nakedfying a sporty lower triple clamp

I recently purchased a new lower triple for my naked 2000 sv, to replace my old gross one. However the new one is off an 's' model, and does not have the proper holes for mounting the headlight. How hard is it to drill some new threads / what do I need? Thanks.

[rictus01]

Must admit I didn't know there was a difference on the lower yoke (one with the stem on it/presume that's what you're talking about?), however normal rules apply, as long as there is material there to drill and tap no problem, if you find (and I don't know here/ just a guess) that the area isn't solid, but rib braced, you have two options, either have the area flooded with weld or a aluminum plug made to fit and drill & tap into that.

Cheers Mark.

I'm confident its a solid mass of aluminum, but my question is more basic. I dont know exactly what I need to do a tap. (a drill obviously) Do I need a special bit for drilling metal? What makes the threading? Can I buy the materials locally or will I need to order them?

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Torn-Thorax

I'm confident its a solid mass of aluminum, but my question is more basic. I dont know exactly what I need to do a tap. (a drill obviously) Do I need a special bit for drilling metal? What makes the threading? Can I buy the materials locally or will I need to order them?

It's not aluminum but alloy, depending on what size bolt you plan to use, this will dictate what tap (the bit to cut the thread inside the hole) once you know that you can get the drill bit to match the tap.

Drill the hold (make sure it's straight), clear the swaff out,start rotating the tap in slowly (you'll feel it bit), then about 3/4 of a turn, then back it of 1/4, then again 3/4 of a turn, do about 6 full rotations and back off the tap all the way and clear swaff out, lubricate as needed.

If it's a blind hole (doesn't go all the way threw), you clean out all but the minimum lubrication as hydrolic pressure can cause nasty things to happen , also that it's deep enough for the bolt.

So you'll need,
bolt (for sizing)
Tap
Tap wrench
drill bit
Power drill
lubrication fluid

That what you were after ?

Cheers Mark.

Alternative answer would be to buy a couple of headlight clamps that grip the forks instead. Give it a bit of a retro look.

Thanks mark. Thats what I was looking for.