Shorter handlebar: clearance issue with gauge

I'm having a bit of a dilemma on my '81 kz550. I recently purchased some shorter bars (superbike bars) in place of the stock mini apes. All of the controls fit except that the right gauge is in the way of the master cylinder. In order to have symmetrical placement of the grips, the master cylinder/brake lever has to be tilted so the brake lever is 20 or more degrees above horizontal. If it weren't for the little nub cast on the bottom of the master cyl. that stops the banjo bolt from rotating I'd be golden.

Is there some way I can keep these bars on the bike and modify something to fit 'em?

Thank you

I ahd the same issue, and just got a new master cylinder. I got one from a newer sportbike because they have the remote fluid reservoir which gives you a lot more room on the bar.

Take the tach off, you don't need it.

There are probably several different master cylinders you could replace it with, or you could just take your dremel tool, or a file, and carefully remove that nub. A lot of masters never even come with one, and most of the older ones never had it either. Just insure the banjo bolt is tight, and support the line further down somewhere if you're worried about it moving. I've never seen one move with a bolt properly tightened.

Least that is what I'd do. :blink:

shimvalve wrote:

If it weren't for the little nub cast on the bottom of the master cyl. that stops the banjo bolt from rotating I'd be golden.

Thank you

just remove the nub ?