Handlebars

[quawk]

Have read the other posts on the different handle bar styles that came on these bikes. Am confused about how many different bars were used. Other posts seemed to indicate there was a bar used in the UK and a different one on U.S. bikes. Have seen the post that had a picture of these two bars together for comparison. I have both an '"M" and an "A" model bike and the bars on these bikes are the same as each other but are different than the described and pictured bars in the other posts. They both have a considerable rise and a severe pull back with a narrow spread between the bar ends. I remember one member referring to a handlebar he had as  having wheelbarrow handles type curve and pull back. That would be a good description of my bars. Although I can't prove it, I suspect both of my bikes have their original bars. Without having ever gotten to the point of being able to ride either one, from just sitting on and pushing these bikes around my shop, I can tell I would hate riding with these bars on the bike. With the handle ends pointing nearly straight back at the rider and the narrow spread of the handle ends, you just don't have much leverage when trying to turn the forks/wheel. So I guess my question is was there three different handlebars installed new on these bikes. As I get nearer to getting my bike to where I could actually ride it, I will be looking at replacing my bars with a different bend bar. I welcome any input and suggestions.

[wayne]

From what I've seen over 40 years, there are only two styles of stock handlebar. Poring through the factory parts manual for M and A backs this up:


56111-33600 low handlebar. The low bars were supplied to UK, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria. This is a UK "Barn find" bike and I'd suspect these bars are original. If you've a better picture of original UK bars, please PM me






Here's a picture of a beautiful resto by a former board member. I can't confirm, but I'd suspect Mick restored it to UK stock. The bars look the same as the barn find:





56111-37000 High handlebar everywhere else which includes Australia (probably NZ) and Italy. In AU, first thing in the bin when you got the bike back in the day.

[quawk]

The handlebars on my bikes look nothing like either of these two different bars. The bars on my bikes seem to be identical and they came from two different previous owners and two different parts of the country (U.S.). This and the description by another member of his bars being like wheelbarrow handles, which are how mine seem, is what made me question if there wasn't another bar set used when these bikes were built. You have been around these bikes much longer and are much more of an authority than I, but I find this to be puzzling. I can't remember for sure but I think the other member that made the wheelbarrow handle description thought the bars may have made sense on bikes equipped with the optional fairing. Anyway, will be looking for an alternative to these odd bars.

[wayne]

The fact you've got two bikes with the same bars does make you think they were somehow standard. But only two are listed in the parts book.

The standard high bars work very well with the fairing (see my avatar, stock bars + fairing). There is no danger of hitting the windscreen or anything else with them so a more extended or angled bar isn't required.

Thanks for bringing this up and contributing. You may notice I've moved your thread into the FAQ section where it's easier access to researchers like yourself.

[quawk]

As an added note to my previous post, there is a current listing on Ebay for a set of handlebars that the seller lists as being from an RE5 and they look like the bars on my bikes. A relatively tall rise, a swooping pull back curve and the bars ends pointing back towards the rider. Another reason I questioned if there was another bar used on these bikes.

[wayne]

See what you mean on ebay. 100% not an RE5 handlebar and never has been stock RE5. That recycler may have taken it off one but guaranteed it didn't leave the factory with that.

It may have been popular in the day like the "Mr Seats" RE5 King Queen seat. You'll see a lot of them on used RE5's listed for sale but they're not stock and never listed as a Suzuki option for the bike. But today, you may be led to think those seats were stock as they turn up regularly.

[decotriumph]

For what it's worth, this is my first RE5, which I bought new in 1975 and made no changes to; photo taken about 1976.



And my current 1976 RE5, 3600 miles, previously 1-owner (a Suzuki dealer) and no changes made.

[wayne]

What a nice '76. And great nostalgia shot on the M. Both have the same stock high rise bars correct for the US market.

[janski]

I would give that "A" an A+ My "A", and "M" came with slightly bent high spec bars as both came from the US, the "M" now has a bar from a GT550, and the "A" has GT750 bars, almost UK spec, and excess cable the only problem. How far apart are the RE original, and the GT versions?

[quawk]

Decotriumph, great pics, both of them. Love the first one... load up the kids and go for a ride. And your current bike looks to be first class. I'd guess about all of the members here, including me are envious of that one and would like to have it.

[timpa136]

Dec 5, 2021 14:38:41 GMT -5 quawk said:

Have read the other posts on the different handle bar styles that came on these bikes. Am confused about how many different bars were used. Other posts seemed to indicate there was a bar used in the UK and a different one on U.S. bikes. Have seen the post that had a picture of these two bars together for comparison.

As I get nearer to getting my bike to where I could actually ride it, I will be looking at replacing my bars with a different bend bar. I welcome any input and suggestions.

I would suggest you try them for a few miles anyway. The bars first felt a bit awkward from

my early GT but I soon felt comfortable with them. Perhaps an early GS series would be a good alternative.

[wayne]

Dec 7, 2021 7:16:40 GMT -5 janski said:

How far apart are the RE original, and the GT versions?

I can only go on memory from when I was restoring a GT750M alongside my RE5M. I was surprised how different the bars were. Just from memory, the stock GT bars were a little lower but felt wider.

[janski]

Thanks Wayne, a trustworthy observation, are any dimensions, lengths, angles available, just for reference, and for the purists out there.

[wayne]

A busy few days coming up but I have a genuine high bar. I'll measure it and post. Give me a week.

[charles]

Here is a different picture that looked similar to my RE-A AFTER handlebar replacement.  The brand name was "Superbike Bars" and were 2" rise bars.

I always have to say this: The single greatest improvement I made on the bike was replacing the wheelbarrow originals with bars similar to what you see here.

Replacing the Continental Rim Protectors with K-81's was #2.