Topic: best looking handle bars for bobber

[cb650 bobber]

any votes I am looking to switch this week.

[CBGhia]

Stock bars or higher.  Mini ape hangers would look good.  Mount them pointed strait up or slightly forward.   I love that look.

[Geeto67]

there you go throwing that "bobber" term around again.....

since traditional bobbers were flat track machines, flat track bars are usually the best starting point. I like superbike bars because they are not as high or akward looking as flat track while still maintaining that overall shape. The original bikes that bobbers were made from had stock bars that are what is commonly known as "beach bars". since they are wide and offer good leverage a lot of guys kept them for their race machines.

If you want to emulate that "bobber" look, use the bikes that would have been real bobbers (harley 45s, Indian scouts and cheifs, early preunit triumphs, etc) for inspiration.

apes are for choppers. since you are building an early chopper style bike anyway (despite you calling it a bobber) this might not be such a bad suggestion, but you will be trading that early vintage street/race bike vibe for that 50's early 60's "leader of the pack" vibe. Personally I think ape hangers are useless pieces of crap because if you ride any real miles the arm fatigue alone will make them uncomfortable, but hey the sacrifices you make for style.   

[gerhed]

For some reason , I thought "Z" bars were the "nuts" when my Indian
was in it's bobber mode.

[Gordon]

For some reason , I thought "Z" bars were the "nuts" when my Indian
was in it's bobber mode.

Heh!  I have a picture of your Indian in "Drag" mode on my basement wall.

[andy750]

there you go throwing that "bobber" term around again.....

since traditional bobbers were flat track machines, flat track bars are usually the best starting point. I like superbike bars because they are not as high or akward looking as flat track while still maintaining that overall shape. The original bikes that bobbers were made from had stock bars that are what is commonly known as "beach bars". since they are wide and offer good leverage a lot of guys kept them for their race machines.

If you want to emulate that "bobber" look, use the bikes that would have been real bobbers (harley 45s, Indian scouts and cheifs, early preunit triumphs, etc) for inspiration.

apes are for choppers. since you are building an early chopper style bike anyway (despite you calling it a bobber) this might not be such a bad suggestion, but you will be trading that early vintage street/race bike vibe for that 50's early 60's "leader of the pack" vibe. Personally I think ape hangers are useless pieces of crap because if you ride any real miles the arm fatigue alone will make them uncomfortable, but hey the sacrifices you make for style.   

Couldnt agree more!

[cb650 bobber]

I like low bars..think they handle better for my preference anyway.I really liked your z bars on that indian though. I have drag bars with some pullback...I am either looking to go to broomsticks or was thinking of something like this....not even sure what bars these are ...anyone have the beach bars on a cb I could take a peak at...what are these bars...and sorry agian geeto I will just have to start calling it a bike I took all the shat off of to make it lighter and faster and look minimalist. It is just easier to say bobber though.

[andy750]

Someone posted a link to these a while back - Norman bars - look pretty good to me.

http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc028.htm

http://www.newbonneville.com/html/hyde_handlebars.html

I like that bike in the pic though...

good luck with it,
Andy

[cb650 bobber]

yeah not sure what bars they are and not sure if they handle like drag bars...I like the mbars to...damn this is getting hard.

[754]

That bike looks more cafed or streetracer.. than bobber to me..

 Why do you keep asking us what to run?

 buy a few sets of bars and try them.. or better yet build what fits you...

 lots of riders go through a few sets getting a good fit or run say, a set for town and another set for long rides..

overly wide or high bars do not a bobber make, they are stripped down bikes & you wont pick up any speed by having your arms out or up...

[ohiocaferacer]

Pro-Taper Mx Bars...thats what i'm running on my 71 CB500.
Feel really comfortable

[cb650 bobber]

Yeah that is more street tracker look just liked the bars and havent seen them before I dont really care about the label on my bike just try to make it look cool boobed fender and nothing on it...I dont understand why people would make a statement like why ask us. This is a forum you read it you dont have to reply. It isnt like I called you on the phone and said you must answer this question. I am really leaning toward broomsticks.....I have drag bars with some pullback. now and just wanted some opinions before i bought them because I am already going to be selling one set of used bars dont want to sell anymore.....thanks everyone anymore feedback would be awesome...but those pro tapers are tempting to.

