Question for the PR guys

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

I’m sure that pure nortonians think that a production racer is blasphemy, but I really like the racing history and look of the racers.

The one I’m building (like all racers) can be converted back to a Roadster or whatever with a switch of a seat and a tank.

So where I am is getting the body work prepared and hopefully have a roller by next weekend.

My question is the handlebars. I could easily do clip ons when I put my headlight in the front fairing, or I could go clubman bars that would fill the void left by the handlebar bracket.

It seems that both put you in basically the same riding position so I’m wondering why I see so many clip ons and so few clubman bars.

What are you using on your racer and why do you prefer one to the other?

nortriubuell · Mar 1, 2020

I used the "low clubman bars" for a while years ago. Way easier to change over to "normal handle bars" ... than fiddle about with the "clip ons" that go on the fork tubes? (stanchions?) PITA extra work (to me)

... what with removal of front wheel and disassembly of fork triple tree. To each his own though ...

Richard Tool · Mar 1, 2020

If you are going to have a fairing I don’t know if the clubman bars will work in the upright position so you may as well use clip ons.
Plus, with clip ons you have an excuse to get rid of the stock head light brackets . Yes , I have them ( stock head light brackets) on my build and I hate them . Cheap looking and though they are brand new the plating job sucks. Next winter I hope to come up with something better.

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

Sort of how I see it, the clip ons are when you’re really committed to a racer and the clubman are when you’re more like 75%.

But man they are easier than dropping the forks.

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

Richard Tool said:
If you are going to have a fairing I don’t know if the clubman bars will work in the upright position so you may as well use clip ons.
Plus, with clip ons you have an excuse to get rid of the stock head light brackets . Yes , I have them ( stock head light brackets) on my build and I hate them . Cheap looking and though they are brand new the plating job sucks. Next winter I hope to come up with something better.

That’s a fair point. I’m still working on the fairing. The guy I’m getting it from has been away, but you may be right. The fairing may only fit with clip ons.

dynodave · Mar 1, 2020

Street touring fairing and PR/Dunstall 1/4 fairing are totally different.
The street frame mount(Vetter) or touring handlebar mount are also quite different from each other. You still need euro or western bars.
2 shown here at bottom of page: http://atlanticgreen.com/ntfbrgls.htm

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

This is the fairing I’m getting.

Ron L · Mar 1, 2020

When I built my cafe racer with a PR fairing, I tried to use clubman bars, but I could not get them to fit without raising the fairing mounts until my headlight would not fit. I used a pair of Tomaselli fully adjustable clip-ons and still had issues with clearances at full lock.

'75 Cafe racer

Ron L
Nov 15, 2017

Sold.

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

Ron L said:
When I built my cafe racer with a PR fairing, I tried to use clubman bars, but I could not get them to fit without raising the fairing mounts until my headlight would not fit. I used a pair of Tomaselli fully adjustable clip-ons and still had issues with clearances at full lock.

'75 Cafe racer

Ron L

Nov 15, 2017

Sold.

Your bike is absolutely gorgeous. The tank makes it although it looks great any way you look at it.

How is your seat attached? Is it the claw on the front or seat tabs?

acadian · Mar 1, 2020

I doubt clubmans will clear the PR fairing.

I'm running adjustable Tomaselli's as well, most of the clearance issues were with the MC, moving the entire lever/MC perch inboard solves the issue, and allows the clip ons to sit higher on the stanchions. I test fitted a 900SS fairing with a larger opening and it still requires clip ons.

900SS fairing, you can see how large the clip on opening is comparatively

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

Are Tomaselli’s considered the best?

acadian · Mar 1, 2020

Norcoastal said:
Are Tomaselli’s considered the best?

I wouldn't think so. Tomaselli's are well built as far as adjustable units go, but they don't come in 34.5 mm, you have to get the 34s and bore them out to fit. I have tried the Tarozzi's versions but the clamp assembly was not as robust and continually loosened.

Norcoastal · Mar 1, 2020

Thanks for the info!

Fast Eddie · Mar 1, 2020

You can fit 2 piece clip ons that can can removed without stripping the forks. Woodcraft make them. They also make them in ‘riser’ versions, but I doubt they’d work with your faring.

I used them previously as I wanted to be able to swap from roadster the cafe racer quickly. They’re nice kit and well made.

You may find them cheaper on eBay etc, but for reference:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/woodcraft-clip-ons

gortnipper · Mar 2, 2020

Woodcraft make nice stuff.

Bernhard · Mar 2, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
You can fit 2 piece clip ons that can can removed without stripping the forks. Woodcraft make them. They also make them in ‘riser’ versions, but I doubt they’d work with your faring.

I used them previously as I wanted to be able to swap from roadster the cafe racer quickly. They’re nice kit and well made.

You may find them cheaper on eBay etc, but for reference:

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/woodcraft-clip-ons

I could be wrong but they don't look like they would survive a crash.

swooshdave · Mar 2, 2020

Bernhard said:
I could be wrong but they don't look like they would survive a crash.

They’ll survive better than standard bars because they can twist on the fork tube.

Fast Eddie · Mar 2, 2020

Bernhard said:
I could be wrong but they don't look like they would survive a crash.

On the contrary in a way... first there’s what swoosh said. Then the additional benefit of these type is that the ‘tube’ is separate. So if it bends it’s very easy and cheap to replace.

Whereas if your ‘traditional’ clip ons bend, you gotta strip the front end to replace them.

swooshdave · Mar 2, 2020

I think you found your answer, clipons because you need the adjustability to clear the fairing.

You also need to think about the headlight/fairing bracket. The one from Norvil will massively reduce your turning radius, making it highly unpleasant on the street.

With the Norvil bracket I found using their optional spacer helps this significantly.

acadian · Mar 2, 2020

Dave's right.

IMHO the bracket is the bigger issue. Lots of fettling to get it set up correctly to allow for fork travel, lamp height, clock clearance etc... And then consider the rigidity of the bracket and fairing, buzzing and vibrating at speed. Many just end up fabricating one themselves.

Question for the PR guys

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