Rookie Question???

[Benno #03]

Hey Guy's,
Have bought some OURY grips and have come across a problem.
I have no issue changing grips, but how the @#$% do you get the bar ends off.
I've shined my torch in there and can not decipher what it was, allen head, phillips head etc.
Both sides the same, could be original grips and there is some light corrosion.
I have a FJ Manual and haven't been able to find any info.
Any Help Appreciated.

[FeralRdr]

The OEM bar ends have allen head sockets machined into the ends.  Hopefully yours aren't stripped.

[turbocamino]

FWIW...if you cant tell what it is/was (allen)  its probably stripped out...that said,do yourself a favor and buy a new,used pair then grab old ones with a large pair vise grips and have at it....also when you install the new ones,use some anti seize and no need to over-tighten.  Hope this helps.

[markmartin]

If you can't get them loose with an Allen wrench, use a pipe wrench.  The bigger the better within reason.  A piece of thin rubber or a wet wash cloth or some other padding between the wrench and the bar end might prevent the wrench from marring the bar end.   I had to sand and repaint mine after the pipe wrenching.  

Righty tighty , lefty loosey ---good luck.

[Pat Conlon]

I did not want to gouge up the end weight, so I tried a plumbers wrench. The kind with a leather strap. It didn't work....so...
Dremels are wonderful tools. I cut a deep slot in the end and used a impact driver to get the bastard loose. Just about knocked the bike over....

Then, years later I found the wonderful world of Vibranator bar ends (sold by RPM)

[Capn Ron]

Mine came off reasonably well so I haven't had to tackle this problem directly...Just thinking...Could one use a strap wrench to avoid marring the bar ends?



Cap'n Ron. . .

[aviationfred]

Mine came off reasonably well so I haven't had to tackle this problem directly...Just thinking...Could one use a strap wrench to avoid marring the bar ends?



Cap'n Ron. . .

+1  On the strap wrench.

I have used a small strap wrench to remove my bar ends. That did the job well and no marks on the bar ends.

Fred

[ribbert]

There is only ONE thing to use between the tool and the part you don't want to damage that will provide the grip and the protection - LEATHER

Forget about strap wrenches and the like, these things can get seriously tight. You need a tool that will tighten it's grip as you apply force and you need leverage, you will have it off in seconds.

 

You could twist the handle bars off with this arrangement without leaving any marks.

Noel

[ribbert]

+1  On the strap wrench.

I have used a small strap wrench to remove my bar ends. That did the job well and no marks on the bar ends.

Fred

Strap wrenches are great but no good if it is tight.

Noel

[ribbert]

Another tip that will halve the amount of force required if it is really tight. Cut off a length of the Allen key that should fit, leaving about 1/4" protruding from the bar end and give it an almighty belt with a hammer while leaning on the wrench. It should let go immediately.

Noel

[FJmonkey]

Damn!!! All this good info on bar end removal... That chicken was sacrificed for nothing.... But the bar ends came off.... I guess I can let the others go free and bother the neighbors... 

[jscgdunn]

I have had two where a 2 foot pipewrench and a lot of force was required.  Rusted in.  I ground off the scars and repainted.  The leather slipped.

Jeff

[FJmonkey]

Joking a side, I use an impact gun. Air or electric, the impact makes very short work of getting the bar ends off. That is assuming the hex sockets are not rounded out.

[andyb]

Mine had rounded out the hexes on the ends.

Fuckit.  Mar them bitches, Channel-Lock time.


Someday I'll get all fancy and replace them, for now a few minutes with sandpaper and paint made them close enough to pretty.

[~JM~]

You are all working far too hard at this!

Try this method.

Cut off the old grips & clean up any rust or any gack that may be on the bars. Don't worry about removing the bar-end.

Now for your secret weapon... Go get a can of Aqua-Net hairspray.

Spray the interior of one grip with the Aqua-Net & smear it all around with your finger. Spray a couple of quick shots on the bar-end & grip area of the handlebar.

Now grab the grip with both hands & feed it up & over the bar-end. Work quickly as the Aqua-Net is starting to set up. The hairspray makes everything just slippery enough that the grip will slip up & over that bar-end & then snap into position. Now quickly make sure that your grip is where you want it to be & work out any twist, etc. Then leave it alone & go do the other side.

Once you're done with both grips, let the grips set up for 24 hrs or so & they will be firmly glued into place.

Good luck & spread the word.

~JM~