Let's talk cruiser handlebars

[Gusable]

I'm new to guzzi and new to cruisers.  I'm not crazy about the shape and angles of my stock 98 EV handlebars.  When I see Cali "stone" or jackal type bars I like the look of those much better.  My seats on the way to Jim at Ned's seats as we speak so that might be an input to the bars decision. An inexpensive "bikemaster" euro or Daytona bar looks good and under 30 bucks! I'd hate to spend a bunch of money to find out I don't like x y z bars.  Your thoughts on EV bars would be appreciated! Thank you Gus

[Psychopasta]

My approach is to get the seat and footpegs/floorboard sorted, particularly to get the right bend in the knees. These are the hardest things to change, and IMO are the most constrained points of the rider triangle. Once you have those two points as good as you can, you can then start to mess with handlebars and/or risers to get the third point of the triangle dialled in.

I have been known to order several handlebars from the likes of Rezvilla, and when I get them I remove the bars with all controls attached if possible, and then just offer up the new bars, still in their wrapping, to see how they work with me in the saddle. Send the rest back for refund, and keep the one you like best.

- P

[Guzzidad]

    I had the same problem with the bars on my 01 EV, which are probably the same as yours. I posted the same question on this list and someone suggested Emgo bars. Unfortunately, I don't remember the model number, but I'm more than happy with them. And, they were fairly inexpensive. I think they were super bike bars. You have to take accurate measurements because there are locating pins in the switch gear and you have to drill some holes to accept them.

[Gusable]

Thanks for the replies.  Interesting about the holes. I'll remember that.  I agree. Seat/pegs/knees first. I'll hold on the bars till seat is back on thank you. 

[rodekyll]

I don't expect to find the perfect bar off the shelf.  For one reason or another they all suck to some degree.  But one-piece 7/8" bars (standard) bend easily.  the fat 3-piece bars (they're soldered or welded where they drop to 7/8 for the controls) not so much.  So I plan to modify whatever I get.  After doing what they say above -- get the saddle/knee/footpeg/basic back angle set up-- I find the bar closest to my comfort needs.  Bike shops are pretty good about letting you run in and out to fit different bars if you leave them your Nolan helmet as security.

My wrists are particularly sensitive to bad end angles, and my lower back gives me fits if I'm leaned too far in any direction. So I add risers or setbacks and/or cut off a bit of the ends as needed to get the bar as close to perfect as I can.  Then I rebend the setback and ends to finish the fit.  To bend them I clamp them to a wooden deck/platform/old wooden beam and use a long cheater to change angles as I want.  It sounds like a lot of picky-assed work, and folks here have made princess-and-the-pea references about it, but when you knock out long days, day in and day out, it makes a difference.

Otherwise there are system bars out there that you can adjust like tinker toys to your satisfaction. 

[Huzo]

The main problem I had with my Norge standard bars was that with your hand sitting evenly on the grip, your wrist has a bend and I reckon that's not ideal. I fixed mine but thought it was a bit lame for a dedicated tourer.

[fotoguzzi]

Stone / Jackal bars, already drilled.

 

[n3303j]

I'm doing this exact same dance with my '98 EV. Local bike shops don't fill their inventory with slow moving handlebars. They will order but special orders are not returnable.

MOST online sellers do not provide enough images or dimensions to really show you how the product is shaped so you are still in a crap shoot situation. Been working on this issue for almost a month now.

[kidsmoke]

Stone / Jackal bars, already drilled.

 

permission to steal this photo and make it my wallpaper.

I'll direct calls from my boss, wondering why he's getting reports of me just staring at my monitor, on to you, mmmmk?

[fotoguzzi]

here's another one for your screen.

[Gusable]

YES! The stone/jackal bars are what I want cosmetically!! FOTO your always there in a pinch! Bravo! Now how much and where... harpers I assume.

[Gusable]

Stone bars new at the big H...  214.00 plus the brown truck! Yikes

[Dean Rose]

MG Cycle  $138.79  out of stock

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=52&products_id=126

[n3303j]

Those are 1 inch bars. Won't fit '98 EV.

[Tom H]

There are two sizes of bars. I have an '04 and it uses the 30mm fat bars and are slimmed down to either 7/8 or 22mm for the controls. You may have 7/8 bars??

If they are 30mm, there is not much choice for bars. If it's 7/8" there is a whole world of choices.

Search out Flanders bars. Flanders has a site as well as (something like) Side Road Cycle which I think shows the bars better and shows you how to measure them. Flanders is not cheap, but not bad. Maybe find the look/size you like and do a fleabay search to find a price on a non Flanders brand.

