Cafe handlebars on 1100F ??

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:28 pm

Waiting for my engine to come back from machinist/builder and was wondering if anybody ever put low cafe style handlebars on their bike? I have aftermarket bars on there now, but looking for something a little different. I went through the entire picture gallery and didn't see any bikes with them? Any thoughts, pictures? Years ago, one would see a lot of kawasaki KZs with these type of bars on them.

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 5:43 pm

PORT wrote:

Waiting for my engine to come back from machinist/builder and was wondering if anybody ever put low cafe style handlebars on their bike? I have aftermarket bars on there now, but looking for something a little different. I went through the entire picture gallery and didn't see any bikes with them? Any thoughts, pictures? Years ago, one would see a lot of kawasaki KZs with these type of bars on them.

Who is building your motor for you, anyone of name on Long Island?

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:13 pm

many of us use the Honda CB400F bars...

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:22 pm

Richie Sandawg is doing all the machine work and putting the engine back together. He has been building these engines to drag race from back in 83. Mine has a 1221 kit with major porting, big webb cams and since Mikuni didn't make big carbs for hondas back then, he modified Mikuni 38mm carbs from a Suzuki. I was lucky enough to buy this bike from him six years ago so it has more than your ordinary amount of custom work. He does a lot of performance machine work on the Island.

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:51 pm

PORT wrote:

Richie Sandawg is doing all the machine work and putting the engine back together. He has been building these engines to drag race from back in 83. Mine has a 1221 kit with major porting, big webb cams and since Mikuni didn't make big carbs for hondas back then, he modified Mikuni 38mm carbs from a Suzuki. I was lucky enough to buy this bike from him six years ago so it has more than your ordinary amount of custom work. He does a lot of performance machine work on the Island.

The name rings bells but it has been a long time since I lived on the Island.
And when I did live there I was still doing cars, I had not migrated over to bikes yet.
Like Martin says, alot of us like the 400F handle bar, I have one on my Super F and am awaiting the 2nd one for my red 1100F.
This is the Sport Kit handle bar

Here are the sport kit bar and the 400F bar side by side

The 400F by itself.

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:29 am

I used some clip-ons on my CB11 previously as seen here

and here

and I

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:12 am

I used a set of Denco Kawasaki cafe bars back in the '80s. They do make you feel more glued to the bike, but I went to the strip sometimes and they do not give enuff leverage to straighten back up when you cross up
doing a burnout. I use Freddie Spencer (grand touring) bar made by K&N
in the late '80s?, they look like a dead ringer for the 400F bar, they're much narrower and shorter rise than stock.

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:19 am

Hey Fasterspider, how much trouble did you have with the fork sliders hitting the bottom of the triple tree with those clipons? Don't look like you had a lot of fork travel available there. I've got a set of Telefix (I think) bars that I've thought about using but didn't want to give up fork travel.

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:10 pm

AMC49 wrote:

Hey Fasterspider, how much trouble did you have with the fork sliders hitting the bottom of the triple tree with those clipons? Don't look like you had a lot of fork travel available there. I've got a set of Telefix (I think) bars that I've thought about using but didn't want to give up fork travel.

Its Andy's bike that has the clipons. Wink

Hawk Joined: Sep 18, 2003 Posts: 317 Location: Bangor, ME.

K+N used to make a series of bars called "Drag Bars" I still have a black set on my bike and it's in the gallery.

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:19 pm

AMC49 wrote:

Hey Fasterspider, how much trouble did you have with the fork sliders hitting the bottom of the triple tree with those clipons? Don't look like you had a lot of fork travel available there. I've got a set of Telefix (I think) bars that I've thought about using but didn't want to give up fork travel.

That is not mine, it is Andy's bike in Australia.

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:41 am

I had only dropped the bars by approximately 15mm

Hawk Joined: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 359 Location: NYC

Hey PORT,

I have a set of clubmans lying around if you want to borrow them and try testfitting them to your bike but I'm gonna tell ya right now that the clubmans didn't clear the tank on my 1979 cb750F. I'd go with clipons if you really want that cafe racer feel, although you are welcome to come over and try out the superbike bend I have on my bike now.

I don't know the size of the forks on your bike because I don't know what you have, but pro-flo makes a good aftermarket clipon. I know someone here is using a set of fzr600 clipons on their 1100F but I don't know which years came with 38mm forks. On the gold wing front end I have on my SOHC I have a set of 1988 cbr f1 clipons because they were cheap and the 1988/89 cbr f1 has weird 37mm forks. I don't know what size the forks are on my 79 supersport, but 35mm cheap clip ons are all over ebay (35mm is the size of the SOHC which I assume has the same fork diameter as the 1979 but I could be wrong).

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:55 am

Well, DUH!!! Sometimes I can be so stupid. Sorry, Andy and Ray. That's what I get for working all these hours (86 last week). I apparently can't even read and that's BAD 'cause I'm a printer! Incidentally that bar pic looks just like that Denco bar I had, Andy.

