Drilling location holes in bars.

[JohnStMartin]

To everyone who went from S to N... did you drill locating holes for the switch gear or did you take the pins off? I want to drill holes but i'd like to ask here first.

Whats the best idea...

[Sid Squid]

What bars are you using?

[wideguy]

Drill holes.

[Bibio]

drill holes and use the clipons as a guide for sizes.

place the controls on the bar then position them to where you want them to be then mark bar where the pin is with a straight pencil line pointing down to the bar end.

take controls off again and measure up from end of bar using the size from clipons then mark across the bar, then make a + on the bar by joining the 2 lines

use a centre punch in the middle of the + to indent the bar then drill hole.

[maviczap]

As above

[JohnStMartin]

Its good to know my first instinct was right. Thanks.

[Sid Squid]

I wouldn't drill holes in aluminium bars - hence my, (unanswered), question.

[Specialone]

I drilled mine when I did the conversion with no issues, even crashed and the bars took the impact, still wasn't an issue.

Just be 100% sure where you want them as its a one shot deal, I'd clamp them up a bit first then put a location pencil mark in line with the nipple so it helps you line them up when you take it off.

[Ninthbike]

An easier way is to wrap insulating tape around the bar a couple of turns, place the switchgear where you want it and press the pins into the tape. This will then show exactly where you need to go with the centre punch before drilling. This is the technique I have used on four or five sets of Renthals.

[Bibio]

An easier way is to wrap insulating tape around the bar a couple of turns, place the switchgear where you want it and press the pins into the tape. This will then show exactly where you need to go with the centre punch before drilling. This is the technique I have used on four or five sets of Renthals.

much better way of doing it, would save a load of hassle :cheers:

[yorkie_chris]

I just knock the pins down, don't need them.

[Sid Squid]

I just knock the pins down, don't need them.
Exactly.

[JohnStMartin]

So , what stops the gear spinning round on the bars ?

[Sid Squid]

Being clamped to the bars by the screws, like switchgear has been since errr... forever.

Having little pins is a recent thing that stops you putting the switchgear where you want it to be - should you find the original position does not suit you of course.

And I still wouldn't drill holes in aluminium bars.

[JohnStMartin]

well, I have alot of faith in bilbo, but i cant resist the temptation to remove the pins..

[Ninthbike]

The problem then is that the switchgear is often not made as a tight fit to the bars as every manufacturer now uses the pins (since at least 1989 as far as I know). This means that if you remove the pins you will need to a) put tape around the bars to give sufficient girth for a decent grip, or b) file/scrape down one edge of the switchgear in order to tighten it up. Either is a complete pain and drilling the bars is really simple with a decent drill and sharp bit.