Handlebar fitting question for 74 250

[sdm]

I tried to fit a new set of handlebars to my 74 Penton 250 and had a problem with the horizontal bar that clamps on to the top triple clamp interfering with the fork caps to the point that it would not sit in the clamp saddle completely. The old handlebars are quite a bit narrower than most of the newer bars in that section so I guess my question is what mfg has something that will fit with an MX type bend. I found a couple ATV bars but don't like the bend so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sam

[chicagojerry]

on all my vintage penton/ktm's i use  renthal kawasaki hi-mini aluminum bars. (NOT fat-skinnies)i don't recall  the model #. but a good dealer can find it for you. i have used yamaha raptor bars as per jack penton's recommendation, but i prefer the renthal hi mini's.
chi jer

[Larry Perkins]

Sam,

Renthal has some Vintage/desert bend bars that I use for MX on my Pentons but they are a tight fit.  I know several Vintage woods guys that use one of the several bends of Mini bars that Renthal makes and they seem to be no problem at all.

Larry P

[Ron]

I use the Kawasaki mini KX-High bend, very nice shape and fits my 35mm Ceriani's no problem.
They are a little narrow for my liking (31"), so I made some 1" wide aluminum bar-extenders that plug into the ends of the bars.
Can't see them under the hand grip, but adds 2" and makes the bars 33" wide.
Ron

[sdm]

Thanks guys
I will look into all those recomendations. I have been doing a little trial and error with the Renthal trials bars on my 72 Montesa Cota trials bike and the bars I have do physically fit but are pretty high and a bit wide. At least the center section fits without hitting the fork caps... I think I will look closer at some of the  ones you guys are using however.
Thanks
Sam

[Mick Milakovic]

While we're on the topic, how wide do you guys like your bars?  Putting bark-busters on can make them pretty wide.  I have my MX bars at 30" and my woods bars at 29", then the bark-busters take them out to almost 31" clearance.

Mick

[joe novak]

Mick, The question I ask is how "narrow" can I cut my bars for woods riding.  I have found that for tight woods riding and hare scrambles, the narrower the bars, the easier it is to ride the track.   I push the brake lever and clutch lever almost all the way to the handlebar bend, then position the hand grip and throttle for a comfortable lever pull, then cut.  28" and less is fine for me.  Have gone less with a hare scramble only Penton 100.   I always weld a washer to the ends of my handle bars and weld the ends shut so that the grip ends do not get punched out, or water and mud fill the bar ends.   I apply silicone seal in a very thick bead along the inside of the clutch and brake levers so when the lever hits my fingers, damage in minimal.   Joe

[Mike Hufnagel]

Joe,
 Nice tip with the silicone on the levers, I'll have to try it (especially with the TY250 since I don't run any gaurds.

As far as bars go, I run 29" on my modern bikes and 30" on  my vintage ones.

74 Yamaha TY 250
75 Jackpiner w/ 250 eng.
80 Ktm Mc 400
82 KTM GS250II (import)
82 KTM 495
2) 84 Yam RZ350
98 KTM 300mxc
00 KTM Duke 2
06 KTM 950 Adv.
08 Suzuki DR70Z

[gooddirt]

Depending on the Bar; I have in the past turned the fork cap with the tube so the Hex edge point of the fork cap does not touch bar.