Handlebar Trials

For weeks I've been trying to figure out exactly which way to go for bars. Friday night I was sketching ideas and settled on trying a Z-type arrangement. I've always liked Z-bars, had them on an old springer triumph I built in the seventies. Z-bars always look and feel good on a springer front-end, but now that I made up these for the X-bike I'm not too sure if I like 'em anymore. The idea I had was to use Ninja clip-on fork clamps. Just cutoff the clip-on clamp leaving a short 1" aluminum stud then drill a socket in the end of some solid 1" diameter aluminum bar stock. Then mitre and tig the joints to the reach and angle I wanted. When I'm finally finished I'll weld in some corner gussets to add strength.

On a side note: Yesterday I lifted the X-bike using an engine hoist and a tension weigh cell. It weighed in at 600 lbs. minus the seat, oil cooler, tank, battery, handlebars, front fender, carbs, and a bunch of accessories. My original estimate was 750 lbs. So I should be under that when finished. I'm trying to stay below the 700 lb. mark.