Topic: Clip-On bars & Stock seat --> Am I setting myself up for a backache ???

[ProTeal55]

Morning ,

I just got my Ebay special clip-ons in the mail yesterday. I got a great deal on them, and couldn't pass them up. I am a big fan of the bars I have now, but with the ever evolving look/feel of the bike project, I think it would look killer to have some clip-ons on the bike, thus my purchase..

I have read a few times on how on a CB that is running clip-on's, with a stock seat, the angle is just asking for backpain ? I dont have the best back in the world to start off with, so the last thing I need is to inflict more pain.

This scoot (once done ) will be more of a around town/short ride bike than anything.The longest I would be on it, would prob be a hour or so ride. So I would be able to "sit-up" at stoplights to stretch out, which is fine. Here in Chicagoland we dont have wide open spaces to ride, it is the usual stoplight to stoplight drags...

I figured I would thwo this out their and see what you guys say. I know allot of members have bikes with clip-ons, and I am curious to see what they have to say...

[SteveD CB500F]

As you can see from my avatar, I ride with my toes on the footpegs, which gives a slightly less "knees up" stance.  Those are ace bars rather than clip-ons.  The position is great for balancing against the wind at about 80.

And yes, I do have to shift my boot forward to change gear, but over the last 30 years I've got used to it!

[ProTeal55]

As you can see from my avatar, I ride with my toes on the footpegs, which gives a slightly less "knees up" stance.

Steve,
I have rode my CB this way from day one.
I guess this is why people run those Rassak rearsets ?

So you are saying I should be fine in the backache dept. ??

[SteveD CB500F]

I've never suffered from backache brought on by riding (don't forget that it's only 120 miles between fuel  stops on a 500).

Now gardening...   there's a story.

[Chris Liston]

Basically I've found that I'm getting more comfortable on the 550 with the clubmans the more I ride.  You might get some initial pain but soon you'll find that sweet spot and get used to it.  I think clipons would be more upright compared to clubmans just from looking at the position/angle of at least my clubmans.  Alot depends on you though, how tall you are,etc.. and position on bike.  I ride with toes on the pegs too., got used to that from riding sport bikes. 

Which clip ons did you get anyway?  I've been eyeing some up on ebay too.

[ProTeal55]

I like how clubman bars LOOK , but I can't see myself being comfy with those bars on my scoot, thus I went with the Clip-On's. As far as size, I am about 6, 1'' - 200lbs- average build. I am just getting used to the size of the CB, as comming from the Chopper/Custom world, the CB is a toy..

[Chris Liston]

I like how clubman bars LOOK , but I can't see myself being comfy with those bars on my scoot, thus I went with the Clip-On's. As far as size, I am about 6, 1'' - 200lbs- average build. I am just getting used to the size of the CB, as comming from the Chopper/Custom world, the CB is a toy..

 

All other bikes are toys compared to the CB's   I find that I usually run circles around my HD buddy's even with all the work they have done.  Granted in the straights they'll beat me but I like being so far ahead in the twisties that they can't even see me....


Oh, which clip ons did you get.  There are tons on ebay ranging from 40 - 100 bucks.  I'm either going to go with clip ons or cut my clubmans down to more align my wrists/hands with my shoulders.  clip ons would be easier to work with though, except for tank clearence.

[volthause]

I can't answer for ProTeal, but I would throw out a recomendation for the Pro-Flo clip ons. I've had a set for several years and have been very happy with them. BTW, I switched over from clubmans to clip-ons, and prefer the clip-ons.

[Chris Liston]

What did you do with tank clearence on your 550?

[ProTeal55]

Well I feel alittle better with everyone saying they like their clip-on's.
I should have them on the bike tonite, and the whole brake fiasco should be done this
weekend, so I can actually ride the bike , and put some miles on it..

The clip-on's I bought are here---->http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35587&item=4631104463
I think I got them for a good price   They came last night, seem to be of good quality, especially for the cash. I think the chrome will be a nice off-set to all the black on the bike..

Am I gonna have to worry about clip-on to tank touching ?

[volthause]

What did you do with tank clearence on your 550?

I didn't have any clearance issues. I bought the bike with clubmans already on it, so the previous owner may have altered the steering stops already. When I put the clip-ons on the bike, I just adjusted them in a way that was comfortable, and they cleared the tank (very closely mind you.)

[heffay]

As you can see from my avatar, I ride with my toes on the footpegs, which gives a slightly less "knees up" stance.  Those are ace bars rather than clip-ons.  The position is great for balancing against the wind at about 80.

And yes, I do have to shift my boot forward to change gear, but over the last 30 years I've got used to it!

steve~  that's the same way i ride.  once your foot is used to going back after each brake or shift, it is also used to coming forward for each brake or shift.  i'd compare it to the footwork of driving a car... do you let your foot ride the brake/clutch or does it sit on the floor till needed.  also, do you want your foot hanging down under the peg when taking the twisties?  why... just the other day the 350 seemed as if it was on rails so i was jammin thru the turns... wanted to give it a taller gear and my boot grabbed some pavement.  if i'd been riding with my feet like i see some people riding it would have been the same story whether i was shifting or not.  it is simply a racier stance and makes me feel more in control.

