Topic: Handlebars

[my78k]

Not sure if this really belongs in the tech forum or not but figured it's worth a try...seems to fit better here than any other category...

I have a 78 750k that I have been playing with...she's pretty much good to go now after many beers and long hours in the driveway (and even more hours sitting on this forum lurking and learning). For those of you who may have seen my earlier posts this bike was pretty much beat to S%&#!!! 13 years uncovered in an open driveway...not to mention we're talking Canadian winters too!

Anyways, needless to say I'm not worried about keeping her totally stock (would have cost me alot more than the $400-$500 that I have in to her now) so am wondering about swapping out bars. Partly because these ones are a "little" rusty but more so because I'm just not overly fond of that stock look.

I have been thinking about a set of Clubmans or drag bars or something to give it a more aggressive look but am concerned about rideability and comfort...

Anyone who has experience with these aftermarket bars who could offer suggestions of which ones to get (or avoid) I would appreciate it...any oppinions welcome...

Thanks,
Dennis

[Chris Liston]

drag bars will be more upright and more comfortable than the clubmans.  The clubmans (which I have a set and haven't put on yet) will be more lower and aggressive feel. 

[Buffo]

I have clubmans on my K8 and I like them but they are NOT for long rides...long is a relative term so...

with clubmans expect...harder clutch pull...you have to reroute the cable but it will still be harder than stock unless you get/make shorter cables.

...stiffer throttle action...again you will have to reroute the cables...shorter ones would be nice but they will need to be rerouted too

...learn to lean the bike at much lower speeds...even when the clubmans are pushed way forward...if you have to turn the bars to the lock you will pinch your fingers between the bars and the tank...if the bars are not pushed forward enough they will hit the tank

...the stock brake master cylinder may pose a problem and hit the tach...I bought a new, modern 14mm nissin M/C so I dont have that problem but it was a $150 fix...or you can hang the throttle off the end of the bars...but you already have a problem with bar - tank clearance and it makes it look sloppy...also the brake line is a bit to long

...clubmans have a strange angle to the grips...it can make for sore wrists...

Clubmans are not for everyone


Buyer Beware

I like mine

Buffo The Magnificent

[alfabeast]

I've got drag bars on my 78K and I love them, I have clips-ons on another CB750 and the damn things give me tennis elbow and I'm only 37!!!

My drag bars:
http://home.earthlink.net/~alfabike/id5.html

[Uncle Ernie]

If you go back a little, we just had a fairly lengthy discussion about this. I'd say the percentages were about 60% against clubmans, 40% for.

[ProTeal55]

I got a set of Daytone style bars , powdercoated black, from Flanders for my CB.
They are basically a drag bar , with a 2'' rise. Look very similar to
what comes on most modern dirtbikes.

I have yet to put them on , but I think they will give me the lowbar look , along with a decent ride.
I have a buddy with clubmans on his 550 , and after a hour or so of riding his bike, figured out they were not for me.

[DammitDan]

I've got GP touring bars on mine with a bit of a pull and about a 3" rise off the trip tree... Much more comfortable for longer rides, but still gives you a good reach over the tank for tighter sport cornering and doesn't constrict the turning radius of the front wheel.

I would recommend against the clubmans unless this is going to be specifically a short distance race bike.

[KB02]

I have Clip ons on mine. I was going to buy a set of clubmans, but figured the clip ons wouldn't stretch me out quite as far. I like the clip ons, but as the others said, they're not for everyone, and are not for long rides. If (when ) I rebuild another bike, I will use the drag bars.
BUT, the clip-ons and Clubmans look really cool

Just my 2 cents

[ofreen]

I've used K & N Superbike bars on a couple of bikes, and think they are about ideal for me on the UJMs with no fairing or windshield.

Greg
'75 CB750F

[rt]

I found some "Telefix" clip ons quite handy for my 550F Cafe project. They can be adjusted in (nearly) every position to suit the Driver's needs. I agree to "alfabeast" when it comes to Clubmans; for your back's sake, if you go for clip ons go for those adjustable ones.

[Buffo]

dont forget that a lot of people put motocross bars on their superbikes...

[cntrhub]

Just have a few things to address. Everyone is giving choice input to the bars. The things I'd like to point out are the clamps and your wrists.
The clamps on Hondas have a 'stepped" design handle bar clamp. Most of the half caps are marked with either a dot near one of the bolt holes... (or an "arrow" for the front axles.)
 The clamping effect for both axle and bars are how the half caps need to be installed. Find a dot or arrow (on the half cap) and place it in the front direction. The front h/bar (axle) caps are tightened first. There will not be a gap when the (front) half cap is tightened. There will be though, a gap at the rear of the cap. This is the "clamping effect" of this simple design.
Vibration will be minimal when installed correctly. You can tell any stepped half cap by placing the cap on a flat surface. Press your thumb over either bolt hole. Note if the other end of the flat is hitting the surface, or there is a gap? If there is no gap (like Suzuki) then these caps are evenly machined. Non-stepped half caps will need to be measured with a feeler gauge. Tighten the bolts evenly and achieve even spacing, and minimal vibration to your arms will have a noticeable effect.

The other issue is your wrist positioning. Hold your arms straight out, while you flatten your hand. Do not bend your wrist. Sit on the bike. Lay your palms flat out on the grips and straighten your fingers. Again, do not bend your wrists. Do you feel comfortable sitting and resting your palms on the grips? If you feel like you can ride like this for a long time, then let the levers now touch under your stretched fingers. This is where you want your clutch and brake levers to be. You do not want to bend your wrist up or down to grab at the levers. Once you find this neutral arm/wrist position, then you can tighten your lever clamps.
Use this (lever touching) technique installing any type of bars on your bike.

[78_SaltLick]

i had clubmans on my 78, and clip ons on my 74. I can def say the clip ons are much better. clubmans killed my wrists.

[dusterdude]

im thinking of installing clubmans on backwards so to speak.i hope i can get  more pullback than stockers.

[theunrulychef]

I've got a set of clubmans on backwards & they're more comfortable than the stock bars for my F2.  They're also not anywhere near as dorky looking (especially w/ the bar end mirrors).  I'll be turning them over once I get new brake lines - my current ones are cracked & too long, so I don't want to put any unnecessary bends in them.

I had them on the right way for a day or so when I first got them to try it out.  Yes, I got a little sore during my commute, but damn, the improved handling & "perception" of extra speed was pretty f'ing cool.  I guess it's just that much more fun when you're hurtling head first through traffic.  I should say though, I think rearsets & a good cafe seat probably make all the world of difference with these bars comfortwise.  I guess that's why they started using them in the first place...