changing the bars..

[pwh421_imp]

Hi,

I'm swapping out my bent stock bars and have a question..

Is there anything I NEED to know before I start? Any Honda specific stuff related to getting the controls off?

-Peter

[Arctic cb1100_imp]

the stock bars are drilled and the switches have knobs on them to help hold them in place if your installing factory bars back on they should come pre drilled if installing after market bars they will need to be drilled or you can file the knobs down to fit on the new bars

[aschem_imp]

I recommend keeping the knobs, easy to drill a new hole.

[tinboatcapt_imp]

The knobs guarantee the controls won't slide or rotate on the bars. Keep the knobs.
Jim

[Arctic cb1100_imp]

while I agree keeping the knobs is the better way to go if not installing pre drilled bars I have three motorcycles and have had others and and my cb is the only one I've owned that has drilled bars I installed renthal low's on my bike and opted to very carefully grind the knobs down with a demel to where they would bite into the new bars just a little bit when tightened down and they hold very solid and have never moved!
bikes and other atv's have been coming out without drilled bars and switch knobs for decades and still do and have done just fine!

[PowerDubs_imp]

The drilled bars / knobs on controls exist only for the dealer monkeys to get everything the same and correct.

Short sighted in my opinion as it limits or greatly frustrates the actual owner when swapping bars.

What I mean-

While an old bike might have had bars or controls that were off a little bit at the dealer- the end user was free to adjust because it didn't matter where they put the bars or controls once they adjusted them.

On these bikes- if you swap bars or want to change the bar angle- you may need to drill new holes, or might not even have that option if you want just a small amount of degrees and one hole would overlap each other.

Old bikes the control clamped to the bar, new bikes they do not- the control diameter is basically the same size as the bar so the nub & hole is the only thing holding everything together. Like many other things in these days- a small choice at the manufacturer is a large dumb end result for the end user.

For me to swap my bars to another set of factory honda bars no less- required not just an adjustment in the drill from forward/back, but also left/right... not all honda bikes have the controls in the same depth from the bar end.

Seriously stupid IMO- but it saved HMC a penny per bike...

[pwh421_imp]

I went with Renthal 7/8 High ATV bars, as a friend had a spare set for free... and drilled the holes for the controls.. The rise and angle is about the same although they are a little wider..

I like it so far, and it was fun to do the swap. Bike is back on the road and I am a happy rider.. Thank you all for your thoughts.

-Peter