I am in the process of doing some minor maintenance on my Hack. Bike is a /5 with Spirit of America car. I went to install a new mirror and found that the Handlebars were damaged/bent before I took ownership. Not very noticeable at first but they are about an inch off from left to right. I was going to get a replacement and was wondering if there is a better set of bars out there or should I stick with the bars that came with the bike. They seem to be the original “American” bars that BMW sold with the bike. I have a set of Bars from an 82 R100 that I may use also. If any of you /5 riders have any input on this I would appreciate it. IF there is a better bar for handling now is the time to get them since the bike is apart.
Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas everyone.
The wider, the better for easy steering.
Lonnie
The problem you run into with /5's is their bars are 22 mm, not 7/8" like most Jap bikes. Bob's BMW sells a set of 22 mm "sidecar bars" which are wider than what you have now but are a "Euro-style" bar and are lower than "US bars". All depends on what is comfortable for you. I used to love Euro bars and the riding position they gave but as time went on and I got older, I needed higher bars to be comfortable. In any case, Lonnie is correct that wider bars certainly help with controlling a sidecar.
Sarge
Thanks for the feedback guys. After looking at the BMW euro sidecar bars I am opting to try to straighten the bars I have. It seems the sidecar bars are only about 2 inches wider so I will try to save my money and use what I have.
FWIW, 22mm bars are a smidge smaller than 7/8" bars. You do have the option of reaming your hand controls out to take the larger bars. (The difference is tiny and the job easily done.) My one Airhead had had that done by a previous owner. I will admit it was nice in that it opened up a GIGANTIC selection of 7/8" bars but, on the other hand, affected the originality of the bike.
Sarge
If you have access to a lathe or a friend wit one, you can make handlebar extensions that also serve as bar end weights to reduce bar vibration. I made set for a 93 R 100 that extended 1 1/2" on each side. Huge difference in effort reduction, and you keep the same basic shape. I have since made them for several sets of one inch bars.
I start with a piece of cold roll steel the same diameter as the bar, then turn down about 2 1/2 inches to fit perfectly inside the bar. Of the part outside the bar, ( the actual extension), rebate the outer end to accept an allen bolt.
drill the length of the piece with a 1/4" drill. Tap a 5/16ths thread about 1 1/4" deep in the small end and diagonal slice the end off. Now drill out the outer piece to accept the shank of the 5/16ths bolt. Smooth the diagonal slice with a file.
Use some aluminum to turn some bar end caps to fit over the ends snugly.
Insert the device into the bar and tighten the allen bolt to lock it in place. With a rubber or plastic hammer tap the aluminum end caps on. Now drill the end cap and bar extension piece to accept a roll pin as a keeper.
If you should need to remove this device, a small drift pin withh push the roll pin into the rebated space allowing removal of the end cap. then unscrew the allen about three turns and tap on the end of the allen to free the device for removal. Shown in the photo is a set I made for one inch bars that extend about 1 1/8th inch on each side.
Phelonius
i
Pretty slick fix Jim.
Lonnie
I just cut away everything that didn't look like handlebar extentions.
Phelonius
Jim. This looks like a real nice fix. I do know a guy with a lath and may just do this. Looks simple enough and once I install the grips back on the addition will never be seen. I will just eliminate the aluminum cover and install the contols/grips over the extension. Slick.
I just like the looks of the turned aluminum on the ends, besides, it helps keep the grips from slipping outboard and protects the ends.
On one of my rigs I steer the machine with a piece of steel core rope.
Phelonius
I just like the looks of the turned aluminum on the ends, besides, it helps keep the grips from slipping outboard and protects the ends.
On one of my rigs I steer the machine with a piece of steel core rope.
Phelonius
I used to use swap meet Honda 750 bars on my /5. They were cheap and worked pretty good. R75/5 with velorex. J.R.
I found a used euro sidecar bars that I will use and see how I like them. Price was right and they look like a good fit.
The sidecar bars I recieved seem to be 3/4 bars and are 28.5 inches wide. The flanders BMW sidecar bars are 26. The standart /5 bars are about 29 inches. I may just use a set of R100 bars for the time being since I have them and see what I can run into in the future. The euro sidecar bars seem like they would be too short. I hate buying new bars and have to make modifications or extensions on them.
Happy New Year everybody
