Handlebars

CRF50 HANDLEBARS AND CONTROLS

The stock Honda CRF50 handlebars and controls are kind of toy-like. The grips suck and there are no replacements for them. The throttle is all on or all off with very little range of motion. So we decided it was time to look for alternatives...

BAR KIT: Our first try was a PRO TAPER bar kit ($229). It was a nice complete set (bars, triple clamp, throttle, brake lever, kill switch and cables). See photo below.

Key Feature: The best thing about the PRO TAPER triple clamp is that it overlaps the top of the fork tube adding strength. Most clamps are just a plate on top of the fork with very little overlap.

You lose the front number plate mount when you switch the stock CRF50 bars but I was able to use cable ties and attach it to the triple clamp (see photo below). I also cut of the extra plastic with a good scissor.

NEW BARS: Since the Pro Taper kit came with BMX style bars they were very high. They really made Ben ride with a sit up and beg style and although they opened up the riding position they were a little hard to control. In the end we got a pair of RENTHAL YZ85 bars ($65) and cut an inch off each end. The PRO TAPER triple clamp worked great with these bars and provide a way to mount the front number plate. You can buy the triple clamp separately and use the bars of your choice. The PRO TAPER SE bars are also a good choice. Go with one of the mini bends. While these weren’t much higher than the stock bars they are wider, can be used with a “real” throttle, brake lever and kill switch. And they look great and are the same bars the Honda factory riders use. They gave Ben a much more aggressive riding position and more control.

TRIPLE CLAMP OPTION: If I were to go with a motocross style triple clamp (since we ended up using MX bars) I really like the Applied clamp.

NEW LEVER: I later switched the brake lever to a really nice ASV C5 unit ($95), see Brake Lever section).

SERIOUS BARS AND CONTROLS!

We’ve been through many types of grips from Pro Taper and Renthal ($12). The bike now has a pair of Kevlar dual compound Renthals glued and wired. The Renthal (mini) bar pad was purchased separately ($15).

TECH TIP: Glue (non throttle side) and Safety wire (both) the grips to prevent them from turning. Waffle goes down.

TECH TIP: To install the new throttle cable it was necessary to remove one of the carb bolts connecting it to the intake manifold and rotate it down a little. Install new cable rotate back and bolt up.

TECH TIP: The Pro Taper triple clamp interfered a little with the cable guide attached to the fork tube. I ground a little of the clamp away with a Dremel for clearance.

TECH TIP: To get the main fork bolt to grab the spring when re-installing you may have to compress the fork a little.

TECH TIP: You will need a kill switch with extra long wires or you’ll have to splice some length yourself.

TECH TIP: When I cut the stem nut cover off of the stock number plate I filled the hole with a BMX grip end (Bell). It needed a little Dremel work to fit.