Hitchcocks Forum

I've been toying with the idea of fitting crash bars to Thumper. On the rare occasion that one finds it necessary to 'step off', as they say, but I thought I would sound out the gentlemen here.


So, my question is, do they offer any real protection or are they merely decorative?


I was considering this one from our hosts (Part no. 200024, page 126)...





With any necessary apologies to Mr. H. for nicking the photo from the catalogue...

cant help you with an answer, but I quite like the one that is a simple straight bar with ball ends. 2 big jubilee clips and a length of scaffold tube and sorted!

I have the bars shown in your post the only thing I was not to happy with was the vertical rail each side protruded up a few inches with a round steel ball on the top could be a hazard and just did not look right so I cut the sticky up bits off and fitted plastic plugs, I doubt if you would get much protection in a real crash but could certainly save the day if the bike is knocked over or bumped into, overall happy with them



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[center]Ammo with crash bars

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Handy to put tinsel around at christmas!

But then, they all get that don't they?...

Decorative --- yes, but in a low speed tumble they can also limit cosmetic damage. They won't do much in a sliding up the road at speed situation. Mine have performed very well in protecting me and the panniers in situations when a gravel car park meant I lost my footing and the plot was lost and another time when I thought the side stand was down securely and it wasn't. They are also handy for hanging spot lights , AA badges, and leg shields on at the front and as a secure handle for hoisting the bike unto the centre stand at the rear. Over all I like the idea of crash bars especially when they are designed to protect modern bodywork. I also ride a Valerdero and a simple slide up the road could result in the insurance company writing off the bike due to the cost to a couple of fairing panels and a dented tank. Ian

They could save a leg from being hurt in the even that the bike fell over because of a slip of the foot or the side stand not down properly with the rider still partially on the bike, as mentioned above.

Despite making the engine look like it's in prison, I think they are a good idea. Mine has a single, simple rounded chrome bar setup without the three wrap-around bars at the end which would provide a similar sort of of protection should one have to erm, 'part company with the beloved' in a small spill say.

Thanks gents.. I never really expected these to be of much help in a 'crash' situation but I was hoping for a little protection at low speed spills or such. Which is basically what you've all said here. I suppose the term 'crash bar' is a little over the top. I think we should call them 'fenders'. (Think maritime..)


I'll probably go with it and order the bars shortly.

I fitted item no 200023 from our hosts following a silly incident when I stopped to let my missus off the Memsahib seat and lost my footing. If she'd not been there to lift the bike off me . . . well, I'd probably still be in the pub carpark today being fed Guinness through a straw! You can see the bars fitted to my Classic 500 here https://www.flickr.com/photos/nigelphot ... 693858110/

@Nigel..

Lovely photo and a lovely machine. Hope you didn't scratch it when you tipped...


Everyone deserves to see the piccy, so here goes..