[Fat Rhino]

I'm contemplating getting slightly taller, longer, or differently shaped handlebars, so that I can lean back just a little bit more on the bike... not anything substantial, I just don't want to lean forward as much...



Anyone have any experience with installing handlebars other than the stock ones? New aftermarket bars, or bars from other models?



Post any input you may have, and any pics would be great!



Thanks!

 

[kingston73]

Lots of us have changed handlebars, but I think you might be the first one who wanted them farther back.  It looks like you have the stock deluxe bars, which sit you pretty upright, but you might try some from the Custom if you want them back farther.  I went the opposite and changed mine for something that leans me a bit farther forward.  

 

[Shep]

Have you adjusted the bars to suit you?



I've posted before about this.If you borrow some one else's car or get a hire car about the the 1st thing you do is adjust the seat and where possible the Steering wheel rake.



However people get motorcycles and never think to adjust the bars angle to suit their build/reach.



I've just taken a set of custom bars off my 2nd CX500A as it's going to be my main one for a while.Although they were fine for what I call a,"Knock-about" bike and were ok for cruising and would be ok for touring they made the already,"Sit-Up-And-Beg" feel of these bikes too much for my liking at speed and also no matter what position I got them in they gave a bit of back-ache on longer rides.



Correctly set up stock CX500A style bars give a much better handling feel and tighter cornering For MY Build.Also with different bars you may also have to replace at least the clutch cable and possibly the A/B throttle cables.



My 10 penn'th.

 

[Blindstitch]

It's all a game about which cable goes where and how not to make anything bind. I have had stock, daytona and Larry customs.







edit.. typed bike instead of bind.

 

[Shep]

It's all a game about which cable goes where and how not to make anything bike. I have had stock, daytona and Larry customs.

You said a mouthful there Don.I managed to keep the slightly longer cables when I just swapped by re-routing.Saved me raiding my other CX.



Great game cable routing,not

 

[Blindstitch]

You said a mouthful there Don.I managed to keep the slightly longer cables when I just swapped by re-routing.Saved me raiding my other CX.



Great game cable routing,not

A real pain in the ass. When I mounted the new tank I had to mount new bars and had to route things twice. Then once I put the windshield on the cables were in the way again. Probably a 3 day game.

 

[BrianB]

Yeah, now you know why I switched handlebars.

Those ones you have now made me lean too far forward. I had to get longer cables when I swapped. The brake I had made custom from stainless braid, the clutch cable was a longer one the Honda dealer happened to have on the shelf.



What I did was to sit on the bike and put my arms about where I wanted, then measured the rise, width, and pullback for that position. Ordered them online.



Good luck!

 

[Zman76]

Noticed the other day my handlebars are bent. Right grip is a good 2 inches lower than left....not good. So, looking at these because I like the stock setup and just want to get the same feel/position. Anyone know if these would be close to stock bars?





eBay link

 

[kingston73]

those might be close to what the deluxe have stock.  I don't know if the standard had different bars, but I know the custom's bars are more like buckhorns.

 

[cxlover]

I have earlier CB650 on my CX. I wasn't digging the pulled back bull horn bars.



I'm liking the feel of these more. But also the most important thing is they aren't hitting my crouch at full turn lol.

 

[RAFster122s]

So, anyone who's changed their bars have a decent Standard bar they'd like to part with?

The P.O. put a "flat" 750 bar (CB750F I think) on my CX500 and I want the more upright position

(I think I do because my hands will go to sleep on a bicycle if I have too much weight resting on them when riding and imagine the CX500 will be the same way when leaning forwards with the CB750 "flat" handlebars...)



Some more time in the saddle will tell me if I do and a trip to Tucson on I10.



Hope this isn't considered a thread hijack.



David

 

[risingphoenix]

try experimenting. most 7/8 bars will fit.I went from the stock cx custom bars to Drag bars.. which were to low on long hauls. I currently have a pair off of a 78 YZ 125 dirt bike. these feel great, good position and leverage and no changes to the cable lengths needed.