Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

esion
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Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

24 Jul 2012 18:06

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I am converting my kz400 to a cafe style bike (not really a racer, more for looks).

I was originally going to go with an Ace Clubman style handlebar, but recently I have been looking at clip ons. Are clip ons safe? Seems they could slide down while riding if they aren't snug. Anyone have experience with these?

Current Project - 1976 KZ400 conversion to Cafe Racer Styled Bike

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damarble
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

24 Jul 2012 18:40 - 24 Jul 2012 18:42

#538318

Do you like your eggs scrambled or sunny side up?

Clipons are perfectly safe, thousands are in use and you never hear about them slipping. You might lose some turning radius.

Clubmans are easy and a little cheaper. Take your pick.

Also, good call on "cafe style". Most so called "cafe racers" don't fit the mold and are honestly "styled" or "inspired".

Go green, buy a Kawasaki!

82 KZ750M CSR Build Thread

89 ZX600C Streetfighter

Last edit: 24 Jul 2012 18:42 by damarble.

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esion
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

24 Jul 2012 23:59

#538395

Anyone know of a company that sells a flat upper triple mount?

I found that dimecity has them for CBs, but couldn't find any for KZs. Is the only other way to just grind the old handle bar mounts off myself?

Current Project - 1976 KZ400 conversion to Cafe Racer Styled Bike

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cherokeekid58
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

25 Jul 2012 16:57

#538577

Idk about the flat upper tripple mount but im running handle bars off a 08 suzuki sv650. I judt flipped them up-side down, then spun em around. Like clip ons, just a whole handlebar.

Hahaha and i thought my JEEP addiction was bad; my Kz addiction is just as bad!!!

www.kzrider.com/filebase/cat_view/102-1982 ,

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cherokeekid58
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

25 Jul 2012 17:04

#538582

Idk about the flat upper tripple mount but im running handle bars off a 08 suzuki sv650. I judt flipped them up-side down, then spun em around. Like clip ons, just a whole handlebar.

Hahaha and i thought my JEEP addiction was bad; my Kz addiction is just as bad!!!

www.kzrider.com/filebase/cat_view/102-1982 ,

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faffi
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

25 Jul 2012 17:32

#538588

Clip-ons look right. Running normal handlebars upside-down looks like, well, handlebars mounted upside-down.

1977 KZ650B1
1980 F1 engine
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Carr_113
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

26 Jul 2012 18:26

#538822

esion wrote: ... Is the only other way to just grind the old handle bar mounts off myself?

DO IT! :woohoo:

If you choose not to, Clubmans are extremely easy and a LOT cheaper. If you decide to go for clip-ons, I would suggest a set that allows for replacement of the bar itself, so if you do happen to go down *knock-on-wood*, you can just replace the bar and not the entire assembly.

'74 Z1-A
'80 KZ750E
'80 GS750E
'81 KZ440
'79 XS650 (needs love)
'72-'73 CB350 (3 or 4, in pieces)

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loudhvx
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

26 Jul 2012 19:41 - 27 Jul 2012 11:52

#538849

I tightened in some stainless bolts into the holes so the holes would be filled after I cut the bar holders off and then sanded the whole works down on a simple belt sander.

This was on my buddy's bike.

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Last edit: 27 Jul 2012 11:52 by loudhvx.

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esion
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

26 Jul 2012 20:03

#538851

WTH!? No gauges? Thats just asking for a ticket.

Current Project - 1976 KZ400 conversion to Cafe Racer Styled Bike

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Carr_113
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

26 Jul 2012 20:39

#538856

^ One of many ways to be badass.

'74 Z1-A
'80 KZ750E
'80 GS750E
'81 KZ440
'79 XS650 (needs love)
'72-'73 CB350 (3 or 4, in pieces)

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cherokeekid58
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

27 Jul 2012 10:18

#538974

Id love to do clip ons, but i think the flipped bars look bad, especially for being free.

Hahaha and i thought my JEEP addiction was bad; my Kz addiction is just as bad!!!

www.kzrider.com/filebase/cat_view/102-1982 ,

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esion
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Re: Clip-Ons or Cafe Bar?

27 Jul 2012 11:41 - 27 Jul 2012 11:41

#538982

Okay interesting question, I was looking at my setup last night and was wondering if I remove the handle bar, then it leaves the bottom "U" holders on the triple tree mount. Anyone know if I could use the holes in the U holders to mount guages? This is a two birds one stone issue, 1) I don't have to grind them off, 2) The mounts for guages would be there.

Thoughts?

Current Project - 1976 KZ400 conversion to Cafe Racer Styled Bike

Last edit: 27 Jul 2012 11:41 by esion.

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