line and master cylinder angle just right was crucial - I ended up with less than 1/2 mm clearance between the master and the tacho. The larger 550 gauges are tilted up towards the rider so the fit may be less challenging?
John

[flatlander]

i'm using 400 bars on my 550F.
here's my experience with installation: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,134863.msg2142276.html#msg2142276

they're a bit more narrow and lower than the original european 550 bars that i had. i'm not especially small or short, but for me that works better. it will be a tight squeeze between tach and master cylinder but can be done with a bit of adjustment of the angles of the bars and MC.

[Deltarider]

Very good info in this thread. Does any of you know the specs (dimensions like rise and width) of the 'European' handlebar PN: 53100-390-620? Or has Newday777 already answered my question in his reply #2?
It came standard on these models:

CB500K2 GENERAL EXPORT
CB550F1 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1976 ENGLAND
CB550F1 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1976 EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
CB550F1 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1976 FRANCE
CB550F1 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1976 GERMANY
CB550F2 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1977 ENGLAND
CB550F2 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1977 EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
CB550F2 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1977 FRANCE
CB550F2 SUPER SPORT 550 FOUR 1977 GERMANY
CB750K6 FOUR ENGLAND
CB750K6 FOUR EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES
CB750K6 FOUR FRANCE
CB750K6 FOUR GERMANY

[BenelliSEI]

Here’s what the low 400F bars looked like on my 550K. I can’t measure them as I sold the bike several years ago…..

[Stev-o]

The 400 bars are very popular, I put them on my '67 CB450 [Bomber]

I put "M" handlebars on my 550F,  not as low or uncomfortable as clubmans but a nice compromise.

[Sw1ssdude]

The 'Gentlemans Express' CB550 used some BMW handlebars, which i like a lot! But i havent found them yet, and i dont know if they are drilled for inner cable routing.

[scottly]

The 400 bars are very popular, I put them on my '67 CB450 [Bomber]

I put "D" handlebars on my 550F,  not as low or uncomfortable as clubmans but a nice compromise.

What are "D" handlebars Steve? Mooshi (Lisa) had "M" bars on her 550, Dash. (IIRC, they were "Norman Hyde M bars??) They worked well for her, and she rode the hell out of Dash with them.

[Stev-o]

The 400 bars are very popular, I put them on my '67 CB450 [Bomber]

I put "D" handlebars on my 550F,  not as low or uncomfortable as clubmans but a nice compromise.

What are "D" handlebars Steve? Mooshi (Lisa) had "M" bars on her 550, Dash. (IIRC, they were "Norman Hyde M bars??) They worked well for her, and she rode the hell out of Dash with them.

Yes, my error, M bars.  Thx Scott    Is she selling "Dash"?

[RAFster122s]

Dash is for sale to the right buyer I think... Hondaman did a rebuild of the motor last year or year before...so Dash is in very good shape. I think she just rides the other bikes more now and isn't doing trips like she was...
Talk to Mooshie if interested
Personally, I would hate to see someone buy Dash and make tons of changes...

[grcamna2]

Following

[Bankerdanny]

I have Euro bars on my 750F and had them on my 550K and 550F as well. They are a good standard size.

I also had M bars on my 550F and really liked them. They are flat with no rise, but have a bend similar to a clip on. You get a nice lean, but your hands stay above the tank unlike clip ons or clubman bars. For my 4700 trip on the 550F I used the euro bars because I had a small windshield and wanted to be more upright. For day-to-day urban riding I preferred the M bar.