Topic: Anything in between stock bars and clubmans?

[Justin_NJ]

I've been looking for new handlebars for my CB550 that have a more sporty position and give it a little cafe racer style.  Clubmans look really extreme and uncomfortable.  Is there anything in between clubmans and stock bars? 

Thanks,
Justin

[fergie]

Justin,bars come in many shapes and sizes.what your looking for is probobly a superbike bar its about a 1" rise or about two inches lower than stock. most motorcycle shops or ebay will be able to help you .Cheers, Fergie.

[Gordon]

You might also like the drag bars.  They have no rise, and very little pull-back.  I had them on my 400F a while back and they looked great.  Check out http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm.  They have a good selection of bars with pictures so you can get a good look at them.

Gordon

[CHUNG]

Superbike bars can be 1-2 inches above the clamps. If you go for Drag Bars, get the ones that have a 15 deg bend, easier on the wrists. I usually knotch the switchgear for the wires and pull the locating pins. Once I get those wires out, I don't ever want to do it again for the same bike. Plus it allows you to get a wider variaty w/out having to drill the bars. A pain to get perfect.
Either way, you will be putting more weight on the front of the bike so it will handle a bit different and you might have to tweak aroung with the fork springs and oil to get it balanced. They were typically too tail heavy anyway so more weight on the front will help as long as you dial the Susp.

[Justin_NJ]

Thanks for the tips.  I found some nice 7/8" Superbike and "Euro" bars at the sites below - but they're not drilled.  Is drilling going to dangerously weaken them?

http://www.loudfastugly.com/chrmandacc/Hbars/handlebars.htm
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/handlebars.htm

Justin

[cben750f0]

the best bars i found are off a GS650.... a little pull back, about an inch above the clamps, you arent all the way forward, but you arent trying to pull yourself forward like the stockers....put a set of bar end mirrors on them ... instant street cred .... peace

[Gordon]

I second the bar end mirror suggestion.  Not only do they look sweet, but they act as bar weights to keep down the vibration, and they're far enough to the sides that you can acutally see behind you.  What a novel idea! 

[cben750f0]

WOO HOO just realise i made sr member... just on a tanjent...

[Harry]

Cool! I wish I had as many stars 

[cben750f0]

DAM... and yours are blue!!!!... i bow to your stars

[bluebasil]

I put drag bars on my 550K.  They are comfortable but I wish I had gone for the clubmans for looks alone.  One thing with the flat drag bars is trying to fit all the right side controls on.  The master cylinder kinda gets in the way, I have it pushed right up against the tach and the throttle tube still hangs off the end of the bar by about an inch.  I wonder if the clubmans are an easier fit since they are at a different angle.

Finally, I didn't drill.  I just cut a notch in the control and have the wires cable tied to the bars. 
Gareth

[Gordon]

I was just wondering about the drag bar fit on a 550.  They fit fine on the 400F, but they definitely didn't work on my 750, so I went with the clubmans.  They work great because of the way they are bent.  The master cylinder doesn't get near the tach.  It's not the most comfortable riding position, but sometimes you just have to go for looks!

[Japbikemike]

Drag bars w/bar end mirrors, Q-tip grips on my '78 CB 750F.  All day comfortable.  Superior to clubman, daytona alittle too tall. 

[AndreRA3]

Just two asides:

1) I have clubmans, and installed them in a less aggressive position, then drilled them.  Just somthing to keep in mind.

2)  Look at these bar ends: 3rd eye.  Originally made for bicycles, but work very well on my cb750.  They vibrate a bit, but I don't mind it (and my brother has them on his ducati and says they don't vibrate at all, so maybe it was just my installation).  That and I paid 26 for 2 mirrors shipped!  http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Bar+End+Mirror&vendorCode=Thirdeye&major=3&minor=4

[Zeke]

One other possibility:

I've seen clubmans mounted upside down -- I think Ibsen has them on his 650 -- I sat on an old KZ750 around my neighborhood with the same set up.

I like them this way.  Some rise, comfortable on the wrist -- sort of like a narrow dirt bike bar.

I'm gonna try them on my 80 650 which has horrible bars.

Zeke

[Einyodeler]

Here`s a pic of drag bars on my newest CB500 project.Building this one for the little lady so I put risers on to bring them back a little but it looks great without the risers.

[audio1]

Try stock 400 F bars.
Keith

[Justin_NJ]

Do the holes in the stock 400F bars match up correctly for the controls on the CB550?

[Bobby]

Justin, I have  a new "never been mounted" set of 7/8 Drag Bars that I bought for my CB750.  However, I opted for a pair of Super Bike bars as I cannot bend like a juvenile deliquent anymore.  Let me know if you are interested.

robert3442@cox.net

-Bobby 

"C'mon down to Uncle Bob's Discount Motorcycle Barn!  I'll beat any advertised price!"