I just put Stone style 30mm bars on my EV that had the mini apes. I have used them for a few days and not sure if I like these or stock better yet. BTW: I do have risers to set the bars back about 2" so that I can sit a bit more upright rather than leaning forward.

Good luck,
Tom

[Gusable]

These are 7/8 bars.  I'll check Flanders thx

[bigbikerrick]

Pro taper makes a good selection of 7/8" "ATV" bars that fit our bikes. I have used some with good results. They have a few different bends ad heights to choose from.   
Rick.

[n3303j]

V11EV requires about 9 inches of flat grip area to properly fit controls (appearance). Not a lot of the aftermarket bars show 9 inches of flat before the upper bend. I have added end "grafts" to gain extra real estate but this does widen the bars. V11 LEV bars are about 31 inches wide to start. And it goes on and on. Maybe bend up your own set out of CroMo?

[rodekyll]

I think you can replace the same vintage 7/8 risers for EV 1" bars.  If you have one and want the other, I believe the early EVs, stones and jackals interchange with the 1" EVs. I haven't actually done this, but the spacing looks correct.  If that's the hitch, it's worth a closer look.

[Dharma Bum]

I used an old set of Yamaha 650 bars on my 96 Cali.  Works great for me, more of a "flat track" bend, but everybody has different needs it seems.  EMGO lists the same bars as Yamaha XS1,XS2 bars, part# 23-12548. I added some short extensions to the ends.

[n3303j]

http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/tc-bros-7-8-mini-ape-hanger-handlebars-8-black.html
Possibility if you add extender plugs at ends to get your 9" of flat.

[n3303j]

A second possibility, again needs the upper bar extension.
https://www.biltwellinc.com/p199/buy/parts-amp-accessories/handlebars/frisco/-frisco-handlebars-7-8-quot-chrome/

[twowings]

I used an old set of Yamaha 650 bars on my 96 Cali.  Works great for me, more of a "flat track" bend, but everybody has different needs it seems.  EMGO lists the same bars as Yamaha XS1,XS2 bars, part# 23-12548. I added some short extensions to the ends.

+1 on the XS 'pullbacks' (as we referred to them back in the day)...my Yam 650 was a lot of things, but the bars were supremely comfortable...in fact, I swapped them onto my Duc 860 and they worked great for the brief moments that it was running...

[nighthawk]

I've used Honda 750 bars on two different rides and liked them. First set was given to me used by a friend and the last was sourced from Mike's XS and fairly priced. Thinking about using them again soon.

[flower_king001]

Hi-

 I have a 1998 EV and was wanting to go to Stone bars. I'm 6' with a 30" inseam, using floorboards as well as a Corbin dual saddle. I got BikeMaster bars "LTD" model # 11057O but found myself leaning way to far forward. I then purchased Rox Risers wit a 2" rise and installed and so far I'm quite pleased with the setup. I did have to drill out for the throttle and brake assembly on the bars but overall quite simple. I just placed painters tape on the bars and slid the assemblies on and was able to make a small indention upon the tape. Drilled the 2 holes in the bar and placed the throttle and brake assemblies and tightened. If you would like photos of my setup please let me know.

[wavedog]

'01 Jackal here, really liked the bike but the wonky ergos were getting to me- low seat, high pegs, low bars- so I put on some floor boards, which were lower than the pegs, and got some Bassa handlebars and the combination has done wonders for me. The seat is now almost tolerable and the riding postion is so much better. The Bassa bars are great- they are almost just right. The stock Jackal bars are really a good handlebar, but on the Jackal they are a little too far forward as the stock seat is so low it forced me to sit back away from the bars and put me in a position of pain. Lots of broken bones that have never healed correctly. Plus I have legs and arms that are slightly longer than normal for a guy my height. I like the Bassa bars on my bike. One thing that I have noticed is that with the change in riding position from a forward lean, and resulting front wheel weight bias, to a more sit upright position my corner entry speed has decreased. That is ok by me as I really needed to slow down anyway (not that I was fast to begin with) because the old reflexes just ain't what they used to be. Guess I am in a ride slower enjoy more mode now. When I get a taller seat I may have to go back to the stock bars, but we shall see. In the meantime- Bassa bars!

[Gusable]

Good stuff.   I'd like to see the LTD bars on the EV.  Their on my short list

[n3303j]

BikeMaster bars "LTD" model # 11057O have a published clamping area of 4 7/8 inch. My EV requires 5 1/8 minimum clamping area.