Not enough space on forks for my clip-ons

[nedliv]

Hey guys. I'm trying to install clip-ons onto my 05 Ducati Monster 620. I want to install them on top of the stock triple tree. It's a one piece clamp. There doesn't seem to be enough room above the forks, so will I have to raise the forks? Or does the triple tree get lowered? Here's a pic showing the clip-on right next to the fork.

[DarkStaR]

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There doesn't seem to be enough room above the forks, so will I have to raise the forks? Or does the triple tree get lowered?

Same thing.

If you want to install those clip-ons above the triple (without buying a bunch of other parts), you're going to have to raise the fork legs through the triple (lowering the triple on the fork legs).

Doing this WILL AFFECT handling.

[nedliv]

do I just loosen both clamps and push the triple tree down? is that safe to do without a bike stand?

[stopintime]

That much lowering is too much, IMO....  At least very close to what can be done within safe margins.

I suggest looking for other clip ons.
Over the triple - you can find them with a lower clamp
Under the triple - with various length risers

[nedliv]

if I wanted to install these underneath, can I safely pull the triple tree off without a bike stand?

[stopintime]

The 3-4 people holding the bike would have to be quite strong  

So, no, triple tree front stand or lifting it with straps to the roof or something similar.



EDIT (sorry): yes, the top triple can be removed, but you may need a special tool for the center nut if it has to come off. I can't remember if it has to.

[JoeP]

I've mounted clip-ons above the triple on my monster 600. I raised the fork legs (effectively lowering the front) so there was about 1" of fork leg above the triple. The bike handled fine even on the track. If you're concerned about changing the handling you could also lower the rear to compensate. I used a triple tree stand and it was a pretty easy process. I would not do it without one.

[nedliv]

there is a bottom triple tree though, won't that keep everything in place and make a stand unnecessary?

[DarkStaR]

there is a bottom triple tree though, won't that keep everything in place and make a stand unnecessary?

Without the top triple on, and with weight on the front wheel, the weight of the bike will cause the top fork legs to flex out of the correct position.  It'll be pretty difficult to get the top triple back on.

[bigiain]

Doing this WILL AFFECT handling.

That much lowering is too much, IMO....  At least very close to what can be done within safe margins.

+1.

Take care lowering the front end - the "good advice" seems to be don't make changes more that 5mm (~1/4") at a time, and test ride carefully to make sure you haven't changed the steering response more than you're comfortable with - or worse, to the point of instability, Monsters tankslapping off bumps isn't unheard of with even only minor changes to front suspension geometry. Most of the "horror stories" I've heard are about warmed up 900 Monsters slapping under hard throttle, so your 620 might not be at risk - but I _strongly_ recommend gradually approaching that extra ~20 mm of fork length rather than doing it all at once.

I'm pretty sure you'll be quite unhappy if you just slide the forks through enough to have those clipons clamp up completely above the top triple - you're looking at 20mm or more of fork movement. That's considered quite radical.

[nedliv]

Interesting... I think I will install the clipons below the triple. Thanks for the advice.

[CRASH!]

Good luck mounting those below the triple. I've seen a couple of bikes set up that way, but the bars are VERY low.... Not many people want that riding position.

You're better off getting the Moto Wheels bars that have a thin clamp for mounting above the bars or getting clip-ons with rise. I just learned that Cycle Cat is back in business. Their bars used to be considered the cat's meow

Cheers,

Don