Top clamp question

[Overdog]

I need to replace my steering bearings and I've decided to replace the factory top clamp with an aftermarket clamp. I looked at San Jose and see that you have to trim the headlight mounts. Do you have to trim with Toaster Tan or Boxerworks clamps?? ...the price isn't listed on Toaster Tan...anyone know how much their /6 top clamp is? Are there any other manufacturers out there and can anyone recommend one clamp over the others? Thanks in advance...

[boxerboy81]

Yep, the TT version needs to be trimmed. He gives very detailed instructions.http://www.pbase.com/toastertan/installation_photos

Prices...
http://www.pbase.com/toastertan/image/143116110

Others?
Right here...http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...1#post21309921




.

[walkingbear]

Boxer Metal Alloy Top Clamps

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http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...1#post21309921

[daveoneshot]

Get the TT clamp......it's a really nice piece.

[craydds]

Originally Posted by Overdog

I need to replace my steering bearings and I've decided to replace the factory top clamp with an aftermarket clamp. I looked at San Jose and see that you have to trim the headlight mounts. Do you have to trim with Toaster Tan or Boxerworks clamps?? ...the price isn't listed on Toaster Tan...anyone know how much their /6 top clamp is? Are there any other manufacturers out there and can anyone recommend one clamp over the others? Thanks in advance...

I had an old San Jose:


Now have a brand new ToasterTan:


The ToasterTan is a superior fit. I have in-depth details, far too much for this post - it also causes heated arguments:


I don't know anything about Chris' product (Boxermetal) but know that he makes some mighty fine stuff.

[dmftoy1]

+1 on toaster tan. Really nice piece and trimming fork ears was a lot easier than I thought.

[SJ BMW]

I just have to pipe in here - we have been making top clamps for airheads for 30 years. We have changed the design over the years as we saw the need and modern production methods (read cnc). They proven, strong and are the best priced part on the market.

Chris

[craydds]

Originally Posted by SJ BMW

I just have to pipe in here - we have been making top clamps for airheads for 30 years. We have changed the design over the years as we saw the need and modern production methods (read cnc). They proven, strong and are the best priced part on the market.

Chris

Chris, I appreciate your company and your work. I had you do my heads, jugs, pistons, etc. Superior results. I do not mean to cause problems, but want to discuss the facts as they fall. I made precise measurements of the stock upper plate, the lower triple clamp, the old San Jose clamp, and the ToasterTan. Have photos to show all this. It always starts a screaming argument, and that is NOT my intention as I do not want to disparage your company or your products. I also have your front fork brace (very nice, precise fit) and had you do my rear swingarm brace. But others have attested that there may have been a machining problem with some of the old upper clamps, and then others will swear that this was corrected and your clamp is a fine product. I will buy one just to prove that they are right! (I have two more old Beemers to rebuild.) I look forward to doing more business with you - just last weekend me and my youngest son were working on "his" old '74 R90/6. It was his Grandfather's (my Dad's) old bike, been it the barn for over 30 years. I was thinking about sending the entire motor to YOU for a complete rebuild. I don't want to piss you off 'cause I need your fine work!

[bmweuro]

Why not a side by side comparison include fit and ease of install between the San Jose, Toaster Tan and the Boxer Metal? If a known straight front end is needed I can supply it.

[Cordless]

That's a very good idea. Anyone else in New Mexico want to give this a try? I've got a BoxerMetal top triple in its way to me now.

[craydds]

Originally Posted by Cordless

That's a very good idea. Anyone else in New Mexico want to give this a try? I've got a BoxerMetal top triple in its way to me now.

I have a '74 R90/6 and a '76 R90S that both need the front ends refurbished. Have a good head start on the '76 R90S, it is ready to go back together, just need a new upper clamp. I would be willing to buy a new SJ clamp. I have a very old (early eighties?) San Jose clamp so it might not be a fair comparison, would need a new SJ version. I have the new ToasterTan on my '75 R90S, would be fast and easy to pull it off for measurements/comparisons.

[Cordless]

Lets get together and do a comparison.

[Beemerboff]

Fifteen years ago I bought a triple for my 75/7 from Motobins in the UK.

It looks the same as the one in Craydds picture, so that thing may not have even been made by SJ - it might have been a copy made somewhere else, like my Motobins one.


I recently fitted a SJ top clamp to my G/S - although they don't have one specifically for the G/S the stock one fits with a little trimming and a flip of the indicator brackets.

As I learned about bikes working on old Brit iron where it was standard practice to check forks alignment before fitting them to the bike I did so with the new top clamp fitted, and fit and fork alignment was a perfect, with the forks moving smoothly over the full length of their travel.
Fork action was much better on the road too, but the old flat plate had been hammered out of shape by over 25 years of hard use, and I fitted a tubular lower brace at the same time too.

As these clamps are now made on CNC equipment chances are that all the current production are similarly accurate, and I don't really see the point in dragging out out a picture of a old, well used, unidentified SJ style clamp , and insinuating that all current SJ production is the same as it, unless someone has an axe to grind.

FWIW I did inquire about the Toastertan clamp for the G/S, but my emails were never answered, and in any event it would have been twice the price of the SJ clamp.

[Bill Harris]

They are all good. SJ has been around a long time and is an icon in the BMW world. TT is a small producer who is legendary. Boxer Metal produces excellent metal for Boxers.

I ride a '73 Toaster, so you can see my inclination. You own motivations may vary, but you can't go wrong with either...

--Bill

[Hookalatch]

I went with the San Jose brace over Toaster Tan mainly because I wasn't sure about the instrument mounting on the TT brace and the price difference between the two, If they had been priced the same I would probably have chosen the TT brace because of negative comments about the San Jose brace that one can find. I don't know if the negative comments were deserved in the past but I had no problems or complaints with the San Jose brace I purchased. I was a little concerned about the accuracy of the cutting info for the headlight ears since I was adding these to the bike and the rubber parts that go above and below. Initially it looked like I may not have trimmed enough but it worked out perfectly using the measurement they recommended. I could not detect any stiction increase over the length of fork travel comparing each leg separately and then tying them together with the axle.

Before the purchase I talked to someone at San Jose (maybe Chris) and felt they gave a frank and honest discussion of their product. My bike handles much, much better but I do not know how much of that comes from the fork brace. I have a new tire, rebuilt forks, correct oil weight, and lost about 50# of RT fairing and related parts.

Boxermetal did not have a brace available (or I did not know about it) when I purchased mine. I would have purchased one of his over the other 2 just because I would like to support what he is doing with his shop. The work I have seen him turn out is truly first rate. He is a great friend to the Airhead community as well.

I think any of the 3 braces discussed will offer an improvement over the flat steel stocker. I kinda doubt I would be able to tell a difference between any of them out on the road but I am sure there are people who can.

Chuck