Euro Bars

Gordon in nc

XS650 Junkie
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Thought I'd do a short post so I could get some information on the different "Euro" bars that are available for our XS650s. I have to admit when I see a stock handle bar off the bike (XS650) I just shake my head and can't imagine them on a motorcycle.....they just don't "look" right. BUT (and that's a big ole harry one) when they're mounted and I'm riding the bike.....to me, they're perfect, I love them.

Another but........I would like to try the "Euro" bars (as 5twins suggests) since I have more than one XS650 now. Problem is the specs for the Euro bend seem to vary a lot from manufacture to manufacture......this could be from a mix of things. Not knowing how they are made there could be variances in dimensions from the manufacturing process. OR.....it could be variances in where and how the measurements are made.

So here's what I'm going to do. As of this morning I have ordered two (2) sets of "Euro" bend bars.

Dennis Kirk ( my favorite chain and tire vendor)
Emgo part number 23-12563

Mikes XS part number 25-0123

Once I get these two in I'll compare them and report back. IF you happen to have a set ( why do I call them a set of bars?....there's only one per bike) and know the manufacture ( a part number would be good too) maybe you could join in and add your findings to this thread. I would really like to compare a few of the same part numbers to see if they vary.

I've always had a problem with bars.......trying to order them online has been a pain. Never can get a real "feel" for them until they are on the bike and once they are on, it only takes a few seconds to know if they "feel" right or not.

I'm going to go ahead and order a bar from Bike Master (sp?) too since it's been mentioned a few times already.

Trying to get a handle on it.........................Gordon in NC
 
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All three sets of bars have shipped!!!!! Geeze I bet a lot of us are old enough to remember "Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery"..........and it took every bit of it!!!!!

Mine aren't blocked yet but for those that are......
I found this on another forum, to get around the photofuckit blocking of images there is an extension for Chrome. This makes all blocked images visible again
chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/photobucket-embed-fix/naolkcpnnlofnnghnmfegnfnflicjjgj?hl=en

to be continued..........Gordon
 
Hi Gordon,
Interested to see how the Dennis Kirk Euro bars mount up for you...
A while back, I ordered some Euro bars from xs650direct after returning a set of EMGO bars. IMHO, both of them have a centre section that is a bit too narrow (in spite of their specs) for the stock riser clamps. See post here with pics. I didn't compare them side-by-side, but don't think there was much of a difference in overall shape though. Ended up using the dirt/street tracker bars (ordered at the same time) to be safe.
... back to Dennis Kirk... I spoke with one of their reps, who pulled a set of bars from inventory and confirmed a wider centre section over the phone. Apparently, the dimensional specs from manufacturers can vary quite a bit, so Dennis Kirk uses their own method of measuring bars...
 
eyewinder, I read that thread when I was searching the site for Euro bar information.

Not sure what this effort will prove or not prove. IF.......during the manufacturing process the bars come out with different specs......then it's a crap shoot.

VERY good point on the center dims........strange that on some of the bars on Mikes site they don't list it. Picking the brains of the users on here was the spread between the risers the same on all XS's? All I have are 1975B and 1978E, but at least I can measure them.

Thanks for taking the time to reply......did your dad ever use the bars?

Gordon in NC
 
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I have the MikesXS "0123" Euro bars on my '78 and they fit fine. I got them way back in '05 so I can't say if they still sell the same ones. The fit may be close but they've worked fine all these years .....

GwAr4qF.jpg


I bought these because I thought maybe they were different than the usual brands (Emgo, BikeMaster). Turns out they were not. I don't recall now which brand they were but they were one of those common brands. Gordon, do check the clamp spacing on your '75. Maybe the earlier 34mm forks differ from the 35mm ones?

I checked my "stash" and had a new set of Emgos along with what I believe to be BikeMasters on an unfinished project. They are very similar but do differ in bend slightly. Both have about the same rise and width (2.5", 30"). The Emgos are pictured on top .....

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The BikeMasters pull back a bit more and the Emgos droop down slightly more .....

FxqkLEG.jpg


xScQXsr.jpg


The Emgos have no markings on them. The BikeMasters have some numbers and letters stamped into the right end. Both have plastic end caps and the Bikemaster ones are more rounded .....

grZ70g9.jpg


I didn't compare the centers but I will. I don't think they were much different or I would have noticed and made a note of that. Next time I have the twist grip off the bike, I'll check for stampings in the bar end. That should tell me which brand I have on the bike. Gordon, do let us know what brand Mike's sends you.
 
5twins....you are da man!!!!.

I just measured one of my 75Bs... furthest point between the top riser caps was 4 15/16". Measured one of my 78Es at the same point and got 4 13/16". Hmmmm........wonder if the bushings could cause that much difference? I'll do a little more checking on the different front ends here. Does look like the stock bars have a MUCH longer center than those euro bars but from your photo at least Mikes 0123 do fit.

I'll try to copy your photo set up to see if the bars I get in differ in the same way yours do....should be interesting.

Thanks for going to the trouble 5twins........good to see your photo's showing up again. They are such a BIG help.

