Removing & replacing bar ends: Difference between revisions

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*You can always drill the head off a stripped screw, slide the bar end weight off, and then you can clamp vice grips onto the shaft of the bolt. It's much easier than messing around with easyouts. If you snap an easyout you're in a world of hurt.

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

*'''When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.''' Ace Hardware is usually recommended for fasteners, but you should be able to hunt them down at your big-box hardware supply, too. Bring the old one with you.

====Finding new bar ends====

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'''A couple things to think about:'''

*The purpose of the bar ends is to dampen the vibration of the handlebars. This is one place where weight is a good thing. Most of the aftermarket ends are made from aluminum, or even a kind of nylon-ish plastic. Those may not be heavy enough to do the job they are supposed to do as well as the OEM product. They do come in pretty colors, though. eBay is a good place to look. You might start with [http://stores.ebay.com/The-Kawasaki-Store/The-Kawasaki-Store.html The Kawasaki Store.] They do sell bar ends made specifically for the EX250/500, but they are the lighter aluminum type.

*The purpose of the bar ends is to dampen the vibration of the handlebars. This is one place where weight is a good thing. Most of the aftermarket ends are made from aluminum, or even a kind of nylon-ish plastic. Those may not be heavy enough to do the job they are supposed to do as well as the OEM product. They do come in pretty colors, though. eBay is a good place to look.

*The stock bar ends weigh five ounces.

*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.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 *You can always drill the head off a stripped screw, slide the bar end weight off, and then you can clamp vice grips onto the shaft of the bolt. It's much easier than messing around with easyouts. If you snap an easyout you're in a world of hurt.
-*'''When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.'''
+*'''When you replace your bar ends, use allen-head bolts, which are much easier to remove.''' Ace Hardware is usually recommended for fasteners, but you should be able to hunt them down at your big-box hardware supply, too. Bring the old one with you.
 ====Finding new bar ends====
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 '''A couple things to think about:'''
-*The purpose of the bar ends is to dampen the vibration of the handlebars. This is one place where weight is a good thing. Most of the aftermarket ends are made from aluminum, or even a kind of nylon-ish plastic. Those may not be heavy enough to do the job they are supposed to do as well as the OEM product. They do come in pretty colors, though. eBay is a good place to look. You might start with [http://stores.ebay.com/The-Kawasaki-Store/The-Kawasaki-Store.html The Kawasaki Store.] They do sell bar ends made specifically for the EX250/500, but they are the lighter aluminum type.
+*The purpose of the bar ends is to dampen the vibration of the handlebars. This is one place where weight is a good thing. Most of the aftermarket ends are made from aluminum, or even a kind of nylon-ish plastic. Those may not be heavy enough to do the job they are supposed to do as well as the OEM product. They do come in pretty colors, though. eBay is a good place to look.
-*The stock bar ends weigh five ounces.
+*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.