Anyone put V7 stone/special handlebars on a cafe/racer?

[twowheeladdict]

I stopped in at Sloans yesterday thinking about trading my cafe for a different V7.  The Cafe Classic is a hard bike to part with even though i don't ride it much. 

Got thinking that if I could put standard handlebars on it that I might be more comfortable and give my back more time to heal before giving up on the bike.

Has anyone made the handlebar change for more comfort?   What parts will I need since this bike has clip-ons?

[JoeKirby]

I had an early Triumph Thruxton with clip-ons, killed my back and wrists.  I replaced with a short riser and regular bar.  Bar was a very low rise and actually looked better than the clip ons but about four inches higher than stock.  Made a big difference on my wrists but not much else.  Still a more uncomfortable riding position than the more standard Bonnie or V7 position.

[JACoH]

I'm thinking, download the parts manual for the stone/special and yours and compare the parts. Most likely, top triple clamp, handlebar and handlebar mounts, clutch cable, throttle cables,  front brake hose; and maybe-maybe not the switch assemblies both sides depending on if the wiring is long enough.

[ramarren]

I realize that I'm probably an exception, but for the the V7III Racer is the most comfortable bike in the V7III line up. Standard sit-up-and-beg riding position kills my back, my butt, and my wrists in thirty miles ... I can ride Racer for hundreds of miles in a day without any part of my body getting stressed at all. :D

[darkstar1269]

My wife had a V7 racer which she did not like the riding position of, but loved the red frame and chrome tank and all the other differences between the racer and the stone. So I ordered stock bars and traded someone here on the forum the rear set controls for the standard controls, got her the lower gel seat and the bike was then set up like a stone with all the extras the racer has. Was pretty straight up process. We have since sold that bike or I would post a picture for you. Before it went I swapped out some parts on my V7 Special with that and am happy I did, particularly the side covers which are much nicer IMO than the plastic covers on the standard V7.

[jas67]

IIRC, the Cafe Classic doesn't have the rear sets like the Racer, but, just the standard pegs.     That combined with the clippers probably yields an uncomfortable riding position, as you are even more folded up than on a racer.

The top triple clamp looks to be the same on my Racer as the Special, just has the wire keyring guard mounted to the mounting holes for the handlebar clamps.



You should just need the handlebars and clamps.

Checking the parts catalog is a good idea, as the brake hose and clutch cable might be different lengths, and, of course, the wiring to the controls could be an issue too.

Although, I'd guess, being such a low-volume company to begin with, Guzzi used the same parts as the (non-cafe) classic, to reduce the number of different part numbers.

I would think that the Cafe Classic would be a lot easier on your back with rear sets on it, than with the current combo.

Before changing anything, you might want to get a test ride on a V7 Special/Stone/Classic, and also on a V7 Racer, and see which suits your back better.  Then you'll know if you're better off changing handlebars or rear sets.

[Bollbert]

This is my 2015 with all parts from the special added.

[tellicomoto]

I may have all the parts because I went in the opposite direction. The handle bars are powder coated black too. When Riders Hill did the conversion for me, they handed me a box full of take off parts. A bottle of George Dickle or Old Forester might induce me to drive a couple hours to hand the box over.

[Kev m]

If it's not obvious from Jay's post and you don't know from his other posts on this board he has both a Racer and Special, and he has had significant back pain and surgery this past summer for it so I'd give some real thoughts to his suggestions on the matter.

I may have all the parts because I went in the opposite direction. The handle bars are powder coated black too. When Riders Hill did the conversion for me, they handed me a box full of take off parts. A bottle of George Dickle or Old Forester might induce me to drive a couple hours to hand the box over.

Hey if the OP winds up not wanting them, let me know if you'd consider selling me the handlebar as cosmetically I'd want the black bars to go with all the stuff I had powdercoated black.

Or conversely if the OP would prefer chrome bars we could work out a swap.

[twowheeladdict]

I may have all the parts because I went in the opposite direction. The handle bars are powder coated black too. When Riders Hill did the conversion for me, they handed me a box full of take off parts. A bottle of George Dickle or Old Forester might induce me to drive a couple hours to hand the box over.

Sending you a PM.

[Diploman]

Since the upper triple tree on your racer does not include a riser to fit a conventional bar, your easiest solution is to use a set of clipons that attach to the fork tubes like the OEM bars.  These Tarozzis offer a higher rise, along with fully adjustable slope, sweepback and height - you should be able to find a position that is comfortable for your hands, arms and back.

http://www.guzzino.com/tahicl.html

[Kev m]

Sending you a PM.

If you think you might want chrome bars instead of black let me know.

[shai385]

Since the upper triple tree on your racer does not include a riser to fit a conventional bar, your easiest solution is to use a set of clipons that attach to the fork tubes like the OEM bars.  These Tarozzis offer a higher rise, along with fully adjustable slope, sweepback and height - you should be able to find a position that is comfortable for your hands, arms and back.

http://www.guzzino.com/tahicl.html

hi all,i too have the same problem with  my clip on bars.the Tarozzis bars are out of stock
how do i messure the rise of the original bars compairing do this clip on bars?are you sure this is higher ,how much higher?what about the master cylinder box,will there be enough room for it?