My 79 special needs new handlebars.Suggestions?

[slow mo]

standard bars

The Standard model bars work nicely on a Special if you like sitting back in a cruising position, JMO.

i totally agree with Phil ,,i replaced the buck horns with standard bars and now have a much more comfortable ride,,ride safe ,,slow mo!

[b.walker5]

Hey B. Walker5. You think your bench is dirty?

LOL. Compared to the way i normally keep it, it's X rated.

[Eveready1100]

I've got XS1100 RH three piece bars on mine. Comfy as for me. As stated though, it is a very individual thing so in the end, it'd be best to try out a few sets till you find the ones that suit you.
Here's mine naked


And with the fairing fitted to show my favored riding position


Last one is with 78 Standard bars with 1" risers


Hey B. Walker5. You think your bench is dirty?

[cywelchjr]

I have a 79 XS and my fairing is an 81 kawasaki Z1R...my bars came off a 81 HD Sportster. look good , comfy , nice fit to the fairing

I thought that HD bars were 1" instead of the 7/8" that ours are? Do the controls and everything fit ok?

[XSessiveForce79]

XSellent bars

I have a 79 XS and my fairing is an 81 kawasaki Z1R...my bars came off a 81 HD Sportster. look good , comfy , nice fit to the fairing

[natemoen]

I really like the standard bars.

[rickybeaver]

71 Honda cb750 Bars

Here is the pic of my bars.

[rickybeaver]

Replaced mine with a set of a 1971 cb750.

Hi there, I found the same problem with my 80,so a friend of mine who restores old Honda's gave me a set of a 71 cb750 and I really find a big improvement over the originals. I also tried a set with about a 1.5" rise and hated them,went about a mile,turned around and took them off. Felt like the bike was a little awkward to handle.

[b.walker5]

Here's what i have on mine.. I always thought they were original bars but apparently not. Theyre described as 'semi western' and dont turn out as far as the cow catchers most OEM specials as far, they also turn down more at the ends. I find them really comfortable for me. I've tried cafe bars, flats, bars of a standard, even the OEM's of my old 750 but everytime I've gone back to these. I find the grip to seat and foot pegs position fits me perfectly and looks good on the bike. But thats just me and it may not suit you.





Take no notice of the mess on my bench in the background. I havent started my spring cleanup yet..

[lee_dutcher]

right now im running renthals and they fell great! but i prefer 12" mini apes or 16 ape because me arm is parallel to my sholder. had a set of copper handmade mini apes but tok them off due to safety...would go around a corner and the would just flex and bow

[skids]

The best bars I have are stock from an 81 xs1000 standard. They are more stylish than the Goldwing bars also.

[GARTHXS]

I have flat tracker bars and they are awesome I got them from Phil little.com they are called slideways 2

[bikerphil]

The Standard model bars work nicely on a Special if you like sitting back in a cruising position, JMO.

[DeanR]

Goldwing bars have worked well for me. However, I now MUCH prefer a sport touring type riding position and have been thinking of that type of bar on the XS.

[fredintoon]

- - - I'm in the process of cleaning my electrical connections for that my headlight will drastically dim in connection with rpm. Anyway my handlebars are not just ugly but also the bike has been in a few crashes as i'm told. I think the bars are bent in a even more ugly position. - - -

Hi vw and welcome,
it's good to clean all the electrical connections but the headlight getting brighter at ~2,000 rpm is a normal thing as the alternator starts to make ~14Volts. It's also a Q&D check that the alternator is actually charging the battery.
Handlebars are a personal thing and the bend that's comfortable for one person will not necessarily suit another.
For instance, my Special came with Standard bars but I switched to CB750 bars to sit me more upright.
My advice is go to a bike swapmeet and find the guy with the table-full of used handlebars. Pick them up and hold them in your normal riding stance to find the bend that suits you.