Glenn I have ridden with a broomstick for handlebars. It was back in my teenage days on a Bultaco. I broke the mounts off hill climbing. The mounts were made into the upper triple clamp and I couldn't get a replacement so I just attached a broomstick to the clamp with wire and keep riding.
I'm more high tech these days (I'm using zip ties to hold the sole on my motocross boot).