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Gents, has anyone removed the rubber spacers from under the handlebar mounts on the top of the triple clamp? Pros/cons? more vibrations or didnt make a difference?
I am not a huge fan of the squishy feeling they give my handlebars was thinking about removing them when i flip my handlebar mounts around since i would already have them off.
Thanks,
Jermo
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hmm interesting. I have never noticed a squishy feeling in my handlebars. Just rode it pretty hard this morning. Going to have to pay more attention next ride.
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It was more just noticing that I can move the handlebars probably 1/16th to 1/8 of an inch. I checked tightness of the bolts and they are in there so idk.
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It is a micro-vibration issue as opposed to a macro turning issue.
Meaning that very small amounts of play may cause vibrations that amplify enough to notice- but the end user wouldn't feel the difference in a steering feedback.
Remove the rubber- you might not notice any improvement in steering but would notice steady state vibration as you drove down the road.
The engineers are no dummies... within the goals they are tasked to achieve...
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When people flip their handlebar mounts 180 degrees do they reuse the rubber spacers?
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Just in case someone comes along looking for info on this, I did rotate the handlebar mounts 180 degrees and the rubber spacers under them and that worked fine. I have since moved to clip-ons but have been toying with the idea lately of putting some more upright bars on the bike again. regardless just wanted to update saying it can be done and is fine.
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(05-20-2019, 04:16 AM)jermo47_imp Wrote: Just in case someone comes along looking for info on this, I did rotate the handlebar mounts 180 degrees and the rubber spacers under them and that worked fine. I have since moved to clip-ons but have been toying with the idea lately of putting some more upright bars on the bike again. regardless just wanted to update saying it can be done and is fine.
I built my 1966 BSA Lightning into a café racer in the early 60s. Bought a fibreglass front fender, fairing, fuel tank, alloy oil tank, huge capacitor to replace the heavy battery, clip-on handle bars and rear sets. Trimmed enough weight from it to make it the quickest bike on the street.
But it was a pain in the neck, butt , lower back and wrists to ride any distance. Any girls I met always found another boyfriend after a ride it. The seat was wide and had little foam. The clip-ons had me bent over, so they got all the wind blast and were deafened by the Dunstall pipes. The clip-ons also passed on any bumps from the front the suspension to the wrists and arms. The pains we foolishly suffered to impress our buddies when we were young.
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(05-21-2019, 02:17 AM)Nortoon_imp Wrote: (05-20-2019, 04:16 AM)jermo47_imp Wrote: Just in case someone comes along looking for info on this, I did rotate the handlebar mounts 180 degrees and the rubber spacers under them and that worked fine. I have since moved to clip-ons but have been toying with the idea lately of putting some more upright bars on the bike again. regardless just wanted to update saying it can be done and is fine.
I built my 1966 BSA Lightning into a café racer in the early 60s. Bought a fibreglass front fender, fairing, fuel tank, alloy oil tank, huge capacitor to replace the heavy battery, clip-on handle bars and rear sets. Trimmed enough weight from it to make it the quickest bike on the street.
But it was a pain in the neck, butt , lower back and wrists to ride any distance. Any girls I met always found another boyfriend after a ride it. The seat was wide and had little foam. The clip-ons had me bent over, so they got all the wind blast and were deafened by the Dunstall pipes. The clip-ons also passed on any bumps from the front the suspension to the wrists and arms. The pains we foolishly suffered to impress our buddies when we were young.
I built my 1966 BSA Lightning into a café racer in the early 60s. Bought a fibreglass front fender, fairing, fuel tank, alloy oil tank, huge capacitor to replace the heavy battery, clip-on handle bars and rear sets. Trimmed enough weight from it to make it the quickest bike on the street.
But it was a pain in the neck, butt , lower back and wrists to ride any distance. Any girls I met always found another boyfriend after a ride it. The seat was wide and had little foam. The clip-ons had me bent over, so they got all the wind blast and were deafened by the Dunstall pipes. The clip-ons also passed on any bumps from the front the suspension to the wrists and arms. The pains we foolishly suffered to impress our buddies when we were young.
I'm the secretary of the local vintage bike club and a few of the members have old British café racers like what you describe. They look cool, but I don't know how their bodies cope with riding them - and these aren't young riders either!
Oh well, whatever turns your crank I guess
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I understand what youre describing but it hasnt started to bother me yet and its been about a year of riding almost everyday for about an hour each way to work. one thing I can do to beat any possible wrist strain is prop myself up off of the tank with my left arm when in situations i can do it safely and that helps. I can always throw my other bars back on it whenever ive had enough as well.
