Tree interchangeable?

Have a 1981 KZ650 csr. Could I just swap out the upper tree with a older style . So I could eliminate the handlebar clamps to lower and run clamp on bars? Thanks in advance.

What steering head are you considering? Some of the later GPz models had clip-on bars, but I'm not aware of anything earlier. For something like this you may have to swap the entire front end or at least the fork assy. I doubt that any old triple will swap. For one thing, the donor would need to be from a model with 36mm fork tubes >> you can check fork sizes at the ohio cafe racers fork tube conversion chart which lists many models. Also, the CSR triple tree is kind of straight across, whereas some models are angled forward, such as the KZ750E. usually to allow clearance for a larger tank.

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It might be a lot easier to grind or mill the handlebar mounts off and repaint.

He'll also need to slide the fork tubes up, which will lower the front end.


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He might want to run the clamp-ons without modding the stock tree. Then after he finds that he hates the backaches that surely will come from using clamp-ons on the street he can revert back to handlebars. :laugh: Ed

Aren't clip-on handlebars kind of similar to having superbike bars?


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Not really. Superbike bars have an inch, inch-and-a-half of rise. Clip-ons are attached to the fork tube and are usually mounted directly below the top triple clamp, giving an inch or two of drop. (Some people move them down father.)

You might be thinking of clubman bars: they're designed to emulate the riding position of having clip-ons with the ease of installing a tubular bar.

Like Ed said, try the clipons before you change the fork yokes. Or try clubmans. Clubmans are very similar to clipons, but the clipons still require a slightly longer reach and are a bit lower. Be aware, some clubmans are not wide enough to fit properly.

Other than your comfort, there are a few other things to consider and plan for. With clubmans or clipons, you will want to modify the steering stop or you will definitely be hitting the tank with the controls. These old bikes have way more turning ability than they need so limiting the travel doesn't really affect anything but maneuvering in the garage and many modern bikes are like that nowadays. The steering lock can still work fine as long as you limit the steering precisely to allow for it, or you can just shave the steering stop a tiny bit and no one will ever notice.


If you like the clipons and are ready to commit, you can just mill off the bar mounts. But you will need to take it to a good welder who can fill in the holes, cosmetically. Then sand it smooth and paint.

Another option is to use body filler. We tried both. I prefer the welding. My buddy did his with bondo and so far (7 years later) it still looks like new. The results are similar.

I wouldn't cut lower than the top of the big bolt, since that is going to stick up there anyway.

Here are some photos from when we did a couple 550's.