From: DUANE TAYLOR Electronic:duane -A- taylorclassiccycles.com
Subject:handlebars Date:Wed May 5 11:47:54 2010
INTERESTING OBSERVATION???

HANDLEBARS.
Have you noticed that almost (as in not all) handlebars you see at any swap meet do not have the grip sleeve for the throttle control. As and also, you virtually never see a grip sleeve as a loose part you can buy. I have some 25-30 handlebars in my "collection" and only one has a grip sleeve. That is a problem to solve, which I have now done though I did not want to. I do need some information:
Early handlebars, 1948-52 (questionalble end date)
These had the neck with a fusiform (blended) weld into
the handlebar. Nicely ground, polished. Very labor
intensive.
Late handlebars. 1953?? to 1959. Geometry for the bar is the same. However:
The neck stub is lap welded to the bar, not fusiform
or blended to the bar. Much easier to fabricate
and finish.
Later handlebars. 1960to 1966. Different geometry and
and grip sleeve.
MUTT & any other judges.
Do you add,subtract points for the different bars
48-59 ??. When did the neck change occur? Factual
please. Pictures, factory documentation ??

Thanks for the help, if any.
I am finishing the handlebar production next month. Will make some of each if needed or wanted.

Duane Taylor