How do I change handlebars on a 1982 GPz550?

Hey all,

I'm trying to change out my handle bars on my GPz550 and it seems like the OEM handlebars are screwed down using the fork nuts. How do I go about this? I'm very new to working on bikes as I've only ever ridden them.

Do I just undo the bolts, remove the handlebars and screw the fork nuts back in? Is that safe to do?

I'm also wondering how I would attach my clubman bars as there doesnt seem to be any bracket or mount to place the actual bar since the OEM handlebars are separated and held down by the fork bolts, not any kind of mount or bracket. Do I buy a specific bracket or does any bracket fit my bike? I'm so confused.

In order to install different bars, you will have to fabricate some mounts. Swapping the entire front end from a model that uses a single bar may also be possible. I don't know of an easier solution unless you can find some clip ons that fit those fork tubes and mount them below the upper clamp.

By the way, do not unscrew those fork caps until you are sure about what you are getting into. They compress the fork springs, and may fly off with unexpected violence if not removed properly. You really need to get a genuine Kawasaki factory service manual for that particular year and model. There may be one on the home page of his site, or member loudvx may have one on his site. Otherwise, trolling eBay may prove fruitful. There are quit a number of things about that particular bike that you need to know to keep it running properly and to keep yourself safe.

Is there a reason you want different bars? For a more comfortable hand position or just for looks?
Replacing the handlebars is kind of a pain & in your case it would be more so.

I'm not that familiar with your type of handlebars as they are different from most KZ bars. I believe yours would be classified as clilp-ons, so regular bars used on most KZs probably won't be a direct fit. note: most if not all modern clip on bars are different.

I'd be surprised if there was a direct bolt-on bracket available to attach different bars. There are handlebar risers that could be used, but you'd have to have a bracket made or the upper triple machined to accept the risers. see video link below.

Assuming your stock bars look like the ones pictured below I suspect you will need to have someone who knows what they are doing fabricate something for you. Unless there is some overwhelming reason the bars must be changed I would forget the idea unless I had a fistful of money burning a hole in my pocket. Ed

martin_csr gently reminded me that some forks, yours in particular, have a separate spring seat farther down in the tube, so you can remove that large bolt without fear. However, that does not really simplify your difficulties.
I once had a set of fully adjustable Heli bars on a 1997 Concours. They were fabulous, but kinda pricey. I am pretty sure they did not make a set for the 550 GPz, but you might be ably to modify them to fit.
I wonder if the top triple clamp from a different 550 would fit?

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere is a set of older Telefix Clip-Ons from Ebay, that I am using on my '85 GPz550.

These bolt on the stock location, and are very adjustable from stock position, to cafe-style low position.

Other than these, there are other fork-clamp clip-ons out there, and these will have replaceable parts if something were to happen. Fast From the Past sells Tarozzi Clip-Ons, and Rear Sets as well. Jim Hinshaw is a good guy, and has been racing in AHRMA for many years.
www.fastfromthepast.com/

So like said above, in order to use any standard handlebar, the upper fork triple clamps would need to be changed or a set made, to accept them.

If you are trying to install clubmans, to lower the bars, you can probably just use normal clipons that grab onto the fork. They will end up in about the same position as clubmans. I think your forks have 35mm tubes. Then you'll need clips to attach the headlight since you won't be using the normal headlight attachment fixtures since they cover the fork tubes, but that's not too hard to do.

The stock bars are already reasonably low. Clubman's are extremely uncomfortable.