Converted to CLIP-ON bars

I just converted my bars to CLIP-ONS. I captured all the photos too so I can make a manual of it. We'll see how long I can stand riding it like this but one thing is for sure, the bike looks better with clip-ons (in my opinion).

I know a lot of guys have converted to standard bars from clip-ons. If you are selling your clip ons let me know.

Photos to come.

Funny.
I have a 2013 CR, and am considering converting to handle bars for longer rides.
I can do about 150 miles before the clip on rider crouch starts to bother me.

Took me almost 2 hrs to change over. They are my dads bars. He swaps back and forth all the time with standard to clip ons and back. I'm just borrowing them for a while to see if I like them for longer than just an hr here or there. Wont be until spring until I can report back but I'll make a manual for anyone who wants to swap them out.

Are these riser type clip ons or straight clip ons?
I have riser clip ons on a couple of sport type bikes and find them more comfortable than either regular bars on vintage bikes or straight clip ons on anything.
The Helibar riser bars in particular are extremely adjustable so you can get them in the ideal spot. A full crouch with straight clip ons was just too much weight on the wrists for me, however with the riser clip ons the weight on the wrists became almost nothing at 70 MPH and above.
This means that some of the weight from the upper torso is being carried by the wind, so this reduces the downward pressure on the spine. The net result is I can do a six hundred mile day in relative comfort on the 2 partial crouch rearsets and riser bar bikes , but only 350 miles Max on any of full handlebars type sit-up-and-beg Vintage bikes.
With the full clip on set up I am in pain after 5 miles!

Glen

Finding the right bars for my weird ectomorph torso has been difficult. Depending on the seat, handlebar, peg distances I need to experiment a bit to find the best bars. My CR with clip-ons actually has the best riding position of any bike I have owned that had clip-ons. However, I am older now and I’m no longer willing to sacrifice the body for them. So I will probably try to convert the CR to low bars, provided the cables and hydraulic lines fit.

The Clip Ons I converted to are the Norton OEM ones. I borrowed my dads bike for two days and went to work and they felt great so before I commit I'm borrowing the clip ons for a while and see how they are. I have the shorter lines available to me but chose to keep the longer lines on and it worked and looks fine. However, I'm pretty sure it would be tough to convert from OEM clip ons like on the 961 CR to standard bars without the longer brake lines. They are about 3" difference from visual without actually measuring them. Hopefully tonight I can start working on the Manual.

richard-7 said:

The Clip Ons I converted to are the Norton OEM ones. I borrowed my dads bike for two days and went to work and they felt great so before I commit I'm borrowing the clip ons for a while and see how they are. I have the shorter lines available to me but chose to keep the longer lines on and it worked and looks fine. However, I'm pretty sure it would be tough to convert from OEM clip ons like on the 961 CR to standard bars without the longer brake lines. They are about 3" difference from visual without actually measuring them. Hopefully tonight I can start working on the Manual.

Click to expand...

I realize that my convertion to handlebars will require a new upper triple tree with bar mounts, and longer hydraulic lines for brakes and clutch.
Not sure whether the CR throttle cables can be used or if I would need a longer set.
I think the headlight ears on the fork tubes will also have to be changed.

Right now I'm occupied with winter work on my '75 Mk3, so the CR will have to wait till spring perhaps.

Cafe Racer with USD Forks
I converted from standard clip ons to Woodcraft ones with a 2.5 inch rise. It makes a huge difference. No problem with the throttle cables, they still run above the bars, if there was a problem its possible to rotate them to run below the bars. I did have to change the brake hoses.

The woodcraft are well made but about 5mm wider at the clamp than standard, I got 2.5mm shaved off top and bottom rather than change any thing on the headlight ears. There is enough meat above and below the clamp bolts.

The top nut is some bastard size at 37mm good luck finding a socket.

YMMV
Skiddy

Here is the best pic I could find to compare. No adjusting Fork Tube positions or Head Light bracket replacing. Just replace Top Triple Tree Plate with the CLIP-ON plate and Bars. The Clip-On build up is slightly taller and makes the fork tubes flush when going this way. You will have to check where the fork tube are now if going to Standard bars from Clip-ons weather or not you will need to adjust the Tubes. I did not adjust the tubes at all to convert to clip-ons.


I wont get to try them until spring tho..... Unlike Mr. G81 Can Cycle and his track trips in the warmer Climate areas of North America. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

I made a manual tonight so I just need a once over in the morning and I'll send it out to everyone... Or if you're not on my list you can get the LOW RES copy on the CNW website.

BritTwit said:

richard-7 said:

The Clip Ons I converted to are the Norton OEM ones. I borrowed my dads bike for two days and went to work and they felt great so before I commit I'm borrowing the clip ons for a while and see how they are. I have the shorter lines available to me but chose to keep the longer lines on and it worked and looks fine. However, I'm pretty sure it would be tough to convert from OEM clip ons like on the 961 CR to standard bars without the longer brake lines. They are about 3" difference from visual without actually measuring them. Hopefully tonight I can start working on the Manual.

Click to expand...

I realize that my convertion to handlebars will require a new upper triple tree with bar mounts, and longer hydraulic lines for brakes and clutch.
Not sure whether the CR throttle cables can be used or if I would need a longer set.
I think the headlight ears on the fork tubes will also have to be changed.

Right now I'm occupied with winter work on my '75 Mk3, so the CR will have to wait till spring perhaps.

Click to expand...

You won't need to change the head light brackets. Just the Top Triple Tree Plate. Tomorrow it will be all clear - Look for my email with the Manual by noon. I added a PIC above to compare for you.

Manauls sent - check your emails.

Hello Richard , Got it . Thanks !

Just ask Norton for a quote for clip ons, so if anybody has a set, Richard is not the only one looking for a set. Although I am second in line for available sets

My dad ordered these clip ons with his SE along with the standard bars so he is going to want them back. Buying is cheaper than making in most cases so now we are looking for two sets of OEM clip ons. A set for each John and myself. If you are converting to standard bars and want to trade Then John first in line if he is up for a trade as I have nothing to trade for. But if anyone is just straight up selling a set please let me know.