In my search to get rid of the wobbles I've been experiencing on the front end of my bike, one of the possible causes I've researched could be the non weighted bar ends of the Woodcraft clipons I installed recently. So, I went searching for a universal type of bar end, but what I was finding were very light weight aluminum types that weren't very weighty.

If only I could find some that were the same weight as the stock bar ends that would be great!!! Hey... wait a minute.... :doh:

I knew I had seen the mounting method used in the universal type bar ends before... they are the same that is used on my dirt bike "bark busters". I could use the same technique to mount my stock bar ends to the clip on tubes!! :happy80:

Okay, first step is to remove the plastic end caps from the Woodcraft clipons. I used an adjustable pliers (most likely older than most of us on the board) to work the cap off. Just grab it and twist and twist and twist. It will eventually come out. :p

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6257

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6258

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6259

Once that's off, it's time to prepare the bar end. You will need the stock bar end and a slightly longer bolt that the stock setup uses. I ended up with a 2 1/2" countersunk head allen 5/16" bolt found at the hardware store. I wanted to use a metric bolt, but they didn't have any long enough. Also a metric washer the will fit over the 5/16" bolt and also fit into the clipon tube. A piece of fuel line that will slip over the bolt and still fit inside the clipon tube and a 5/16" nut.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6260

Stick the bolt through the stock bar end weight...
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6261

then stick the washer on the bolt
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6262

Measure out and cut the fuel line so that it leaves enough space on the end of the bolt after it is slipped onto the bolt. when done, this is what you are left with.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6263

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6264

Tighten the nut down to the fuel line till it is snug, then insert the assembled part into the clipon tube.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6265

Tighten the bolt with the allen wrench. As the bolt turns, it also turns the nut, but the nut gets caught on the fuel line and starts to be tightened on the bolt. As the nut is drawn in, it expands the rubber fuel line inside the tube and pushes it out against the inside of the tube, securing the bar end to the tube. Keep tightening the allen bolt until the bar end is solid on the clipon tube.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6266

Do this to both sides and when completed, you will have weighted bar ends for your clipons for free... (or the cost of some bolts, washers and nuts. :p)

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=772&pictureid=6267

Great DIY.

Has this fixed the front end wobble problem?

just did this a few minutes ago. It's way too windy (50mph gusts) to be out right now. :jumping10:

I've always thought that Hawaii had beautiful weather 24/7:flower1:

Well I do hope this cures the front end wobbling problem. All the best!

Thanks, but somehow my guess is that it's another related item and this won't stop it. I was looking for a way to weight the bars anyway. :)

Weld some 10kg dumbbells on each side:p

wow kkim! I'm pretty impressed. you're pretty innovative! this is great info and a great DIY! I'll have to remember this for when I get my woodstock clip-ons! cheers! :cheers:

Kelly, did you use a specific type/size of fuel line or can I just ask for some at an autoparts store? I bought a bar ends kit but the rubber end is too big for the hole in the clipon.

would a generic steering dampener not work? a company probably makes one by now.

Kelly, did you use a specific type/size of fuel line or can I just ask for some at an autoparts store? I bought a bar ends kit but the rubber end is too big for the hole in the clipon.

sorry... I had a piece of fuel line lying around and it fit the bolt and the clipon tube size. I didn't bother looking at what size fuel line it was. :o

Just measure the clipon hole size and go look for some fuel line with that OD or a bit smaller.

would a generic steering dampener not work? a company probably makes one by now.

dunno... this was easy and cheap. :D

Holy barend batman...

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff11/randomwalk101/Picture039.jpg

sorry... I had a piece of fuel line lying around and it fit the bolt and the clipon tube size. I didn't bother looking at what size fuel line it was. :o

Just measure the clipon hole size and go look for some fuel line with that OD or a bit smaller.

I went to an auto store and bought some 5/16 size fuel line and it works! Just in case anyone else needs to know. Thanks Kelly for the idea:D the bike feels alot smoother with the bar ends.

:thumbup:

Glad it worked.

