I do not like the handlebars on my bike. They are too narrow and swept back for me. I am wanting to change them. I would feel better if they were a bit more forward, and flatter, maybe lower, and maybe even downsloping. But how do handlebars change bike handling? I can't find any decent information on the web and one person told me something I was surprised by...lowering the bars makes the handling more jittery.

Go ahead! It works great! Did that on my first TR1.

No sorry, that's what we call "Stummellenker". I thought of something like this: http://louis.de/?topic=artnr_gr&artnr_gr=10021197 (Streetbar) or this: http://louis.de/?topic=artnr_gr&artnr_gr=10021107 (Superbike).

Bye,
Schorsch

Hiya Bri.

I've just got another TR1 (an 84) and the first thing I did was change the bars.

The forks are 38mm diameter, and so are those on a honda vf500.

I had some vf500 bars in the garage, tried them and they're great!

you have to drop the forks through the yokes by about 40mm as the bars (clip on type)
mount on top of the yoke.

This isn't strictly a perfect swap - engineering wise, because you're relying on the clip on pinch bolt stopping the bar from rotating on the fork.
On the honda theres a cap screw on the underside of the bar that locates in a recess in the top yoke, but the TR yoke isn't meaty enough to let you sort it.

I think the handling is more secure with this mod, as more of your weight is towards the front wheel, instead of just hangin off the bars like a windsock.

I don't know if you're a scratcher, but the ground clearance is reduced slightly when you drop the forks.

I'm going to try some telefix clip ons that fit underneath the yoke - trying to go more cafe racer!

I'll let on if thats any good.

Hope I don't come across as a clever get writin this - just thought i'd let you know!
Cheers  - Paul

Hi Bri I think most after market clip ons have 2 or 3 pinch bolts,
but the vf500 ones have one pinch bolt & then use the head of a capscrew underneath the clamp to locate in a hole in the top yoke, like a peg in a hole.
I'm still using the vf bars, cos now i'm on with the new front end - i've ditched the zzr fork idea (theyre too short)
and now i've got some gsx750f forks & these come with damping adjusters too.
i'm fiting gsxr600 bars to these with an adaptor tube.
the cbr600 back wheel transplant has already transformed the bike - it feels so secure now - much less skittish, can't wait to get the front end in & have some real brakes too lol!