Topic: Clip-on's are on - Now what do I do about the stock Handlebar clamp ??

[ProTeal55]

Morning ,

Chicago Cubs Suck ! Just thought I would throw that in their. Went to the game yesterday, rained on and off all day, they lost 9 - 0 , fought wih girlfriend , etc... Once again glad to be here at work 

Anyways, The clip-on's are now on the bike, and after looking at it for awhile, I am gonna need to do something with the stock handlebar clamp/idiot light setup. It doesnt look horribile on their, but I was wondering what other members / owners who are running clip-on's have done to solve this issue ?

Does someone make a replacement plate or something that is smooth, with no handlebar provision ? Or, could I take the stock "clamp" , grind it smooth, and bolt it back flush ?? I DO NOT want to have to remove the top tree from the bike ,atleast at the momment...

[dusterdude]

i think a ko/k1 top tree would clean that sucker right up.

[Chris Liston]

There is one member who put LED's in the screw slots.  R/L blinker, oil and neutral.  looked cool.  here's the link.

[tsflstb]

You probably need to remove the top triple clamp to get rid of the handlebar mounts.  I took a hacksaw to mine and cleaned it up with a file.  It's not bad, but when I have access to a milling machine, I'll make it much cleaner.  The holes from the bar clamps just poke thru the surface, so I filled them with some JB weld.



If you just want to clean it up for now, bolt a piece of diamond plate aluminum or something where the mounts used to go.  The LEDs are a good idea also.

You could also just bolt a short section of 7/8 bar stock back in there.  Use it to mount some guages or a Sammy Sosa bobble head doll.

[ProTeal55]

You could also just bolt a short section of 7/8 bar stock back in there. Use it to mount some guages or a Sammy Sosa bobble head doll.

Funny 

There is one member who put LED's in the screw slots. R/L blinker, oil and neutral. looked cool. here's the link.

That's a slick idea. I am gonna need to either keep the stock idiot light setup, or do something with the LED idea. Very slick indeed....

i think a ko/k1 top tree would clean that sucker right up.

Someone have a pic of this ?

[volthause]

I haven't done anything withmy old clamp yet. It hasn't really bothered me too badly. The grand plan is to make myself an Alum top tree one of these days, but it's not urgent. I still need to research for the correct dimensions of the stock clamp... yeah. One of these days.

[STLrocker]

heres what i have done with my bikes. the one is a stock clamp with the mounts ground off then polished. i havent done anything with the holes. i may weld them up and repolish, or i will put bolts in from the bottom and grind smooth and polish so they should blend in. the other is custom made piece i got it roughed in and finished it myself. it's just a peice of 1" aluminum plate.

you can get a custom flat one here: http://www.lowridersbysummers.com/parts/index.htm

[bill440cars]

            ProTeal,  That one that Chris posted with the leds in the holes was a good idea and you would   
    not have to modify it. Or, you could grind down the mounts, like on the one STLrocker posted, and
    still use the leds. Or you could grind the mount down just enough get rid of the actual mount and
    leave some of the raised part to install the leds into. Looks like any one of those ways would be
    pretty cool. What do you think?  Just tryin' to give some variations you might not have thought of.
                                                       Later on, Bill

[mikeb4]

I also did the grind down trick with filler Used LED's in the instrument mount blacked out .... painted everything Satin Black.

[bill440cars]

I also did the grind down trick with filler Used LED's in the instrument mount blacked out .... painted everything Satin Black.

                       That Satin Black gives a good look, especially with THOSE gauges! Definitely lots of cool
        ideas are comin' out. Sure giving me ideas that I'd never thought of. Gotta love this site!!
                                                      Later on, Bill

[ProTeal55]

Bill--> Nice avitar , word on the street is that the challenger concept is coming out EXACTLY how it was as a concept, as is the Camaro...

Looks like any one of those ways would be
pretty cool. What do you think?

I have to thank everyone for posting their triple-tree setups, gave me allot to think about.
I am def. leaning towards something with satin black, as I love satin black (As I am sure you all know)
I actually might try and keep the original "cap" , with the honda logo, as I think it looks retro, and serves a purpose.

We shall see what I come up with.
Keep the ideas / pics comming..............

[dusterdude]

joe,the k0/k1 tree doesnt have the dash board look that the k2`s and later have.without the dash board the tree area is much cleaner looking.

[cbjunkie]

i'll weigh in just to say that i have seen scott's (stlrocker) setup and it is probably the cleanest setup i've seen - and, he doesn't have to repaint.

if anyone checking this thread has a reliable source for clean-looking flat topclamps for the 750 i'd love to have it...
thanks,
junkie out...

[ProTeal55]

if anyone checking this thread has a reliable source for clean-looking flat topclamps for the 750 i'd love to have it...