Gordon in NC
 
Just checked my '78, it's the same as yours. The mounts fit into rubber bushings so will flex a little, inward if need be. Also, sometimes spinning the clamp 180° will alter it's position slightly. Sometimes the stud on them is bent a little. Maybe it is on your '75?
 
5twins wrote "Sometimes the stud on them is bent a little. Maybe it is on your '75?"

Yes sir, my bet is it's something like that. I have a 75B and a 78E with their fronts ends off of the frames and will measure them without the bushings.....my bet is they are the same. I'm thinking eyewinder said his 80 special was "nearly" 4 7/8" and that has me thinking Yamaha wouldn't be re-tooling for a 1/8"......but we'll see how these other front ends measure out.

Thanks again for taking the time.......rainy here and a bit cold....no fun to be outside right now.

Gordon
 
5twins – thanks for posting the pics. It looks like your bars from Mikes have a bit more room than the ones I tried. It's possible that the dimensions changed over the years.

The EMGO bars I had were spec'd with a 4.5" centre, so it was really my misunderstanding when I purchased them (originally thought they were measured centre-to-centre on the clamps). However, it surprises me that xs650direct is selling their bars for these bikes... After I ran into the fitment issues, they told me that the "usable centre width" is only about 4" – a far cry from any of our clamp widths...

I'm curious what your Bikemaster centre measurements will yield, as I think they are the ones that Dennis Kirk sells (and measured for me). If so. they should be around 5", before the bend starts to affect the dimensions of the tubing.
 
Gordon – I'd also wager that the clamp width differences are due to the rubber bits. Deviations of plus/minus 1/16" shouldn't be causing any bar fitment issues. I think the big problem is that not all bar manufacturers are measuring the true usable centre width for their specs. Due to the methods of manufacturing, I doubt there is much variance in bars produced by the same company.

Oops, missed your question before... Nah, we tried them on my dad's Honda XL250 (which incidentally had the perfect riser spacing), but they looked pretty goofy. He decided to keep his bent bars for now... haha
 
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Quick update.......Mikes bars came in today. So far they are the only ones.

AS of last week Mike's part number 25-0123 are actually Emgo 23-12563 (same ones 5twins has pictured on this thread). My first impression is that they are a "bit" narrow at the center for a set of bars being sold for these XS650s. I do think they will work and I'm going to get to try them on both the 75B and 78E top triple so see......but it's going to be tight, just like what both eyewinder and 5twins stated already. I did lay a straight edge to the bottom of the center and the center is not flat/straight. It's crowned so it's hard to tell where they get a measurement from. Good thing is........I have another set of these EMGOs coming (from Dennis Kirk) so I will be able to compare two like part numbers from the same maker.

To be continued........Gordon
 
Another quick update: I have all three bars in now. BOTH the Emgo bars ( Mikes XS and Dennis Kirk) are the same. The Bike Masters are different. Center distance looks to be around 5". Probably going to be exactly as 5twins has already pictured. I'm going to drag out a top triple and take some photos of the bars mounted.

BUT.......right now I'm in petcock HELL. Please if you EVER get to thinking these XS650 petcocks are crap (both types)........just let me send you some early 60s British lever types........oh yea, petcocks from HELL....the weeping bastards are about to get to me. I'm embarrassed to tell you how much $$$ I have into trying to get a set to work........Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Had a set of BEAUTIFUL solid brass, works of art.......uh, until I over tightened one and broke it. I'm my worst enemy.

I'll get back to the bars in a bit........Gordon in NC
 
I imagine that this is how most of these handlebars are manufactured. Variations in the dimensions of the bars emerge as wear occurs in the production machine's bearings and other moving parts. Eventually, it is time to service the machine; new bearings are fitted, and the next line of product is made with the new tolerances.

 
Does anyone have enough data to compare "Euro" bar spec's (width, rise, pullback, center) with the bars on Standard 650's?
 
Hi,

I started my build with Clubman's and had them mount upside down but didn't care for the feel and look of them. After seeing a post by 5Twins I looked into Euro bars and got some of these:

Norman Hyde "M" bars
Measurements: 28-1/2" overall width 6" wide at the mounting area / 1" rise / 8" length at the grip area.
Made from 7/8" OD chromed steel tubing, so they fit most vintage bikes

Got him here I think, https://www.commandospecialties.com/best-sellers/norman-hyde-m-bars.html

DSCN3950.JPG
DSCN3944.JPG
 
Gordon – good luck with the petcocks. Looking forward to more pics when you get them sorted out...

Sorry I walked away from this for a bit.......I FINALLY got the petcocks sorted.....early 60's Brit stuff....brass on brass lever types. Found a grease/lube that is made for brass on brass fuel valves and it fixed my problem.

I'll get around to the bars this weekend and will drag out a front end to mount them on......BUT....what I have are pretty much what 5twins has already pictured....I'll just add photos of them on the top triple.

Thanks for all the replies.....I can get sidetracked easily but ya can't get rid of me that easy.

To be continued.........Gordon in NC
 
GORDON - sounds like good progress!

GLENNPM - I just saw your photos for the first time - WOW - what a beautiful bike! You've really done a superb job on that one! :bow2::bow:

Pete
 
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