Removing & replacing bar ends: Difference between revisions

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====Replacing the bolts====

When you're looking for replacements, go to Ace Hardware or the equivalent and get two hex (Allen) head bolts ~~(instead of~~ the Phillips)~~. You should be able to hunt them down at your big-box hardware supply, too~~. Bring your bar ends and the old bolts with you to see how they fit. A standard size is: m8, 1.25, 50 mm long. Yours might be a different length, depending on your new bar end, but the diameter [m8] and the pitch (1.25) should be the same. Get chrome or stainless if you can.

When you're looking for replacements, go to Ace Hardware or the equivalent and get two hex (Allen) head bolts to replace the Phillips). Bring your bar ends and the old bolts with you to see how they fit. A standard size is: m8, 1.25, 50 mm long. Yours might be a different length, depending on your new bar end, but the diameter (m8) and the pitch (1.25) should be the same. Get chrome or stainless if you can.

====Alternate bolt removal methods====

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All bar ends are not created equal. The bar ends on the EX250 are designed for solid bars. Many bikes have hollow bars that use an expanding rubber thingy to hold them on. ZX-10Rs and some others have completely weird bar ends that actually screw into the bar.

Our bars aren't solid, but they DO have a tapped end as though they ~~WERE~~ solid. Also, HD and knock-offs have 1" bars, whereas the rest of the world uses 7/8" bars. Most Kawasaki sport bike bar ends will fit. HOWEVER, the "lip" at the end of the bar end on our bikes seems to be unique to the EX250 and EX500. This means that if you use anything not designed for one of these two bikes you will have a little gap between the grip and the bar end, unless you do a little bit of monkeying around to remove it (and it will never be perfect). See photo below:

Our bars aren't solid, but they do have a tapped end as though they were solid. Also, H-D bikes and knock-offs have 1" bars, whereas the rest of the world uses 7/8" bars. Most Kawasaki sport bike bar ends will fit. HOWEVER, the "lip" at the end of the bar end on our bikes seems to be unique to the EX250 and EX500. This means that if you use anything not designed for one of these two bikes you will have a little gap between the grip and the bar end, unless you do a little bit of monkeying around to remove it (and it will never be perfect). See photo below:

[[Image:bar end gap.jpg|150px]]

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*The stock bar ends weigh five ounces (142 grams).

*~~On the Concours there are~~ a set of bar ends from [http://www.murphskits.com/buzzless.htm MurphKits] that are adjustable. They have an O ring that sits between the bar end weight itself and the bars. You vary the tightness of the center screw or bolt to change the ~~RPM~~ range ~~that~~ the bar ends become effective. These will most likely work on the 250, but contact them before you order.

*There is a set of bar ends from [http://www.murphskits.com/buzzless.htm MurphKits] for the Kawasaki Concours that are adjustable. They have an O ring that sits between the bar end weight itself and the bars. You vary the tightness of the center screw or bolt to change the rpm range where the bar ends become effective. These will most likely work on the 250, but contact them before you order.

*If you find bar vibration to be a problem, and you'd like a good-looking, heavyweight bar end, look at the ones from [http://hvmp.com/ HVMP.] They are milled from solid stainless steel, and come in 14 and 17 ounce models. Mounting hardware (stainless allen screws and lock washers) is included. They are $60 shipped, compared to about $40 from Ron Ayers for OEM and hardware. HVMP usually recommend the shorter 14 oz for sportbikes.

*If you find bar vibration to be a problem, and you'd like a good-looking, heavyweight bar end, look at the ones from [http://hvmp.com/ HVMP.] They are milled from solid stainless steel and come in 14 and 17 ounce models. Mounting hardware (stainless allen screws and lock washers) is included. They are $60 shipped, compared to about $40 from Ron Ayers for OEM and hardware. HVMP usually recommend the shorter 14 oz for sportbikes.

*[http://www.manicsalamander.com/bar_end_weight.htm#8mmKawasaki !!!MANIC Salamander] makes similar bar ends.

