robindean
XS400 Addict
Anyone have a lead/link for which clip-on handlebar systems fit our bike?
I'm looking to get a decent, affordable set in black.
I'm looking to get a decent, affordable set in black.
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Any 35mm clipons will work. And all of our controls will fit on the clipons.
However...
You will need to think about likely adjusting the steering so your lower clipons don't slam into your tank, and all of your cables will suddenly be 8 inches or so too long. I speak from experience - I love how they look, but it's a lot of work to switch over.
However...
You will need to think about likely adjusting the steering so your lower clipons don't slam into your tank, and all of your cables will suddenly be 8 inches or so too long. I speak from experience - I love how they look, but it's a lot of work to switch over.
robindean
XS400 Addict
I don't know much about clip-ons (yet) so I'm just going to ask with a lot of ignorance in my statements. Laugh it off and know where I'm simply missing info 
More questions ...
1) My plan, for clip-ons, would be to slide the forks higher above the top tree, placing the clip-ons above everything else, similar to the current position of my super-bike bars. Do people do that? If not, do they usually clamp them below the top tree?
2) What did you do to thwart the cable length issues? What compatible cables did you find or did you roll your own?
3) Assuming I go this route, can the bars be adjusted in a rideable way that doesn't touch the tank or pinch your hands between them and the tank?
More questions ...
1) My plan, for clip-ons, would be to slide the forks higher above the top tree, placing the clip-ons above everything else, similar to the current position of my super-bike bars. Do people do that? If not, do they usually clamp them below the top tree?
2) What did you do to thwart the cable length issues? What compatible cables did you find or did you roll your own?
3) Assuming I go this route, can the bars be adjusted in a rideable way that doesn't touch the tank or pinch your hands between them and the tank?
for adjustable bars, you may want to consider "Jota bars"
1) Not usually. That would look a bit like wearing suspenders on the outside of your coat. Clipons give you the advantage of a tight, low riding position. For above the triples, you'd do better with straight bars or, as Drewpy suggests, Jota bars.
2) Cable lengths can be dealt with in 1 of 3 ways (that I know of.) 1. Let your cables hang out. Some of them can be rerouted to take up the slack, but too many bends and they don't work as well. 2. You can roll your own. I tried this. I failed many times, and then went with the last option: 3. You can call Motion Pro, or go to their website, and order custom cables. I think they're $20 a cable for the main hand controls, and you just say "I have a Seca 400, and need cables that are 7 inches shorter." Measure with string first, to make sure you leave enough cable. For the record, Motion Pro was excellent when I dealt with them.
3) The Seca tank may be narrower at the front, or have more clearance. The Maxim tank definitely did not. I've seen a couple of solutions, but they tend to fall into two categories: narrow the range of motion of your forks by narrowing the stops, or hammer indents into your tank to accommodate the clipons. Truly, you won't know for sure until you try the clipons on your forks, and see if they hit.
Oh, something else I just thought of. If you go with clipons, your gauges will look really lonely sitting on top of your forks. I was able to bend the bracket and move mine so they mounted on the bottom of my triple tree, but I was only able to do that because I replaced the headlight bracket too (to drop the headlight lower.) Try just removing your bars, or imagine if they weren't there, and think about how high your gauges will be.
Of course, if you lower your gauges, then there's two more cables, speedo and tach that are now too long...
As I said, it's not a project for the faint of heart, but also as I said, I love mine.
2) Cable lengths can be dealt with in 1 of 3 ways (that I know of.) 1. Let your cables hang out. Some of them can be rerouted to take up the slack, but too many bends and they don't work as well. 2. You can roll your own. I tried this. I failed many times, and then went with the last option: 3. You can call Motion Pro, or go to their website, and order custom cables. I think they're $20 a cable for the main hand controls, and you just say "I have a Seca 400, and need cables that are 7 inches shorter." Measure with string first, to make sure you leave enough cable. For the record, Motion Pro was excellent when I dealt with them.
3) The Seca tank may be narrower at the front, or have more clearance. The Maxim tank definitely did not. I've seen a couple of solutions, but they tend to fall into two categories: narrow the range of motion of your forks by narrowing the stops, or hammer indents into your tank to accommodate the clipons. Truly, you won't know for sure until you try the clipons on your forks, and see if they hit.
Oh, something else I just thought of. If you go with clipons, your gauges will look really lonely sitting on top of your forks. I was able to bend the bracket and move mine so they mounted on the bottom of my triple tree, but I was only able to do that because I replaced the headlight bracket too (to drop the headlight lower.) Try just removing your bars, or imagine if they weren't there, and think about how high your gauges will be.
Of course, if you lower your gauges, then there's two more cables, speedo and tach that are now too long...
As I said, it's not a project for the faint of heart, but also as I said, I love mine.
lcgtr
XS400 Addict
Xs400's have smaller forks don't they? Not 35mm
I didn't keep my notes. A quick check would be prudent...
lcgtr
XS400 Addict
33mm from memory
robindean
XS400 Addict
Excellent suggestions by all!
I'll keep goofing around with the possibilities in my head while saving up some $.
Regarding the gauges ... I have an aftermarket bikini-fairing, so no problems there
I'll keep goofing around with the possibilities in my head while saving up some $.
Regarding the gauges ... I have an aftermarket bikini-fairing, so no problems there
