Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: rydersofrohan on March 29, 2020, 02:43:58 PM

Title: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: rydersofrohan on March 29, 2020, 02:43:58 PM: Hi All,

I am new to bikes and trying my hand at a 1974 CB550, i have found some photos of a handlebar set up that i really like and wondering if there is anything i should bare in mind? Pros/Cons?
I assume these are custom? Would anyone know of someone in the UK that could custom these or where they could be purchased?
Appreciate any information or thoughts!
Cheers
Rohan
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Bryanj on March 29, 2020, 03:22:53 PM: Those are very custom, probably one offs
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on March 29, 2020, 04:01:53 PM: I’ve never seen anything quite like that.

Do the bars extend and fix to the front forks (instead of the top yoke)?

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Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: rydersofrohan on March 29, 2020, 04:13:41 PM: From the limited photos i can see, it looks like they have used like Frisco handle bars that extend down the forks and are clipped to the front forks.
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: mike the bike on March 29, 2020, 04:40:16 PM: It's clever what people can make out of offcuts of conduit and some jubilee clips
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: rydersofrohan on March 29, 2020, 06:51:15 PM: Would there be any issues using this method to mount the bars?
Title: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on March 29, 2020, 07:05:45 PM: I don’t see why not.

Nobody here has ever done it though so it would be a bit of a voyage of discovery!

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Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Bryanj on March 29, 2020, 08:32:32 PM: As long as strong bolt up clamps not jubilee clips are used.
I would not sign off on one using jubilee clips
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: 750rideruk on March 29, 2020, 08:39:12 PM: I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe with very similar handlebar style FYI
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: rydersofrohan on March 29, 2020, 09:36:01 PM: could you p
Quote from: 750rideruk on March 29, 2020, 08:39:12 PM
I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe with very similar handlebar style FYI

Are you able to send any photos of how the handlebars are clipped or mounted to the forks? Only if you have some time?
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on March 29, 2020, 10:18:12 PM: Anybody who can bend pipes and weld can make a pair of these. You can see quite clearly from the photographs how they are mounted i.e. welded to tubes that slide over the forks and sit between the top and bottom yokes...nipped up with clamp bolts. Not my cup of tea personally but i don't see why they wouldn’t work perfectly... would definitely be a talking point..
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: bobv7 on March 30, 2020, 12:10:01 AM: Certainly a novel and interesting solution from the custom builder's point of view especially as it looks like the indicators are built into the bottom of each down tube. They don't really appear to be any actual improvement on the existing methods of mounting handlebars and indicators and look un-necessarily complicated to me. Given they are different to make copies of them would rather destroy the inginuity and originality of the custom builder don't you think? Like a new bike anything can only be original once. 8)
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Tomb on March 30, 2020, 08:19:53 AM: Guzzi V7 was my first thought

(https://article-imgs.scribdassets.com/11ug1f6xkw7e5jeo/images/fileFRV3X9LD.jpg)
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Tomb on March 30, 2020, 08:37:38 AM: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mgcycle.com%2Fimages%2Fatrex%2F14600607.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mgcycle.com%2Findex.php%3Fmain_page%3Dindex%26cPath%3D52&tbnid=sa6BRIJLckPB4M&vet=12ahUKEwinnLe218HoAhVSNRoKHSdaB9wQMyhNegUIARD1AQ..i&docid=dl0O6GEOpgS-vM&w=1600&h=1200&q=guzzi%20v7%20handlebars&ved=2ahUKEwinnLe218HoAhVSNRoKHSdaB9wQMyhNegUIARD1AQ

or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTO-GUZZI-750-S-750-S3-V7-SPORT-SWAN-NECK-HANDLEBARS-CHROME-/352991860751

You'll need to check fork diameters are the same, or shim them
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: bobv7 on March 30, 2020, 09:51:40 AM: That's a lot of money for handlebars but I suppose they do give the opportunity to alter the hight to find a comfortable riding position. That bloke must be still experimenting! :o
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Tomb on March 30, 2020, 10:33:39 AM: Hahaha yes ridiculous money to put into handlebars. But if that's what floats your boat.
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: florence on March 30, 2020, 11:27:18 AM: something I used to do in my youth was to turn the standard bars upside down, gives a similar riding position.
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: K2-K6 on March 30, 2020, 01:32:55 PM: If you wanted to make some similar you'd be well advised to use a better welder than those :o

That standard Is commonly referred to as "pigeon shite" and should be treated the same. No penetration to speak of, blobby sitting on surface fill rod, and highly likely to fail. Structural incompetence that shouldn't be ridden.

The exhaust are the same too. shockingly bad.
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on March 30, 2020, 08:36:35 PM: Haha cool.... motoguzzi bars. I guess the big advantage of those bars is that the height can be adjusted quickly from cruiser to racer and back with a simple nip of a bolt... the ones in the original photo wouldn’t offer that possibility as the clamps are too wide apart.. I would be tempted to make my own though..... especially at that price 8)
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: SumpMagnet on March 30, 2020, 09:08:58 PM: I like the Guzzi bars, and think they would be really nice... but £240? really? Crazy
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: JezzaPeach on March 31, 2020, 10:46:17 AM: I fitted ace bars in the 1970s, which I found very comfortable for long distance touring, and have just fitted these to my current project in the pic attached. Slightly fiddly but easy on mine as the wires already run externally. The helpful Dutch supplier could probably advise on hole cutting for wires if that’s possible. info@mc-customparts.nl
I thought £33.76 plus postage was very reasonable. I think they make them themselves.
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: JezzaPeach on March 31, 2020, 11:53:23 AM: Look guys, don’t knock it, the left bar has a compass mounted on it, bet you haven’t got that!! ;D
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Bryanj on March 31, 2020, 12:25:05 PM: Got sat nav instead
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: JezzaPeach on March 31, 2020, 02:44:11 PM: Now THAT I do need !
Do you use earphones for voice guidance?
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: SumpMagnet on March 31, 2020, 05:14:37 PM: Ace bars...ahh...that nostalgia!
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Bryanj on March 31, 2020, 05:30:45 PM: Nope, mines one of those big yellow AA type satnavs inside a plastic bag!!!!

Have you noticed no matter where you go in the UK there seems to be a sign for Oxford?
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: JezzaPeach on April 01, 2020, 12:15:10 PM: At least there's a park and ride!
Title: Re: Unusual Handlebars
Post by: Bryanj on April 01, 2020, 01:10:15 PM: Not in the centre there isnt and try finding one you can get back to after a late concert. Been there got the tee shirt!!!!