[ProTeal55]

Worst case , if I run into tank-to-bar interference issues, I will take a piece of round stock, and hammer it into the side to make some "inserts" for the clip-on's to go into..

Might actually look cool/different. Similar to what Mr.Billy lane of Choppers Inc. fame does to his wild tanks when he uses his "Whiskey" bars.

[Chris Liston]

Funny, I was just thinking of the same thing for tank clearence on mine

Volthause,  you running Pro-Flo's now?  Any pics?

[ProTeal55]

Funny, I was just thinking of the same thing for tank clearence on mine

The more I think of it, all it would take would be to run a solid piece of 7/8 stock thru the stock handlebar clamp. Jack the front-tire off the ground, wrap the ends of the pipe in towels or something, and begin to wack the tank from side to side.

Slowly nice & even inserts will be blasted into the side of the tank. Might need to address the paint issue, but with my scoot thats just a quick sand / rattlecan spray away 

[GroovieGhoulie]

I think more of an issue would be clip-ons and stock footpegs.  The regular pegs are fairly far forward for clip-ons, giving you the look and position (as a forum member so succintly put it), of a greyhound taking a dump.  It seems that the forward foot position is what cranks your back forward and causes the pain.  Some members have reported back problems that went away after adding rearsets.  It straightens your back more.  Notice pretty much all modern plastic bikes that have clipons also have rearsets.

When I do my cafe, I am going to do clip-ons with either full rearsets, or at least the semi-rearsets of the 400F.  The 400F ones are likely since they will work with the kickstarter (#1 priority) and they give me just enough "rearsetness" to be comfy and are not too aggressive.

[ProTeal55]

This was my main question, as far as riding position and such.
I know by pushing your feet back on the pegs will help, I eventually will need to
do some sort of rearset on the bike for maximum comfort.

We will see once I ride the damn thing how my back feels after a few miles...

[paulages]

Worst case , if I run into tank-to-bar interference issues, I will take a piece of round stock, and hammer it into the side to make some "inserts" for the clip-on's to go into..

Might actually look cool/different. Similar to what Mr.Billy lane of Choppers Inc. fame does to his wild tanks when he uses his "Whiskey" bars.

i considered too late adding clearance inserts on the front of my tank for where my clubmans touch the tank. next project...

[volthause]

Volthause,  you running Pro-Flo's now?  Any pics?

Yessir, I'm currently running Pro-Flo's. I don't have pics on my office computer, but I'll be glad to post some pics tonight when I get to the house.

[ProTeal55]

Pics are always a good thing 

[KB02]

Well I feel alittle better with everyone saying they like their clip-on's.
I should have them on the bike tonite, and the whole brake fiasco should be done this
weekend, so I can actually ride the bike , and put some miles on it..

The clip-on's I bought are here---->http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35587&item=4631104463
I think I got them for a good price   They came last night, seem to be of good quality, especially for the cash. I think the chrome will be a nice off-set to all the black on the bike..

Am I gonna have to worry about clip-on to tank touching ?

Those are the same clip-ons that I have on my 750. Hint - Just make sure you tighten them well.    I like mine so far, but then I also havn't put too many miles on it just yet (still lots of work to get done.)  Rear-sets may be in the future for me. We'll see how my new seat feels when I finally get it done.

As for tank clearance, I drilled and tapped some holes in the steering stops and screwed in some small bolts, locking them in place with a nut. It really reduces your slow speed turning radius, but it doesn't dent your tank. - then again, I like the idea of "Denting in" the reliefs for clearance, too. 

[ProTeal55]

* 4/26/06 Update *

Clip-on's are on he bike. Were put-on last night. They def. make the bike look meaner/lower/etc.
Wasnt able to ride, but got a good feel for how it is gonna be with them on their.

I really dont think their will be an issue with tank to bar clearance issues. After install , i turned from sided to side (lock to lock) and their were no issues, so I am gonna leave it untill their is one.

Bike is starting to look good , now that the tubes are way up, and the 21'' front wheel is really filling the space in front of the bike.

[Chris Liston]

nice,  do you have the clipons over or under the tripple tree?  Just asking because you said you raised the forks up.

[ProTeal55]

Clip-Ons are ABOVE the top triple-tree.
I had to push the fork-tubes up to "fill" in the clip-ons.
I thought about putting below, but the angle of my back would
be way to extreme...

[volthause]

Okay, so pictures say 1000 words... or something like that.

This is the front attitude with the Pro-Flo clip-ons...


and this is the view from the office...


left side tank clearance...


and right side tank clearance...


pardon the rust and the dodgy paint. she's a rolling resto project in progress.