Clip on construction

[Canis G.]

I have just taken the clip-ons off my Honda GB400TT. These are milled from a single piece of cast aluminium alloy. Inside each of the bars was a slug of machined steel the length of the bar with these neat rubber friction rings to hold it all in place. Being really ignorant about clip-ons, what is the purpose/s of the steel slug?

Also, one of the clip-ons is a little bent (but still entirely useable). Does this weaken the alloy and should it be replaced?

Cheers

[MSTRS]

You mean the steel is down the grip tube?
If so, it is there to absorb vibration.

[Drew]

Yip, the steel bit is a vibration damper.

And if it is machined from solid cast, (which I think you'll find is not the case), if it's bent it is weakened. But prolly not so bad that it'll break off in your hand.

[Canis G.]

Cheers guys, I thought maybe to stop them snapping off in a crash or something - never thought about vibration.
Hey Drew, yep they are one casting and the handlebar tubes are machined - you can see the lathe tool marks going up the tubes and in to the boss that goes around the fork tube.