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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 12:34:37 PM

Title: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 12:34:37 PM
I just bought a set of 1989 clip-ons, don't have them yet, being shipped currently. One of the bars is bent, The bar is bolted on so it can obviously be replaced with another. My question is, where could I get a replacement bar, or is it just 7/8" aluminum in which case I could just cut a peice of similiar wall thickness and use that? If it isn't 7/8", anyone know what size will work?
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: DLW on October 17, 2007, 01:17:56 PM
I have '89 clip-ons on my '92.  Yes it is 7/8 bar.  You will have to drill a notch in it to keep it from spinning in the clip.  Otherwise you can use any 7/8 bar.

DLW
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 01:19:13 PM
thanks, looks like I will be cutting some stock. I think I will just make two bars even though only one is bent, I will probably make them thicker so they feel more stable.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: GeeP on October 17, 2007, 01:24:22 PM
Hi there,

Each bar is indeed 7/8" OD seamless tube, about one foot long. 

I suggest seamless 316 marine grade stainless tubing .875 OD .125 wall available here at Online Metals:

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=902&step=2&top_cat=0

316 stainless will not rust, and is significantly less likely to bend in a drop.  I crashed my bike from 40 mph while playing around on a concrete airport ramp and did not bend the bars a bit.   :thumb:
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 03:18:21 PM
you think it is necessary to go that thick? I was looking at 1/16" 6061 aluminum
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: kellehar on October 17, 2007, 03:41:12 PM
suzuki does still sell the bars as I just picked up a new set from them
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 03:50:21 PM
do you mind me asking how much they were. I figure I can order the metal for less than 15 bucks
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: coll0412 on October 17, 2007, 04:40:43 PM
Stock suzuki bars are more than $15 for sure...lol

Anyways 1/16" is great if you are looking to shave some weight, but I would recommend just getting some 7/8" seam welded tubing in like 0.090" wall thickness and you will be good. Then do the cut using the edge of a grinding wheel(i know you are not supposed to used the edge but I am still in one piece) to make the cut. Then cleaning it up with a round file. Worked for me.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 04:47:23 PM
sounds good, I'm at college so I have access to a nice machine shop with a cold saw(chop saw with constant lubrication for cutting THICK metal), I was mainly concerned with wall thickness, I think you have all convinced me to go with a thicker metal, no need to save a little weight and risk safety.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: bobthebiker on October 17, 2007, 06:10:05 PM
glad you can create such a thing.  the closest I have access to is a freakin brake lathe and if I"m lucky an air cutoff saw.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: kellehar on October 17, 2007, 06:51:02 PM
what bar is bent as I have my old ones still and the right hand bar is striaght, also yes they were more than $15.00 price from suzuki was $32.37  CDN each
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 07:17:22 PM
my right bar is bent
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: kellehar on October 17, 2007, 07:20:54 PM
your welcome to have my old ones you just have to pay the shipping
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 07:50:38 PM
sure....tell me how much and where to send it to...and thanks a lot
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: GeeP on October 17, 2007, 08:59:44 PM
Quote from: pjm204 on October 17, 2007, 03:18:21 PM
you think it is necessary to go that thick? I was looking at 1/16" 6061 aluminum

Certainly.  The stock bars are around .100" wall. 

I suggested seamless tube as it is symmetrical.  Welded tube is not symmetrical and may not fit in the clamps correctly.

Be sure that the blade on the cold saw is sharp.  If it isn't the stainless will work harden and strip the carbide clean off.   ;)

Looks like you have it sorted though.   :cheers:
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: kellehar on October 18, 2007, 07:37:22 AM
I need your zip to get a shipping quote
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 18, 2007, 09:38:16 AM
my zip code is 18015
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: EdChen on October 18, 2007, 10:07:31 PM
I'm curious, i just got a set of 89 clip-ons and I was trying to remove the bars from the clamps and it looks like the bars were kind of "shaved" down on the inside, like it's not just a straight bar of steel.  I assume they're stock since they have the little threaded insert for the bar ends, but who knows.

anyone know if these bars are stock? 

relatedly, any 7/8" will fit then?  thanks!


Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: Oklahoma_Mike on October 19, 2007, 05:50:46 AM
More info on what you mean by "Shaved" please.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: pjm204 on October 19, 2007, 11:13:53 AM
Kellehar, find out how much shipping would be? thanks
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: EdChen on October 20, 2007, 02:03:08 AM
I looked more closely and it looks like it's only on the right bar (probably replaced), the left bar seems much more solid.  I put pictures online, sorry about the quality, i left my camera in the car and only had the built in camera to use.  you can more or less see the way it was kind of shaved down.  I assume it's that way all the way through the clamp.   

what do you all think?

http://www.edwardchen.com
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: GeeP on October 20, 2007, 07:01:25 AM
Hard to tell with the dark photos, but it looks like someone attacked the one on the bottom with an angle grinder.
Title: Re: 1989 Clip-ons
Post by: kellehar on October 20, 2007, 01:11:36 PM
I'll get you that quote on monday as I have to go back to the post office and get a quote on a tank I also said Id give to some one on here.