79 XS Special handebars

[Far Canal]

I would be interested to hear(or see with pics) from anyone who has swapped the buckhorn handlebars from a 79 special with something else that's maybe a bit more user friendly. You know, something that does not feel like you are pushing a wheelbarrow. I am about 6ft 1, have pretty long arms and find with the standard set up I sit VERY upright and also due to this the seat tends to push me forward.

[Eveready1100]

Brad, here's some shots from a while ago while using the RH adjustable sport bars.

[IMG][/IMG]


They have a low rise but don't bend me over too far, and I find it very comfortable. Note, I do have sort-of rearset pegs to accentuate them. Maybe too low with the stock Special pegs.

Fitment of a screen neccessitated changing the bars for ones with some tube available to fit bar clamps to


Here's the RH bars and the Euro / Aussie Standard bars for comparison.


And a shot of them fitted to the bike. They sit me a bit more upright, but are very comfy. Possibly a better match to your taller frame, as I'm only 5'9".

[jetmechmarty]

Put any bars you want on there. Maybe try some junkyard ones.




I'm 6'4" and the Special bars work well for me. I like them angled down.

[DGXSER]

Many folks have traded the Rototiller bars for Goldwing bars from the 80s era wings. Or the CB750 bars that Mikes XS offers.

I took the measurements for the GW bars to a local MC shop and found a set of LTD bars that were similar dimensions that fit me well.

[fredintoon]

I would be interested to hear(or see with pics) from anyone who has swapped the buckhorn handlebars from a 79 special with something else that's maybe a bit more user friendly. You know, something that does not feel like you are pushing a wheelbarrow. I am about 6ft 1, have pretty long arms and find with the standard set up I sit VERY upright and also due to this the seat tends to push me forward.

Hi Brad,
handlebars is like shoes, you need to try them on to see if they fit.
For instance, Marty sez the rototillers are perfect while I reckon their only use is as the tenor note on an outdoor windchime.
Others have said that CB750 bars work well and they do work for me on my sidecar rig.
For solo work Suzuki GT750 bars are nice as they lean me forwards a bit more than the CB750s do.
But that's me, not you.
Go find a rack of bars at a bike shop, or better yet, a tableful of bars at a swap meet, and try them on for size.

[D0wn5h1ft]

I usually get BikeMaster handle bars because I'm a poor college student.

http://www.bikemaster.com/handlebars.html

They are pretty good and I can say if you like aggressive but not too aggressive I'd recommend the "A" selection on my link above (Clubman). Below is an XS11 with them mounted for reference. They look good and give a big fella like yourself some room to stretch out. You could always go the opposite way for more room and get some ape hangers

[D0wn5h1ft]

Those ape hangers don't look as bad as I thought they would...

[fredintoon]

I usually get BikeMaster handle bars because I'm a poor college student.

Hi Gabe,
Q. What's cheaper than a poor student?
A. A spendthrift pensioner!
Which is why I get my 'bars used from the guy at the motorcycle swapmeet who has a table-full of used 'bars for sale at $25 each for you to check out for feel and fit.
Check the 'bar diameters, you want 7/8".
The 1" Harley bars are easy to find but take a caliper to check the 7/8" bars.
Some of them may be from BMWs and be 22MM diameter instead of 7/8".
OK, that's only 0.008" smaller but it means the bar clamps may not grip too well.
I found this out the hard way, sanding down a 7/8" bar to fit on an R90 took a 1/4-roll of emery tape before the Beemer's 22MM levers & twistgrip would fit those 7/8" 'bars.

[skids]

Taller bars may lead to increased costs for longer brake lines and other mods. The angle of the brake fluid reservoir will usually not be an issue (different from rototiller to standard bars) but if it results in an angle for level, you may need to turn the bars to take off the cover to get it level...and make sure the cover gasket is good!

[IanDMacDonald]

I usually get BikeMaster handle bars because I'm a poor college student.

For the record, "Bikemaster" is the manufacturer of handlebars. Many of their bars are sold by style such as: "euro", "superbike", "daytona", "clubman", etc. You can find any one of those for around $25 new.

[Schming]

I would be interested to hear(or see with pics) from anyone who has swapped the buckhorn handlebars from a 79 special with something else that's maybe a bit more user friendly. You know, something that does not feel like you are pushing a wheelbarrow. I am about 6ft 1, have pretty long arms and find with the standard set up I sit VERY upright and also due to this the seat tends to push me forward.

Hi Brad, here is the stock bars from my '80G on my SF:

[Far Canal]

Wow!. Thanks for all the feedback and pictures.It's great to see what others have done. Will head up the the motorcycle wreckers next time I'm in town.

[IanDMacDonald]

Marty- May I have the details on the color of your orange bike? It looks close to the GM Sunset orange, but reminds me of the metallic orange of the Honda CB's of the early 70's.

[jetmechmarty]

Ian,
It is not my bike. IIRC, the owner is in Colorado. I like the look of it, so I saved the picture.