cafe racer build

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Feb 19, 2012 | 04:33 PM

#11

AaronG87

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 445

Likes: 19

From: Lynden, Washington, USA

Traditional clip ons are a ring with one pinch point in order to mount them you would have to loosen the triple clamps and slide the fork tubes down so the clip ons can be slid into place on the forks.

Feb 19, 2012 | 04:35 PM

#12

streetfighter06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 2,790

Likes: 7

From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonDeal

I just put joker machine clip ons on my bike without pulling the fork tubes. Why do you have to pull the fork tubes?

Please post a pic. If you put them above the top tree, you're gonna bottom out on your lower tree. The fork tubes aren't long enough - that's why you pull your tubes down and put your bars underneath the top clamp.

Feb 19, 2012 | 05:01 PM

#13

JasonDeal

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 109

Likes: 0

From: Raeford, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetfighter06

I definately installed them under the top triple clamp. However, I found it to be much easier to just remove the top triple clamp put the clip ons on the forks, then reinstall the top clamp. Seemed easy, did I overthink think this or something?

Feb 19, 2012 | 05:08 PM

#14

streetfighter06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 2,790

Likes: 7

From: Texas

No, that's what I was gonna do. Just had no knowledge of the trees and no torque wrench. That's still a good way to do it.

Feb 19, 2012 | 05:22 PM

#15

JasonDeal

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 109

Likes: 0

From: Raeford, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetfighter06

No, that's what I was gonna do. Just had no knowledge of the trees and no torque wrench. That's still a good way to do it.

Honestly, I don't know what the torque spec is on that top Torx bolt, but it took little to know effort to break it loose. Besides, that bolt bottoms out on the top of steering stem so I just snugged, nothing crazy and retightened the pinch bolt on the top triple clamp. Apparently theres a drop test method to check those steering head bearings, for wear but I think I'm good and haven't noticed any abnormal vibrations.

Feb 20, 2012 | 02:35 AM

#16

hogdiver96

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 1,281

Likes: 1

From: cambridge England

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetfighter06

Wildthang - post a pic with the drags, please!

I'd definitely go with the nightster. Just because of the front end. True cafe bikes have rear controls, though - not forwards or mids. But no one ever said there were rules to this! Keep us posted!!!!

your correct about the rear controls(i read Sands is trying out a rear control kit) but im not gonna worry about that to much just did not think forwards on a 48 would work with clip ons.

Decided on the Nightster and will do the deal tomorrow then just ride it stock for the season and accumulate bits and pieces for the winter mods.

One thing i have learnt is never ever "cut / paint / grind or sell anything on your bike that prevents it being put back to stock in the future as this affects the re-sale value too much as nobody else wants to pay for your vision.
Im going to trawl the internet for 2nd hand tins and keep mine all nice and cozy in the garage
Would love some cloe op piccys of the clip ons please.