Low Bar (CB500) with Riser Flip - Perfect Sport Ergos

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Some members have done the CB500 handlebar mod first related to the forum by Chip Beck.

I've done this modification but was never quite satisfied with the bar position. I had to set the bars to where the control switches were only a few millimeters from touching the tank to get the grips reasonably level. They also tended to interfere with the large 18L Cortech tank bag I sometimes used. Mainly, though, they just were not quite right, not quite sporty enough, not quite level enough, and not enough clearance between the bar and tank at full lock to be really "correct" and avoid trapping my hands if I wasn't attentive.

I read the CB1100RS had the bars moved forward a bit and took a look at the bar risers on my 2013 Standard. The solution seemed obvious.

With some help from a friend, I got the job done. We removed the two 14mm nuts that hold the risers in place (leave the bars bolted in place for this). My friend removed the caps and lifted the handlebars out of the way, and I held the bars out of the way while she rotated the risers 180 degrees. That moved the handlebar mounting point about 20mm forward. We bolted it all back together (there is no torque specification for the riser mounting nut, but it's a locking type anyway) and made a couple of adjustments. It was stone cold on the money. I was able to rotate the bars back toward me to get them into a more level, comfortable yet sporting position. With this adjustment there was still nearly an inch of clearance between the bars and tank.

This setup couldn't be better. And it looks right. I don't know why this didn't occur to me before.

And now there is plenty of room for a larger tank bag.