CBR650F CBR500R handle bars on CBR650F Part 1 install.

[bishop]

Why am I doing this mod?

I'm a short guy, my arms are almost fully extended, and I'm not a young guy. My back hurts.
The CBR500R handle bars are vertical, the CBR650F handle bars are angled forward. This would help bring the bars closer to me.

So far, I recommended NOBODY DO THIS MOD, because of safety issues I'm encountering. Maybe someone can think of a better way of doing it, and figure a smart way from my experience/nightmare.

Here's Part 1.

Removed Honda thing inside the bar, if you peer back your clutch grip and remove the throttle tube, you need to press in the holes in the end to push down on the tab to remove. Their are two tabs.

My picture shows them removed and hard to see.



A close up shot of the tabs




Holes in bars for the pins to hold the Controls such as signal, kill switch, and throttle do NOT line up.

Top picture is CBR650F, bottom is CBR500R




Had to drill holes in proper places.
Used paper and trace where the holes are suppose to be with the original bars, then transferred to CBR500R bars.






LEFT SIDE ISSUES.

The turn signal hits the tank, but it does not hurt anything, it's enough to be a cheap auto cancel signal if you turn the handle bar all the way to the left. Very Dangerous if you get a tank slapper, and your thumb is there!!!

The CBR500R handle bars, seem to sweep more than the CBR650F, something I didn't think of, when purchasing the bars







RIGHT SIDE ISSUE!!!!

A super punch to my D***, Missed drilling a hole. I'm unable to install the throttle cable housing.
Have to meet my friend to use his drill press.

Other Issues. The cable for the horn is too short, I unplugged it, and will have to cut the wires and make it longer.


To be continued.............

 

[GPJake]

This is good info.

So what is the feeling so far on the left side while sitting on the bike? Does it give you a good position? Will the comfort be worth it once all is done?

 

[bishop]

This is good info.

So what is the feeling so far on the left side while sitting on the bike? Does it give you a good position? Will the comfort be worth it once all is done?

Bike is apart, no seat, no right side bar, waiting for friend to be free, so I can use his drill press.

Info coming soon.

 

[bishop]

CBR500R handle bars on CBR650F Part 2 install

Got my right handle bar drilled, here are the details.

Took CBR650F bar end and made paper template, to put over the CBR500R handle bar to line up holes.

Picture is CBR650F



When Installing, could NOT install front brake lever, had to move the brake line up, it's usually pointed down, in order to make it fit.

Hard to see in picture.



After installing, found the start buttons hits the fuel tank if I turn the bars all the way. It's only 1MM too big, so if I was to drop the bike, maybe a 1MM dent or the switch could break.
I don't see any reason, why I would need to turn the steering all the way.



Height

It looks a lot higher to me, but I don't remember what it looked like stock.

Look at my pictures and compare to your CBR 650F, is it a lot higher??




Does it look really high?

 

[bishop]

CBR500R handle bars on CBR650F Part 3 THE RIDE

BE WARNED, I AM STILL TESTING MY NEW RIDE.
SOME OF THE STUFF MIGHT BE MY IMAGINATION, I'LL GIVE UPDATES WHEN I HAVE LOTS OF SADDLE TIME.

Enjoy!!!!

Bishop


I feel more bunched up when sitting, which is me not being used to riding more up right, I'm a small guy. For bigger riders, this might actually be an issue.

My CBR650F feels like a cross between a CBR500R and CB650F. It's more upright like the 500R but has the power of a 650, Not as upright as a CB650F.

I was able to lean more aggressively than ever before.

I felt like a street ninja, my friend noticed my riding style was a total 180. I usually can NOT keep up with my friend. My friend this this time could NOT keep up with me

Steering has improved, It was fun riding, and I struggled less.

My chest is over my Givi tank bag, and no hitting issues. Before the chin of my helmet kept hitting it. (I'm small)

Misc Stuff:
Top of my bum hurts, and legs feel weird, cause I'm not used to the new sitting position.

At a stop light, easier for me to keep bike up right, before it was harder, my arms are bend more so more control?

Rear Suspension felt a little bit harsher. Maybe because my weight has shifted more to the rear?

Foot controls feel weird, I need to adjust them, because I'm sitting totally different, kept missing shifts.

Hand Controls need to be adjusted or I need to re-learn. I'm sitting totally different, and I kept going way over the speed limit.

Front suspension seem to need LESS preload, I have ohlin shocks with preload adjusters. I placed a zip tie on the fork to see the travel, after riding around the same routes, I found it didn't travel that much. I'm assuming it's because I'm not placing as much weight on the front, because of my new sitting position?

Getting blast of wind in my face and I'm tearing with my visor open. Before I was so low and gasping for any air.

