Author Topic: K0 handlebars - different than later years?  (Read 5186 times)

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Offline Magpie

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K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« on: February 15, 2010, 08:57:29 AM »
The K0 I'm working on had so much changed on it I  can't be sure they are the original bars and they're in bad shape. I have a set of bars with K3 stamped into them in fairly good shape. Are they the same as the K0. They seem close to my K1 bars but with out taking them off I can't be sure.
Thanks,
Cliff.

Offline Johnie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2010, 09:02:16 AM »
The KO bars are shorter than the K3/K4 bars. Guess they wanted to raise them up a bit for comfort. Depends on how OEM you want the bike there Cliff. I have the OEM on my KO and I like them.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline 754

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2010, 09:07:01 AM »
Cliff, in 99 I think, I ordered bars from Honda using the 70 part number, I believe thats what was on them when I got them... try Honda..
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Offline Magpie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2010, 09:07:10 AM »
Thanks Johnie! With the quality of builds going on here I may have to raise my standards to keep up. There's nobody around here that would even know the difference but you know how that goes. I've only ever seen one K0 in the flesh and that was a sandcast that was so restored it won best in show.
Cliff.

Offline mafd2

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2010, 09:13:17 AM »
I think the K0 was the same bar as the K1 which had the hole in it for the wiring.  Still avaiable from Honda using that part number.  Here are some pics of one.


Offline Magpie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2010, 09:16:09 AM »
Thanks guys!
Cliff.

Offline andy750

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2010, 09:59:43 AM »
Anyone know the height difference (or other dimensions) between the K0/K1 bars and the K3/K4 bars? Johnnie?

thanks
Andy

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline mafd2

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2010, 11:33:40 AM »
I think the K0/K1 bars are about 1" shorter with a slightly different bend.

Offline Johnie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2010, 02:58:42 PM »
The K1 & K4 are in the patio. Using a ruler as the straight edge across the top of the bars I get a 1 inch difference with the K4 the taller one. Mafd2 was correct...
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline andy750

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2010, 03:04:18 PM »
And pull back Johnie? Is it the same?

Thanks guys!

Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline Johnie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2010, 03:13:00 PM »
And pull back Johnie? Is it the same?

Thanks guys!

Andy

Pull back looks about the same, but might be a hair more on the K4.
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2010, 03:13:39 PM »
Aw great. Just when I thought I had finally found all the correct K0 parts for my bike, I find out that the bloody handlebars are different? Bugger! ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline andy750

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2010, 03:49:38 PM »
Thanks Johnie!

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

69modelj

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2010, 05:08:07 PM »
Aren't K3-6 bars drilled slightly different to accomodate newer style switches? I know that early 500 bars will not accomocate later 550 switches, (which are shared with the later 750). ???

Offline Magpie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2010, 07:29:05 PM »
Ok, more fuel for the fire. My parts book/flat rate manual is for  "CB750 & CB750K1", no mention of K0. It has been misleading on a couple of things when I was doing my motor. The book shows the same part number for the handlebars for the CB750 and the K1. I have 2 other sets of bars to look at and possibly use. They are about both the same height as the bars on my old K1 which I know are the original ones. The K3 bars are definitely higher than them by about an inch. So, both of the 2 I have are possibly K or K1 however the angle to the grip area is very different. You can see in the pics below. The front bars are similar to my K1 bars. The rear ones seem a little longer in the grip area too. What would the back ones be, maybe K0? It's a mystery. Aren't early K0's wonderful?
Cliff.

Offline 754

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2010, 07:44:01 PM »
Good thing no one has asked about the Euro version of them for K0.....
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2010, 08:38:51 PM »
I'll bet the Euro version adds to the mix!  ;D

The handlebars' height changed on the K0 twice. The earliest ones were lower than the later ones (this is only from memory, as Honda only supplied the later version, which was the K1 style, as replacement parts - customer complaints are the reason it sticks in my memory: they wanted the lower bars after they bent theirs and got new ones...).

The original K0 bars (1969) had one row of "ripples" with very fine "teeth" under the handlebar clamps, and had no "index marks" to show where they were supposed to be adjusted and set. The K1 bars (starting with the 2-cable throttle setups) had a little punch mark ("index mark") on the inside right handlebar side that you were supposed to align with the gap between the cap and steering crown's cradle. When aligned on the K0, this also made the single throttle cable point straight down and in toward the triple tree in the "most correct path" (Jinglish from a Service Note I saw), to help prevent the cable problem with the individual cables: the #4 carb cable was initially too short, and turning the bars all the way to the right, if the bars were not set just so, would pull the short cable out of the top of the carb's cable adjuster and the idle would jump to 1800 RPM or so and stay there, with #4 cylinder pulling hard. Two cable changes came along to solve that, but the real problem was mislocated bars, by unknowing techs assembling the new bikes from the crates (and ALWAYS in a hurry!).