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:05 pm

Hey guys, I used to have a CB750F w Telefix clip ons years ago. Now I got another CB750F ( 82) and looking for the Telefix clip ons. Those are the best, very adjustable in every way and will clear tanks and everything. Unfortunately I do not know where to find those ones, think the company is out of business.
Beware about the chaep clip ons on E bay. I bought a pair. Unlike the Telefix, these ones have the arm of the clip on welded directly onto the clamp, making it very close to the tank, would not clear the tank.
More over, I measured the bars, and, it would never fit my grips plus the starter switch / ignition and mirror brackets / master cylinder, because the arms are extremely short. There would only be space for the rubber grip, the light switch would not fit, hitting the clamp, terrible.I wonder what kind of bike would have grips and switches assemblies small enought to fit!!!! I got nailed.......perhaps a moped could use them. You have to measure the lenght from the outer tip of the grip to the inside edge of the light switch on the left, and to the master cylinder to the right. All of these elements have to fit the arm of the clip on.
Untill I find Telefix clip ons, ( CB 750F 's are 37 mm forkwise)...I got my self club man bars, Z bend type, as they are called. The bars cost me 21 bucks at a local Yamaha Dealer, ordered it and got it in 3 days. Problem was, the curves where too narrow, or perhaps the problem is the air nipples / covers towering the fork asemblies. No worries, I was not to give up, went to a local welder, and for 30 bucks we cut the CLub man bar in half, and added a metal section 3 inches wide. That provided the extra clearance needed. It cleared the tank well, at parking, the light switch clears perfect, the starter side is closer, but clears. I love it, it is a better position for ridding, because ( @ least in my case) I would rather have my back extended, and rest my body on my shoulders, than on my back discs as when sitting straight. Plus it is a mixture, light pulling on the bar and supporting downwards, it is great. If you have never ridden the bike like this, it will take you one or two days to feel confortable, once you get there, there is no way back.Cables and hoses needed no modification whatsoever,non, zero,nada.
I even rode next to the new bikes, the position you get on a CB if far better, because the lenght from the seat to the handles is larger, you extend and rest your back, and it is really aerodynamic. Newer bikes are not really that "Clip on esque" because the distance from seat to clip ons is shorter, it is more like sitting straight, forcing your hands downward, it is akward, more than one followed me on the freeway.....I am sure thay are wondering how could it get that cool on a CB....let me tell you....it does!!!
As soon as I get pixes I will bring in some.
ate.

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:04 am

Jaime wrote:

Now I got another CB750F ( 82) and looking for the Telefix clip ons.
ate.

Why didn't you say so?
At $23 no reserve

http://cgi.ebay.com/Telefix-Lenkerstummel-Stummellenker-37mm-Durchmesser_W0QQitemZ8043674410QQcategoryZ25626QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:40 pm

here is a post of mine a couple of week ago

ace bars

The ace bars look and feel nice to me. I have the headlight fitted now but not done any more work to the bike as I have been away. Back into it tommorrow. Going to weld up the hole in the exhaust.

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:34 pm

I have clip ons on my bike. It's a 900F. I have mine set very low so they would hit the tank if I didn't have a stop to keep that from happening. If you want some closeups of them just let me know.[img]

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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:04 pm

Thanks cb1100Fr........I will check it out!

LNewman...what headlamp is that one????? could it be the same as the one I got??? I am installing it soon......I have a 9 in round lamp from another motorcycle.Any pixes fron the front??? want to see the lamp! I got a lamp from a GS1100E. Got it powder coated in black...all of it including the chromed round trim....no chromes for me...
When I get pixes I will bring them in.
About the rear......how is that mono shock job coming about???
About the lowered front end forks....how far can you go??? that is something I would like to do.....can I just lower it????or do you have something else involved????
VJMWAU....good job.....it will end up really cool....get yourself a Suzuki GS1100E ( 83) headlamp and it will look like a milllion dollars!

later.............................................Jaime

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 5:29 pm

Jaime wrote:

Thanks cb1100Fr........I will check it out!

LNewman...what headlamp is that one????? could it be the same as the one I got??? I am installing it soon......I have a 9 in round lamp from another motorcycle.Any pixes fron the front??? want to see the lamp! I got a lamp from a GS1100E. Got it powder coated in black...all of it including the chromed round trim....no chromes for me...
When I get pixes I will bring them in.
About the rear......how is that mono shock job coming about???
About the lowered front end forks....how far can you go??? that is something I would like to do.....can I just lower it????or do you have something else involved???

later.............................................Jaime

My headlight is from a GS1100E also. I made a mount to get it as close to the forks as I could. The monoshock mounts were temporary I will finish them now that I know for sure where my tire will be. I lowered the clamps on the front forks 1.5 inches because I liked how it looked, now the brake lines hit my fork brace when the forks compress. I will have to relocate the lines. don't expect it to work better lowered it wasn't designed to be set up like that. I also machined the handlebar mounts on the top triple clamp so I can mount my tach there using the holes from the bar mount.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:41 am

I have a frontend from a 1100R that has factory clip-ons. The forks are longer to accomodate them.They are not cheap, but you will have OEM parts.

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 4:54 am

LNewman wrote:

...

What kind of bar-end mirrors are those?? Question

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:57 pm

LNewman.......excelent...mine ( headlamp ) is also a GS1100E.....it adds super character to the bike. The front fork drop is something I will study later....it looks good...and it should perform almost the same...sonce it is the same suspension travel...perhaps stiffer springs would add more stability and asurance that it would not bottom out.
One thing I like is the look w/o the instrument panel...I remember my past CB750F with clip ons...the instrument panel sits way high....I was thinking about sitting it lower...I will check out your plan...mounting it on the upper frok clamp seat......I would like to lower the instrument panel....that will be later with the clip on bars...as of now the club man bars are doing their job....
Are you using a diferent rear swing arm??? your rear tire looks bigger.
I was thinking....if fitting a wider rear tire...how is the sprockets align?
Later....

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:20 am

guess you do not want to share your secret ha??
That is oK.......
Good luck.

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:47 am

I thought I sent you a PM answering the questions you asked. I will be glad to send it again and other pictures that I have. It was kinda wordy so I didn't post it here. Check your messages if it's not there let me know. One of the reasons I joined this forum was to share info.

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:42 pm

Hy L Newman....... I just checked my message box and it is empty.....sorry.....was not aware....
anyhow.....here is my e/mail addy ....in case the group message box is malfunctioning.....
jaimecidpedro@yahoo.com
Thanks bro.
Late>>>>>>>>>>>>>>