Author Topic: Upside down clubman bars, cult following? (Read 8091 times)

Rigid · « **on:** February 18, 2013, 03:02:05 PM »

Gonna give it a try. I like the rise, pullback, and angle. Looks good from rider position the way the bars frame the instruments. Found out it was uncool here. Trying to sort out the seat also. Bored with cafe rear cowls, may go flat brat on this one.

nccb · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2013, 03:17:03 PM »

I haven't seen the upside down club mans before, seen a lot of idiots with the regular bars upside down

DJ_AX · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2013, 04:01:53 PM »

uncool is so cool ..

cbtex · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2013, 04:12:47 PM »

I'm an old fart and clubman bars can get tiring on my old bod after just a short ride, so I installed mine upside down............very comfy, doesn't look too bad and have received positive feed back.

bjbuchanan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2013, 04:17:58 PM »

I have superbike bars on mine but toyed with clubmans briefly. The upside down mount is much more comfortable for me and seems to fit the bike better. Some people think you are a clown for mounting it upside down but whatever it is handlebars. It is a functional thing

wvshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:26:51 PM »

Why does that make me think of a Moose?

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:28:17 PM »

Follow the crowd and do it like everyone else...yeah, that is so cool. Putting something on the bike that is uncomfortable just to make a fashion statement, that's cool too.

I don't think it looks all that bad...if it's comfortable why not.

MCRider · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:39:48 PM »

The folklore that i was raised upon said this. The Clubman bars were developed by the British guys who would ride during the week, and race in their club races on the weekend. Back in those days, the only controls were a clutch lever, a British button for the horn, a throttle, a "dipswitch" for the light. And a grip to swap.

So after riding all week with the bars up and comfy, they would show up at the track (trailers were for sissies) flip their bars over in a matter of minutes, and go racing.

Happy if anyone tells me I'm all wet. But a simple and elegant story.
Which would mean anyone giving you grief for having them in the Up position doesn't understand the background.

And if both positions are utilitarian, which is the right way and which is upside down? I submit there is no right or wrong, just up and down.

scottly · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:41:46 PM »

I've had normally mounted clubmans on my bike for over 30 years, and it's because I find them to be more comfortable, especially at highway speeds, not because of fashion.

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:49:24 PM »

So, we've come full circle

scottly · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:13:11 PM »

Quote from: MCRider on February 18, 2013, 07:39:48 PM

The folklore that i was raised upon said this. The Clubman bars were developed by the British guys who would ride during the week, and race in their club races on the weekend.

That's basically the way I understood the origin of clubmans, but I don't recall the need to flip them upside down for street use. The clubs were a compromise between regular bars and clip-ons. Maybe Sam can add his two shillings worth, as he was there at the time?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:17:40 PM »

Quote from: MCRider on February 18, 2013, 07:39:48 PM

The folklore that i was raised upon said this. The Clubman bars were developed by the British guys who would ride during the week, and race in their club races on the weekend. Back in those days, the only controls were a clutch lever, a British button for the horn, a throttle, a "dipswitch" for the light. And a grip to swap.

So after riding all week with the bars up and comfy, they would show up at the track (trailers were for sissies) flip their bars over in a matter of minutes, and go racing.

Happy if anyone tells me I'm all wet. But a simple and elegant story.
Which would mean anyone giving you grief for having them in the Up position doesn't understand the background.

And if both positions are utilitarian, which is the right way and which is upside down? I submit there is no right or wrong, just up and down.

also several production based race class rules mandated maintaining factory handlebar clamps on top triple, as opposed to running more adjustable clipons. Today, their really isn't any real reason to use clubmans except that they are really cheap... or in the case of a much more vintage build than our cb's, period correctness

scottly · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:29:11 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on February 18, 2013, 08:17:40 PM

Today, their really isn't any real reason to use clubmans except that they are really cheap... or in the case of a much more vintage build than our cb's, period correctness

What about the fact that they will bolt-on, leaving the stock headlight ears untouched? Most clip-ons require slipping the fork tubes down from the top triple, so the installation is a bit more complex than fitting a pair of handle bar clamps and shorter cables.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:50:59 PM »

good point...easy too

goldarrow · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:07:59 PM »

New cult?! My bike has had it since when I don't know. everything on the bike seems period correct, so I would think this so called upside down clubman has been around at least 30 years

DJ_AX · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:17:27 PM »

They're supposed to be like that...
The curve of the bars frame the gauges.

The trend was to put them upside down making them lower.
And it's been done so much that everyone thinks that that's how they're supposed to go now.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:49:33 PM »

I saw a guy run em weldside up on a 500 Kawi, back around 75 or 76.. Even remember his name..
I always thot it was some kind of AUSman style..thing..

stickman · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2013, 05:57:12 AM »

I have run the clubmans on multiple 750's in the non conventional position, flipped if you will, and I think they look good and provide a different look than conventional. They are a hell of a lot more comfortable if you are in the over 50 age group and is the main reason I have used them. Always wanted my bike to be personalized to my taste. My suggestion is if you are considering them, try unbolting your current handlebars, lay them up on the instruments and bolt up the inverted clubmans, sit on your bike and you will get enough instant feedback to decide if the look and feel is for you. Stickman....

lucky · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2013, 06:28:36 AM »

It was very common to see the clubman bars run upside down back in the day.

Now I guess everyone is supposed to do what Twitter tells them is "liked"

Comfort is where its at.

Mo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2013, 07:52:23 AM »

I don't even know how people manage to use clubmans. I'm 6-4, 270 pounds....that non sense would give me back pains and I'm 22!

gerhed · « **Reply #20 on:** February 19, 2013, 08:26:49 AM »

Have run mine "upside down" for 20 years or so--much easier on the back.

northwestdrew · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2013, 07:29:42 PM »

they sort of look like the old z bars on some 70s choppers

Rigid · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2013, 03:23:57 AM »

Quote from: northwestdrew on February 19, 2013, 07:29:42 PM

they sort of look like the old z bars on some 70s choppers

That is what i thought. Well, upside down is the new cool. I liked them that way but wanted to know if i would face a storm of negative comments regarding "correct" installation when gassing up. Now that will only come from the young cafe crowd it seems. Thanks guys. I learned alittle history.

PeWe · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2013, 03:36:32 AM »

Why not a drag bar? Rather comfortable
http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/2/chassis-brakes/63/handlebars

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2013, 05:50:15 AM »

Problem is, they won't look as good. And isn't that what's it all about on a cafe bike?!

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Author Topic: Upside down clubman bars, cult following? (Read 8091 times)