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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: firet49 on April 30, 2018, 12:12:38 PM

Title: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: firet49 on April 30, 2018, 12:12:38 PM
Hi
I want to fit American bars to my cb550 to have a more upright riding position and just wanted to know does the switchgear need to have longer cables or should my UK switchgear be ok.
Thanks
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Green1 on April 30, 2018, 12:21:29 PM
I should think the cables will be on the short side as well.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: firet49 on May 03, 2018, 04:51:57 PM
Can anybody please confirm this for me.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: hairygit on May 03, 2018, 05:01:37 PM
Yes,both throttle cables and the clutch cable are different part numbers for usa bars from U.K. bars. Also you will need a longer top brake hose as well.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: jon stead on May 03, 2018, 05:04:31 PM
Can anybody please confirm this for me.
Thanks.
I fitted US higher bars to my bike, but it as it was originally a US import that somebody had fitted UK spec Low bars too, I had no problem with any of the electrical leads, cables or hose.

However I can tell you that with the lower bars on, there was a lot of slack in the electrical cabling. I’m guessing that a UK spec bike’s electrical cabling would be too short for the higher US bars, but I don’t know for sure.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: sprinta on May 03, 2018, 07:34:55 PM
I think you will find that the same length cables were used for the US and other markets on the switches. My UK 750 K2 had low bars, but like you I chose to fit the US bars as they are a lot more comfortable at the more sedate speed I/we all travel at now.

The switch cables were fine in the higher bars and do not believe that the 550's would be much different to the 750's?

But as has already been stated you will need the US spec throttle and clutch cables and the longer length M/C hose.

Andy
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: firet49 on May 04, 2018, 08:08:15 AM
Thanks fellas.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 15, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
Ditched my US spec handlebars a couple of months ago but didn't change any cables.

Just fitted today the UK spec throttle cables.
Comparing the UK to the US cables, the US ones are 300mm longer.

US Spec clutch cable 260mm longer than UK one.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on May 29, 2018, 12:43:16 PM
300ml longer!!... surely not  :o
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 29, 2018, 01:24:02 PM
300ml longer!!... surely not  :o

Yes, I was shocked when I compared them
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: firet49 on May 29, 2018, 02:00:13 PM
What  are you doing with your cables????
Is your brake pipe too long as well.
Only asking as i am going to fit american bars to mine.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 29, 2018, 09:39:48 PM
I still have the US spec throttle and clutch cables.

Haven't got a brake hose yet, the US spec one is still fitted. Its way too long and sticks out the front of the bike.

You can have the cables for the cost of postage.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 29, 2018, 10:07:59 PM
Pic of my bike taken a couple of weeks ago with UK bars and US cables.

Cables a bit long  :P
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on May 29, 2018, 10:15:04 PM
Hmmm I’m surprised at that..... i have new cables / hoses for my K4 so these will be US spec (they were ordered for a K4 from DS). They are part fitted at the moment.. I have new UK spec bars so I guess the cables will be a bit on the long side... But the thing I dont get is, the US bars I took off are only about 100mm longer per side than the UK ones, so why should the cables need to be so much longer....?
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 29, 2018, 10:21:41 PM
Have you all got your wires crossed?. Are you talking 550 or 750 and how do you all know your bikes had standard bars fitted in the first place?
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on May 29, 2018, 10:29:58 PM
Very true Julie...i cant be 100% sure that anything is original....the original bars are definitely US style, high rise and a bit wider, they have cables routed through the centre as they should.... The UK spec bars a lower rise and narrower but no where near 300mm’s worth.. I’m talking CB750K4.... I will post a photograph of the two tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 29, 2018, 11:05:22 PM
My new bars are definitely UK ones, here is a pic of the bars that were on the bike when I got it.
Bike came in from Ohio, so I assume they are the standard US ones.

Looking at this pic now, those cables look long on those bars as well.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: firet49 on May 30, 2018, 08:32:28 AM
pm SteveW....
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on May 30, 2018, 08:56:45 PM
Had a good look at the two pairs of handlebars today, there is a difference in the total unwrapped length of the bars of 7”, 3.5” each side (89mm), so why the US/UK cable would have to be 300mm difference in length is a mystery to me...?
(https://s19.postimg.cc/9z8prfkyr/78_AAE862-3415-4702-_A132-_C38_C4_E4_C40_B8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/z59ny9m8v/)
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 30, 2018, 09:43:07 PM
My new bars are definitely UK ones, here is a pic of the bars that were on the bike when I got it.
Bike came in from Ohio, so I assume they are the standard US ones.

Looking at this pic now, those cables look long on those bars as well.
I wonder if your bike had really high ape hangers fitted at one time?
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: SteveW on May 31, 2018, 09:20:52 PM
Rob, your pic looks the same as my US spec bars.
Title: Re: Cb550 American handlebars
Post by: Rob62 on May 31, 2018, 09:56:49 PM
Yep...I’m pretty sure they are the original honda item..... i may pit them back on a pt some point but i will try the uk spec ones first. I’ll take a photo when all the cables are fitted.
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