CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

User avatar
Randakk
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:36 pm
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Contact:

CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post by Randakk »

Thanks to Rick Pope, I'm now running this excellent rig:

Image

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

Full details here: http://www.randakks.com/CBX%20Handlebar ... %20Kit.htm
Randall Washington (Randakk)
Founder & Chief Executive Rider
Randakk's Cycle Shakk, LLC
Pinehurst, NC USA
www.randakks.com

User avatar
Jeff Bennetts
Posting God
Posting God
Posts: 2408
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:38 am
Location: Ohio, USA
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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:

EMS
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 10151
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 7:55 am
Location: North East OH, ICOA 3904

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

steve murdoch icoa #5322
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 4069
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:12 am
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

Image

User avatar
Jeff Bennetts
Posting God
Posting God
Posts: 2408
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:38 am
Location: Ohio, USA
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post by Jeff Bennetts »

Damn Steve that looks sweet in black, is that powder coated or painted?

User avatar
Randakk
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:36 pm
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

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

I had one of those on my supercharged GL1000 for many years.
Randall Washington (Randakk)
Founder & Chief Executive Rider
Randakk's Cycle Shakk, LLC
Pinehurst, NC USA
www.randakks.com

steve murdoch icoa #5322
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 4069
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:12 am
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

Image

steve murdoch icoa #5322
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 4069
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:12 am
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

Image

User avatar
Jeff Bennetts
Posting God
Posting God
Posts: 2408
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:38 am
Location: Ohio, USA
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

Image

User avatar
Randakk
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:36 pm
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.
Last edited by Randakk on Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Randall Washington (Randakk)
Founder & Chief Executive Rider
Randakk's Cycle Shakk, LLC
Pinehurst, NC USA
www.randakks.com

Rick Pope
ICOA Rally Director
ICOA Rally Director
Posts: 2270
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2003 3:16 pm
Location: Lawrencburg, IN
Location: Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.
Rick Pope
Either garage is too small or we have too many bikes. Or Momma's car needs to go outside.

User avatar
Jeff Bennetts
Posting God
Posting God
Posts: 2408
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:38 am
Location: Ohio, USA
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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?

steve murdoch icoa #5322
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 4069
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:12 am
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada
Location: St. Catharines, On. Canada

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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.

Image

User avatar
Randakk
ICOA Member
ICOA Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:36 pm
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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:

Image
Randall Washington (Randakk)
Founder & Chief Executive Rider
Randakk's Cycle Shakk, LLC
Pinehurst, NC USA
www.randakks.com

User avatar
Jeff Bennetts
Posting God
Posting God
Posts: 2408
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:38 am
Location: Ohio, USA
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: CBX Handlebar Conversion Kit

Post 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?
Last edited by Jeff Bennetts on Mon Feb 06, 2012 12:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Post Reply

Return to “HANDLING: Suspension, Gearing, Frame Bracing, Non X Handling Part Upgrades, Rim Replacement Options, and more”