Topic: Handlebar/Master Cylinder question:

[robert550]

I've talked to a number of people about clubmans or drag bars for my 75 CB550 and I know that the master cylinder can pose a problem when I make that change. Does anyone know a place to get the clubman bars that are wide enough to fit the master cylinder without a lot of trouble? Drag bars would be great to as long as they were wide enough. If anyone knows the necessary dimensions or knows a specific bar I would appreciate it. I like the clip-ons as well but they are a lot more money and are a little tougher to install.
thanks!
rob

[Chris Liston]

I had clubmans on my 550 and the master fit fine with no fitmant issues.  The MAIN issue I had was the severe angle that it had after being mounted.  It was over 45degrees and the fluid leaked out.  Swapped them for clip-ons and have had no issue since.  I'm actually going back to superbike bars after running the clip-ons for over two years.  Just feeling something different now.

[robert550]

Thanks. I have a feeling I might go with clip ons since I know I won't have to worry about the brake fluid and angle of the master cylinder. I have heard from one friend about a set of clubmans that are wide enough to fit the cylinder on right, so maybe I'll see about measuring his.

These ones pictured in the link are the ones I'm thinking of. I've ehard that they go right on top of the fork and you don't have to take a bunch of original stuff off to install them.


http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-877/Clip-dsh-ons-35mm-offset%3D35mm/Detail

[new2novas]

i was also curious of this potential problem....the buell blast master looks like a sweet unit and used ones are going for pretty cheap, they look to all be the same, wonder what size they are (yeah google works but i don't feel like it, so there)

[Chris Liston]

As someone who did the clubman bar route.  I have to say that although they look cool.  They absolutely suck for anything more than 5 miles of riding.  You are overly stretched over the bike and at least for me I could never get comfortable on long rides.  I sold them and picked up some really nice 35mm billet alum clip-ons on eBay.  They have been awesome and are/were much much more comfortable then clubman bars and offered better bike/rider response. 

I actually just pulled the clip-on bars off yesterday though and mounted some black K&N superbike bars that my cousin gave me.  I've been using the clip-ons for 2 years and am alittle tired of it.  Now that I have my Speed Triple the need for the hunched over clip-ons as lost it's feeling.  I still plan on cafe'ing the bike but am going to do it with the superbike bars.  As of right now the clip-on mounts are still on the fork as I didn't feel like pulling the forks off to remove them.  The one downside of a 1 piece mount.