Author Topic: Drag Bars vs. Clubmans (Read 39055 times)

Gordon · « **Reply #25 on:** September 28, 2009, 01:43:25 PM »

Quote from: j squared on September 28, 2009, 01:37:18 PM

Nice, thanks for the pic. To make matters worse for me I ran my wiring externally so I need a 1/2" gap between the control case and BMC/lever, just that much less room to work with! Looks like you switched the banjo around to pull it away from the instruments though, didnt even think of that.

My wires are run externally, too. You can see them peeking out from the bottom of the handlebar in that picture. I probably just made the cut-out deep enough that the wires weren't an issue, because I don't remember having a problem getting the switch pod and MC close together.

jesus freek · « **Reply #26 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:16:35 PM »

Gordon beat me to the pic. Mine looked identicle to that. With a deeper notch in the control housing you can get it to match up. The hardest part I found was the banjo bolt and the resoviour. With a little patience you can do it. The drag bars are prolly 2 too 3 inches shorter than superbike bars and that is a big difference on the ease of putting back together

j squared · « **Reply #27 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:18:42 PM »

Nice, thanks guys. I think Imma notch it out a bit more and see if I can put them a little closer together.

bikerbart · « **Reply #28 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:21:05 PM »

try norman hyde M bars,a very good compromise.I love em.

Dave-and-his-550 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:32:23 PM »

Ha, I ordered clubmans awhile ago, spent some time sittin on the bike I couldn't really get use to it (I'm 5' 6") so I went ahead and ordered drag bars. Looks like I'm gonna have a hellova time gettin all the controls on, but it should be more comfortable. Super bike bars sound just about perfect though. Oh well.

Pinhead · « **Reply #30 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:00:52 PM »

I'm running Clubmans and rearsets on my CM400 right now and I think they're a little extreme. I've only made one 5 minute trip, though, so I might get used to it; will have to put on some more miles before I report back.

I'm 6'1"

Pinhead · « **Reply #31 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:28:29 PM »

I drove the bike around on the way to work today, about 45 minutes or so. Clubmans are definitely too far forward for me, even with rearsets.

Quote from: bikerbart on September 29, 2009, 03:21:05 PM

try norman hyde M bars,a very good compromise.I love em.

I really like those; they look like they'd be the perfect in-between bars...

drumgod · « **Reply #32 on:** September 30, 2009, 04:53:45 PM »

Quote from: 033A2 on September 26, 2009, 03:34:39 PM

I bought a set of drags and had them drilled to hide the wires inside. I'm 5'6" and find myself hunched forward, but not too bad. I think clubs would be a stretch for me, no pun intended. This is about as much comfort, for looks, I'm willing to give up.

I just put drag bars on my CB550 and they sit almost exactly like yours. lol, I even have the same mirrors but I haven't put them on yet. I *did* flip the banjo around (and ditched the cover) and the bars are drilled for the wires. So far it seems to work alright...

patricke9 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 05, 2009, 03:31:20 PM »

Just did the swap on my '77 CB550K from clubmans to drag bars this weekend- only issue is the master cylinder hits the top of the fork right now & the lever is a lot higher than I like. I didn't have a whole lot of time to mess around with it yesterday but I'm hoping I can them to work, took a short ride & it's much more comfortable then the clubmans.
Before:

After:

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #34 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:13:58 PM »

I was reading this thread as I am pondering which handle bars to go with on my new build and began wondering if you can get drag bars a little longer ? I got a CX500 and wanna do the dragbars for comfort issues but am reading that it is a tight fit for the master cylinder.
Would an extra two inches in length resolve this issue? I am thinking yes .

Gordon · « **Reply #35 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:17:15 PM »

Quote from: 78whiteorbs on November 03, 2009, 08:13:58 PM

Would an extra two inches in length resolve this issue? I am thinking yes .

It would make things a little easier, but the only drag bars I've seen readily available are the 28" ones.

andy750 · « **Reply #36 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:41:52 AM »

Try these guys - the make every kind of size...great history as well...

http://www.flandersco.com/about.html

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #37 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:42:34 AM »

Yeah , they got 'em . About a 100 bux though . I should be able to get mirrors, grips and bar for that . I found One guy on ebay that had 7/8 30inch drag bars. I am watching that one. I might make some room by just going with one tach gauge and a smaller digital one .

Trav-i · « **Reply #38 on:** November 04, 2009, 10:35:18 AM »

Also CycleX has a decent selection of bars on their website. They have a bar I have been looking at putting on my chopper project instead of the drag bar i have on it now. Plus their prices are not too bad either.

greasy j · « **Reply #39 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:18:33 AM »

I've used superbike bars upside down for mild clubman type of bars.

bucky katt · « **Reply #40 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:23:11 AM »

i love my superbike bars of the 3 discussed. i've had clubmans (upside down and rightside up) and drag bars but the euro bars are the most comfortable by far.

