how to clip-ons

[GRU]

does anyone know how to make clip-ons (that attach to the forks) fit the GS...i looked at my bike and it looks like the headlight bracket is in the way and needs to be modified

i'm geting clip-ons in the mail soon and now can't figure out how to make them fit without losing my headlight

thanks

[JamesG]

Should'a thought of that first don't ya think?


On my SV, I was able to flip the headlight fork brackets over to get the clearance for the set of Vortex clipons to fit.  The only "side effect" was that the headlight was an inch or so lower.

The GS's are similar, but depending on the thickness of the clipons you are getting and the smaller 37mm tubes, I donno if it will work.
:dunno:

[The Buddha]

OK on a GS it wont work.
However you can slide the fork tubes up into the clamps a bit and have a inch lower ride height but have enough tube to clamp them on top.
Cool.
Srinath.

[GRU]

i did think about it but my friend made clip-ons for his ex500 and doesn't like the look on his bike so he sent them to me

they are homemade and didn't cost me anything but shipping and since i want clip-ons really bad, i'll have to make it work

thanks james

[GRU]

However you can slide the fork tubes up into the clamps a bit and have a inch lower ride height but have enough tube to clamp them on top.
Cool.
Srinath.

is that possible? can you explain please?

thanks

[b1k3r 3li+3]

well here is some info for ya to help you out. the stock upper fork tubes for the gs 500 are 37mm. so any 37 mm clip on will fit, its liek you said the headlight mountinb brackets in teh way.

[The Buddha]

Ok loosen the bolts that hold the fork tubes in the triples... and slide them up, or push the bike down. On centerstand you can push down on the handlebars and they will get the tubes in. Push in as much as you want. then Tighten the bolts in the triples. Then fit your clip on's
Cool.
Srinath.

[JamesG]

Uh no.  Don't do that unless you know what you are doing. I imagine you will need a minimum of 1" to put the clipons on top of the clamp. This will take that much ride hight out of the front end and seriously sharpen the rake and trail of the fork.  This will lead to instability of the bike, making it prone to tank slappers, falling into turns, and other bad things.  
Racers sometimes "raise" the forks in the clamps to quicken up the steering, but not just to have someplace to hang thier clipons.  

I would suggest you either fabricate some new brackets, or if you insist on going the "easy" route, make sure that you also lower the rear an appropriate amount as well.

[The Buddha]

I have lowered them all the time. No big deal. the way to compensate if you must... put 80 profile tire in front. Un-does about 1/2 of the 1 inch lowering. Lower rear, ok if you must. But makes not much diff. Of course you increase the changes of clobbering the dust covers with your lower triple, but then again you can compensate by a 1 1/2 inch additional spacer in the forks. My friend runs around with them ~1/2 inch lowered all the time. No major diff. Make sure you tighten the triple bolts back up.
Cool.
Srinath.

[GRU]

ok, i'll try lowering.....i don't think it will make a big difference for riding...

thanks james and srinath

[mjm]

Just go to jcwhitney.com and look for headlight brackets - they have one that replaces the stock headlight bracket just fine and will leave LOTS of room for the clip-on bars.

You will have to unbolt the headlight from the existing brackets, take off the top triple clamp and lift off the existing brackets, replace the tripple clamp, install the headlight brackets (they clamp to the fork tubes) and then you should have room to install the clip-ons.  Keep the stock brackets & if you do not like the clip-ons you can un-do the whole thing in under an hour.