Handlebars differences

arcpoint said:
Thanks Greg, good counsel. I think that's what I'm gonna do. Hopefully no issues with the master cylinder as I have the front disc.
Click to expand...
Bummer, that not gonna work. Just checked and the brake line will crimp if I cut the bars. Prob can't put flatter Euro bars either. šŸ˜¢
 
I have very low narrow clubman bars from Flanders on my Commando in the upright
( road ) position. Flanders has a huge selection, all dimensions.
Greg is right to a degree regarding euro bars with a master cylinder - it can be done but it will only all fit in one position. Fortunately for me at 5ā€™10ā€ / 155 lbs it works just fine .
Handlebars differences

Handlebars differences
 
Richard Tool said:
I have very low narrow clubman bars from Flanders on my Commando in the upright
( road ) position. Flanders has a huge selection, all dimensions.
Greg is right to a degree regarding euro bars with a master cylinder - it can be done but it will only all fit in one position. Fortunately for me at 5ā€™10ā€ / 155 lbs it works just fine .
View attachment 116832
View attachment 116833
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I'm wanting to do but on the mk3 where the master cylinder hose runs into the triple tree bracket are different and less forgiving than your set up.
 
arcpoint said:
Bummer, that not gonna work. Just checked and the brake line will crimp if I cut the bars. Prob can't put flatter Euro bars either. šŸ˜¢
Click to expand...
Need a picture time. Generally, 32" bars a "semi-western" and there should be plenty of room so I'm confused. Are you saying that your brake line is too long if you shorten the bars? If so, that's an inexpensive fix - PITA on a MK3, but not terrible - you just need the right length hose.
 
US high rise handle bars are just Hippy type bullshit. When you sit vertical while riding a motorcycle the bumps from the road go straight up your spine. When you lean forward, your spine is more flexible and less likely to be damaged. American motorcycles are not designed for fast riding around twisty bumpy roads. For speed, you are always better to be down a bit out of the wind.
One of my mates had a Norton Manxman, which was effectively a 650SS - it had high bars - American market. Otherwise it was brilliant.
Easy Rider and The Wild One were American, Brando's bike had low bars - the high ones came later.
When Poms ride motorcycles, they usually mean business. When Kenny Roberts raced in the UK, he was accustomed to getting on the loose stuff, so he did OK. when I was a kid, I could have gone there. The onboard videos of the IOM horrify me. Australians such as Doohan etc. have beaten the Poms. But Ken Blake was one of our best riders - I think he only managed to complete two laps of the IOM. - Riding too fast !
 
acotrel said:
US high rise handle bars are just Hippy type bullshit. When you sit vertical while riding a motorcycle the bumps from the road go straight up your spine. When you lean forward, your spine is more flexible and less likely to be damaged. American motorcycles are not designed for fast riding around twisty bumpy roads. For speed, you are always better to be down a bit out of the wind.
One of my mates had a Norton Manxman, which was effectively a 650SS - it had high bars - American market. Otherwise it was brilliant.
Easy Rider and The Wild One were American, Brando's bike had low bars - the high ones came later.
When Poms ride motorcycles, they usually mean business. When Kenny Roberts raced in the UK, he was accustomed to getting on the loose stuff, so he did OK. when I was a kid, I could have gone there. The onboard videos of the IOM horrify me. Australians such as Doohan etc. have beaten the Poms. But Ken Blake was one of our best riders - I think he only managed to complete two laps of the IOM. - Riding too fast !
Click to expand...
So, you started on handle bars and then....? Wandered into the loose stuff yourself! :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
marshg246 said:
Need a picture time. Generally, 32" bars a "semi-western" and there should be plenty of room so I'm confused. Are you saying that your brake line is too long if you shorten the bars? If so, that's an inexpensive fix - PITA on a MK3, but not terrible - you just need the right length hose.
Click to expand...
That is the crux of it. If I change out the brake hose to a shorter length do I need to bleed the lines or just change and fill accordingly? If that's the case and it's an easy swap out, then I'm all over it.
 
quawk said:
I see that there were several different handlebars available in the same year for the different models. Were the Euro spec bars mounted to bikes to be sold in the U.K., and the "western" bars for bikes destined for the U.S. market? Was it just a matter of general prefernce that the UK riders preferred the somewhat flatter and narrower bars? Any other real reason for the difference? I do realize the apehangers, like mine (ughh) and the interpol bars were also mounted on some bikes.
Click to expand...
Back to the original post, I have no answers to your questions. Just run whatever bars you are comfortable with. I have about 20 different sets of 7/8" bars and I run with whatever floats my boat, whether it's for looks or comfort. Put the bars on, measure the hose length, and Rock and Roll.
 

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arcpoint said:
That is the crux of it. If I change out the brake hose to a shorter length do I need to bleed the lines or just change and fill accordingly? If that's the case and it's an easy swap out, then I'm all over it.
Click to expand...
You will need to bleed the system, but it is easy since the caliper is already bled. The hardest part on a MK3 is getting things out of the way to disconnect the hose. Once you have access, changing the hose will take a few minutes. Then it's important to do the bleeding and checking for leaks before putting the center console and headlights back into place.
 
marshg246 said:
You will need to bleed the system, but it is easy since the caliper is already bled. The hardest part on a MK3 is getting things out of the way to disconnect the hose. Once you have access, changing the hose will take a few minutes. Then it's important to do the bleeding and checking for leaks before putting the center console and headlights back into place.
Click to expand...
NORTSTER1974 said:
Back to the original post, I have no answers to your questions. Just run whatever bars you are comfortable with. I have about 20 different sets of 7/8" bars and I run with whatever floats my boat, whether it's for looks or comfort. Put the bars on, measure the hose length, and Rock and Roll.
Click to expand...
You sir, are a true maniac. I, a mere initiate.
 
marshg246 said:
You will need to bleed the system, but it is easy since the caliper is already bled. The hardest part on a MK3 is getting things out of the way to disconnect the hose. Once you have access, changing the hose will take a few minutes. Then it's important to do the bleeding and checking for leaks before putting the center console and headlights back into place.
Click to expand...
Great help, thanks.
 

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