installing clip on bars(help)

[vhmpyr]

im attempting to install some clip-on bars on my gs. ive gone far as removing the old handle bars and and everything thats attached to it. the question is how do i lower the forks so i can have room for the clip-ons...need some instructions please...which one and where are the bolts that  i need to loosen to do this process.

thanks

[Jay_wolf]

On the top and bottom Triple

on the top there are 2 allen key bolts on the sides ,u cant miss them , just untighten them , u dont have to take them out , be very careful not to round them , as i round on my my Gsx Plate , and had to by a new one

On the bottom , there are 2 bolts , big heads . i think there 10/12 mm , do the same agen , in essance , there what holds the forks in , it would be helpful to have a biddy help ,l then let the forks come up , its easy , some ppl mount the clipones under the top plate , that would just intail removing the top plate then put them on , then the top plate and bolt it back on

Hope this helps

[mytwin]

Question, if you let the fork tubes slide up to mount the clip-ons would'nt that change the steering/head angle geometry. And what would that do to the handling of the bike?

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
You probably DON'T want to raise the fork tubes in the triple clamps so you can mount the clip-ons ATOP the upper triple clamp.
That would seriously change the rake and trail, ground clearance and handling of the bike.
Instead, you should lower the fork tubes out of the top triple clamp and then place the clip-ons onto the tops of the fork tubes, then reinstall the tops of the fork tubes into the top triple clamp.
In this way, the clip-ons are mounted on the fork tubes BELOW the top triple clamp, which allows the steering geometry to remain unchanged.
The 1989 GS500 was the only GS500 to come equipped with factory-mounted clip-ons but they used a special top triple clamp that accepted the clip-on bars atop the triple clamp.
It was a very nice way to do it. You can search the site here for pictures and more info about those.
Those parts are available used here sometimes and can be retro-fitted onto your bike, giving you a lower riding position without being as low as the clip-ons that bolt to the actual fork tubes.
Good luck,
Todd

[RobTheTyrant]

I've ridden mine with the top tree off and just the two triples on w/ clips ons... you don't have to drop the front very much to get the clip ons on top of the upper tree.  the only tow issues I had were clearance at full lock and rough bumps would get the front fender a little too close to the fairing for comfort with stock springs in the fortks.  I DID see it corner like a SOB.  Dropping the front end made it WAY easy to tuck the nose into corners.

[Absolute Rescue]

+1 to what rob said. I had to raise the forks maybe a half inch to install the clipons. Definately cornered a lot different (for the better in my opinion). Didn't have any issues with the fender and fairings.

[Jay_wolf]

I had the UK spec 1996 , it came with clipones that was mounted on to the top triple , very simular to the US 89 , now i have a Katana front end with clip ones above the plate , handles fine to me . i dont notice any real difference 

[natedawg120]

I did some math before I installed mine above the top triple and the top plate.  Moving the forks up as much as 3" minimally affects rake, no more than 1 degree.  This affects trail by no more than about 3/10", starts at a little more than 3.7" going no shorter than 3.4".  I have experienced no ill affects except with stock suspension the fender can tap the oil cooler.  I added .90kg springs and 15w fork oil and this is no longer a problem.

[vhmpyr]

thanks for all the opinions guys...but i will try and see what happens, if all fails then i guess ill buy myself a sm2 bars...the question remains on how to install the clip ons...i have not done what jay_wolf  had said but so far no one had corrected him or gave me any other way on doing this procedure...im guessing im good to go.

[Jay_wolf]

Infairness, adjusting the rake , is gonna feel a little different , its not dangorous or whatever , my bike handles like a dream , and there mounted above , on Dgyvers Race Bike , he had his clip ons  below the triple , i think its about comfort , up to u dude