Are you referring to the stock clip-ons? The stock clip ons have little 'bumps' which align them to the triple clamp, to help with making sure both sides are lined up at the same angle. If you change them to the other side, then you'd have to flip them upside down, which allows you to change the angle they align with the triple clamps to something which is comfortable for you.
I know a few guys who have changes the angle of their clip ons to relieve strain to their wrists, and they're happy with it. Usually they will buy Woodcraft or a brand like that.
However, if you wanted to get away with it on the cheap, then yeah, you could flip the stock clipons. You might need to drill holes in the bars for the mounting gear (I can't remember if you need to with the R1s) but apart from that, you would be able to set the angle to something you like.
You just need to make sure you put some thread glue on the securing bolts, as there would be nothing preventing the bolts from loosening and the clip-ons from moving around. On the stock clip ons there is a bolt that secures the clip on to the triple clamp, so that even if the pinch bolts loosen, the clip ons don't lose their fixed position to the triple.
