handlebar options

[PlanetMobius]

The swept back bars on my 80 special are a bit uncomfortable for me. They don't seem to be that conducive for handling and I want something more forward and perpendicular to the bike. For those of you that have swapped bars, what have you found to be better. Also, I've noticed that the master cylinder for the front brake is configured in such a way that the reservoir is held level on the original bars. If I opt for straight bars, this will be canted towards the center of the bike. Does this create any problems?

[natemoen]

The swept back bars on my 80 special are a bit uncomfortable for me. They don't seem to be that conducive for handling and I want something more forward and perpendicular to the bike. For those of you that have swapped bars, what have you found to be better. Also, I've noticed that the master cylinder for the front brake is configured in such a way that the reservoir is held level on the original bars. If I opt for straight bars, this will be canted towards the center of the bike. Does this create any problems?

Could switch to a standards bars and master cylinder. Easy swap and much better riding position.

[BA80]

Personally I like the buckhorns, but Nate is right about the standard bars as far as a change in the direction you want to go. My bike had standard bars with the Special MC when I got it and there didn't seem to be a problem.

Some have switched to Honda CB750 bars or Goldwing bars to accomodate their comfort zones.

[crazy steve]

..My bike had standard bars with the Special MC when I got it and there didn't seem to be a problem..

Running the master cylinder at an angle won't hurt a thing; Harley has been using the same master on all their bikes for years, regardless of handlebar type, with no problems.

It does make checking/adding brake fluid a bit of a PITA, but just loosen the bar clamps and move the bars, then move 'em back when done...

[fredintoon]

The swept back bars on my 80 special are a bit uncomfortable for me. They don't seem to be that conducive for handling and I want something more forward and perpendicular to the bike. For those of you that have swapped bars, what have you found to be better. Also, I've noticed that the master cylinder for the front brake is configured in such a way that the reservoir is held level on the original bars. If I opt for straight bars, this will be canted towards the center of the bike. Does this create any problems?

Hi Mobi,
others think differently but IMHO the best use of the rototiller bars is as part of a windchime.
But which alternative bar will fit YOU? Not necessarily the one that fits me, right?
What to do, what to do?
Go to a bike dealer's rack of bars or go to a bike swapmeet (every swapmeet I've ever been to has at least one vendor's table with a box of bars underneath, usually at $20 a pop.) Pick up a bar and hold it up in a riding position to see if you like it.
And as has been said, a slanted M/C will work just fine although it could take some extra effort to add fluid without spilling any.

[petejw]

ive got my mc at an angle after swapping the bars
with out any problems, having the handle bars at full lock
to the left and the m/c sits evenly to top up.

[PlanetMobius]

Thanks guys,

that's a lot of stuff I did not know.

[tonyg-5386]

Handlebar Options

I have a 79 Special that had stock bars. Horrible!!! I rode my friends Honda cb900 Custom and thought the bars were great so I went to the Flanders website and ordered their replicas of the cb900 custom bars. They've been on the bike for 10 yers, never rusted and was probably the best and easiest mod I ever did to the bike.

[jwhughes3]

angle OK

I have switched to CB750 bars from MikesXS - the MC was at a crazy angle but as long as its tight and not leaking seemed no worse for the wear - I have since replaced it for other reasons but fear not - see if you can sit on the bike and have someone measure where your hands are when in a comfy position and use that to find your bars -you might duct tape a hanger wire to the base of existing bars and bend till hands are perfect and measure the ends from there.

John

[xs11lover]

I have cb750 bars on the special now. I like them alot. They aren't as funky as the stock buckhorns. I use to have clubman bars on the old bike. I loved the way they looked but they were very low and I'm sure not for everybody.

[debauchery]

don't forget about ape's , and you can add a ss brakeline going to the dist block for some bling! i find them very comfy as i do not nd to arch my spine like quazimoto to get around .
this thread bring up memories of when i first purchased my xs it had stock special bars on it , so i've ridden 20-30 different bikes and i climb on the xs excited about the jet/cam work this guy claims shes had done , start it up and had the most akward time muscling the machine to point towards the road few mins later i'm trolling home and found a straight piece of road to stretch my wrist this resulted in my ass sliding onto the passanger seat and barely holding the bars with a fingernail or two


if you goosed a bike with the stock special bars = she takes off like a rocket and she doesn't care if you come with her .
i went home and imedietly took the cage to buy some big ol apes and now no matter how hard i snap it i KNOW i'm going with the bike be it for better or worse...

[jwhughes3]

cb750



garrett - my supposed cb750 bars from MikesXS do not look anything like yours..

mine look like this:
http://www.mikesxs.net/products-58.html#products

part 25-1083 down the page.

They have some similar to yours called clubman - was that a type of CB configuration or a style of bike like a cafe racer?

John

[xs11lover]

No, no no the pic is of the clubman bars, I have not taken any pics of the new/old bike yet.

[tom clisham]

I'm with BA80. I really like the buckhorns. probably depends on the legnth of your arms, your ht, your wt, you get the picture.

I do have a set of standard bars in case I change my mind.
you can mount just about any 1&7/8 in bars on these.

Ebay has all different shapes & sizes for as low as $20-25 brand new.

[g15usmc]

I put Protapers on my 79 special...They are the contours which needed a 7/8 to 1 inch conversion for the mounting of the bars, but the actual ends are still 7/8 so you dont need to change any controls, i inverted them to make for a more aggressive stance however, I had put them on the right way and they fit nicely as well...the mounts i installed also added about a half inch of height to the risers and that made them very comfortable...bothways...heres a few pics...