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CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:37 am
by Randakk
Thanks to Rick Pope, I'm now running this excellent rig:

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I liked it so much....well you can guess the rest.

Full details here: http://www.randakks.com/CBX%20Handlebar ... %20Kit.htm

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:30 pm
by Jeff Bennetts
That's a great alternative to cobbling together a sport kit and there are infinite variations of bars to chose from enabling the rider to get the correct riding position for their riding style.

:text-+1:

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:31 pm
by EMS
They may be great from an ergonomic point of view. In the looks department, they don't score for me. They remind me too much of Harley Davidson. I still prefer clip-ons on a CBX.

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:24 pm
by steve murdoch icoa #5322
I had one of these on my '80 for years and liked the look.
The availability and cost of Sportkit parts has been difficult for a while.

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:56 am
by Jeff Bennetts
Damn Steve that looks sweet in black, is that powder coated or painted?

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:18 am
by Randakk
steve murdoch icoa #5322 wrote:I had one of these on my '80 for years and liked the look.
The availability and cost of Sportkit parts has been difficult for a while.

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....and I like the Wes Cooley 1/4 fairing on that bike!

I had one of those on my supercharged GL1000 for many years.

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:45 am
by steve murdoch icoa #5322
Jeff, i had them powder-coated.
With the proper rise on the bars the stock throttle controls can be used with no tank interference.
I have since swapped them onto another bike with gold Renthal bars.

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:48 am
by steve murdoch icoa #5322
Randall, i liked the look and the protection provided by the S fairing.
I have a red one painted that might go on the '79.

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:00 pm
by Jeff Bennetts
I have the same Renthal gold bars on my ZRX, they were the superbike bars back when I got them but I think they are called Streetfighter's now, they are the widest street bar they sell.

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:21 am
by Randakk
EMS wrote:They may be great from an ergonomic point of view. In the looks department, they don't score for me. They remind me too much of Harley Davidson. I still prefer clip-ons on a CBX.
I appreciate you comment. In person, I think you might possibly form a different impression. In over 4 decades of serious "bike-nut" activity, this is the first time anyone ever put me or one of my projects in the same sentence as "Harley Davidson." :-)

The wider bars are a functional improvement from a pure rider's perspective. There's a reason superbike riders developed "superbike" bars. The extra leverage of the wider bars is really useful on a large bike. Earlier, I accomplished the same thing with modified VFR clip-ons, but Rick's rig looks better...at least to my eye.

H-D products don't generally "speak" to me. I got a bit interested in the the V-Rod...then I took a test ride. I would seriously rather ride a combine...at least a combine is a well-engineered device that performs the agricultural task it was designed for.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an H-D basher. I have a "position" in H-D stock (part of my powersports-oriented portfolio). I always want them to do well. I keep hoping for some "enlightenment" and products that could interest me and compete technically, esthetically and dynamically to the vintage Hondas I prefer. I'm still waiting.

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:23 am
by Rick Pope
I've been thinking of Mike's comment about looking too "H-D". If you look at the picture of the mounted piece, it appears polished or chromed. In fact, it's machine finish, but the glare doesn't allow that to show.

Given the machine finish, to me it looks more "Ducati" or "Bimota". 8)

Of course, a few minutes with some fine sandpaper and polishing compound could give you that bright finish if you like.

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:58 pm
by Jeff Bennetts
PS Steve that is a beautiful bike and the Suzzy 1/4 fairing reallllllly looks good on it, where did you get it?

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:05 pm
by steve murdoch icoa #5322
It was a beauty, Jeff.
4 or 5 years ago i tried to sell it and received zero offers. Put it back to stock and sold it in a week for a grand more.
I am a big fan of the GS1000 and have accumulated parts over the years. I think the S fairing size and shape fit the CBX well.
This one might be fitted this summer.

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:31 am
by Randakk
The Wes Cooley Replica fairing I had on my supercharged Honda GL1000 was the authentic Suzuki item like Steve's above.

They are nearly impossible to find now (at any price.) Even if you could, it would probably be unfair to the Suzuki restorers desperately seeking these.

But, Air-Tech makes a very nice reproduction version of this fairing:

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/suz ... 979-80.htm

I've used there products and they are first rate.

I'm currently running their 1/4 Dunstall reproduction fairing on the supercharged GL1000...another great fairing for a bike in this idiom I think:

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Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:13 pm
by Jeff Bennetts
Randakk wrote:The Wes Cooley Replica fairing I had on my supercharged Honda GL1000 was the authentic Suzuki item like Steve's above.

They are nearly impossible to find now (at any price.) Even if you could, it would probably be unfair to the Suzuki restorers desperately seeking these.

But, Air-Tech makes a very nice reproduction version of this fairing:

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/suz ... 979-80.htm

I've used there products and they are first rate.

I'm currently running their 1/4 Dunstall reproduction fairing on the supercharged GL1000...another great fairing for a bike in this idiom I think:

Yes that is also a nice piece you have on the GL, where do you get a windscreen for the GS replica?