The replacement K1-style bars that Honda supplied from early on had 2 rows of "ripples" on each side where they clamp down, much like in the picture above. On each hand, there are locating holes predrilled to make sure that the throttle grip and switch assemblies are accurately placed, so the whole setup matches right.

So...if you have a 1969 K0 with 1-row "ripples", you have some rare ones, indeed! They will be lower, to go along with the lowered front of the seat (which was there to help with those extra-wide side covers at stopsigns). The K1 seat was the first to add height to the front of the seat and stopped the "swoop" or "dip" look between the tank and seat: the handlebars were the taller K1 style. The K1 retained the ducktail seat until the "new factory" opened: then the ducktail was phased out for the K2 style seat.

I think if you look real close, you might find the K4 "Sunburst Orange" series began with another even higher handlebar, just a little bit more, and about 2 cm wider (they hit the Vetter fairings when turned fully: that how I remember them - had to pull them back a notch, and it was a coarse notch). The "ripples" on these bars were much more coarse, as were the mating clamps' teeth on the triple tree. The seat was higher, too.  ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

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Offline Magpie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2010, 11:02:46 PM »
Wow Hondaman!
Well, both sets of bars have index marks at the outside of each set of the ripples so they both must be K1 bars. However one set is bent so that the grip area is a bit higher and closer to the rider's body. If you can imagine gripping the bars in the picture below you'll see what I mean. Maybe they are fom a different SOHC4. The lower and straighter ones most resemble the bars on my K1.
I didn't know about these index marks at all so thanks Hondaman. I'm using the single cable throttle so I'll be sure to line the bars up correctly now.
The bars with the tiny K3 stamped into has 2 rows of ripples on each side as you describe.
Cliff.

Offline HondaMan

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #18 on: February 15, 2010, 11:13:53 PM »
That lower set (in the lower picture above) looks like they are the aftermarket "pullback bars" that were popular touring accessories from companies like Bates and Rocky. They were Japanese-made parts, to someone else's specs. The clue: they appear too narrow at the "saddle" area to be the Honda bars.

Those were very popular behind any number of fairings, because without the wind holding you up at speed, the forward-leaning Honda bars could really wear out your back! Those "pullback" types let everyone sit more upright.  :D
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline Magpie

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2010, 11:21:26 PM »
That means they will work well the Wixom fairing I scored awhile ago. Not for my K0 but another project I have in mind.
I'll have to get the non pull back ones chromed. They are more correct than the replacement ones pictured way above.
Thanks Hondaman!
Cliff.

Offline andy750

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #20 on: February 16, 2010, 04:58:55 AM »
That lower set (in the lower picture above) looks like they are the aftermarket "pullback bars" that were popular touring accessories from companies like Bates and Rocky. They were Japanese-made parts, to someone else's specs. The clue: they appear too narrow at the "saddle" area to be the Honda bars.

Those were very popular behind any number of fairings, because without the wind holding you up at speed, the forward-leaning Honda bars could really wear out your back! Those "pullback" types let everyone sit more upright.  :D

Oh man now I want a set of these!! They seem ideal for my kind of touring.

thanks for the info Hondaman!

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #21 on: February 16, 2010, 11:16:15 AM »
So, who can find me a new set of K4 and up bars for my 75 750F ? One of only 3 things I haven't found for my restore. Yamiya makes replacements but they are faaaaar away.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #22 on: February 18, 2010, 02:30:20 AM »
So, who can find me a new set of K4 and up bars for my 75 750F ? One of only 3 things I haven't found for my restore. Yamiya makes replacements but they are faaaaar away.

Geez, not that far Jerry, is shipping an issue? I've bought a few bits from Yamiya and they are excellent, for sure. Cheers, Terry. ;D

I just won a set of NOS K0/K1 Handlebars on EBay Oz, I'm back;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #23 on: February 18, 2010, 09:23:47 AM »
It just seems a damned shame to not be able to find replicas or NOS in the States. Yamiya is about $200 or so total I think.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: K0 handlebars - different than later years?
« Reply #24 on: February 19, 2010, 04:01:01 AM »
It just seems a damned shame to not be able to find replicas or NOS in the States. Yamiya is about $200 or so total I think.

They must still be around mate, if I can buy a pair of NOS OEM K0/K1 handlebars here in Oz, there must be a dusty bag containing a pair for your bike sitting on someone's shelf in that big crazy country of yours? ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)