Strange feeling in handling after changing bar

[onearmedbandit]

As the title suggests I recently changed the clip-on on my 1000 for an aftermarket one. I did this for two reasons, the first being that is longer than my original one (more room for clutch perch etc) and it's better looking. The original one of course 'locked' into position whereas the new one clamps in any position on the fork leg, and after hopping on and off the bike 67 times trying to get the feel right, and then riding and readjusting I've got it into the best feeling position that still gives full movement in the steering and seems natural to my arm.

However, it still doesn't feel right. The steering seems heavier and less reluctant to respond at low speeds (despite there being more leverage) and the bike feels vague in the front. It's got bad enough now that I'm considering returning it to the standard setup. I've checked tyre pressures etc and nothing else has changed.

Has anyone else experienced this 'change' in feeling when changing clipons? Is it purely a 'memory' thing (ie when my arm feels in it's natural position the bar isn't straight on) and I need to persevere with it? I've probably only put about 200km on the bike since changing it.

TIA

[dipshit]

The first thing that comes to my mind... you haven't over tightened the clip-on to the point that it could be deforming the fork leg ever so slightly and interfering with the internals..???

[onearmedbandit]

The first thing that comes to my mind... you haven't over tightened the clip-on to the point that it could be deforming the fork leg ever so slightly and interfering with the internals..???

Well that is something worth checking out, but I've only tightened it with a t-bar hex drive. How much force would one expect to be too much though?

[onearmedbandit]

I should add the suspension action itself is unaffected. Still it's only an hour job to change it all over so that might be my best plan of attack. It will confirm something, either it's the clipon mucking with my head or I've damaged a fork leg (although I've just dropped the clipon down and there's no outward signs of damage and the fork action itself is stiff fine). Or something else has changed that I haven't noticed.

[CookMySock]

I've got two bikes almost identical (including exactly the same tires) except one has more upright bars, and they feel toooooooooooootally different to ride.

Steve

[dipshit]

Well that is something worth checking out, but I've only tightened it with a t-bar hex drive. How much force would one expect to be too much though?

16.5 lb-ft is recommended for the clip-on's bolt on my 600 at least. So I doubt you have gone over that with the t-bar.

What brand of clip-on is it? Or have you got a link to a picture of them..???

[onearmedbandit]

I've just finished changing the clipon over again, short ride around the block should shed some light. The brand is Agras.

Back in 10.

[onearmedbandit]

Ahh back to the Gixxer I know and love so much, I didn't want to come home, which is the complete opposite of recent rides. Glad the clipon didn't cost me anything. Your post gave me the <s>scare</s> motivation to change it back over dipshit, thanks.

[Robert Taylor]

Just a relevant point about aftermarket clip ons, many are not well toleranced and when tightened up can squeeze the fork tubes out of round in the immediate clamping area. That is not so much of an issue with a bike like the GSXR1000K2 in as much as the top fork bushing is a fixed one inside the outer tube that when the fork is in the bike sits approximately just above the lower triple clamp.
But there are other models of bike that have a top bushing that is a sliding type as its assembled onto the inner tube and its sweep area includes the area further up the forks including the clamping area of the clip on handlebars. That is a good design in that the load bearing surfaces are much further displaced making for stronger and smoother forks. But the flip side being that if the aftermarket clipon is a piece of poorly toleranced junk and is assembled by someone with the finesse of an elephant then its going to squeeze the tube and cause fork bind at that point of travel.
Recent models that have this sliding bush design include the GSXR1000K9 and current CBR1000RRs.

[98tls]

Still got both bar end weights mate?

[Gremlin]

Has the clip on height changed at all? What about length of clip on or weight? (leverage)

[The Stranger]

Has anyone else experienced this 'change' in feeling when changing clipons?

Haven't changed clipons, but similar experience here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/92507-Handlebars-and-handling?highlight=bar).

[onearmedbandit]

Just a relevant point about a....................bush design include the GSXR1000K9 and current CBR1000RRs.

Thanks for the info Robert. It would appear that I wouldn't have overtightened it (and from what you say on the K2 it's not such an issue) luckily. Hopefully it'll save someone from really damaging their forks.


Still got both bar end weights mate?

Funnily enough with the original clip on I don't run a bar end (simply because it won't fit on) and never had an issue. With the aftermarket one it made no difference whether I had it on or not. (remember, only one bar on my bike)


Has the clip on height changed at all? What about length of clip on or weight? (leverage)

Length is longer (just), definitely heavier and lower as well. I'm guessing all those changes added up to be enough to throw me. So for the time being I'll leave the std one on (and thankfully the mod I made to change the location of the brake reservoir is transferable to the original clipon).


Haven't changed clipons, but similar experience here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/92507-Handlebars-and-handling?highlight=bar).

Thanks Stranger. That confirms my thoughts.

[Shaun]

I presume you did remove the Top Tripple clamp when you changed these clip on's?

[onearmedbandit]

I presume you did remove the Top Tripple clamp when you changed these clip on's?

Of course. Why's that Shaun?

[Shaun]

Of course. Why's that Shaun?


Go and re tourque the top nut to a setting lower than reccomened and test ride the bike again, then re tourque it to rec Tourque setting, and ride again, I will be very surprised if you cannot feal the difference in that alone.

I have been very surprised by how much the top Nut for top tripple clamp, effects the whole stearing head feeling.

PS, and I WILL BE out at Ruapuna next Tuesday and Friday

[onearmedbandit]

Go and re tourque the top nut to a setting lower than reccomened and test ride the bike again, then re tourque it to rec Tourque setting, and ride again, I will be very surprised if you cannot feal the difference in that alone.

I have been very surprised by how much the top Nut for top tripple clamp, effects the whole stearing head feeling.

You know I was wondering about that. I'll give it a try this weekend and see what happens. Cheers for the advice.

[Shaun]

You know I was wondering about that. I'll give it a try this weekend and see what happens. Cheers for the advice.


My guess is that is where your issue is at man, and if it is, it would also suggest to me, that you need to strip the front end out, and re pack or replace your stearing head bearings also

[flyingcrocodile46]

I don't suppose you (over) tightened the steering head bearings when you changed bars?

Do the new clip ons (at the grips) sit closer to the rider. If your posture has changed more upright and the bars are set back further then the steering would likely feel less quick