Pretty slick diy :)

lol... us old farts are cheap bastids! ...oh, wait, look who I'm talking to. :D

besides, I wanted a way to check if maybe my wobbling problem was due to the unweighted clipons and this was the simplest, easiest way I could find to get some bar ends with some heft to them to test the theory.

unfortunately they didn't help, but they do help to reduce vibrations, so it wasn't a total loss. :)

Totally stupid question from a n00b(not me, some random guy sitting next to me):

What do clip-ons do, what exactly are they? Just an aftermarket set of handgrips?

And

The weight on the bar ends will help reduce vibrations from suspension/road? Could you increase the stock weighted bar ends?

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11365

increased weight dampens vibrations and yes, you can increase the weight of the bar ends, if you can find any heavier than what is on there stock.

I can make them as heavy as I want. I have access to a machine shop filled to brim with material and equipment. What I worry about is how heavy is too heavy. Obviously if I put weights on there that measure 6 inches beyond the tube, of 316L Sanitary stainless steel, 1.5 round, then that is adding around a couple pounds to each side...too much?

dunno, but a guess would be, yes, that's too much. experiment and let us know what works best. :)

idk how I missed this DIY, but I'm glad I found it.
Just what I was looking for!!!! thanks Kelly

did this as well, great mod:thumbup:

In my search to get rid of the wobbles I've been experiencing on the front end of my bike, one of the possible causes I've researched could be the non weighted bar ends of the Woodcraft clipons I installed recently.

Kkim.. I know you've said you had front end wobbles.. when exactly did/do you get them? when in the middle of a turn? going on a straightaway riding normally? :confused:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13288&highlight=wobbles

still have them.

kkim,

i got the woodcraft clip-ons installed thanks to your awesome DIY thread. now Im trying to do this bar ends DIY but im having trouble finding the bolt so that specific size. I went to Home depot and lowes and spent an hour there and still cant find it. found out later from the people that there that they dont have it for sure. so now im all bummed out :( anyone know where i can get these bolts around san diego area? i would try kragens and pepboy next.

I bought mine from a local Ace Hardware store.

+1 for Ace, they have more bolts/nuts than any store. I got mine there as well for the clipons (at the Pacific Beach Ace, but I'm sure there's one closer to you). I also think I have extra hosing if you need it.

For some reason, the local Ace has a lot of metric hardware that the other stores don't carry, too. It's not cheap, but when you need a couple of specific bolts, there's no better place to go around here than Ace. :thumbup:

I bought mine from a local Ace Hardware store.

+1 for Ace, they have more bolts/nuts than any store. I got mine there as well for the clipons (at the Pacific Beach Ace, but I'm sure there's one closer to you). I also think I have extra hosing if you need it.

Ace hardware...here i come! thanks guys for the fast reply!

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p473/Smififif/awesome.png

kkim,

i got the woodcraft clip-ons installed thanks to your awesome DIY thread. now Im trying to do this bar ends DIY but im having trouble finding the bolt so that specific size. I went to Home depot and lowes and spent an hour there and still cant find it. found out later from the people that there that they dont have it for sure. so now im all bummed out :( anyone know where i can get these bolts around san diego area? i would try kragens and pepboy next.

It's O'Reilly now. :)

What kind of aftermarket bar end would fit ? i'm checking on ebay, some have metric size, other have SAE...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-UNIVERSAL-7-8-MOTORCYCLE-BLK-HANDLE-BAR-END-PAIR-/200578431969?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb367fbe1#ht_1903wt_1739

http://cgi.ebay.ca/BEA-SI-CNC-Aluminum-Motorcycle-Bar-End-Universal-Silver-/290541805583?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a5a4200f#ht_2599wt_905

I did this DIY today and it really works. I was able to find the screws and nuts at my local Lowes. Picked up some stainless steel screws and bolts.

I did this DIY today and it really works. I was able to find the screws and nuts at my local Lowes. Picked up some stainless steel screws and bolts.

i did this DIY too! awesome result...got everything at ACE hardware.

No luck at Ace and had to settle for silver crosshead bolts at OSH but worked the same. Thanks again Kelly!!!

I had no luck at Ace, but will go to Lowes tomorrow.

All pics in first post replaced. Big thanks to Paul for finding them, recreating them, and cataloging them. :thumbup:

An even better solution (http://throttlemeister.com/), albeit a bit pricey.