Handlebar Vibration

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Coach · #1 Unread post by **Coach** » Sun May 29, 2005 7:10 am

I have a 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. I've been in the process of fixing certain things (chain, sprockets, etc) as well as doing some basic mods to make it more to my liking. One of the changes I made was swapping the stock handlebars for a set of Vulcan Mean Streak drag bars. Since changing the bars, I'm noticing alot more vibration in my hands and when looking in the mirrors. I really like the feel and handling with these bars on so I don't want to revert back to stock but there was virtually no vibration at all with the stock bars. I upgraded the stock grips to a set of Kuryakyn ISO Grips which have helped a bit, but it's still annoying. Any ideas on what else I could do to cut down on or eliminate the handlebar vibrations?

Telesque · #2 Unread post by **Telesque** » Sun May 29, 2005 9:27 am

Maybe small rubber grommets/washers to fit between the bars and the triple trees?

Gummiente · #3 Unread post by **Gummiente** » Sun May 29, 2005 1:46 pm

Are you sure all the parts were transferred to the new bars? Maybe you missed a couple of rubber washers or grommets that are needed to reduce the vibration? If not, then you can try an old biker trick... remove the left handgrip and slide a length of manilla rope inside the handlebar. The rope will "soak up" the vibrations. There's a product called the "Bar Snake" that does the same thing and it's made out of polypropylene (if I remember right).

But - I remember on my girlfriend's '01 800B there was a plug welded inside the handlebar ends, this would prevent you from doing the above. I'm not sure if the Mean Streak bars have the same thing or not, but if they do then I'm not sure what can be done to cure the vibes.

poppygene · #4 Unread post by **poppygene** » Sun May 29, 2005 2:01 pm

The bars on the Vulcan 800 I owned had the welded plugs in both ends. Primarily, they are for attaching the bar-end weights, I think. I'm not familiar with the Mean-Streak bars, but if they have the same plugs, you might try another old anti-vibe trick - fill the hollow bars with BBs. I think you should be able to pour them in through one of the bolt holes. You don't have to totally fill the bars, but you need enough in there to soak up the vibrations.

Coach · #5 Unread post by **Coach** » Sun May 29, 2005 3:16 pm

You are correct in that the stock bars I took off had welded plugs in the ends for the bar end weights. The new bars are open ended though. All parts were transfered to the new bars and there were no washers or rubber grommets on the stock bars to begin with. I'm willing to try any and/or all of these suggestions. What would work best?

Gummiente · #6 Unread post by **Gummiente** » Sun May 29, 2005 3:22 pm

Coach wrote:What would work best?

Well, the cheapest would be a length of manilla rope. I'm not sure what the Bar Snake costs these days, but probably less than poppygene's BB idea so maybe try those next if the rope doesn't work and save the most expensive for last?

Telesque · #7 Unread post by **Telesque** » Sun May 29, 2005 4:24 pm

Gummiente wrote:
Coach wrote:What would work best?
Well, the cheapest would be a length of manilla rope. I'm not sure what the Bar Snake costs these days, but probably less than poppygene's BB idea so maybe try those next if the rope doesn't work and save the most expensive for last?

Work your way from cheapest on up, and if the first doesn't work, just leave it while you try the second idea.

Compound the solutions!

poppygene · #8 Unread post by **poppygene** » Mon May 30, 2005 1:12 am

What did you do with the original bar-end weights, Coach? Were you able to attach them to the new bars? If not, I think you should first try to get some weights on the ends of the bars - they go a long way on reducing bar vibes. If you can't do that, try Gummi's rope/Bar Snake methods first.
There is another method that I've heard of, Coach, but I'm a little hesitant to suggest it because if it didn't work, well... it would to a great degree prevent you from trying anything else. I've been told that spraying GreatStuff inside the bars works great. Construction folk around here call it "swell foam." It comes in a rattle-can and you can get it at any hardware store or home center.

Coach · #9 Unread post by **Coach** » Mon May 30, 2005 1:21 am

poppygene wrote:What did you do with the original bar-end weights, Coach? Were you able to attach them to the new bars?

I was not able to re-use the original bar weights because of the way they attach (they screwed directly into the bar). However, the grips I put on are almost as heavy and are weighted on the ends.

aplmv · #10 Unread post by **aplmv** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:49 am

you might try another old anti-vibe trick - fill the hollow bars with BBs.

What is BBs?

Thanks.