So I came across a guy who's parting out his '89 GS500.  I figured I would pick up the clip-ons, at least just to try them out, since I've heard it's a fairly easy conversion to fit them on later model GS's. 

My question is, besides the clip-ons, is there anything else I'll need from the '89 to fit them on my '98? 

I think you should be set with just the clipons. Make sure he sells you the whole top plate, and not just the bars though.

Depending on what Handlebar pipes you use...

a) Switches will fit plug and play
b) You have to drill two additional holes into each pipe to mount the switches
c) You remove the nipples inside the switches

Quote from: acid on May 05, 2010, 04:11:36 AM
Depending on what Handlebar pipes you use...

a) Switches will fit plug and play
b) You have to drill two additional holes into each pipe to mount the switches
c) You remove the nipples inside the switches

I usually find removing the little nubs(option C) easier than drilling new holes. Your controls won't move around without them, and it's hard to know exactly what angle you're going to want them in until you actually start riding in the new position. 

Quote from: tt_four on May 05, 2010, 05:22:23 AM

I usually find removing the little nubs(option C) easier than drilling new holes. Your controls won't move around without them, and it's hard to know exactly what angle you're going to want them in until you actually start riding in the new position. 

+1 for just cutting the nubs!

I disagree, just eyeball it and drill.  I did this on my GSXR clip-ons and it was cake.  They are at the exact angle I want and they are NEVER moving.  Cutting nubs is the easy way out, do it right.

As for the clip-ons I have heard that the newer tank hits them?  I can't say cause I sold mine before I had the newer tank. 

No offense but just because you were able to drill it the correct angle doesn't mean everyone else would.  I'd also rather have the option of moving them to fit me rather than drill multiple holes.  I've adjusted mine 3 times since I installed the clip ons.

No offense taken, just different strokes so to speak.  I see things differently than most.  O.C.D. isn't just a screen name, lol.

Odd one of my nubs accidentally broke off and my control spun around had to plastic weld another one on there!

Mary

I've also moved my controls several times in the past 2 weeks. I can't even say if I had picked the spot I wanted and stuck with it it would've worked, because my left hand controls are angled higher than I want because if I put them where I really feel comfortable I can't pull the clutch lever in all the way. I didn't have any way to know that until I already had everything bolted on the bars.

As far as the easy way out, I think cutting the nub out of a concave surface was much more work than just drilling a hole. Drilling a hole on the other hand is permanent and once you do it, you're stuck with it.

I guess it is a "catch 22" so to speak.  You either drill a hole and get it right then suffer if wrong.  Or, you kill the "nub" and have the freedom to move around but the possibility of having the controls move no matter how tight they can be.  Ultimately it is what you want.  If I were to cut the nub I would place some neoprene around the clipon before tightening it down.  That wouldn't move I would think.

I just put on new bars as well on my bike, sadly not clip ons  One of my nubs was broken from the previous owner so I cut the other side off to match to broken side. I found that if you put a thin something on the metal such as tennis racket tape then the plastic has something to grab onto and wont slip around once you tightening it on.

I have a million old bicycle tubes that I used on all kinds of things. A thin piece would work for something like that.

I think you will find that OEM 2006+ Yamaha FZ1 bars provide a similar riding position to clipons, for about $30. They come in a nice titanium color.