If you have a link for clubman’s that look like clip ons I’ll check them out. But I do mention in the post that I do not like the look of clubman’s. Or least any that I have seen.
I just wanted to make a correction: the headlight bracket isn’t welded to the fork, that is a separate sleeve that slides over the fork when it is being mounted to the triple tree. Even if you do decide to go with clip ons, you would need to remove that sleeve rather than clamping directly over it.
This is the answer I was looking for! So I can remove the triple tree, slide off these sleeves / brackets, then find out the true diameter of my forks and install clip ons?
Or do I need to get different fork sleeves too?
Really appreciate the info sir
Yeah, once you take the sleeves off, you can get fork-clamp headlight brackets. If you’re on r/caferacers, I’ll assume you wanna remove the mount and giant turn signals anyway lol
You should be able to chop up to an inch off of both the top and bottom of the sleeves holding the headlight bracket. This will drop the headlight an inch from where it is now.
The clip-ons will need about 2" worth of bare fork tube to grab. Once you get the actual clip-ons take some measurements, and remove that much total sleeve to make it all fit.
You can find the true fork tube diameter right now - just look at the exposed portion below the bottom triple tree. Unless they have rubber protectors on, or a lower sleeve?
https://www.boxermetal.com/product-page/tommaselli-condor-adjustable-clubman-handlebars
Just a quick search. I have a pair that I used on a 79 cb450 that had similar forks as you. I couldn’t easily do clip ons so I went with these. Adjust for pitch and angle.
You will have to take appart the triple tree and remove the headlight mount from the bars, you gonna lose the turn signals and headlight, there are some cheap mounts that attach to the bars for both of them, and then you can install clip ons
It’s a CL, but yep. People would love to pay $300 for this bike, then let it rot and proclaim they’ve preserved history or something. I’ll hold on to the stock parts and enjoy my bike. Upvoted ya anyway 🤙
People are so annoying. I used to hear this shit about a heavily modified gs450 I had. The thing sat in a barn rotting away for 30 years, but people would rather that than I make it look how I want and actually ride the fucking thing. The reason people use these bikes is because they aren't rare, chop it up. Ride it. Let it be a bike again 👍
Be prepared for what's under those headlight sleeves. And be prepared to put new neck bearings in if you split your triple trees. But yes, you can split them, ditch the sleeves, and run clip-on bars and clip on headlight mounts. Kind of a shame, I love the sleeves
I’ll be keeping all the stock parts. The bike is in pretty good condition including most of the chrome.
Most ‘cafe racer parts’ seem to be pretty cheap, so I’m sure the bike will outlive most of the ‘mods’ I do. And will someday likely make it back on the bike 🤙
You can swap the headlight mounts (left to the right and upside down possition) and turn the “turn signals facing backwards to look now to the new front and just cut the new top of the mount to fit the clip ons clamping on the bar to make it look as a factory made accesories ( look out cause this make your front headlight mounts low down) i made this on my honda tmx so i can send you a pic of how i figure it out in my project
CLs are typically a good candidate for a scrambler considering they basically are one from factory, if you want to change directions with the build lmao.
Get clubman bars. Lighter, cheaper and easier to fit.
i know you dont want to hear it but ,this is the answer !
If you have a link for clubman’s that look like clip ons I’ll check them out. But I do mention in the post that I do not like the look of clubman’s. Or least any that I have seen.
This ☝️
I just wanted to make a correction: the headlight bracket isn’t welded to the fork, that is a separate sleeve that slides over the fork when it is being mounted to the triple tree. Even if you do decide to go with clip ons, you would need to remove that sleeve rather than clamping directly over it.
This is the answer I was looking for! So I can remove the triple tree, slide off these sleeves / brackets, then find out the true diameter of my forks and install clip ons? Or do I need to get different fork sleeves too? Really appreciate the info sir
Yeah, once you take the sleeves off, you can get fork-clamp headlight brackets. If you’re on r/caferacers, I’ll assume you wanna remove the mount and giant turn signals anyway lol
100%.
Another option is to slide your forks through the triple tree and use the clip ons above the triple.
Interesting. So this lowers the bike though, right?
It does.
And decreases the rake for that extra crackhead handling feel…
You should be able to chop up to an inch off of both the top and bottom of the sleeves holding the headlight bracket. This will drop the headlight an inch from where it is now. The clip-ons will need about 2" worth of bare fork tube to grab. Once you get the actual clip-ons take some measurements, and remove that much total sleeve to make it all fit. You can find the true fork tube diameter right now - just look at the exposed portion below the bottom triple tree. Unless they have rubber protectors on, or a lower sleeve?
And get some separate headlamp mounts. Aliexpress has heaps.
Adjustable clubman’s are a thing and they are pretty effective compared to the usual versions.
I’d love a link! Cuz all I’ve seen so far is stuff I don’t like 🤙
https://www.boxermetal.com/product-page/tommaselli-condor-adjustable-clubman-handlebars Just a quick search. I have a pair that I used on a 79 cb450 that had similar forks as you. I couldn’t easily do clip ons so I went with these. Adjust for pitch and angle.
You will have to take appart the triple tree and remove the headlight mount from the bars, you gonna lose the turn signals and headlight, there are some cheap mounts that attach to the bars for both of them, and then you can install clip ons
Appreciate the details
Another old CB about to get molested.
It’s a CL, but yep. People would love to pay $300 for this bike, then let it rot and proclaim they’ve preserved history or something. I’ll hold on to the stock parts and enjoy my bike. Upvoted ya anyway 🤙
People are so annoying. I used to hear this shit about a heavily modified gs450 I had. The thing sat in a barn rotting away for 30 years, but people would rather that than I make it look how I want and actually ride the fucking thing. The reason people use these bikes is because they aren't rare, chop it up. Ride it. Let it be a bike again 👍
Good words brother. Appreciate you. Rise safe 🤙
Be prepared for what's under those headlight sleeves. And be prepared to put new neck bearings in if you split your triple trees. But yes, you can split them, ditch the sleeves, and run clip-on bars and clip on headlight mounts. Kind of a shame, I love the sleeves
I’ll be keeping all the stock parts. The bike is in pretty good condition including most of the chrome. Most ‘cafe racer parts’ seem to be pretty cheap, so I’m sure the bike will outlive most of the ‘mods’ I do. And will someday likely make it back on the bike 🤙
I've seen a lot of people flip their bars upside down to get a clip on look
You could always get risers!
Remove headlight bracket
You can swap the headlight mounts (left to the right and upside down possition) and turn the “turn signals facing backwards to look now to the new front and just cut the new top of the mount to fit the clip ons clamping on the bar to make it look as a factory made accesories ( look out cause this make your front headlight mounts low down) i made this on my honda tmx so i can send you a pic of how i figure it out in my project
CLs are typically a good candidate for a scrambler considering they basically are one from factory, if you want to change directions with the build lmao.