Topic: clip-ons or adjustable clubmans - your opinions?

[Chris Liston]

I'm caught up between a set of clip-ons or going with an adjustable clubman.  I love the look of the clubmans but there taking a toll on my wrists big time.  If I could get adjustables and rotate them up abit It would be great.

The clip-ons I think would not be as far forward leaned as the clubmans and allow for a not so much stretch on the back and are usually a nice natural and comfortable 10degree bend on them.  This allow for a more straighter wrist and comfort. 

So far I'm looking at either the Laverda Jota 4 way adjustable clubman or the Pro-flo clip on (backorder for 8-10 weeks though).. 

Both are around the same price range, give or take a few bucks.  Or I could go for a set of those $45 buck clip on's from Mikesxs.com. 

Either way a change is in order as my wrists are adjusting to the clubman position but hurting all along the way. 

[ProTeal55]

I am 100% happy with my $35 Ebay clip-ons that are on my bike.
I thought my back would be killing me, but i was surprised to find out by just moving my feet
back on the stock pegs, the riding position is perfect. Rearsets are in the near future. I rode the bike for about 45min the other day, and no backache...
The bars made a HUGE difference in the overall look, compared to what was on the bike prior..

I vote for the clip-on's...

[Chris Liston]

Those are basically the same as what Mikesxs.com is selling for $46.  Nice price.  Not sure if I like the mount on them though, looks alittle bulky with the 2 pinch bolts.  But I will be mounting below the tripple so I wouldn't really see the bolts much. 

Anyone else running the same ones as ProTeal?

[GroovieGhoulie]

What diameter are the Pro-flo clipons?  Or most clipons for that matter?  Would the stock controls and handgrips bolt right on?  They look a bit too narrow for them.

[Chris Liston]

most are 7/8" inch, same as stock bars.  With a stock master things will get really cramped though.  I'm running and aftermarket master cyl. with a remote resovior so not worrying too much about it.

[ProTeal55]

Not sure if I like the mount on them though, looks alittle bulky with the 2 pinch bolts.

This was actually the reason why I picked these for my scoot (& the price ).
I like the chunky / industrial feel to them, with the exposed bolts and such.
Kinda fits the feel of my bike...

[dusterdude]

joe,how ya like em with the stock seat?

[Tim.]

ProTeal - it looks like the mounting bolts are designed to be on the front side of the bike (flipped over from what you have) which would allow you to mount them straight as you have, or rotate them back a bit, which it doesn't look like you can do.  It looks like the bolts would hit the bar clamp - correct?

I'm also in the market for clubmans or clipons, and like yours - You just lowered the front end to allow them to clamp onto the fork tubes above the triple tree?  How much did you have to lower the front end to accomplish this (how thick is the mounting bracket)?

Any more close-ups or links to the product would be welcomed.

[Chris Liston]

Well, I just jumped in.  I ordered these ones from ebay:
 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4563103501&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT



I called the seller before I bid, these are the older Vortec design, they take any 7/8" bar in the event you need to replace it.  I like the mounting bracket as its alot cleaner than the $45 clip-ons out there.  It will tuck under the tripple tree better.  I would have gotten the Pro-Flo's but there on backorder and aside from the 2piece mount they have, these look pretty much the same.  10 degree bend like the Pro-Flo's too.  Should be more comfy and less stretched than the clubmans.  I'll post more pics once mounted up.  Hopefully they wont hit the tank, but I'll adjust them abit and mess with the stops if I have too.

[ProTeal55]

joe,how ya like em with the stock seat?

I rode the bike this past weekend (about a 20 miles total) , and I must admit I wasnt in any pain.
I can see how a lower seat (cafe) and some rearsets would be a good idea, but for now I think
I will be ok.Once I got in the right gear, I just slid my feet back on the pegs.. Like I have said in the past, this bike is for little rides here and their,  dont plan to go "over he road" with it..

ProTeal - it looks like the mounting bolts are designed to be on the front side of the bike (flipped over from what you have) which would allow you to mount them straight as you have, or rotate them back a bit, which it doesn't look like you can do. It looks like the bolts would hit the bar clamp - correct?

