Whats up with these handlebars?

[madmax-im]

I have owned a '79 XS400,'80 XS1100,'82Maxim XJ750,'82Maxim XJ1100,'86 FJ1200 and a '91 FJ1200.Out of all these fine machines,I find the handlebars on the Maxims' to be the most odd looking and in my mind ugliest to be found on any bike.Why did they make these in a shape other than round???While I find the handlebar and grips to be perfectly positioned and comfortable...I have been thinking of replacing the bars with something that is much prettier to look at,while keeping the same "configuration"of the bars ergonomics.Has anyone here done such a mod?If so I'd like to see what you did and how it looks.On my 1980 XS11 when i bought it...it had these handle bars that were so short and low/forward that it felt like I was straddling a Bhrama bull.I was able to change out the handlebars with something that had much better ergos'...and that greatly improved my comfort levels.Keep in mind I am talking abt my '82 Madmax XJ1100 and that i would like a set of bars to replace the square ones.

[fredintoon]

I find the handlebar and grips to be perfectly positioned and comfortable...

Hi Madmax,
some would say, watch for traffic as you ride rather than gawp at your bars and ponder their aesthetic value. Mind you, those who find a stock handlebar shape NOT to their liking have a far easier time swapping out those old-fashioned tubular bars than changing the fancy cast ones.
I suspect what you need is "bro with machine shop" to mill you a billet aluminum adapter piece.

[COOL TOM]

Handle bars

When you find a set or bars that you like, and take the one off the XJ just mail them to me because i LOVE those bars. If i had a spare pair i would put them on my 801100SG

[madmax-im]

Fred;
You can be assured that I am not distracted by looking at the handlebars when I am riding.I just thought it was odd that Yamaha would use these square handlebars.I am looking for a new look for this bike so I am just playing with different aspects of its original design.... not necesarily goona do it but,Tom...I'll let you know if I do change them out

[TopCatGr58]

Possible solution?

Hey Max,

The XS650 uses rubber mounted handlebar clamps that bolt thru the triple tree. I don't know IF the bolt size is the same as the one that secures the XJ's bars, but the design is similar, and so you might want to look at these two items, for a possible solution to replacing your XJ bars.

The first one is the entire Triple Tree assembly,
Ebay item #250189210277 Just in case the below link doesn't work!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=250189210277

This is JUST the bar clamps/posts that bolt to the TT,
Ebay Item #300176383024

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=300176383024

Let us know what you find out IF you persue this!
T.C.

[madmax-im]

Hey TC thanks for the info....it seems i would prefer to just swap out the bars if thats possible....without getting into the TT.If i come up with a solution you can be sure i will share it with you all.If you recall MadMax needs the first to second gear dremel backcut.However since I have decided to send him out to Stillwater for engine rebuild and bored out to 1196cc,I will just have all the gears replaced with new factory backcut gears.I am looking to get abt 100 hp and abt 72 ftlbs of torque after the rebuild.The tranny should be bulletproof after that!

[Dsxs11]

Same mounting as the xs750 and I have a set of trees and the mounts here if you need measurements.

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by Dsxs11
Same mounting as the xs750 and I have a set of trees and the mounts here if you need measurements.

Dsxs11...so what is actually necessary to do this swap?Do i need to swap out the entire TT?I guess the fact that the Maxim's bars are cast and the XS750's are tubular problably mean I just cant swap the bars and the mounts without the TT.

[TopCatGr58]

No Max,

You don't need to swap out the TT's!! Your XJ TT's use a bolt going down thru the end of each side of the handlebar to attach them to the TT. The 650/750 uses a bolt design for the bar clamps, vs. the XS11's that are molded into the TT's. SO...you remove the XJ bars, and bolt, and then you replace the bolts with the 650/750 bolt/clamps, and then you put a set of bars into the clamps!

It's just the size of the bolts securing the ends of the XJ bars that I don't know what they are, so I don't know IF the bolts/clamps from the 650/750 will fit inside without use of sleeves, or drilling/reaming out the TT holes IF the clamp/bolts are larger?
T.C.

[threebanger]

I'm pretty sure I have a set of risers (bolt/clamps) and bars from an 850 that I could be bribed to let go of. They might work for you. If you want, I'll see if I can dig them out and do some measuring. I might have to be Sunday afternoon before I could do that, though.
Let me know if you're interested. PM or email works best.

[madmax-im]

Thanks for clearing me up on that TC.I will have to do some investigation into finding the 650/750 hardware.just one more thing to add to my list for MadMax.I just got done talking to the man who is gonna do the engine/trans rebuild.MadMax is heading for OK in March.I can't wait!

[madmax-im]

Originally posted by threebanger
I'm pretty sure I have a set of risers (bolt/clamps) and bars from an 850 that I could be bribed to let go of. They might work for you. If you want, I'll see if I can dig them out and do some measuring. I might have to be Sunday afternoon before I could do that, though.
Let me know if you're interested. PM or email works best.

HMMMMMMMMm I might be interested....I'd like to know what the bars look like.I would like to keep the same positioning that i have now.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Max,

If Threebanger's bars are off a standard, then they will be decent in position, but if they came off a Special, then they "may" be the buckhorn style, a bit rough on the wrists! There is a tremendous assortment of bars on MikesXS that you can see from the rider's position..they've mounted them on bikes and photo'd them, so you can see if they are close to the position you have on your XJ bars right now!
T.C.

[madmax-im]

Hmmm very interesting...definitely do not want buck horn style.I had those on my'80 XS11 and they were indeed too hard on my wrists and forearms.I had ridden the bike home from the PO's house and the next day i was swapping the bars.I will be checking this site out .Thanks again TC.

[Axel]

different bars on a XJ

PO took off the ergonomic adjustable bars on my XJ11 and installed a set of flat- ish bars with the mounts T.C. mentioned

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=300176383024

I like them BUT he neglected to finish the mod and put the old angled master cylinder and mirror perch back on . The mirriors got bent over to accomadate this oversight and dont work too well.
The master is very hard to fill as it doesnt sit level . The high/low switch is on the wrong side of the mirror perch to try to get some rear-vision (not) . So even the clutch lever is in the wrong place .
I have found all the parts I need to set this straight at MikesXS.
I hope they all interchange . Even the front calipers they have look like mine . Sorry its my only pic ...