Handlebars choice

[tonci]

Hey Guys,

not entirely sure if this is the correct place to be posting this but here i go.

I purchased my CB500 just over a year ago now, and havent made any real changes other than the seat. I want to keep the bike as original as possible, while still making small changes to its look and ride. Next i want to make changes to the handlebars and thought i would ask for a little input on style.

First some photos of my bike.

with the original seat. foam was in bad shape, and flaking through the seat pan into the tray beneath.

this is with the new seat. single cafe style, made on a repress of the original seat pan.

Now on to the issue at hand, i cannot make up my mind on the style and shape of handlebars.

Options are (but not limited to):

1. clubmans (black or chrome)
2. drag bars (black or chrome)
3. sports bars (black or chrome)

when changing the bars i am looking at changing the grips, mirrors and levers at the same time. Suggestions on these would be awesome.

Also opinions on whether changing the gauges should be done?

Look forward to any input,

Cheers,

Tonci

 

[DesmoBro]

I put clip ons on my bike but you'd have to modify the forks to do the same so i'd go for the clubmans if I were you....
your bike is really clean i'd polish up the levers they look painted right now

 

[tonci]

Thanks Desmo, I am leaning towards the Clubmans, but have never ridden a bike with them on. Levers are black rubber tipped, but the metal really could do with a really good polish.

 

[Big R]

Without rear sets, you might find clubmans too low. I'd go with black super bike bars first, ride it for a while, then decide if you want lower bars.

Clean bike btw!

 

[Toast]

Superbike's are great, low but super comfy. Like Big Rich said, clubmans will be pretty uncomfortable without rear sets, and they may hit your tank.

 

[drh994]

I'm running clubmans on my CX500 and CB350f. They are pretty low. I'd say, if you ride short distances usually then the low bars won't matter too much. If you plan to take longer rides then I'd say not to get the clubmans. I plan on buying some superbike bars for my CX500 when I'm ready to take longer trips on it. Then I'll bounce between the two styles, depending on my mood.

 

[tonci]

Cool thanks guys, anyone seen a CB500 with drag bars on it? or any examples on here? Wouldnt they meet up somewhere between superbike and clubmans?

 

[Tim]

Here's my old CB550F with drag bars on it. Looking back I wouldn't have made the same choice again.

Go with low rise 'super bike' bars in chrome for comfort or clubman bars for a more traditional cafe racer riding position (but way less comfort).

 

[Tim]

Oh - BTW, that is a sweet looking CB500. My first bike was a yellow 500.

 

[Bert Jan]

Without rear sets, you might find clubmans too low. I'd go with black super bike bars first, ride it for a while, then decide if you want lower bars.

Clean bike btw!

qft

 

[tonci]

nice photos tim!

was yours resprayed yellow? seems much lighter/brighter than the factory colour?

 

[AgentX]

+ me for the "no clubmans without rearsets" crew.

Look at the Dime City 'street' bars, perhaps? They look low and wide, and they're not expensive.

 

[Wahoo650]

I've got clubman on my xs650 now without rearsets- and I agree on the need for rearsets to make them feel right. I'm actually looking at either putting my superbike bars back on or picking up an "M" bar at least until I have the cash to get rearsets (or time to fab up a set). Here are the ones I'm considering:

http://www.hotwingglass.com/handlebars/handlebars.shtml

matt

 

[tonci]

I've got clubman on my xs650 now without rearsets- and I agree on the need for rearsets to make them feel right. I'm actually looking at either putting my superbike bars back on or picking up an "M" bar at least until I have the cash to get rearsets (or time to fab up a set). Here are the ones I'm considering:

http://www.hotwingglass.com/handlebars/handlebars.shtml

matt

I only recently heard of these "M style Bars" are they a blend of drag/clubman almost? Looks liek they have the CLubman shape without the drop in handlebar height?

That could be a really good mix, as it would also make sure they cant knock the tank at full lock possibly? While having the right shape or look that i like and without the drop the riding position would be more comfortable.

 

[Wahoo650]

That's pretty much what they are. They were popular on Triumphs and such back in the day. You can rotate them down to put a little angle on the grips and give them a lower height if desired similar to a clubman, just not as severe. You can think of them as a drag bar with more pull back. They rider midway between clubman and superbike.

Here's another site that carries them:

http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc028.htm

 

[crazypj]

They were stock on Triumph for a long time.
Nothing to do with 'cross between clubman and 'Vincent straights' (about 20~30 yrs before 'drag' bars)
They just work and put your hands/wrists in a natural position (at least on a 60's Triumph)
Ergonomics was far more important when people actually rode motorcycles instead of having them as a 'fashion accessory'

 

[tonci]

Thanks again guys for all your input!

I think i will go with the M-style bars. Can anyone confirm that a 1972 CB500F takes 7/8" bars and not 1" bars? Just want to double check.

They were stock on Triumph for a long time.
Nothing to do with 'cross between clubman and 'Vincent straights' (about 20~30 yrs before 'drag' bars)
They just work and put your hands/wrists in a natural position (at least on a 60's Triumph)
Ergonomics was far more important when people actually rode motorcycles instead of having them as a 'fashion accessory'

think you may have misunderstood by a "cross between" styles of bars. I mean more in the terms of clubman shape with the lack of drop found on drags or "vincent straights" as you mentioned.


Cheers

 

[crazypj]

Yep, 7/8" bars.
I had stock CB400F bars on my 550 (still do) only did about 105,000 miles with them ;D

 

[Wahoo650]

Good deal, make sure you post pics of the "M" bars once you have them. Haven't seen any on here before and I'm still on the fence.

 

[richm]

I've had moto-cross/tracker style bars on most of my bikes and have a set of Biltwell Tracker bars on my current bike, a Triumph Thruxton. The Biltwell's are fairly flat with not much pull-back and I have them rolled forward in the clamps. Work really well with the bike's rear-sets.