I have them mounted the way I thought looked best. At first I did have them under the top tree, but it was too much of a bend for my old (26 years) back. Always had a bad back, from years of sponsred professional skateboarding. If I had the bars flopped, when tighting them, the bolt would hit the neck of the bike, thus the way they are currently.

[Tim.]

ProTeal - where did you get the license plate bracket in your gallery?  I'm looking for something like it with the integrated brake light.  Ever any trouble with the local fuzz?

[AntiRiceCRX]

I got my clip ons from a junk yard off of a early 90's sport bike,dont know what kind but they were alittle big so i just made some sleeves, they work great and arent uncofortable, its just that i have them mounted so low that it hurts my back after a few minutes.

[Chris Liston]

you hitting the tank at all?  or did you fab up adjusters for the steering stops?

[AntiRiceCRX]

I turn the wheel all the way in one direction, loosen the allen heads for the clip ons and set them so there like a 1/4 inch from hitting the tank, then tighten them back down, repeat for other side.


those $35 chrome clip ons from ebay and oldbike barn are junk, i wouldnt get them, they look cheap and bend very easy. and when they do you have to replace the whole thing, most sport bike clip on are two peice so u can just replace the bar if u drop it. Make sure u remember what kind of bike u got it off of for when u want to get some bar-ends, thats the problem im having lol

[Uncle Ernie]

I have no idea what your bike looks like, but you can flip your clubmans you know.  Also, there are several brands of clip-ons, but I would suspet that putting them below the top clamp will kill you. It would me anyway, but I'm probably much older, too...

[AntiRiceCRX]

I think if u put them above the top clam, ur goign to have to lower it at least 1 1/2 inches and maybe remove ur tach for room for the brake line, but im about to move mine about the clamp, very harsh on the back and im only 18 haha

[Chris Liston]

I'll have to play around with the positioning.  The back position with the clubmans is doable its just the angle of them that is killing my wrists.  I thought about flipping them but I think they'd look pretty stupid being upside down and my old superbike bars would look better if I went that route.  The clip on's I've sort test put my arms where they'll be and I think they will be much better.  Less wrist pinch.  I'm used to sport bikes so the position will be good.  We'll see once its all setup though.  With the RAASK rear sets I'll be set, once I mount them up again.  I hate this bike thing

[ProTeal55]

I think if u put them above the top clam, ur goign to have to lower it at least 1 1/2 inches and maybe remove ur tach for room for the brake line, but im about to move mine about the clamp, very harsh on the back and im only 18 haha

Thus the exact reason why I put mine above the top triple-tree. My 26 year old back couldnt take the angle when they were below. Did look better, but this bike is meant to be ridden, not just looked at. I moved my tach to the left side so I could slide the master farther over, to even everything out looks wise.

[Chris Liston]

All these people with bad backs.  What the heck are we doing to ourselves...  Time for situps and lower back exercises..

[ProTeal55]

Years of Skateboarding + bad posture + my Mortal Kombat Arcade addiction = my back issues 

[Chris Liston]

Well,  I opened up the mail box and there they were (packaged ofcourse).  Those Ebay clip-ons are SUPER NICE.  Look billet and real high quality.  Should be mounting up tomorrow and I'll be taking pictures.  Bars are thick and the entire setup is nice and light.  Not bad for the price I think.  And really fast shipping.

[volthause]

I've got the pro-flo's, Raask rear-sets and low race seat. I like the position a lot, and I've got the clip-ons mounted below the tree. My 33 year old back hasn't complained yet.

Chris, I noticed in your pictures that your bike has bar-end mirrors, which if the bars for those clip-ons are aluminum (which they probably are since the clamps are made from billet alum) them the ID of the bars is smalle, which may present a problem with those mirrors. I had to ditch my bar-end mirrors when I swapped to the aluminum clip-ons.

[Chris Liston]

Yeah, I'm thinking that may be an issue too.   I saw these really trick bar ends but there pricey.  I may look into it.  CRG or something like that.  The clamp on the bar instead of in the end of it.