Manny98 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Happy New Year Have an issue with the clip-ons/top yoke on my 1998. Ordered the gear indicator/voltage mount. Unfortunately it did not fit as apparently there is more than one style of top yoke for the 5th generation. Found the correct one on eBay. However. upon reinstalling the clip-ons i discovered that the angle is much more severe with this top yoke. My question is, did Honda make different angled clip-ons for the 5th generation? See attached pics. Quote
Member Contributer Terry Posted January 2 Member Contributer Posted January 2 Checking the part numbers on Partzilla, the 98 and 01 are the same so I doubt they changed the angle. 53300-MBG-000. Some non-US markets got the HISS security system which changed the detail around the ignition key 53300-MBG-E00. The bars listed for a Euro spec 01 have a different pt/no to those on the US model. Quote
Manny98 Posted January 2 Author Posted January 2 Thanks for the info Terry. It's really weird. I'll have to do some more digging. The new yoke has the clip-ons sitting at least 45 degrees lower than they were before. Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 2 Member Contributer Posted January 2 How does the top yoke affect the angle of the clip-ons? I'm confused. Also, maybe you need to remove the locating lugs on the bars to put them where you want, as the pinch bolts are oriented differently and that's where the lugs engage. Quote
Member Contributer JZH Posted January 2 Member Contributer Posted January 2 Look on the underside of the top yokes. Check if both say "MGB". I'm guessing one does not... Ciao, JZH Quote
Manny98 Posted January 6 Author Posted January 6 Captain 80's The bottom of the clip-on's that fit over the fork's have a "nub" if you will at the bottom that fits into the gap you pointed out in the picture. This is what prevents it from rotating on the fork if it were to loosen. Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 6 Member Contributer Posted January 6 2 hours ago, Manny98 said: Captain 80's The bottom of the clip-on's that fit over the fork's have a "nub" if you will at the bottom that fits into the gap you pointed out in the picture. This is what prevents it from rotating on the fork if it were to loosen. Correct. And that's why I noted that the gaps are in different locations on your pictured clamps and that you might eliminate the "nub" to put the bars where you want. I do it on all of my bikes (including those that still have the stock clamps and bars) to gain some adjustability that is available without hitting anything. 1 Quote
Manny98 Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Ok. Great advice. You don't have any issues with the clip-ons rotating on the forks? Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 7 Member Contributer Posted January 7 No. Did yours come loose and have the lugs slop back and forth within the slot before? Use a torque wrench. Quote
Member Contributer bmart Posted January 8 Member Contributer Posted January 8 In my life, I can recall one time that a fastener with a torque setting "just came loose" after being torqued properly. Once. And I'm 100% anti lock-tite, so I use it on nothing. Quote
Manny98 Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 Captain 80's To clarify, you remove the portion of the clip-ons circled in red below to allow infinite adjustments? Thanks Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 Yes sir! Grind til you get close, finish with a hand file. Just being able to rotate this little amount made a huge difference in getting the bars where I wanted them. Honda used to thread the bar in that spot with a removable torx socket bolt. That was nice. Quote
Member Contributer Presson Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 The clipons are the one feature I wish the 8 Gen had retained. The handlebar design on the last model makes adjustment of the angle impossible with the OEM kit. My wrists tell me they don't want to go lower, just more inward. Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 I'd say pretty locked in. 🙂 Luckily everybody's preferred body position is exactly the same and Honda got it perfect as always. ugh. I'd be swapping those bars out and maybe using the threaded holes in the triple as switch and/or meter mounts. At least fab some kind of nice looking cover piece. 1 Quote
Manny98 Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 Wow. Ground right down. If there isn't an issue with clip-on rotation on the fork that's definitely going to happen. Thanks for all the help!!!!! 1 Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 2 minutes ago, Manny98 said: Wow. Ground right down. If there isn't an issue with clip-on rotation on the fork that's definitely going to happen. Thanks for all the help!!!!! Just be sure to carefully check lock to lock clearance before final fitment. Quote
Member Contributer Terry Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 17 minutes ago, Captain 80s said: Just be sure to carefully check lock to lock clearance before final fitment. Position the bars so they JUST trap your thumbs against the tank at full lock. Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted January 12 Member Contributer Posted January 12 9 minutes ago, Terry said: Position the bars so they JUST trap your thumbs against the tank at full lock. For me, it's usually just before a handlebar switch, brake/clutch lever or line wants to hit the dash/cowl. I don't like the more pulled back "tiller" position. Quote
Manny98 Posted January 18 Author Posted January 18 That sounds perfect. The tiller version is what they are now. Reminds of a Virago I rode 20 years ago. Not good. Quote
Member Contributer Lorne Posted January 18 Member Contributer Posted January 18 On 1/12/2025 at 10:51 AM, Presson said: The clipons are the one feature I wish the 8 Gen had retained. Here're the dimensions of my 6th gen handlebars. Your 8th gen has a step in the top plate where your h'bars are bolted. But there might be enough enough clearance to accommodate the 6th gen's pinch bolt. It also looks like your fork tube extends high enough to fully engage the 6th gen 'bars. I believe your VFR's forks are 43 mm as are my '09's. You'd have to cut/grind/machine off the locating tab, but that shouldn't pose any difficulty. 1 Quote
Member Contributer Presson Posted January 19 Member Contributer Posted January 19 Thanks Lorne, that very helpful. I was thinking along similar lines after Captain80s observations and I think that it will work. You've saved me having to hunt around for dimensions. Quote
Member Contributer JZH Posted January 22 Member Contributer Posted January 22 On 1/2/2025 at 6:39 PM, JZH said: Look on the underside of the top yokes. Check if both say "MGB". I'm guessing one does not... Ciao, JZH I'm still curious which bike the other top yoke is from... Ciao, JZH Quote
Manny98 Posted January 24 Author Posted January 24 JZH I have no idea yet but I will definitely do the research and update this thread. Quote
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