My Woodcraft Clip-on installation experience

anacron · September 24th, 2013, 10:41 PM

The stock bar ends may be "Kawasaki genuine parts" but I have some Kawasaki genuine hate for them.

Look at what they did to my Philips head bit... utterly destroyed. I managed to get them off after some fiddling and getting creative.

Trailerboy531 · September 24th, 2013, 10:47 PM

Sounds about right... welcome to the club! F*ck everything about those bar ends.

Chefdota · September 24th, 2013, 11:06 PM

I had to saw the stock bar ends off because i stripped the nuts. that's not gonna be the end of it your going to want shortie levers , new windscreen and new brake lines for a cleaner look. ENJOY its Worth it for me :P

anacron · September 24th, 2013, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chefdota

I had to saw the stock bar ends off because i stripped the nuts. that's not gonna be the end of it your going to want shortie levers , new windscreen and new brake lines for a cleaner look. ENJOY its Worth it for me :P

Yeah, I was already thinking about shortie levers and some detailing work

I need to stop though... I'm already up for an R6 upgrade, now that I crashed my 300

S1att3r · September 25th, 2013, 05:08 AM

Did you use an impact driver? I didn't have a single problem with stripping or breaking bits when I used an impact driver.

subxero · September 25th, 2013, 08:13 AM

What brand of Phillips bit is that? I am willing to bet it is a cheap brand. I destroyed a cheapo bit getting mine off. But then slapped in a good brand name bit and was able to twist them out with no heat just a little man power no problem.

jkv45 · September 25th, 2013, 08:39 AM

A set of quality Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) screwdrivers makes a huge difference when it comes to installing and removing screws on Japanese cycles and cars.

JIS screws look like standard Phillips-head screws - but aren't. All of the screws that look like Phillips are really JIS. A standard Phillips screwdriver doesn't have the proper contact needed to hold much torque when used in a JIS screw.

I bought the JIS 3-piece standard set (#53325A61 - made in Japan) from McMaster-Carr a while ago, and they make a huge difference.

In a pinch, the screwdrivers in the tool kit are also JIS.

ChickenRun · September 25th, 2013, 09:46 AM

At least the bit didn't snap in half like mine.

anacron · September 25th, 2013, 10:39 AM

@S1att3r
Nope, didn't use an impact driver. I'm sure this is the preferred way to remove red loctite bolts but I wanted a cheaper option.

@subxero
It was a cheapo brand, so not too bothered about losing the bit. Just incredibly frustrated at how hard a job it was for something so small.

@jkv45
I ended up duct taping the tool kit's screwdriver bit to my socket wrench and removing the bar ends that way. Of course, by that time the screw heads were stripped to the point where it didn't really matter which bit I used.

Chicagobob · September 25th, 2013, 12:31 PM

I agree that the Japanese standard driver head is a must, but with my bar-ends, even that wasn't enough, so I drilled out the screw heads, then removed the bolts with vice-grips once the weights were off. Still a pain, but didn't take too long.

I re-attached the bar-end weights with hardware store stainless hex-head flathead bolts.

adouglas · September 26th, 2013, 05:12 AM

Um… you DID use heat, right?

You take a propane torch and use it to heat the screw head. That breaks the bond.

Those suckers don't want to go anywhere if you don't.

But you found that out….

And yeah, impact driver. The "cheaper option" isn't so cheap when you start destroying things and flames start shooting out of your eye sockets. How much is your time and aggravation worth to you?

A rule I learned early is that buying the right tool for the job is ALWAYS cheaper in the long run.

Chicagobob · September 26th, 2013, 06:50 AM

Yes, I used heat, but only after I had the screws drilled out and the weights off, and then it didn't take much, because I could apply it near the threads. I didn't want to torch the screws from the ends.

SMman · September 26th, 2013, 07:06 AM

I used a socket with a phillips head and applied pressure towards the bar end. I never had an issue at all and didn't have to use heat.

