Putting some Protaper CR High SE bars on now. When I took the clutch perch off the OEM bars, it scraped them up pretty good. Unless I pry them open a bit, it looks like it will do the same to the new bars.

Is prying them open and pinching them back together the standard thing to do here?

 

You only want to pry it open as you move it down the bar to it's home. Don't pry it open with enough force to bend it permanently, it's crap metal and can break. Three hands would help in the operation.
I smoothed the knurls on the bars a bit too.
And if you don't know this already, cut off the nubs in the control pods, then apply some tape to the bar under the pod to keep it from spinning.

 

I always keep some old screwdriver tips on hand for such needs. Over time I've cut off old flathead screwdrivers about 3" from the tip and keep them in my tool box. You have different sizes for different applications, and you use them like wedges or gap spreaders for things like perches, fork triple clamps, and other applications. Just tap them into the gap of whatever component you want with a plastic or wood mallet, and they tend to stay in place so you don't need 3 hands to work with the component as you slide it around. If used judiciously, you don't damage the component. Simple, cheap, effective.

 

Thanks for that. I was worried prying them open too much might be a bad idea. Glad I asked.

Yeah, I read about using the tape. One source said use "plumbers pipe tape" and others just "tape". Double sides tape maybe?

Good idea with the screwdriver shim. I don't have a cutoff around, but plenty of odds and ends that might work.

Happy New Year! Here's to some great rides in 2015!

Cheers!

 

Hacksaw.

 

I wouldn't used double-sided tape. And I really don't think it matters much what kind. The idea is just to give the perch something to grab on to other than a slick metal bar. I used cheap black electrician's tape.

 

Funny you mention that, Scott. Especially back during my enduro racing days, the general rule was to allow the clutch and brake perches to rotate a bit for crashes and hitting stuff like trees. Doesn't mean you can't still apply something under the perches for some general grip, but a tight perch often lead to broken levers.

 

I agree. The tape is for friction only. I leave all my controls loose enough to be moved by hand if I really try, but not loose enough to move during hard off-roading.
Like TNC said, it's more likely stuff won't break when you crash.
BTW, still using the original levers, thanks to that practice and my hand guards.