Author Topic: cutting up triple tree to make clip ons (Read 3433 times)

andy8190 · « **on:** May 01, 2013, 08:47:21 AM »

anyone heard or done this before. I was thinking of instead of ordering 80 dollar clip ons for my cb350f that i would take the extra triple tree or lower triple tree and cut it up and weld on some handles for some DIY cheap clip ons. What does anyone think, think this was be safe assuming the welds were quality?

flybox1 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2013, 08:53:44 AM »

is your time, & money, worth it and will it be as clean and neat as you want it to be?

andy8190 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2013, 08:59:58 AM »

i would actually cut off the parts myself and just take it to a machine shop and tell them i just want them to weld on some 7/8 steel bar at the certain length and angle i wanted. So the time will be worth it. I think itll look fine to me. Until I want to spend the high dollar and buy some nice ones. I am mainly worried about the safety aspect, does everyone think they will be safe?

754 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:13:27 AM »

Do you think any machine shop will do it for under 50 bux?. Some wont even touch it once they find out what it is for.

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:18:47 AM »

Quote from: andy8190 on May 01, 2013, 08:59:58 AM

I think itll look fine to me. Until I want to spend the high dollar and buy some nice ones.

seems like time and money wasted to me, especially for a part that once you mod, use and remove it, will never get used by anyone again.
a triple could get used again. sell your triple to fund getting a nice set of tarozzi's

do it right the first time.

Dave Voss · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:30:08 AM »

The concept is simple enough, but the lack of adjustability and the question of trusting the safety of the welds makes me want to recommend against this type of modification. If you can perform your own quality welds, then maybe, but most welders that can perform quality work are the same welders that ask questions about what its for, and from a liability standpoint it may be hard to find someone to do it. Real clip-ons would be a better investment of your time and money, at least that's my thought.

andy8190 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:54:55 AM »

I will ask the machine shop how much it'll cost and then make a decision. I live in a small town so I don't think it'll be a problem, plus the guy who owns it I taught his daughter last year. How much could I sell a triple for?

brycegp · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2013, 10:13:48 AM »

Perfect example...

I trusted a local machine shop to shorten my kick/side stand. After over a year, it just SNAPPED...for no good reason. Well...the good reason was that they just cut it clean and welded two blunt ends together with no reenforcement or "V" cuts.

Luckily...someone was standing next to the bike when it happened and caught it before she hit the ground...shwew!

I'm over the whole DIY, part-making thing. I like to build / assemble...but as far as MAKING parts....I'm leaving it to the pros from now on.

andy8190 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2013, 11:08:56 AM »

that sucks because i was actually thinking about having a longer kick stand made as well.

bollingball · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2013, 11:50:03 AM »

Please don't take this the wrong way but. You ask about safety.
What does the price have to do with it? or the size of your town/

Quote from: andy8190 on May 01, 2013, 09:54:55 AM

"What does anyone think, think this was be safe assuming the welds were quality?"

I will ask the machine shop how much it'll cost and then make a decision. I live in a small town so I don't think it'll be a problem, plus the guy who owns it I taught his daughter last year. How much could I sell a triple for?

andy8190 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2013, 12:05:47 PM »

I threw that in because people were talking about liability and cost.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2013, 12:13:41 PM »

I think safety is an important factor. I wouldn't want to be the guy whose poorly fabricated pseudo clip-on snapped mid turn and dumped me into oncoming traffic.

Clipons just aren't that expensive. I just did a quick check on eBay and there are many available for $50 and under. How much cheaper could the local shop be $20, $30?

Personally my limbs are worth more than $30.

lucky · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2013, 01:25:32 PM »

When you destroy one thing to make another thing, you almost always lose.

kghost · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2013, 02:28:28 PM »

After you do this you'll be a..........test pilot.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2013, 02:42:09 PM »

Bottom line, would the experienced guys here do it.? NO
What could possibly happen.... Well you could grab a hand full of front brake and have the clip on snap off in your hand sending you head first down the road..... Doesn't take much rational thought to know what you should do......

andy8190 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2013, 03:02:51 PM »

Okay idea cancelled

crazypj · « **Reply #16 on:** May 01, 2013, 03:17:53 PM »

Been there done that.
Nothing was available for Harley V-rod when it came out so we machined spare top yoke and welded 1" bar to it
No problems at all in several years (drag racing)
I didn't weld it as I don't 'do' alloy welding but would have no issues doing a lower with steel
With CB 350, main issue with using lower is the weight, using top probably isn't smart as they are known to crack if overtightened

purf_man · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2013, 05:02:52 PM »

the idea is sound BUT

the top clamp is aluminum.

You will have about an hours shop time minimum for the welding. Good luck finding a machine shop/welding shop that will charge less than $50 an hour for labor (you will also have money in materials too)

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #18 on:** May 01, 2013, 06:21:21 PM »

Its cast Aluminum guys, they are already prone to breaking and are not the easiest thing to weld properly. Clip ons are a piece of cake to make out of mild steel, why the hell would you bother with 30-40 year old cast aluminum...?

Have some made like this..? or just buy them...

http://www.jap4performance.com/images/ses/steelClipOns.jpg

http://www.jap4performance.com/accessories.html

CycleX have them for $69.95 which is probably around the same price as having the tree cut up and used except CycleX has to stand by their product, i doubt anyone will using those old clamps...

http://www.cyclexchange.net/Handle%20Bar%20Page.htm

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2013, 06:48:35 PM »

Quote from: andy8190 on May 01, 2013, 03:02:51 PM

Okay idea cancelled

smart decision

brycegp · « **Reply #20 on:** May 01, 2013, 08:01:48 PM »

the fortunate thing about Clip Ons is that if ONE fails...you've always got a back up.

754 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 01, 2013, 09:37:55 PM »

I think he meant the lower tree..it can be done, but probably take at least an hour..

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #22 on:** May 01, 2013, 10:51:44 PM »

Quote from: 754 on May 01, 2013, 09:37:55 PM

I think he meant the lower tree..it can be done, but probably take at least an hour..

I think you are right, but for the effort i would still get something better.... Frank, you could probably make a steel set in the same amount of time....

754 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2013, 11:22:12 PM »

I sorta miss the days where you had to make almost everything....

davis96 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 02, 2013, 03:10:27 AM »

Its been done. The only reason I'd advise against it is because it isn't cost effective if you have to pay someone else to weld it. I think welding the mild steel lower tree to handlebar tube would hold fine, but I'm not as jaded as some

Different set:

-Davis

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Author Topic: cutting up triple tree to make clip ons (Read 3433 times)

bollingball