Before glasses, kept sliding forward all the time, with new sitting positions I no longer have that issue.

That's all for now, will get back to you people with more updates when I get some more hours.

Cheers!

 

[bishop]

Stock height vs my CBR500R handlebars.

Hope it helps.

 

[bishop]

Update!

Also happens at 1-5 KM speeds and when I'm parking.

Issues with the front brake line, if I turn all the way left, the front brakes pressure will increase a little, I can feel it in the brake lever when I'm braking. I'm going to have to get new brakes lines that are 1 inch or more longer?

This gives me issues when I'm trying to park or move the handle bars all the way.

Also the turn signal switch and starter switch keep hitting the tank when I'm moving around at super slow speeds when I'm parking, really annoying. if the switches were 1 MM shorter, I would NOT have this issue.

 

[Brammers]

On the brake line front ... all you need is the single line that goes from the master cylinder to the ABS modulator (the connector for this is under the tank - sorry!). No need to replace the caliper hoses, as they connect at the top of the radiator and not the handlebar area.

Ring Hel or Goodridge, they should be able to sort you out.

HTH
J

 

[santhoshs]

Update!

Also happens at 1-5 KM speeds and when I'm parking.

Issues with the front brake line, if I turn all the way left, the front brakes pressure will increase a little, I can feel it in the brake lever when I'm braking. I'm going to have to get new brakes lines that are 1 inch or more longer?

This gives me issues when I'm trying to park or move the handle bars all the way.

Also the turn signal switch and starter switch keep hitting the tank when I'm moving around at super slow speeds when I'm parking, really annoying. if the switches were 1 MM shorter, I would NOT have this issue.

Santhosh here from Bangalore, India. can you provide the picture of the final mod. how comfortable you feel compared to stock position.

 

[bishop]

Santhosh here from Bangalore, India. can you provide the picture of the final mod. how comfortable you feel compared to stock position.

I got rear ended. Bike is in the shop.

When I was riding it, it was a lot better for me. I'm 5'6

 

[Road Hog]

Man ,you have been having some bad luck.I hope it all works out for you in the end!

 

[Rockstargate]

I just did this mod using the CBR500 clip-ons.
It's winter and the bikes in the kitchen so no test rides yet.
All seems great though!
When drilling my holes....I put masking tape over the bar and the tested for best position for switch housing so it wouldn't hit the tank.
When I found the best position, I pushed the housing into the tape hard to make a mark/indent where the holes should be, then drilled it.
I also replaced the front brake lines with 80cm steal braided lines. I don't have ABS so I ran a separate line for each caliper down from the master cylinder.
The switches do not touch the tank at all
I should also mention, the switch housings are turned more downward than stock. This means the turn signal switch is more under the bar. This doesn't affect me at all because I have big hands, 3xl gloves, and can reach easily. This may or mat not be an issue if you have small hands but my wife has small hands and she says it's fine.

 

[ghehen]

I just did this mod using the CBR500 clip-ons.
It's winter and the bikes in the kitchen so no test rides yet.
All seems great though!
When drilling my holes....I put masking tape over the bar and the tested for best position for switch housing so it wouldn't hit the tank.
When I found the best position, I pushed the housing into the tape hard to make a mark/indent where the holes should be, then drilled it.
I also replaced the front brake lines with 80cm steal braided lines. I don't have ABS so I ran a separate line for each caliper down from the master cylinder.
The switches do not touch the tank at all
I should also mention, the switch housings are turned more downward than stock. This means the turn signal switch is more under the bar. This doesn't affect me at all because I have big hands, 3xl gloves, and can reach easily. This may or mat not be an issue if you have small hands but my wife has small hands and she says it's fine.

really clever drilling holes. And now you have a sport city CBR650 ), nicely done. I have a plan to remove windscreen and install CB650F handle bar for upper position when i getting older ). It's will look like a stunt bike LOL

 

[Dirkplatinum]

You could just buy taller risers seriously woodcraft and driven make clipon risers up to like 4”. Just my two cents . Way less of hassle .

 

[bishop]

FYI, Update, but new issues.

I installed CBR500R handle bars, but found it sweeps too back, your wrists are at a weird angle. So I replaced the top triple tree with a CBR500R one.

Well my wrist are better, but now I can't get the steering lock to work.

Before with the CBR650F triple tree the turn and start buttons would hit the middle of the tank, but I could still lock the steering.

Now, the buttons hit higher, but no way I can lock the steering.

Also removing the ignition key is a pain, the bolts are sheared to prevent someone from stealing. I had to tap them out when switching it to the CBR500R triple tree.

Just letting people know my issues, if you want to attempt the mod.

I will try to post pictures later.