Swapping stock handlebars out

jish1969 · Mar 23, 2013

Hi all,
I've never swapped bars out before so your input would be appreciated. I bought superbike handlebars from MikesXS and new bushings for my 80' Special, and I was just wondering if the stock cable lengths will be acceptable or not. Basically, will this be a quick swap, or are there other things I should take into consideration?
Thanks,
Jish

deadchef · Mar 23, 2013

if the bars are painted or powdercoated and you are using the stock controls you will need to get a ground to the right hand control so your starter switch will work. you can sand away some coating or run a ground wire to the right hand control.

your cable lengths might be a tad long but would probably work. the master cylinder on a special mounts a little 'diagonally' so it might not be so level on your new bars.

5twins · Mar 23, 2013

Yes, the cable lengths will work, you'll just need to reroute them. The way they are situated stock, the throttle cable runs out along the right side of the steering neck and the clutch cable out the left. Switch them side to side and that will absorb the excess length .....

The only one that may give you problems and be more work is the front brake line. It may need to be disconnected at the MC to properly reroute it and then when reconnected, pointed at a different angle than it originally was. Really, you should replace the whole front double line and junction block with a stainless one piece line. You can get one of those exactly the length you need it. Your Special MC is also now going to have the reservoir sitting at quite an angle. It will work but eventually you may want to replace it with one from a Standard that sits flatter.

jish1969 · Mar 23, 2013

Thanks guys, I swapped them out today, and the clutch cable definitely has some slack to it now, and makes depressing the clutch a lot tougher. Tomorrow I will reroute it like you said 5twins.
-Jish

5twins · Mar 23, 2013

The clutch lever can be a tough pull on these bikes. Do all you can to route it using the most gentle bends possible and no tight kinks. Also keep the cable oiled, hand lever pivot and worm gear assembly greased. I do it every spring.

TheRunaway · Aug 18, 2014

The only question that is left unanswered for me. I don't really have the cash to find a new MC (I'm swapping to drag bars, chrome). Is there a loophole/way to level it out?

deadchef · Aug 18, 2014

well it only needs to be somewhat level when you fill it. once you put the lid on it's fine.

i use a mc from a yamaha raptor quad. got it used on ebay for less than $20 and it works great for me.

TheRunaway · Aug 18, 2014

Ah, that's good to hear. I'll probably have to re-fill it during this swap huh?

deadchef · Aug 18, 2014

maybe, just make sure you check it while it's level to make sure your fluid level is good.

Royboy · Aug 18, 2014

Runaway, I've got several serviceable stock XS master cylinders around here that don't have the goofy angle. PM me your address and I'll send you one, my treat.

roy

YamadudeXS650C · Mar 27, 2015

Hey 5Twins,

Question: In this picture you posted last year, are these Euro style bars on your bike?

I'm liking them for my '76, Bikemaster manufacturer, 2.4" rise, pullback 4.8", Center 4.8"

5twins · Mar 27, 2015

Yes, they are the Euro bars. I absolutely love them and use them on most all my bikes. The Superbike bars are the pits in my opinion, too flat and if anything, should have their name changed to super-uncomfortable-bike bars, lol.

YamadudeXS650C · Mar 27, 2015

Thanks very much!
Your photos and opinion are important to me.

After extensive research, i believe I have settled on a handlebar.

5twins · Mar 27, 2015

What makes the Euro bars so comfortable is the way they droop down slightly on the ends. This turns your wrists to a more natural angle .....

The Superbike bars stick straight out and they get pretty uncomfortable on long rides.

smg65 · Mar 28, 2015

X2 regarding uncomfortable Superbike bars. I have them on my 76 because I didn't like the stock "tillers" and wanted a lower, "sportier" bar. I immediately noticed the wrist discomfort, even on short rides. They put my wrists at an odd angle. The Euro bars are now on my shopping list!

YamadudeXS650C · Mar 28, 2015

5Twins,

Do you know the manufacturer of your bars? Did you get them from Mike's XS? I am noticing some subtle differences in measurements between Euro bar manufacturers , and I'd like to get exactly what you got there in the picture. Thanks.

YamadudeXS650C · Mar 28, 2015

Nice paint job on that '76, smg65 !
Our 76's are very similar, right down to the tire type. I'm keeping mine stock like you have, with stock exhaust and seat; thankfully they are in nice shape. The bike had 17k when I found it. Yours looks like a low miler too.

glennpm · Mar 28, 2015

I had some inverted clubman bars, looked at options, liked the pictures and description that 5Twins posted and bought some "Euro bars" from DimeCity. See pic below. I have more in my album. I tilted them down just a little bit from the pics shown.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/review/product/list/id/1357/?utm_source=Follow%20Up&utm_medium=email&utm_content=11-0530&utm_campaign=Product%20Review#review-form

smg65 · Mar 28, 2015

Thanks for the compliment, Yamadude. Yes, it's a low miler. It had just under 8,000 miles when I bought it. I bought it from the 2nd owner, who bought it from the original owner in 1977 while it had only 700 miles on it! So it's almost a "one owner". It is in very good condition, but the pictures don't show the years of grunge, stripped out Phillips heads, and the nasty plastic coating on the cases and wheels. So there is work to be done.

Back to the Euro bars, I'm glad it was pointed out that not all "Euro" bars have the same specs. I'll await 5Twins response on the subject as well.

5twins · Mar 28, 2015

Yes, there can be slight differences between brands. The ones on my bike came from Mike's but that was 8 or 9 years ago so I can't say if they are still the same. Even though they were a few dollars more than I could get them elsewhere, I thought they might be a different brand I hadn't tried before. Turns out they weren't, just the usual EMGO or BikeMaster brand, sorry I don't recall which. I now get them elsewhere, where ever I can find the best price. You can save up to $10 over Mike's price if you shop around. I like to keep a spare set on hand in case of an emergency or to sell to some local guy. The last set I bought came from Amazon .....

http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Eu...4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1427556442&sr=1-24

Swapping stock handlebars out

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