Topic: Handle Bars Swap

[INSANE REINDEER]

I am finally looking to start changing some things on my bike as I have finally got it running correctly without sputtering. I want to change the handle bars to give it a little better look as well as being a little comfortable for me.I tend to want to lean forward a tad on the stock handle bars and its a little hard since they're tall. I want to get ride of the stock mirrors and put a bar end mirror on since, in my opinion, it looks better. Not a fan of the originals being so high. I have pretty much ruled out clubman because from what I've seen they seem to sit to low and have a crazy angle. (it seems like many people have them pointed at the ground) I do although like how they are on this bike.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=cb550+clubman&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1920&bih=941&tbm=isch&tbnid=6JNX9A6yA_KzJM:&imgrefurl=http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php%253Ftopic%253D27940.0&docid=0B3gz4mjKmCSEM&w=844&h=633&ei=BUNDTviYDdKztweF87HDCQ&zoom=1.

The only other two I have seen are the Super bike bars and the euro bars. Any others that I should look at it and what it preference for most? I can't decide on what I want. I am 6'3". (clip ons are also out of my choices)

I am going for a look like the bike in the picture. A moderate cafe look but I want to avoid changing the bike to where it can't be returned to stock.

[Tews19]

In the process literally of swapping out my bars on my 550K to superbike. Got them all on minus the throttle cables.. #$%* is irratating... Whacked myself in the face a few times with the needle nose trying to slip the last cable on with no success... You have any suggestions? Once I am able to get the cable on I will post a pic.. Maybe you will like.

[INSANE REINDEER]

For the throttle cables I would just disconnect them for the carb assembly and they go on pretty easy since they will no longer be pulled/pushed by the spring. I'm guessing that is what you are talking about since you didn't really say what part was messing with you.

[Goldbug]

I got ebay clipons. I plan to put them above the triple tree I think.

My CB650 has inverted Clubmans which is ridiculous. I am not sure if I will un-invert them or put on some Euro bars I have sitting around. Like you, I don't like the downward angle of a lot of Clubmans. Or I may pick up another set of these clip ons. They seem pretty good.

[skamagedon]

M bar....half clubman, half drag bar
http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc028.htm

[Goldbug]

I like those bars. I just learned of them recently.

[Kinch]

I recently changed my stock bars out for Euro bars. Was planning on keeping the stock mirrors but eventually decided on bar-ends because the stock mirrors were too close to the shoulders after changing to the Euros.

I'm 6'3 as well and love both the riding position with the Euros and the visibility with the bar-ends. Highly recommend both.


p.s. since the pic I've flipped the mirrors right-side up and visibility is better.

p.p.s those are Z1 bars, around $15 but you'll need to drill and dremel for control pegs and to run wires.

[Tews19]

superbike alll the way

[andy750]

I am 6`4 so give you some idea of comparison. I have a 1972 CB750 and a 1974 CB750. I have tried many different types of bars and will depend on what bars work for your arm length and what seat you are using.

1. Euro bars/stock seat - very comfy up to 75mph. Slight lean forward. Good on naked bike.

2. Superbike bars/stock seat - not so great on the highway as too much wind resistance, shoulders are rounded.

3. CB75K1 bars/stock seat - the best yet with the stock seat. Good up to 80 mph and ok after this but wind resistance becomes a factor

4. Tommaselli bars/Guilari seat - excellent combo, very comfortable on long haul and good up to 100+ mph with no wind resistance. Very hard to find these bars. With stock seat they feel completely different.

Here are a few pics:

1. Euro bars






2, Superbike bars:





Tommaselli bars/Guilari seat





Comparing superbike bars to tomaselli bars:



Good luck!
Andy

[Bankerdanny]

I have the Bikemaster GP Touring bars.

[Bankerdanny]

Another picture

[Tews19]

Those look a lot like my superbike, whats the difference?

[Goldbug]

http://www.mxsouth.com/cruiser/bikemaster/bikemaster-handlebars-for-honda-handlebars.htm

[Tews19]

http://www.mxsouth.com/cruiser/bikemaster/bikemaster-handlebars-for-honda-handlebars.htm

Nice.

[INSANE REINDEER]

I do plan on changing the seat a little to have a hump in the back. Might buy one or make one but probably buy one and I will not be cutting the bike.

I think the Tomaselli bars are my favorite followed by those M Bars then the European. I have long arms. I'm guessing no modification is needed if you get 7/8 bars instead of 22mm bars since the bar is slightly smaller or is there something I should worry about?

[bollingball]

Do it like any bike builder does sit in the position you like measure from there to where your bars are  note difference go from there simple no brain-er

[dhall57]

These are the bars that came on my 750KO. I think they might be superbike bars, but who knows. I like them they are so much different than the factory bars that are on my 750K6. How do you handle the cable lengths with the shorter bars? do you get shorter cables or just do some magical rerouting of them.

[Tews19]

These are the bars that came on my 750KO. I think they might be superbike bars, but who knows. I like them they are so much different than the factory bars that are on my 750K6. How do you handle the cable lengths with the shorter bars? do you get shorter cables or just do some magical rerouting of them.

I was worried bout my cable lengths as well since my bike had an extender on the bars. I rerouted the throttle cables through the upper triple treedown the frame. I had to remove the tank.  Throttle is great. May have to do something w clutch tho

[INSANE REINDEER]

I think I've decided to try the M bars since they seem to appear the height I am looking for from the picture. How much lower are they then stock though?

[WarwickE36]

I have clubmans, the wider version, they are NOT angled towards the ground and I used stock cables, and stock length steel braided brake lines (clocked the line at the master cylinder a bit) and re-routed the cables as necessary. 

[Tews19]

I have clubmans, the wider version, they are NOT angled towards the ground and I used stock cables, and stock length steel braided brake lines (clocked the line at the master cylinder a bit) and re-routed the cables as necessary. 

Warick, I like your signature.... May I please see what a CB550 with style looks like?

[WarwickE36]

LOL, Tews, recheck my post, I added another picture

wait wait wait .... here we go

VID 20110804 141033

[mrbreeze]

I put euros on my bike 2 or 3 years ago and haven't looked back since. Very comfy.........at least to me.

[Goldbug]

I have clubmans, the wider version, they are NOT angled towards the ground

You appear to have them angled correctly. The point of Clubmans is they are supposed to mimic the position of clip-ons. If you pitch the "horns" down correctly you get that effect rather than the floppy bunny ear effect you get when the "horns" are more parallel to the ground. It may be that it's not possible to get the correct pitch without the wide Clubmans on certain bikes, which is why so many bikes out there look like floppy bunnies from the front.

I really dig the way the Clubmans look on your bike at the correct angle.

[WarwickE36]

Thanks man, they are great looking, very comfortable, and made the bike feel much more stable in the corners.

I am so happy with my bars, for 45 bucks it was the single best modification I have done thus far.