Thanks for the tip about JIS screwdrivers. Now I have something to shop for. I agree that its always good to have the right tool for the job (insert dirty comment here

)

anacron · September 26th, 2013, 10:05 AM

Second hardest job was getting the grip off of the left handlebar. Saw posts about compressed air being the best option but I really didn't want to buy something for a one time use.

Ended up using a screwdriver to create some space between grip and handlebar, then squirted some windex into the gap. Start twisting the grip back and forth and before you know it the thing just slides right off!

In hindsight, removing the grip should've been a 2 min job but it took me some time (and brute force attempts) to arrive at the idea to use liquid as a lubricant... worked like a charm and I had a chance to clean the bugs off my windshield!

SMman · September 26th, 2013, 10:59 AM

Compressed air does work very well. I've done many grips with it. Go out and start buying tools. You will definitely use them again.

anacron · September 26th, 2013, 11:16 AM

I sure will... once I'm out of grad school and housing situation is no longer temporary and garage situation not so ridiculous.

psych0hans · September 26th, 2013, 12:09 PM

Using heat makes the whole process pain free... Use a flame torch to heat up the screws and they come off pretty easy...

anacron · September 26th, 2013, 09:29 PM

All done!

Unfortunately, I had a lapse in concentration when checking the lock-to-lock clearance and accidentally caused a stress fracture on the Tacho. You can see the off-white line around the contour of Speedo display.

Hate myself for losing that bit of focus but C'est la vie. Otherwise, clip-ons feel great!

Anyone know if that bit of clear plastic is modular and individually replaceable?

Edit: Not sure why the pics are rotated post-upload... i'll upload better angles tomorrow.

Xtina · October 1st, 2013, 01:41 PM

You have to replace the whole cluster.

September 24th, 2013, 10:47 PM	#2
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	Sounds about right... welcome to the club! F*ck everything about those bar ends. __________________________________________________ CVMA #531

September 25th, 2013, 08:13 AM	#6
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	What brand of Phillips bit is that? I am willing to bet it is a cheap brand. I destroyed a cheapo bit getting mine off. But then slapped in a good brand name bit and was able to twist them out with no heat just a little man power no problem. __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

September 25th, 2013, 09:46 AM	#8
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	At least the bit didn't snap in half like mine. __________________________________________________ "It sounds like a lawnmower." "Shut up no it doesn't."

September 26th, 2013, 05:12 AM	#11
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Um… you DID use heat, right? You take a propane torch and use it to heat the screw head. That breaks the bond. Those suckers don't want to go anywhere if you don't. But you found that out…. And yeah, impact driver. The "cheaper option" isn't so cheap when you start destroying things and flames start shooting out of your eye sockets. How much is your time and aggravation worth to you? A rule I learned early is that buying the right tool for the job is ALWAYS cheaper in the long run. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

September 26th, 2013, 07:06 AM	#13
SMman ninjette.org guru Name: Danger Location: Canada Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R Posts: 422	I used a socket with a phillips head and applied pressure towards the bar end. I never had an issue at all and didn't have to use heat. Thanks for the tip about JIS screwdrivers. Now I have something to shop for. I agree that its always good to have the right tool for the job (insert dirty comment here ) __________________________________________________ 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R 636

September 24th, 2013, 11:06 PM	#3
Chefdota ninjette.org member Name: kevin Location: rancho, cali Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 27	I had to saw the stock bar ends off because i stripped the nuts. that's not gonna be the end of it your going to want shortie levers , new windscreen and new brake lines for a cleaner look. ENJOY its Worth it for me :P

September 25th, 2013, 05:08 AM	#5
S1att3r ninjette.org member Name: Raygan Location: North East Texas Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): White 2013 Ninja 300(Storm), Silver 2003 Fjr1300 Posts: 173	Did you use an impact driver? I didn't have a single problem with stripping or breaking bits when I used an impact driver. __________________________________________________ ATGATT For all I know, women who ride motorcycles are all man-hating dominatrix's. It was like a mild panic attack!

