quawk
2nd Gear
Posts: 150
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Post by quawk on Dec 12, 2021 12:12:31 GMT -5
Charles, I'm assuming yours was the post I saw that referenced the "wheelbarrow" style handlebars. Did you purchase the bike with them already installed? No offense to those who like them, but I'm convinced (without actually riding with them) that I would dislike them. Yours is another example of having bars that seem to be what I have on mine, which is why I started this thread suspecting, although wrongly, that a 3rd style of bar was used. What are the K-81's? Who's the maker? I am still far from having to worry about tires for my bike yet, but at some point if I intend to ride it regularly, I'll have to replace the existing Goodyear Eagle tires presently on mine. I didn't realize Goodyear ever even made motorcycle tires till I saw them on this bike. I'm sure they're old.
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Post by wayne on Dec 12, 2021 14:40:01 GMT -5
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Post by charles on Dec 12, 2021 14:43:58 GMT -5
quawk --
The original handlebars for my RE-5A were the "American Standard" bars from that time period. The rumors were that after the movie "Easy Rider", a motorcycle didn't "look right" unless it had the high handlebars. There were some really ugly bikes that came out as a result. So, you would sit bolt upright with your arms extended and lifted up. Your back hurt as a result and you arms were tired - "...But do I look good?" Ummm...No.
The worst of it was the loss of "Feel". You weren't riding as much as "guiding" your motorcycle and the RE-5 was a big motorcycle.
I was amazed at how the bike felt after the 'bars were replaced! The next thing that happened was the replacement of the tires. K81's were made by Dunlop and they had a less rounded profile than the Conti's. Suddenly, I could lean the bike over and I KNEW how the bike was supposed to go. Just as suddenly motorcycling was FUN!!! The RE-5 was given the Title "The First Japanese Motorcycle that Handled" and it was true! Not, however, with the "Ape-Hanger" Original Handlebars and the wrong tires!
I have absolutely no idea what the right/best tires would be today but with just a little work, you will be amazed at what your Rotary can do!
Charlie
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quawk
2nd Gear
Posts: 150
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Post by quawk on Dec 22, 2021 10:44:43 GMT -5
Wayne, in your response to my post you state that the "high" handlebars that came on the AU bikes were the first thing in the bin. I assume this means they got trashed and replaced. Do you mean in favor of the "low" UK bars or something similar? Also, since starting this thread, I have purchased and installed a set of the U.S. high bars and am much more satisfied with the look and feel of them compared to the "ape hanger" style that I removed from my bike. I have seen that there is currently a set of bars on Ebay that the seller claims was removed from an RE5 and do look like the low bars shown on the UK bike in the pics you posted. Did all original Suzuki bars have the two knurled areas under the clamps? The listed bars on Ebay don't look to have the knurled rings.
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Post by wayne on Dec 22, 2021 18:18:32 GMT -5
Yes indeed. Aussies generally hated the high bars and went for a more Euro style lower bar. About 1978 or so our Japanese bikes started arriving with the lower Euro bars from the factory. I also removed my original RE5 bars but fortunately kept them as even back then, I though the bike was unique and would be worth preserving all original equipment.
I've owned a lot of Suzukis but doesn't make this definitive. All the ones I've seen are knurled. An industry friend just related to me that some of the newer replacement bars appeared to have even deeper knurls than the originals.
From the same source it seems after the end of RE5 production Suzuki still supported some parts and one of those was handle bars. They had a new part number and he suspects they were likely GS750 bars. They're very similar and only differ in the width and have deeper knurls (approx 77.5cm wide for the early and 80.5 for the later).
So three types of bars for the RE5. Low Euros and two versions of the US high bars although it's possible that they were just GS750 bars deemed "close enough" to supply to the RE5 market.
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nairb
2nd Gear
Posts: 132
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Post by nairb on Apr 11, 2024 12:32:37 GMT -5
Here is a set of uk re5m bars. They came on the bike and I "think" they are the originals. I have replaced them with a set of US gt750 bars, the same as on my gt750L which suit me better.
the pic.....
Oops, the forum has run out of space it says. I will add pic later if possible
Still says: Error: This forum has exceeded its attachment space limit. Your file cannot be uploaded
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Post by wayne on Apr 12, 2024 5:56:15 GMT -5
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