How to properly install handlebar bar ends
05 October 2022
Bar ends, part two then...
It's time to talk about their installation.
It all depends on the handlebars of our motorcycle.
What do we mean? Let's discuss it in detail:
🔸 How to install bar ends on aftermarket handlebars
In case we have replaced the factory handlebar with an aftermarket one, we will find that this new handlebar is perforated, i.e. hollow inside.
We are therefore interested in the inner
diameter of the handlebar -attention, the inner and not the outer, as
externally all handlebars
at their ends, even the fatbars have a standard diameter of 22 millimeters. So
we should measure the diameter of the hole essentially at the edge of the
handlebar. The most correct way is with a caliper, but in case we don't have
one, it can be measured with a simple tape measure.
Measuring
the internal diameter is essential before selecting the correct bar end
All aftermarket handlebars have an inner diameter ranging from 13.5 to 18.5mm.
For example the Barracuda and the LSL handlebars have an inner diameter of 17.5mm, the Renthal and the WRP handlebars 13.5mm, the Accossato and the Rizoma handlebars 14.5mm etc.
If our handlebar has an internal diameter of 17.5 to 19 mm, the bar ends are installed using the rubber adapter provided in the package, which has a diameter of 17 mm. The bar enbs are inserted and right after we have to tighten the screws. As we tighten the screw, the rubber adapter expands and secures the bar end in place.
Installing
the bar ends on a hollow handlebar
a simple procedure
But what happens when our new aftermarket handlebar
has an inner diameter between 13.5 to 17.5 millimeters?? Barracuda
has foreseen this scenario and has launched some specific adapters in two
sizes: one for handlebars
with inner diameter from 13.5 to 15mm (eg Renthal) and another for handlebars
with inner diameter from 16.5 up to 18 mm. We just have to remove the rubber
adapter from the bar end, place the specific oner and as we screw it expands
and "hooks"
inside the handlebar.
These metal
adapters are available in two different diameter ranges, from 13.5 to 18
mm.
🔸 How to install bar ends on factory handlebars
Time to switch to factory handlebars…
Most Suzuki, SYM, Piaggio,
Kymco, Daytona, CF Moto and in some cases Ducati, Triumph,
KTM and Kawasaki factory handlebars
are either perforated (hollow) or have a small M6 or
M8 threaded hole.
In the first case, when the factory handlebar is perforated, the bar ends are inserted as we said before, i.e. using the rubber adapter that expands by screwing. In the second case, when our handlebar comes with a threaded hole, we remove the rubber adapter from the bar end and we install it by simply screwing. The Barracuda bar ends include both M6 and M8 screws in the package so that one of them will definitely fit the threaded hole on the handlebar.
When the handlebar is
hollow, the bar ends are inserted by using the rubber adapter...
...while when there is a threaded hole
inside the handlebar they are fitted directly
by using one of the provided screws (M6 or M8)
🔸 How to install bar ends on Yamaha handlebars
Factory Yamaha handlebars are in a class of their own…
The vast majority of them have an internal thread with a diameter of 15 millimeters. If you try to remove a factory bar end you will see that it is threaded into its own body and there is no screw to support it. In other words, the entire bar end goes screwed into the handlebar.
On the left we can see the inside of a
Yamaha Tenere 700 handlebar
and the respective bar end and on the right a closer shot
So the only way to properly fit an aftermarket bar end on a factory Yamaha handlebar is to use a threaded adapter. Barracuda adapters YN1000 have exactly this use: they are screwed into the handlebar so they can accomodate any aftermarket bar end.
This is how to install the
bar ends correctly on a Yamaha handlebar (above)
A closer look of the Barracuda
adapters (below)
🔸 How to install bar ends on Honda handlebars
It's time to switch to Honda handlebars. The peculiarity of Honda's factory handlebars has to do with a cut reminiscent of a crescent moon. So when removing the factory bar end and trying to install an aftermarket one, we will find out that it is impossible to fit it perfectly because of this "crescent moon".
On the left you can see
the "male" edge on the factory bar end and on the
right the "female" one inside the handlebar
And guess what... Barracuda has provided the right adapter once again! They built an adapter that simulates the crescent moon and assists to perfectly fit the aftermarket bar ends on the factory Honda handlebar.
The way in which the
adapter fits perfectly the Honda handlebar (above)
And a closer look at the HN1000
adapters (below)
🔸 How to install bar ends on Kawasaki and Triumph handlebars
Triumph and Kawasaki factory handlebars, in large part, have a bulge on their end which leaves a gap in case we want to replace the factory bar ends with others. This happens because if we remove an original bar end we will see that it is "dug" on the inside in order to "hug" this bulge.
On the left we can see the bulge on the
handlebar and on the
right the "digging" on the factory bar end
Yes, Barracuda
has pioneered here as well by creating two different adapters, the KN1000
for Kawasaki models and the TT1000
for Triumph models, which have the same utility but
different
dimensions.
Notice the bulge and how
the adapter covers it (above)
On the left the adapters for
Kawasaki models and on the right the ones for Triumph (below)
🔸 How to install bar ends on BMW handlebars
At last, on most new BMW models (after 2015 mostly) a special threaded adapter is required in order to replace the factory bar ends with aftermarket ones.
The BMW1000
adapters bolt directly on the factory handlebar (top)
The BMW1000
adapters have Allen head and are threaded (below)
Before closing this chapter, let's make it clear that the above guide is not absolute and there are certainly various exceptions. So we should check the ends of our handlebar before proceeding to a purchase of new bar ends. Here is an indicative list with examples of some models by brand where the use of an adapter is essential:
Honda: Integra, CB1000R, Varadero, NC750X, CB500X, Hornet etc.
Yamaha: Fazer, Tracer, T-Max, XJ6, MT-09, MT-07, Tenere etc.
Kawasaki: Z750, Z1000, ER-6n, Versys, Vulcan etc.
BMW: S1000XR, RnineT, R1200GS LC, R1250GS, F850GS etc.
Triumph: Street Triple, Tiger 1050, Tiger Sport 660, Trident, Street Twin etc .