September 25th, 2013, 08:39 AM	#7
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	A set of quality Japanese Industry Standard (JIS) screwdrivers makes a huge difference when it comes to installing and removing screws on Japanese cycles and cars. JIS screws look like standard Phillips-head screws - but aren't. All of the screws that look like Phillips are really JIS. A standard Phillips screwdriver doesn't have the proper contact needed to hold much torque when used in a JIS screw. I bought the JIS 3-piece standard set (#53325A61 - made in Japan) from McMaster-Carr a while ago, and they make a huge difference. In a pinch, the screwdrivers in the tool kit are also JIS.

September 25th, 2013, 10:39 AM	#9
anacron ninjette.org guru Name: Adi Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 380	@S1att3r Nope, didn't use an impact driver. I'm sure this is the preferred way to remove red loctite bolts but I wanted a cheaper option. @subxero It was a cheapo brand, so not too bothered about losing the bit. Just incredibly frustrated at how hard a job it was for something so small. @jkv45 I ended up duct taping the tool kit's screwdriver bit to my socket wrench and removing the bar ends that way. Of course, by that time the screw heads were stripped to the point where it didn't really matter which bit I used.

September 25th, 2013, 12:31 PM	#10
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	I agree that the Japanese standard driver head is a must, but with my bar-ends, even that wasn't enough, so I drilled out the screw heads, then removed the bolts with vice-grips once the weights were off. Still a pain, but didn't take too long. I re-attached the bar-end weights with hardware store stainless hex-head flathead bolts.

September 26th, 2013, 06:50 AM	#12
Chicagobob ninjette.org guru Name: Bob Location: Chicago Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250, 2018 Honda GL1800B Posts: 315	Yes, I used heat, but only after I had the screws drilled out and the weights off, and then it didn't take much, because I could apply it near the threads. I didn't want to torch the screws from the ends.

September 26th, 2013, 10:05 AM	#14
anacron ninjette.org guru Name: Adi Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 380	Second hardest job was getting the grip off of the left handlebar. Saw posts about compressed air being the best option but I really didn't want to buy something for a one time use. Ended up using a screwdriver to create some space between grip and handlebar, then squirted some windex into the gap. Start twisting the grip back and forth and before you know it the thing just slides right off! In hindsight, removing the grip should've been a 2 min job but it took me some time (and brute force attempts) to arrive at the idea to use liquid as a lubricant... worked like a charm and I had a chance to clean the bugs off my windshield!

September 26th, 2013, 10:59 AM	#15
SMman ninjette.org guru Name: Danger Location: Canada Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R Posts: 422	Compressed air does work very well. I've done many grips with it. Go out and start buying tools. You will definitely use them again. __________________________________________________ 15 CBR300R, 14 BWS50, 09 FZ1, 09 Ninja 250, 06 CRF450R Motard, 03 ZX-6R 636

September 26th, 2013, 11:16 AM	#16
anacron ninjette.org guru Name: Adi Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 380	I sure will... once I'm out of grad school and housing situation is no longer temporary and garage situation not so ridiculous.

September 26th, 2013, 12:09 PM	#17
psych0hans ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Hansveer Location: Bombay, India Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r - Track whore, Ninja 300 - SOLD, KTM RC390 - Orange Hulk, Ducati 899 Panigale - Red Devil. Posts: A lot.	Using heat makes the whole process pain free... Use a flame torch to heat up the screws and they come off pretty easy... __________________________________________________ GETTING BACK INTO RIDING? Read this.

October 1st, 2013, 01:41 PM	#19
Xtina ninjette.org guru Name: Christina Location: Toronto Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300, 2007 Gsxr 600, R6-sold :( Posts: 270	You have to replace the whole cluster.

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