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*'''Remember: When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.~~'''~~

*'''Remember''': When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ====Replacing the bolts====
-When you're looking for replacements, go to Ace Hardware or the equivalent and get two hex (Allen) head bolts (instead of the Phillips). You should be able to hunt them down at your big-box hardware supply, too. Bring your bar ends and the old bolts with you to see how they fit. A standard size is: m8, 1.25, 50 mm long. Yours might be a different length, depending on your new bar end, but the diameter [m8] and the pitch (1.25) should be the same. Get chrome or stainless if you can.
+When you're looking for replacements, go to Ace Hardware or the equivalent and get two hex (Allen) head bolts to replace the Phillips). Bring your bar ends and the old bolts with you to see how they fit. A standard size is: m8, 1.25, 50 mm long. Yours might be a different length, depending on your new bar end, but the diameter (m8) and the pitch (1.25) should be the same. Get chrome or stainless if you can.
 ====Alternate bolt removal methods====
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 All bar ends are not created equal. The bar ends on the EX250 are designed for solid bars. Many bikes have hollow bars that use an expanding rubber thingy to hold them on. ZX-10Rs and some others have completely weird bar ends that actually screw into the bar.
-Our bars aren't solid, but they DO have a tapped end as though they WERE solid. Also, HD and knock-offs have 1" bars, whereas the rest of the world uses 7/8" bars. Most Kawasaki sport bike bar ends will fit. HOWEVER, the "lip" at the end of the bar end on our bikes seems to be unique to the EX250 and EX500. This means that if you use anything not designed for one of these two bikes you will have a little gap between the grip and the bar end, unless you do a little bit of monkeying around to remove it (and it will never be perfect). See photo below:
+Our bars aren't solid, but they do have a tapped end as though they were solid. Also, H-D bikes and knock-offs have 1" bars, whereas the rest of the world uses 7/8" bars. Most Kawasaki sport bike bar ends will fit. HOWEVER, the "lip" at the end of the bar end on our bikes seems to be unique to the EX250 and EX500. This means that if you use anything not designed for one of these two bikes you will have a little gap between the grip and the bar end, unless you do a little bit of monkeying around to remove it (and it will never be perfect). See photo below:
 [[Image:bar end gap.jpg|150px]]
@@ Line 76: / Line 76: @@
 *The stock bar ends weigh five ounces (142 grams).
-*On the Concours there are a set of bar ends from [http://www.murphskits.com/buzzless.htm MurphKits] that are adjustable. They have an O ring that sits between the bar end weight itself and the bars. You vary the tightness of the center screw or bolt to change the RPM range that the bar ends become effective. These will most likely work on the 250, but contact them before you order.
+*There is a set of bar ends from [http://www.murphskits.com/buzzless.htm MurphKits] for the Kawasaki Concours that are adjustable. They have an O ring that sits between the bar end weight itself and the bars. You vary the tightness of the center screw or bolt to change the rpm range where the bar ends become effective. These will most likely work on the 250, but contact them before you order.
-*If you find bar vibration to be a problem, and you'd like a good-looking, heavyweight bar end, look at the ones from [http://hvmp.com/ HVMP.] They are milled from solid stainless steel, and come in 14 and 17 ounce models. Mounting hardware (stainless allen screws and lock washers) is included. They are $60 shipped, compared to about $40 from Ron Ayers for OEM and hardware. HVMP usually recommend the shorter 14 oz for sportbikes.
+*If you find bar vibration to be a problem, and you'd like a good-looking, heavyweight bar end, look at the ones from [http://hvmp.com/ HVMP.] They are milled from solid stainless steel and come in 14 and 17 ounce models. Mounting hardware (stainless allen screws and lock washers) is included. They are $60 shipped, compared to about $40 from Ron Ayers for OEM and hardware. HVMP usually recommend the shorter 14 oz for sportbikes.
 *[http://www.manicsalamander.com/bar_end_weight.htm#8mmKawasaki !!!MANIC Salamander] makes similar bar ends.
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
-*'''Remember: When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.'''
+*'''Remember''': When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.