I 2nd that.
JUNKIE--->
How about some progress pics of that monster of yours

[cbjunkie]

dude, i suck i know - i promise that this next month you'll see some photos - the tank is basically done, except paul's and el cheapo's tanks are making me want to experiment with color (i know man, i can feel your look) -  and when i get back from bonny old england all my front end parts should be in...

the bear is the fiberglass seat, but i had an idea right before i left on vacation about a way to finish up what i want with the seat and am looking forward to trying it out.

i just had my first ride today since my accident - now i wasn't driving mind you, but riding beeyotch on the back of my dad's harley, but it was really great to feel that feeling again - man i was nervous as hell...i watched every frickin car that was even in a position to pull out in front of us, so at least i'm in defensive mode...

thanks for the encouragement,
junkie out...

[ProTeal55]

Getting back on after being hit is hard. I remember the 1st ride after I got cut-off my some
#$%* in a black Toyota 4-runner. I was shaking so bad I couldn't believe it.

Be strong Junkie, get that bike done, and ride offensively 

[KB02]

What I did with mine was take a flat peice of 1/8th" aluminum scrap that I had lying around and cut it to fit over the top of the handlebar clamps

Right now it looks kinda plain, but I plan on engine turning it to give it a little bit of shine. The may adding whatever I felt like adding to it.

The other pictures kinda make my look like poo, though.

[bill440cars]

             ProTeal, Thanks for the compliment on the avatar, All of a sudden it dawned on me (I'd
     seen the Camaro you had for yours for a while) the Challenger would be a good one to use. Hey,
     I was glad to see the Challenger. I guess the Charger is all right and if I drove the hot version, I
     might have a different impression. It's kinda hard to call the new one a "Charger" after having
     experienced the old ones. I had a 66' Charger w/383/4spd/posi and I really miss that one. I know
     most people liked the 68'-69' & maybe the 70' Chargers better. There were definitely more year
     model Camaro that were appealing than Chargers but, being a mopar nut 1st & Gm 2nd ( I had a
     nice 58" Impala 2dr hdtp w/348 & power glide that was a pretty good runner for it's time) Kinda
     got carried away again.
           
     cbjunkie, You get well and back up to prime quick now, we need our group running on full
     steam.
     You take care now.
                              Later on, Bill

[cbjunkie]

kbo - make sure we get to see that photo...
bill, thanks man - i'm definitely re-charged after this vacation and plan to kick ass once i get home

offensive as ever,
cbj...

[STLrocker]

if anyone checking this thread has a reliable source for clean-looking flat topclamps for the 750 i'd love to have it...

I 2nd that.
JUNKIE--->

link to a reliable source for flat top clamp. this guy is great to do business with.

http://www.lowridersbysummers.com/parts/index.htm

i had it in my first post, but i guess it got overlooked.

[KB02]

kbo - make sure we get to see that photo...

Posted.   

[bill440cars]

What I did with mine was take a flat peice of 1/8th" aluminum scrap that I had lying around and cut it to fit over the top of the handlebar clamps

Right now it looks kinda plain, but I plan on engine turning it to give it a little bit of shine. The may adding whatever I felt like adding to it.

The other pictures kinda make my look like poo, though.

                 Actually, that's a pretty cool idea. I haven't seen the "Engine Turned" look since a buddy's 62' Impala SS and my brother-in-law's 78' Trans AM Firebird. It's time consuming work but, ireally pays off IMHO. Later on, Bill

[cbjunkie]

thanks scott - i didn't miss your link - but it's for an entire top triple tree piece not just a top clamp - i have bookmarked that one for later, definitely though as just the top clamp has been next to impossible to find...i'm just about ready to machine my own from billet - like the one on page 1 of this thread.

bill, kbo - what is "engine turning"?

[bill440cars]

thanks scott - i didn't miss your link - but it's for an entire top triple tree piece not just a top clamp - i have bookmarked that one for later, definitely though as just the top clamp has been next to impossible to find...i'm just about ready to machine my own from billet - like the one on page 1 of this thread.

bill, kbo - what is "engine turning"?

      cbj,  You take a flat piece of aluminum, chuck up a piece of a wooden dowel and a polish (I believe)  and you use this to polish a bunch of circles on the flat surface with each circle on 1/2 on
f each other. I.m not sure that I'm explaining this right. Each circle is over lapping the other like you polish a circle, then move over about 1/2 of that circle and polish another circle and so on until the surface is covered looking kinda like scales of a fish. I don't know how to draw it out and post it so that you can see. Is this as clear as mud?  Usually, it was done on the dash or console. Anybody better at explaining it?  Later on, Bill

[KB02]

This is Engine turning:



This is really good engine turning.