Another handlebars thread - 78 650 SR

I had wanted to replaced my handlebars since I bought the bike.

About 2 months in I actually bought some...a day before they arrived, my clutch cable snapped..so I figured it was good timing.

I sorted out most of the wiring and splicing before I got the clutch cable & installed that.
The handlebars are Eurobars//

Pictures before:





Process:







Product:





Overall, I'm satisfied with the way it rides. It's more comfortable and feels more like a street bike as opposed to a toot scoot. I've yet to secure the cables in place (zip-ties I bought were a tad too short) but have changed other things out like the headlight bucket mount, front turn signals being changed out and mirror exchange..

Once winter hits I want to work on the hideous seat. And the rear fender / taillights as far as cosmetics go.

Nice work.
Your headed in the right direction.


I rode a buddy's SR once, and found the high handle bars very awkward.


What exhaust do you have on yours?
Looks very much like a Yosh exhaust I had on my 650 when I bought it.

88kidona78 wrote: I had wanted to replaced my handlebars since I bought the bike.
Pictures before:

Attachment IMAG0214-2.jpg not found

Whoever owned the bike before you had no idea how to mount the handlebars. Those in the "before" picture are turned way too far forward which then raises the grip ends up and into a very uncomfortable position. The image below shows properly mounted KZ650-SR stock bars, I think the stock SR bars were already a bit on the tall side, but the previous owner exacerbated the problem by turning those bars forward. Amazing what folks will do to a bike; if they would only look at a manual before touching a wrench. :laugh: Ed

Rob, the exhaust does look like the one on yours. Is it labeled anywhere? I haven't spotted any stamps or plates anywhere...I thought it was a Kerker that I read about early on when I first got it, but it doesn't look anything like them.

Interesting! Ed, coincidentally, I recall the PO stating the handlebars were replaced because it had leaned against a wall for such a while that they bent (..?) Anyways, it got to the point where I felt like I was sitting at a dinner table when I rode.

I looked at both of your bikes and noticed there's a rack bar or relocating bar under the seat that stretches from the rear shock. Is that just a handle for passengers?

88kidona78 wrote: I looked at both of your bikes and noticed there's a rack bar or relocating bar under the seat that stretches from the rear shock. Is that just a handle for passengers?

That is a handle (lift point) to make it easier for the operator to put the bike up on the center stand.

88kidona78 wrote: Rob, the exhaust does look like the one on yours. Is it labeled anywhere?
. Is that just a handle for passengers?

My exhaust did not have any markings, or label.
I believe it was an early model.
I don't have it anymore.

The handle is normally called a grab handle.
One can be installed on both sides.
For a passenger to use them, they would need long arms.
They are useful to use when strapping items to the seat, and for getting the bike up on the center stand.

That makes sense, thanks for the replies. I could definitely make use of those, I'll have to look around for some.

FWIW,

I converted my GPz from the high gripped "clipons" to drag bars and it made it much more comfortable.

The higher grips made me want to slouch and on bumpy roads it made my back hurt just commuting 20 miles twice a day not to mention a 100 mile ride.

The lower, slightly forward bars helps my back stay straighter and any up and down jarring is dispersed more comfortably along my back because it isn't perpendicular to it.

I see guys on their cruisers bent into pretzels because they think their bars look cool and it makes me cringe.