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Another handlebars thread - 78 650 SR
- 88kidona78
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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:
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Process:
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Product:
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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.
JT from Colorado
First Year Rider
1978 KZ650 SR
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- rstnick
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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.
Rob
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, Progressive Suspension, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s
1978 KZ1000 project
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- 650ed
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88kidona78 wrote: I had wanted to replaced my handlebars since I bought the bike.
Pictures before:
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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
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- 88kidona78
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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?
JT from Colorado
First Year Rider
1978 KZ650 SR
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- Nerdy
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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.
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R
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- rstnick
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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.
Rob
CANADA
Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me
1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, Progressive Suspension, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s
1978 KZ1000 project
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- 88kidona78
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JT from Colorado
First Year Rider
1978 KZ650 SR
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- GPzMOD750
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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.
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