Topic: What cables work on a CB500 with superbike bars???

[Spike]

I've decided to change direction on the handlebar choice.  I'm going to use a relatively flat superbike bar.  I'm concerned that the stock cables (that I already purchased  ) are not going to work.  Any others with experience using this style bars?

[Goofaroo]

I am currently working on the same scenario.   It is looking like I can get creative with the clutch cable routing and make it work.  I haven't started on the throttle cables yet but I'm guessing they might be a bit more of a problem.

I was going to cut my superbike bars down just a little bit shorter in length but that would have seriously amplified the cable problem and I was surprised to find that the superbike bars are already about 1 1/2'" more narrow than the stock bars.

The other issue is going to be the length of the wiring for the handlebar controls.  I am marking the bars right now to figure out where I want to drill them so I can run the wiring internally just like the stock bars.  It may turn out to be a non-issue but I have a feeling that to get everything to look tidy I may have to shorten the wiring from the controls to the harness.

Let me know if you come up with any brilliant ideas.

[Spike]

Thanks for the reply.  I'ts nice to know that there are others going through the same process.  I'm planning on running wires through the bars too.  It actually seems easier than modifying the stock switch housings and routing wires outside the bars.  I read somewhere that Motion Pro will make specific length cables to order, so I may check on that as well.  Good luck with your quest and keep me posted on your progress!

[Steve_K]

I have put superbike bars on a CB550 and had good results with stock cables.  I don't have any pics, but I did take the tank off many times before I got the carb cables routed just right.  Don't hook the gas lines up on the first couple times. (saves some time)  Make sure the carbs snap shut with the bars turned each way.  It is not hard.

Steve

PS the hard part was drilling the holes for the stock wiring and getting them thru the bar!

[Goofaroo]

I have put superbike bars on a CB550 and had good results with stock cables.  I don't have any pics, but I did take the tank off many times before I got the carb cables routed just right.  Don't hook the gas lines up on the first couple times. (saves some time)  Make sure the carbs snap shut with the bars turned each way.  It is not hard.

Steve

How do you like the superbike bars on your 550?  Stock seat? Stock pegs?  Comfy?

[Steve_K]

I liked the feel and it was comfortable for me. (Stock seat and pegs)  CB550s with the Honda 4-1 had similar bars(as I remember) but I think those pegs were located  more to the rear.
This was in the 70's when I did that.  I have a 750 now with those bars with stock footpeg location.  I find that to be comfy for several hours.   Since then  I have always had sportbikes, too, that had a even lower bars and higher pegs.  Standard style bikes have for me weird bars and I like them lower.
Steve

[Goofaroo]

Hey Spike, did you ever get your bars mounted and cables run?  I'm working on mine right now and everything is looking good except I've been trying to figure out the best routing for the throttle cables.  Sitting behind a beer looking at it hasn't helped so I was hoping you had come up with some glamorous solution.

[Spike]

Yep, got them installed and working.  The stock length motion pro throttle cables worked just fine.  In accordance with the wisdom of the group I stuck with the Genuine Honda clutch cable (so it is the stock length as well).  I'm quite happy with the results and had no routing issues with the cables at all.

I did order new brake hoses from Slingshot Cycle and you need to specifiy superbike bars.  Shawn has done these bars on his own bike and the hoses that I got fit perfectly!



I still need to paint the tank (I'm running it ugly while going through the shake down process). 

[Goofaroo]

Thanks for the tip.  I need brake lines and rear shocks and then I'm ready for some testing while I figure out what to do about paint.

 Your bike looks great.

[Spike]

Give Slingshot Cycles a shot for the hoses.  He will do rubber or SS braided to fit your application exactly.  His prices are good and shipping is fast.

I found my rear shocks at a salvage yard.  New old stock Progressives still in the box from thirty years ago.  Complete with the cheezy purple and pink Progressive sticker on the upper shell.  They work great.