Hitchcocks Forum

I have always run my trusty Bullet 500 with Thunderbird type bars. Interestingly, however, it never cornered with the same feeling of stability as my old rigid framed Matchless G3 despite the fact that I use the same Avon Skidmasters on both. Last week I had a sudden urge to change the bars and have fitted a set of lowish 1950s type bars sent with their usual efficiency by our hosts by return of post. The transformation is staggering. I now corner like Geoff Duke (!! in my dreams!) but the Bullet feels wonderful. I now drive around seeking twisty roads and tight roundabouts to enjoy the sheer joy of feeling in total control.
Surprisingly I am now getting less arm ache than with the higher bars - so all in all a great success.
What experience have you folks had wit different bars?

Hi Winkie, I'm sure there is truth in what you've found, Could it be a slight shift in centre of gravity. i.e. leaning forward slightly has shifted weight further forward plus less wind resistance.
I have found with scramble type bars that sitting upright in the wind blast (sounds faster) really makes the arms ache after an hour.. More importantly the front end seems skitterish especially if i let go with one hand at 60plus.. Trouble is i do love the look and ease of manhandling around the garage etc.. Might change back one day.. gwilly

i've got the standard 'bars on my as yet unridden (by me) '94 Bullet.if i keep it i might put my 18in ape's on i still have from my first bike in the '70's

Glad you have seen the light Winkie. I could never see a single good reason for having high handlebars. Turns you into a sail in the wind, less control of the bike, arm ache very quickly and leads to a position that puts all your weight on your arse thus leading to more discomfort. I find it amusing that the harley custom brigade in addition to the high bars like to make their bikes hard tail, add forward controls thus rendering any bike as uncomfortable as humanly possible. It's probably why they fit those tiny peanut tanks so they have a valid excuse to stop every hour or so.

Hi winkie. Could you please put the part number on the board very interested in your find cheers phil

Hi winkie. Could you please put the part number on the board very interested in your find cheers phil

The bars I fitted are part no 34625 as fitted to early 50's Bullets. I think they look and feel great and can't see myself ever changing back. It feels like a different bike and I have been riding around with a stupid grin on my face ever since. And I am very impressed with the cornering abilities of the old thumper - I never realised how good handling a Bullet could be!

I've always found that the 'bend' of the bars that makes the difference. I've had bikes that had their original bars made my wrists ache. I changed them for a different 'bend' and the problem was solved. My Lightning has hi-rise bars and they're very comfy.

I've a mate with a Moto Guzzi Stone Californian. A cruiser thing with an 1100cc motor. I drove it when he first bought it and whilst it was a country mile better to ride than the 1800 Suzuki Boulevard that you need to power on to lift around corners it was still a horrid thing to ride. Two weeks later he brings it round with new straight (ish) bars and what a transformation. Rather than being like steering with bits of bent fence wire it was a totally tractable and pleasant machine with bags of welly. I see some chaps riding Harley's and their orphan spawn around with the bars above their heads and I wonder how hideous they must be to control. Not so daft as folk eh!

-------------- conversely Joyce and I rode our California 1100i 1,000 miles around the coast roads of the Irish Republic and had no trouble at all from any department....