Bar End Weights?

[DGShannon_imp]

Using one of Chip's pics, I want to ask a question...

We know that the heaviest portion of the bar end weights is actually inside the handlebar, isolated by the two rubber grommets. The question involves the larger diameter black weights, that we see visible and external to the handlebar. From the factory (or dealer setup) were yours somewhat loose, such that they could easily be rotated a few degrees, for and aft, before hitting the stops?

One of mine (throttle side) was loose and one was tight. My presumption was that the loose, wiggly, one was correct and that the screw on the other side was snugged down too tight, preventing the weight from moving as it should, and doing its job.

Then, as I thought about it more and more, I wonder. Consider the heavier weight inside the handlebar. It dampens the vibrations because it is suspended in the rubber grommets. Not solid to the bar, but yet not all loose and wiggly. Should the big black bar ends actually be snugged down tight, adding even more weight to that inside the bar? Or, should they be slightly loose, able to move a little, and vibrate differently than the weight inside the bar?

Not so much curious as to everyone's opinion, but more on exactly how they were when your bike was delivered? Like I say, my bike had one loose and one tight, so no clue which was actually intended by design.

[flynrider]

Mine came with the left one tight and the right one loose. I haven't done anything about it. I've noted that I'm not the only one with one loose and one tight. Could it be by design?

[DGShannon_imp]

Mine came with the left one tight and the right one loose. I haven't done anything about it. I've noted that I'm not the only one with one loose and one tight. Could it be by design?

Wouldn't think that was the design, but it is most odd that we both had a loose throttle & tight clutch. I am guessing that none of the other folks on here actually own a CB1100, given that they have not responded!

[pechorin75_imp]

Mine were both loose when I got the bike (though granted, I bought it used). Didn't really like it, so tightened them up. Noticed no difference, and have kept them tight since.

[The Spaceman_imp]

Mine are loose and they've been that way since I got the bike. Not going to tighten them either, because that's how God intended them to be.

[rboe]

RH loose (just noticed this this weekend so this post is timely), LH tight (sort of). I figured twisting the throttle has over time loosened things up or were always loose. Meh. I'll tighten 'em some day.

[DGShannon_imp]

Hilarious that we can get only 4 responses to the question of proper setup of bar end weights, but 3 pages (and growing) on the oil drain plug washer!

[the Ferret]

Hilarious that we can get only 4 responses to the question of proper setup of bar end weights, but 3 pages (and growing) on the oil drain plug washer!

Lol I don't know that anyone even thinks about their bar end weights for the most part. I checked mine, one is a little easier to turn than the other, but I have replaced my grips and I don't know if they are like that because of something I did, or if that's the way they came from the factory or if that's even the way they are supposed to be. Who would know?

[offroadfx4_imp]

I actually called the right loose one to the attention of the Honda dealer mechanic on the day I got mine as were going through "pre-flight."
He just said hmm, came back with a screw driver and tightened it a little, didn't seem to help much....
he didn't seem to think much about it.....it's still loose enough to turn....
I just figured it couldn't be tightened enough to prevent it from turning or it was suppose to be that way?

[DGShannon_imp]

Hilarious that we can get only 4 responses to the question of proper setup of bar end weights, but 3 pages (and growing) on the oil drain plug washer!

Lol I don't know that anyone even thinks about their bar end weights for the most part. I checked mine, one is a little easier to turn than the other, but I have replaced my grips and I don't know if they are like that because of something I did, or if that's the way they came from the factory or if that's even the way they are supposed to be. Who would know?

Agreed! My post was an attempt to change that, but seems to have been epic fail.

I don't think most folks have keyed on on the real question. No matter how tight the screw in the end of the bar weight is, it will still "turn", because they are on rubber isolators, and not firmly attached to the bars.

If you completely remove the screw from the end, you will be holding the large black piece in your hand but also left with a heavy weight still inside the bar. The question is... When you reassemble the two, do you tighten the screw so tight that the two pieces effectively become one, or do you leave the screw slightly loose, such that the large black external piece can rotate slightly, against its machined in stops?

Given that our bikes are being delivered with inconsistent setup, from one end of the bar to the other, it is a tough question for what is "right" or the most effective for damping vibration. Based upon the stepped design machined into their mating surfaces, it would seem that the external portion of the weight is NOT intended to be screwed down tight to the internal portion. This allows the two pieces to vibrate (resonate) at different frequencies, from each other. I am presuming that it is this characteristic that allows it to best dampen vibration.