Woodcraft Clip-ons Installation & Review

These woodcraft clip-ons for the CBR250R claim to lower the bar height by 1.5" (measured at the end of the bar). However I found the main factor that is most influential to the ride is the angle these bars are compared to the standard clip-ons. The woodcraft bars angle downwards a lot more - which creates a cockpit style similar to other more focused sport bikes. 

Instructions are vague and universal - so here are some CBR250R specific pointers. 

The circlip on the fork uppers need to be removed! A small flat head screwdriver will do the trick. 

Removing the bar ends requires a lot of force and a pipe wrench or multigrips to hold the bar end from rotating while undoing the philips head bolt. Either that or use an impact screwdriver of sorts. Take care and use tape to protect the bar end when gripping it with the monkey tools.

Taking the clutch side grip off requires compressed air. This is the single best way to do it. The other methods are a struggle.

Throttle side grip comes off with the throttle assembly. Best way is to not disconnect any throttle cables, just loosen the standard clip on, remove the phlips head screws (two or three) - open up the throttle assembly and slide the standard clip on out while holding everything in place rather than pulling it away. This enables you to remove the assembly from the bars without having to dismantle the throttle system - the cables stay in place. 

4.5mm holes must be drilled into the each of the bars for the electrical/throttle assemblies. Refer to oem clip ons for hole location and just replicate it on the new bars. Make sure you dont drill the holes too big as this is the only thing that holds the controls from rotating on the bars. A hole too big means the locating pin will have too much freeplay thus you'll end up with very annoying and dangerous rotating switches and throttle!!! 

Conveniently - the machined edges on the crown of the fork somewhat matches up to the yoke of the woodcraft clip on in a way that locates the bars at an ideal angle - you'll notice this when you have the clip on clamps slightly loose and you rotate the bars around the fork uppers. Just meet these edges and torque up the clamp bolts. This is the correct bar mounting location as everything clears perfectly - no cable fouling, no fuel tank fouling at full turn, levers clear the windscreen.

Now - the main issue with aftermarket clip ons is vibration at high engine rpm.

The weighted shaft inside the standard bar can be removed - thread the philips head bolt back into the threads of the weighted shaft and use a flat head screw driver to pry the prongs inwards (towards the centre of the cross section of the shaft) while pulling on the philips head bolt. Alternatively - take the grips off first and then you'll see two holes at the end of the standard clip ons that locate the circlip that holds the weighted shaft in place. You'll need to push down on the circlip through these holes while pulling on the shaft to remove the assembly. If you are mechanically minded enough, you can make the oem anti-vibration weights fit the new bars. The main issue here is that the woodcraft bars are aluminium - thus thicker and the internal diameter (ID) is smaller than the oem bars. The weighted shafts fit in perfectly but you'll need to get creative with the circlip and use some different O-rings to get it to fit in the smaller ID of the new bars. I managed to get it to fit after a good hour or two of tinkering. And it makes a world of difference to the vibration at high rpm.

Before

After

(You'll notice in the after photo that I hadn't worked out the anti-vibration bar ends yet)

Riding Impression - God Awesome! Coupled with the Yoshi rearset brackets - the ride is transformed. It feels much more like a sport bike should and when cornering hard it doesn't feel like your hands are being held above your head so much. It is a very time consuming install but the result is well worth it. When the bars are mounted in its correct (aforementioned) location - there are no issues with fouling - everything clears - it is a tight fit but it works. No cable fouling at all. No fuel tank fouling at full lock. Woodcraft definitely are true to their words when they said this is the lowest you can go on a CBR250R.