Topic: CB550 Handle Bar Question

[Chicago550]

I hope that this question hasn't already been asked (I've looked around and can't seem to find any info (even tried CMSNL). I'm thinking about swapping out my stock bars for eurobars. I see that OEM '75 400F eurobars are still available from honda which have the holes drilled in them for cables/controls. Does anyone know if these would fit on a '75 CB550K?

I have new controls and won't be removing the tabs to run cables outside the bar. Thanks for any advice.

[HavocTurbo]

So you still want to run cables inside the bar?

Why not just find the bars you like and drill holes for your cables?

If you are in the CHI area I bet some of our more fabrication oriented members would be willing to help you out.

I might be a little too far away.

[realgone]

I put a set of 75 cb400f bars on my cb500 last night. a pain in the ass, but they fit. all the control tabs etc line up.

[Chicago550]

Yeah, I want to keep the cables in the bar and more importantly, keep the control tabs on to avoid the controls from turning. I would hate to drill holes and have one end up slightly off. I'm not a machinist and would be doing it in a very low-tech way (vise and drill).

Realgone, why was it a "pain in the ass"? Just the general hassle of swapping bars or was there a fitment issue?

[Stev-o]

I've heard rewiring through the holes in the bars is a real pain. Ran mine outside when I replaced the right side controls.

[Chicago550]

I've run the cables through the bars before when I had everything apart, I didn't think it was a big deal. But then again, I replaced both control switches so the wiring was nice and pliable. After pricing the OEM bars I'll give drilling a shot since I can get 4-5 bars for the price of the OEM:) Thanks for the input as always.

[weekend_junkie]

My stock 350F bars were bent from the previous owner's accident.  I had a pair of bars i think are daytona on hand. I used my dremel and made some holes, requires a steady hand.  Routing the wires should be easier since these bars have less dramatic bends than the stock bars, something to consider if you are not hung up on originality.

[realgone]

the wiring was a hassle, and the master cylinder banjo bolt clearance is an issue as well. re routing the now much longer clutch and throttle cables was also an issue. i'm looking into shorter cables. hence, pain in the ass.

[crazypj]

Yes, fitted CB400f bars to mine in 1977 and never regretted it

PJ

[MoTo-BunnY]

I tried three different handlebar setups on my CB500 until I picked up a new CB400 set and LOVE them.

The wires fit through pretty easily guys, don't know what you are so worried about? I sprayed a little teflon inside the bars and they went through fine. I used a hook made from thick wire to help a bit but it wasn't a problem at all. OH, I also put another layer of shrink tubing over each wiring group, as there were some cracks in the original, that might have helped in pushing them through, too.

Everything else bolted up with ease, no problems at all. Oh, I had to reroute the cables a bit but I didn't have any other hassles (non-stock master cylinder though). The new bars look and feel great on my bike-a BIG improvement over the mini apehangers that are the stock ones. . .lol. If I recall, didn't European CB550s come with the CB400 bars or some really close to them, too? (not having the chopper craze at that time, like the US did)

I had to drill the wire and pin holes on another set of bars (different type) and it took forever to figure out exactly where to drill them out and it was a pain. It is WELL worth it to just buy the CB400 bars, not having to do your own drilling and have the wires inside the bars.


[img width= height=]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1223/1197392021_eb80abda38_o.gif[/img]
Honda CB400F bars - part #: 53100-377-000

[realgone]

as a prior yamaha guy, i thought wiring things up was a pain for something so simple as changing bars, but you're right, it's not the worst job i've ever performed.
overall, it was worth it. the cb400f bar is so perfect, a huge improvement.

[MoTo-BunnY]

as a prior yamaha guy, i thought wiring things up was a pain for something so simple as changing bars, but you're right, it's not the worst job i've ever performed.
overall, it was worth it. the cb400f bar is so perfect, a huge improvement.

Yeah, it was quite uneventful and I had it all done in a few hours, totally taking my time. I even disassembled both switch groups, cleaning them up and putting in some dielectric grease, etc. I also filled the empty space inside the bars with lead shot which REALLY deadens vibration nicely (an old-school trick I picked up out of an old motorcycle magazine)

The CB400F bars are really straight, almost like drag bars or something, but have just enough bend in them to clear the gas tank. I also eventually used the CB400F bar mounting thingies instead of my stock 4 light panel and it really cleaned up that area, decluttering the top of the triple tree nicely. (the lights were rerouted to the ones inside the CB450? tach and an LED I put on the headlight bucket)

The feel of the CB400F bars are a world of difference-more like mountain bike bars or something, almost. They are EXACTLY the type of feel I was looking for, leaning over some but not killing your wrists or back.

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Been doing this mod since late '70s.No doubt IMO the best way to go on 500/550 and CB750 SOHC. ,Bill...really cleans it up nicely.Good job Moto-bunny.

[weekend_junkie]

Moto-bunny - +1 on lubing the inside.  The 400F bars are also a favorite for a lot of DOHC riders.  Sometimes you just get it right, and Honda did with those bars.

[Chicago550]

Thanks for all the info fellas. Gotta love the forum. I read that the european versions of the 550 and others models had the lower bars. It looks like they are now discontinued for the 550k though. However, like I said, the 400F eurobars are still available from Honda but for around $80.

Since I just ordered a lot of parts that I've been holding off on I am going to try my hand at drilling the holes in some eurobars from Z1. If it works out I'll have at least learned something!