[Geeto67]

YOu could also look for renthal bars with a removeable cross brace. Same bend as the pro-tapers and without the brace they look vintage. Plus they are aluminum and anodized different colors - adds a real race bike purposefull look to the bike.

The only issue I had with a broom stick bar is it was really easy to lock my wrists and elbows when riding, which cut down on my reaction time in making turns. Plus the dead straight wrist angle throws your wrist at a funny angle when you are wicking the throttle. Other than that they have a real home made feel because really all you need is a straigth piece of 7/8ths tube or pipe and cut to length.

[754]

Let me gently put this another way..

What you are asking is a bit like trying to buy shoes online without telling your size or providing a tracing...

take a look at K&N superbike bars, they may be to your liking.. i run end and rotating them makes big changes in wrist angle.

I tell people this when choosing bars, sit on the bike in your normal postion. Now hold your hands out in front near where you would like them to be. Now rotate and wiggle your wrists, and see where they feel best and WANT to be, pay close attention to the line drawn thru your knuckes.. this is where your bars should end up and what the angle at the grip should be..if you want comfort..

[Klark Kent]

...I dont understand why people would make a statement like why ask us. This is a forum you read it you dont have to reply. It isnt like I called you on the phone and said you must answer this question.

you can't get a 12 post a day average by not replying to posts just because you have nothing helpful to offer.  that said, you asked for opinions and that's his.  take it for what it's worth. 

[gerhed]

For some reason , I thought "Z" bars were the "nuts" when my Indian
was in it's bobber mode.

Heh!  I have a picture of your Indian in "Drag" mode on my basement wall.

Something like this-in a nice flowered print.

[754]

Klark, at one point you have to decide if you are building a bike to please others or yourself. Starting at the taillight and license plate he has asked this for nearly every piece on the bike... which is ok depending on how you word it.. like Bar ideas for bobber conveys different meaning than best looking bars for bobber.

Some people have a rough draft of what they are trying to build sketched or in their mind... but in this day and age it seems that is not done as often as it was..

 If you think I added nothing, read the post above yours, I edited it before I saw yours..

[cb650 bobber]

didnt mean anything by that 754 sometimes I have so many ideas running through my head...that the people on this forum can give me a bump in the right direction. So yes some of my questions may seem weird but I appreciate everyone that gives me a hand...

[cb650 bobber]

I asked about the plate and brake light and did my own thing in the end and it turned out really good. will post pictures later this week when I get the bike done and re painted..and new bars. when I cleaned the tank after the carb rebuild I got tons of crap on it and scraped the paint. Anyway I used the paint that makes it look like copper with a little texture and I really like the way it looks. So we will see how it all comes together this week I am just glad it is running good agian..knock on wood.

[cb650 bobber]

is there another name for m bars cant find to many sources on the internet.

[Gordon]

For some reason , I thought "Z" bars were the "nuts" when my Indian
was in it's bobber mode.

Heh!  I have a picture of your Indian in "Drag" mode on my basement wall.

Something like this-in a nice flowered print.

Yep, just from a different angle.  It came with a few other pictures you sent me for correctly identifying the Enola Gay from the cockpit picture.  They're proudly displayed on the walls of my basement kitchen/beer/laundry room.

sorry for the thread-jack... 

[cb650 bobber]

ok I figured out my first attempt at finding bars I like....the m bars..I bought them when they get here I will post pics.

[strangedaze39]

Damn, I just got done chopping my mini ape hangers into pieces in order to put my oem bars on (it was easy getting the electronic cable out if it that way. I really didn't like the look of the mini ape hangers on my bike since its not a bobber. Although they were really comfy (and I'm pretty short, not sure if you are) and would look really sexy on a bobber. I wish I would have seen this post earlier I would have sent them to ya for postage. Sorry to bring it up 

My vote is mini apes, or stock. GL on the build.
-SD