Fitting Motorcycle Bars to Prewar DX ??

[Mack the fork]

As I build my prewar DX Klunker project, I’m going to make one concession to my strict “only prewar” parts rule.

[ Using prewar Morrow rear brake, high flange “phone dial” front brake, all period correct bits with prewar drop center rims. ]

As a nod to my former flat track racing days, I’m going to use some old motorcycle
flat track racing bars from a former race bike.

I really like the bend aesthetics and the ergonomics of those bars : wide, with very little rise or pull back.

The problem is that though they are 7/8” like bicycle bars, they don’t have a flared, knurled section in the middle to fit a bicycle stem.

So I’ll have to use shims; but what type/thickness?

I went on some sites to find too many choices for my liking ( meaning more than one ).

has anyone shimmed motorcycle bars to a standard bicycle stem ?

I have yet to decide between a Schwinn Art Deco stem or a Schwinn Razor stem from my collection.
Either way, they need to be shimmed.

I was thinking of a copper plumbing pipe section, cut longitudinally in halves or a similar gauge piece of aluminum pipe for material.

Any easier/ better, more conventional solutions out there ?

 

[kunzog]

Copper pipe should work but keep in mind that the original bicycle bars had grooves scored into then to keep the bars from slipping. You wont be able to get a tight fit without the grooves.

 

[saladshooter]

Post a wanted ad for a Monark prewar can't slip stem. They take 7/8".

Sold - Monark Can't Slip Stem $87 shipped | Archive (sold or withdrawn)

Howdy Here we have an slightly cleaned Monark "can't slip" stem. Lemme know any questions you may have. Thanks Chad

thecabe.com

 

[fordmike65]

I have a Monark "No-Slip" stem available if you are interested.

 

[Nelgroe]

hey... Porkchop has some shims for 7/8" to 1" alloy. $6.