cb750 handlebars problem

[lifeon2]

First but not last post here. I just bought a 1981 CB750 and want to do a little work to it to make it a cafe racer. The first issue I have run into is with the handlebars. I want clip-ons, however it is set up for bars. AND to make things worse, the fuse box is in the top triple tree and I just don't know what can be done with it. See attached pics:

The question is: should I just stick with the stock top triple tree and go with bars? or is there a conventional way of using clip-ons and getting another top triple tree (without a bar clamp) that still supports fuses?

Thanks ahead of time for your help!

 

[snmavridis]

Well everything is possible. But it depends on how much work you're willing to put in.

If your fuse box needs to be moved, expect some wiring harness mods in your near future...

Also triple trees are roughly $175-250 on the moderate end. So budget plays a factor as well.

All in all, depends on your goals.

 

[Kamn]

or you could keep it all there except for the stock handle bars and get high rise clip ons
Tarrozi makes a set
What is the size of your forks...37mm??

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Several options

1) Fit clip-ons and keep the top yoke as is, but without any bars. That's easy enough, or you could go one step further and fit a cut down old handlebar just the width of the clamp, just so it looks like its doing something, along with bar end caps of course to fill in the empty the ends of cut down bars

2) Don't fit clip-ons, instead change the bars to ace / clubmen bars, you'll end up with a similar riding position. OR if it was me, I'd be looking at fitting Jota bars... these seem to be forgotten now, but are super adjustable ... as originally fitted to the Laverda Jota.

3) Fit clip-ons and go to the trouble of moving the fuse box etc, to give you the 'clean' top yoke... though you'd still have the old bar mounts ... which you could grind off and weld the holes up ... all depends how far you want to go..

Also do you intend to fit rear sets too? Clip ons with those OE pegs will soon become a torture rack after an hour or two in the saddle.

Here's my old Jota Formula with its clever adjustable bars, which are still available in the aftermarket..

 

[lifeon2]

Wow, thank you everyone. I didn't realize I would get so many replies. After looking over it, I think the safest route (for my first project) is to keep the original top yoke and go for the ace bars for the riding style. I don't really want to mess with wires this soon in the game.

Again, thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[vandito.cb]

or you could go one step further and fit a cut down old handlebar just the width of the clamp, just so it looks like its doing something

i'm not sure why i lol'd at this.

 

[lifeon2]

What is the size of your forks...37mm??

I don't know... I guess at how to measure them and got 43mm... Does that sound right? See pic below...

 

[vandito.cb]

an '81 cb750c should have 35mm forks according to this list http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=1090.0

 

[Grazz256]

Are you measuring the diameter or the circumference? Ok, I know you are measuring circumference but I can't tell if your using a tape measure that is calibrated to make the conversion... Either way you want the diameter. If indeed you are using a fancy calibrated piece of paper I would recommend re-measuring with a calliper or even a tape measure, prints are notoriously inaccurate.

Cheers

 

[Rimmy]

You've got a circumference measurement there. If you divide by pi you can get diameter, which I think you are after. But 43/pi is 13.7. Are you sure your piece-o-paper is calibrated correctly? Cheapo calipers from Amazon are indispensable.

 

[lifeon2]

You've got a circumference measurement there. If you divide by pi you can get diameter, which I think you are after. But 43/pi is 13.7. Are you sure your piece-o-paper is calibrated correctly? Cheapo calipers from Amazon are indispensable.

+1 Nice. Noob mistake

Thanks guys, it is indeed 35mm.

 

[Nilrog]

Regarding fuses; consider this product: http://japan.webike.net/products/2095045.html
You do need to find a place to put them.

 

[Steve-E]

As Bevelheadmhr said Jota style bars work well, I fitted these Raask ones to a CB750kz a while back.

 

[lifeon2]

Regarding fuses; consider this product: http://japan.webike.net/products/2095045.html
You do need to find a place to put them.

Oh dang, that seems to solve the problem pretty well. Thank you for the help, I will consider these.

 

[hillsy]

You've got a circumference measurement there. If you divide by pi you can get diameter, which I think you are after. But 43/pi is 13.7. Are you sure your piece-o-paper is calibrated correctly? Cheapo calipers from Amazon are indispensable.

I think you can get that circumference paper from Ichiban....