How to remove and replace handlebars

Hello everyone. Learning a lot in the month I've been visiting! I've been looking at a lot of pictures of all the cafe racers, and think they look great. Ease's ride rocks! Anyway, I'm not too mechanical but thought I could at least change out the handlebars on my '81 XJ750 Seca. I was thinking either drag bars or some of the clubman bars. But, I don't know the first thing about removing and replacing handlebars on a motorcycle. It can't be that diffecult, can it? If anyone would be willing to take some time to describe the process I'd really appreciate it!

Also, which would look better on a stock Seca?? If you look at the pictures of my bike in "my gallery", you'll see mine is pretty much stock except for the Jardine 4-1 exhaust. I'm also planning on adding the Maier Universal Sport fairing to it this spring.


Thanks everyone!

 

Posted this a while back (as you can tell by the paint 8)):

P.S. Thanks for the compliment!

I personally like the clubmans alot, but have recently switched to some clip on's... Still working out the bugs. Need to upgrade the master cylinder to a smaller one.

I recommend the clubmans, and if I thought I could get my money back on the clip on's and MC I'd consider it.

HOPE THIS HELPS! Don't be afraid! If you feel like you messed anything up there are alot of good people on here to help.

 

Oh, also, head over to mikesxs.com and pick up one of these top clamps if you're running either type of bar... You may have to grind off some material from the bottom like I did in order to get the proper clamping power:

 

the 750 XJ's and Seca's have black plastic handlebar covers on them that you will have to remove first before you see the actual "bar" like shown in the pictures above. They are not hard to remove though, there are screws holding them in place along the bottom of the bars. Also there should be two screws directly below the ignition key under the Yamaha emblem (if your bike still has the emblem).

 

Hey thanks for info guys! Great pictures Ease. I guess the only other question I have is about removing the throttle side and then getting it back together ensuring the throttle still works! Does the throttle side grip just slide off? And does the new one just slide on? Where/how does the throttle cable attach? Sorry for the "newbie" questions--I just want to make sure I do it right the first time!

Ease--I love the look of those clubmans. Do you have the dimensions on them, (height, pullback, etc.?) or are all clubmans the same?

Again, thanks a lot guys!

Muttly

 

oh man dude i feel like im looking at myself from a few months ago. hahahah. i had these exact same questions. muttly once you loosen the scews on the throttle cluster it will just slide right off. as long as you are somewhat careful it will all stay together. you wont have to re-attach the throttle or anything. just slide the throttle cluster back onto the new bars then tighten up the screws and re-install the new handlebars. also make sure that you have the cluster in the exact position that you want it in (so it wont hit the tank and where your hand can comfortably grip the front brake) before you fully tighten it.

i put gp touring handlebars on my bike. im planning on doing clubmans in the spring. i AM however worried that its going to be a tight fit on the 750 seca. we have the same bike =) i can definatly say that the clubmans WOULD hit the tank but there are ways around it. youll be very glad when you switch out the bars. the stock bars for the 750 are abysmal. later

ike

 

hi, my 82 xj750 maxim has the stock adjustable handlebars. i bought some clubmans and there was no where to attach them, so i got some bar clamps (that look like most of the ones on here) from a junk yard. but i'm not sure how to attach those... i have the hanldebars off and i'm down to the 2 holes that held the stock risers on. any help is greatly appreciated.

~zack

 

ps. i saw this question asked by someone else and they never got an answer. please redirect me if i'm wrong. thanks again

 

You won't be able to attach the after market bars to the Seca tripple tree clamp, there are no risers to mount the bars to. You will need an upper tripple tree from a Maxim with a pair of risers to mount to the upper tree. I used the upper tree from a 650 Maxim on my Seca (direct swap) and made a pair of risers (I wanted longer risers) and mounted Mini-apes so my arms would be straight out from my shoulders (way more comfortable than the stock setup for me)
The other alternative is to remove the stock handlebars and drill two holes in the upper tree to mount the risers to. I tried drag bars on mine, but they hit the tank when it's turned all the way to the stops. (You will need longer risers for drag bars) so I decided on higher bars. PD

 

From what I understand, you need the top triple clamp from a 750 Seca.
PM me if you can't find one at your local boneyard.
I'm parting one out. I even have the rare side covers!

 

TimetoRide,
No, the 750 Seca upper tree will not except 7/8" handlebars. There are no holes for risers. The stock Seca bars are mounted via two posts that are perminently mounted to the tree. He needs an upper tree with holes in it, like the ones on a 650 Maxim so he can install risers for the handlebars to mount to.

 

hi, i dont have a seca triple tree clamp though, i have a maxim. and there are just holes now where the little star-shaped posts, that stuck up to set the adjustable handlebars down onto, were. i know i could just drill out the holes on my triple tree to accept the (new) clamps, but i didn't know if there was a less permantly damaging way to do it on this site somewhere. it seems like you guys generally figure out how to do anything. but i also don't know what type of drill bit to use on this type of metal, all i have are wood drill bits. thanks again for any insight. ~zack

 

zwaterer,
No, there is no way to mount regular handlebars to your upper tree with out either cutting those knurled stumps off and drilling holes, or replacing the upper clamp all together. Sorry Dude.
I'm sure you can find an upper tree clamp on Ebay if you want to keep your stock tree for future use.

 

the knurled stumps just unbolt right out. then there are holes. but i guess i will be drilling them out then. thanks again, ~zack

 

Ok then good, That will work and you may be able to just bolt them back in with longer bolts if you want to use them again.
There must be a difference in some of the Secas, because the stumps on mine were part of the upper tree and were not able to be removed without cutting them. Ya learn something new every day!

 

I'm in the same boat! Love my Maxim but need her to fit me a little better.