Topic: question: mounting clip-ons and sliding the forks in the tree...

[grumpy]

So I've seen guys with clip-ons clamped to the tops of the fork legs.
Do they just slide the tree down the forks 3/4in (or whatever) and clamp the bars to the bit that's sticking up?

[seanbarney41]

yep...although be aware that is gonna lower your front end and may not be the way to go about it

[grumpy]

... that is gonna lower your front end...

Yeah, that's what I was wondering about.
That'll make the steering quicker, right?

[geminimotors]

Thats how the Maguras are on my 550F. They tend to shift my weight forward onto the bars, and their shorter length give the illusion of being harder to steer.

[phil71]

it may not be an illusion.

[seanbarney41]

... that is gonna lower your front end...

Yeah, that's what I was wondering about.
That'll make the steering quicker, right?

yep, possibly too quick...you gotta consider the rest of your combo i.e. taller rear shocks? tire profiles? etc.  and Gemini is right too, shorter bar length equals less leverage.  A lot of guys that do this are running longer fork tubes, so when they drop 'em through the trees the height comes out same as stock.  Don't forget about having enough suspension travel.  I have 550 forks on my 750 (they are too short)and I have a nickel sized dent in my front fender from my brake light switch contacting.

[grumpy]

550 forks?? why?

[seanbarney41]

they were on there when I got the bike ...i've made them work ok, but it's not ideal).  I got a gl1000 front end needing some brake work and fork seals etc.

[flybox1]

lowering not necessary.  you can get the Dunstall style clip-ons which install on top of the upper triple

http://www.chris-knight-mcs.co.uk/acatalog/Clip_On_Handlebars.html
4th down...

[joe750]

When I did mine I just slid the forks out of the top triple enough to get the bars on, then pushed the forks back through.
The end result was the clip ons being right below the top triple.
I wanted the front lowered so I pushed them through more anyways.
But you could just put the forks back to stock height

Hope that makes sense