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Cafe style handlebars
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:22 am
by kar_the_terrible
I'd like to get clip-ons on my bike, but Since clip-ons are way expensive, I was wondering if there were suitable handlebar styles that would give me a similar riding stance.
Are clubman or drag bars more appropriate. Also I'd like to compare the rise, pullback etc. with my current bars. So what is the correct way of measuring these?? I think I can figure out span for myself

, but what is the baseline for measuring rise and pullback.
Thx
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:02 am
by TechTMW
That's a good question, but unfortunately I don't know the complete answer.
I would assume that clubman bars are what you are looking for. Here's a link to a pair that I found. The clipons don't look too too expensive at $70, but the clubman's are definitely a bargain at $20.
http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/pricelist/misc.html
Since I'm a guessing man, i would think that the measurements are taken from triangulation for the pullback and the rise (or drop) is taken from the top of the clamp to the top of the handlebar end. (Hope that doesn't sound confusing.) If you go with clubman's you also need to make sure the bars will clear your triple tree and not get in the way of your tank!
Have you considered the possibility of looking in a bike junkyard to see if there are any sportbike wrecks with cheap clipons that may work?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:14 am
by Joe Mc
I've seen clip-ons for around $50 US. A handlebar will cost around $30 US.
I just ordered a clubman from MikesXS.
https://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-chassis ... ory_id=1.4
It looks like a good compromise between comfort and style. Some Clubmans are just too low and hit the tank, and reduce turning circle dramatically.
Drag bars don't have enough pullback for my liking. They are flat across, while clubmans, like clip-ons, angle back and bring your elbows in.
Pullback is how far they pullback from the mounting point. Rise is the how far they rise from mounting point.
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:20 am
by ronboskz650sr
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:46 am
by kar_the_terrible
Yeah MikesXS seems like the place to go. I do order most of my parts from there, despite their disclaimer about services only xs650's.
Just wanted to ask around before paying ...

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:25 am
by Aggroton
yeah i defionatly want to see pics...ive been eyeing the clubmans since i got the bike...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:32 am
by kar_the_terrible
joe, so you say the mikexs clubman bars are comfy?
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:39 am
by Joe Mc
I haven't got them yet, but they look more comfortable than some that are too low. I should have them on the bike in a couple of weeks and I will post pics and comments.

I'm also putting a small fairing on it, similar to Ron's.
mysta2 (I think that's his name) has these bars on his bike.
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:02 am
by mysta2
Joe Mc wrote:...mysta2 (I think that's his name) has these bars on his bike.
yep, that is my name and I think they're great. Hard to say if they'd be comfortable for you, it all just depends on how your' bikes set up. I don't mind the position at all currently but I think I'll soon be building some rearsets to get me a bit tighter to the bike.
As has been stated I have the bars from Mikes and they work great although they will need some modification to work. There are no holes cut in them for wiring or location so I had to mill them out, also they are beginning to develop some minor surface rust at one of the welds (speaking to the quality of the chroming) because of this I will most likely be going ahead and getting some clipons eventually... it's tough to find them in my size though.
There are clipons out there with rise in them, btw
my bike so far
oh and as far as rise and pull... I can't help you either. After a lot of research into clipons not finding what I wanted, I just found something I liked the looks of and decided for $20 I can't go wrong.
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:21 pm
by kar_the_terrible
Hey, where'd did you order those clubman style bars from ??!! Those are sorta cooler than whats on mikesxs or are they the same??