Gordon · « **Reply #41 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:30:36 AM »

Quote from: bucky katt on November 05, 2009, 12:23:11 AM

i've had clubmans (upside down and rightside up) and drag bars but the euro bars are the most comfortable by far.

+1

greasy j · « **Reply #42 on:** November 05, 2009, 12:36:29 AM »

fischead and another member had a good idea about using clip on clamps with drag bars cut in half so you can adjust rise/pullback. basically the same as clip ons with a bend in the bars.

Free Booter · « **Reply #43 on:** March 04, 2011, 04:09:51 PM »

I picked Drag bars over clubmans for several reasons:

1. I plan on using preload adjusters on the top of the fork tubes so I needed the clearance there (its close).

2. I am 6 ft tall and have a long reach, but I'm also fairly long waisted so I just couldn't get comfortable in that position for periods over 30 minutes to an hour or more..and (as mentioned) there was a clearance issue w/ the adjusters.

3. Drags bars were cheaper (yeah...I said it ...Mine were only about $17 US )

4. While there may be a slight clearance issue w/ the Banjo and the wiring (I plan to place the wiring on the inside); I am also using The Architect's ingenious Gauge Adapter that lowers the gauges slightly forward and down and provides a little extra room away from the indicator /handlebar mount.

5. I get better clearance in turns from the gas tank and I don't have to limit my turn radius ratio by using a tapped/bolt adjuster to clear it or dent my tank...Also gives me a little more adjustment options on the angle of the bars w/ out anything having to be drastically moved. Also, I don't have rear sets either.

johnny · « **Reply #44 on:** March 04, 2011, 04:18:21 PM »

I went with drag bars on my CB350.

Stock seat and pegs (no rear sets).
This allows me to sit a bit further back on the seat for a comfortable cruising position (I'm about 6'1"). This is definitely NOT a touring bike anyway so long distance riding wasn't a factor in my choice.

socalenduro · « **Reply #45 on:** March 05, 2011, 07:46:59 PM »

for the tank clearance issues i have found clubmans with different widths for the center section. allowing for full bar turn with bigger tanks

putting wires internally in clubmans is a bit#h too

xedge4lifex · « **Reply #46 on:** March 05, 2011, 08:28:23 PM »

straight dragbars or the dragbars with the moderate pullback will hurt your wrists after about 30-45 minutes of riding. i love the way my clubmans feel, even at a little over 6 foot i can ride with my elbow on my leg with my hand on the throttle without hunching over too much and feel very comfortable.

unless you want a full blown race-feel like clubmans or clips ons give. id suggest low rise 22-24 inch bars. ive read the 70s bmws had the perfect size, and ive also seen 22inch low rise off some dirtbikes that are great for any 70s honda.

Goofaroo · « **Reply #47 on:** March 06, 2011, 05:21:30 PM »

I've got a set of superbike bars that I plan to put on my CB500 project. My BMW R100S has the factory Eurobars (Magura) and I really like them but they are too pricey for my CB project. Mine are about 25" and the superbike bars are 29". They have similar rise but there is a bit more sweep on the BMW bars. I am planning to cut the length on the superbike bars as much as I can and still leave proper room for routing the brake lines and electrics. If I can achieve a similar seating position to what I have on the BMW I will be a happy boy.

Doggie · « **Reply #48 on:** March 06, 2011, 09:43:22 PM »

I'm building a Cafe Racer and debating the idea of clubmans, drag or clipons. Being 5'8", I think clipons are out. I have a set of dragbars and also the stock bars from my CB550k. Might turn them upside down and see how they look and feel.
This forum is like a good book you can't put down!!
Doug

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #49 on:** March 06, 2011, 09:48:15 PM »

Quote from: Goofaroo on March 06, 2011, 05:21:30 PM

I've got a set of superbike bars that I plan to put on my CB500 project. My BMW R100S has the factory Eurobars (Magura) and I really like them but they are too pricey for my CB project. Mine are about 25" and the superbike bars are 29". They have similar rise but there is a bit more sweep on the BMW bars. I am planning to cut the length on the superbike bars as much as I can and still leave proper room for routing the brake lines and electrics. If I can achieve a similar seating position to what I have on the BMW I will be a happy boy.

You might like the RD and RZ Yamaha bars mate, almost identical to the beemer bars....Dave 500 has a set on one of his 500's, PM him for a pic....
http://www.fondseca.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=260&zenid=7cd70873fe27fd18a09a5902a9a6a30f

these ones are in black but you can get aftermarket ones in chrome as well and heaps cheaper..

Mick

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Author Topic: Drag Bars vs. Clubmans (Read 39055 times)

jesus freek