Chip Beck Spec Low Handlebar/Mirrors Mod.

[AllenM_imp]

My mirrors and bars came in this week and I'm hesitant to move forward on the installation. I'm concerned with some of the recent posts about steering performance. I purchased the 1" OEM lower seat so I'm wondering if that will help offset the steering performance expressed by others? Your advice is appreciated.

[Greg_imp]

I'm also planning to do this mod. Would someone who has done it be willing to post measurements of tip to tip handlebar widths, old vs new?

I've looked carefully at Chip Beck's photos and can't tell from them how much narrower the black bars are. Hondapartshouse.com shows the parts but no dimensions.

My local Honda dealer doesn't have a CB500F in stock, otherwise I'd ride over with a tape measure.

I'm guessing the black bar is 2" - 3" narrower than the stock bar. If so I can compensate for the reduced leverage if need be by moving my hands farther out on the grips.

[Joola_imp]

I'm also planning to do this mod. Would someone who has done it be willing to post measurements of tip to tip handlebar widths, old vs new?

I've looked carefully at Chip Beck's photos and can't tell from them how much narrower the black bars are. Hondapartshouse.com shows the parts but no dimensions.

My local Honda dealer doesn't have a CB500F in stock, otherwise I'd ride over with a tape measure.

I'm guessing the black bar is 2" - 3" narrower than the stock bar. If so I can compensate for the reduced leverage if need be by moving my hands farther out on the grips.

I can't say for certain because I no longer have the bars on my bike but I'd guess they were 1"-2" narrower. I couldn't simply hold the grips farther out because then I can't comfortably reach the blinker or horn with my thumb.

[Sfomoto_imp]

My mirrors and bars came in this week and I'm hesitant to move forward on the installation. I'm concerned with some of the recent posts about steering performance. I purchased the 1" OEM lower seat so I'm wondering if that will help offset the steering performance expressed by others? Your advice is appreciated.

Hey Allen,
I installed the CB500F handlebar, and I switch back to the stock handlebar after riding for a few hours. In my opinion the bike looks a lot better with the CB500 bar, but I just did not feel right on the bike. The dynamics of the bike changed in a way that did not match the way I ride.

[Joola_imp]

My mirrors and bars came in this week and I'm hesitant to move forward on the installation. I'm concerned with some of the recent posts about steering performance. I purchased the 1" OEM lower seat so I'm wondering if that will help offset the steering performance expressed by others? Your advice is appreciated.

Hey Allen,
I installed the CB500F handlebar, and I switch back to the stock handlebar after riding for a few hours. In my opinion the bike looks a lot better with the CB500 bar, but I just did not feel right on the bike. The dynamics of the bike changed in a way that did not match the way I ride.

Same story for me.

Allen, remember, several members have done this mod and have no complaints. Like most things, I think it comes down your fit on the bike and personal preference. You won't know for sure until you try it out.

[Chucky_imp]

Great write up! I was looking for a handlebar solution when I stumbled across this thread. I have the 2014 standard (black). Some folks may be happy to know that the change to CB500 bars for the 2014s is even easier than 2013.

I followed the procedure outlined by ChipBeck and discovered that the dampeners for the bars slide right in and lock in place to the CB500 bars from the 2014 standard CB1100. NO DRILLING! I also did not have to rotate the clutch OR brake lines at the reservoirs. There was enough clearance between the hydraulic lines and the fork tops. I'll admit that I may still turn the hydraulic lines to alleviate the radius of the bends in the lines. It's not too bad and I've ridden it as is. No problems. Of course the mirrors from the CB500 went on with no issues at all.

I did about 20 or so miles in the city with the new set up and was pleased with the new bars and riding position. I didn't notice too much buzzing through the bars and believe that the dampeners did their job. The mirrors look and function well...vibration is not bad. I am 6'4" and 210 and the riding position was an improvement for me. No numb butt and my balance was still quite good...maybe better! No issues with steering for me.

The black bars and mirrors look quite good IMO and hopefully when my black Yoshi gets installed it won't be too much black...I think it will look great.

One side note...since I mentioned the black Yoshi. The center stand is not compatible with that full Yoshi exhaust on the 2014 models...though it can be modified. I don't think I would have chosen differently but it's good info to spread around. I'll probably get a swing arm stand and call it good. This info is already out there on the forum...just wanted to have it in another place. I didn't see it until after purchase.

[ChipBeck_imp]

I'm also planning to do this mod. Would someone who has done it be willing to post measurements of tip to tip handlebar widths, old vs new?

I've looked carefully at Chip Beck's photos and can't tell from them how much narrower the black bars are. Hondapartshouse.com shows the parts but no dimensions.

My local Honda dealer doesn't have a CB500F in stock, otherwise I'd ride over with a tape measure.

I'm guessing the black bar is 2" - 3" narrower than the stock bar. If so I can compensate for the reduced leverage if need be by moving my hands farther out on the grips.

Greg,

Ask and you shall receive. I went out to my garage and measured both sets of bars. My new bars are 3/4 inch narrower than the stock CB1100 bars. That's less than .4 inch per side. Every one is different but the steering on my CB is so light and I'm not sensitive enough to tell any difference in leverage from such a small fractional change in width.

I'm 5'11" and 195 lbs. My seat is a stock height Corbin. At parking lot speeds or around town at 35 mph or less the stock bars were functionally fine. Above that the bolt upright seating position's wind blast was very tiring and hard on my back. In the absence of wind a completely upright seating position is very comfortable. Out on the road with a 65 mph wind hitting you in the chest it wasn't comfortable for me at all.

I've been riding my CB with these bars for about a year now. I've got three seats, four sets of bars, 3 sets of mirrors, etc. I'm not afraid to swap out what I don't like. These 2" lower and 3/4 inch narrower bars are far more comfortable for me than the stock bars. They are not as low as my sons Ducati Monster, they don't put pressure on my 58 year old wrists, and I really like it. If you have these parts and don't give it a try you are missing out on a setup you will probably like as much as I do. Cheers.

Chip

[rboe]

My mirrors are starting to bug me, I think it's due to the Griso, where the mirrors are lower. Not sure about the handlebars (no long distance riding at speed) and I hope to have Seth Laam's seat on mine in a few weeks time and I can explore this machine a bit better.

Darn good read the second time around!

If you think of the handle bar as a driven tuning fork, add mass to the end of the folks and you play havoc with the harmonics - tends to dampen them out and lower their frequency. Which is a good thing in this case. I bet it does a great job on keeping the mirrors clear.

[bustin dailey_imp]

I'm thinking these bars will really get the bike sitting perfectly for me.

I am 6'4 , 220 pounds.

I got about 1" lower foot pegs, which helped make me far more comfortable with my 36" inseam.

Butt still falls asleep on trips, so I got an airhawk for anything over an hour. Problem solved.

I also have really long arms, so I'm thinking these lower narrow bars will get me a bit more forward lean and make the bike just that much more comfortable and a little sportier.

Thanks again for the great write-up... I'll do this some time over the winter I think.

[hans dirty_imp]

Hi Chip ,
thnx for all this info.

A cpl of years ago i put those yamamoto bars on my bike.
I don't have any issue with vibration but i am curious as to how you would describe the difference between the cb500 bars and the yamamotos ?
It's hard to tell from the photo you posted.
i would love it if my bars did not have so much pull back and if they were a little lower that would be great !!
Are the cb500 bars straighter, lower, than the yamamoto ?

Thanks
Dave