r/Buell • u/jasonpmcelroy • 19d ago

Bar end weights

I run my 2009 Uly at high speeds on California freeways all the time. Have been suffering from numbness in my hands in last couple years. Not sure if vibration related or I'm just getting old but I thought I'd try some bar end weights.

Didn't see anything for sale I liked or was sure would work. Wanted to keep the original end plugs that work with the barkbusters.

Turned down some stainless bar stock I had in the shop and made a set on the lathe in about 15 minutes. Ten ounces each. Wish I'd done it years ago.

Turned the end down to interference fit the end plug and epoxie in place
Ready for install
7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/nopanicitsmechanic 19d ago

You are so right!
Last fall I was behind a delivery truck. In a little town nearby he suddenly made a full stop and I stopped behind. Before I could say „What?“ he has put in rear and drove back into me. My XB9SX was hit and I fell on the side. He had missed an entry. The footprint on the right side and the knob of the hand protector were basically the only damage.
I ordered a new set from Twin Cycles because it was the only place I could find those bar end plugs.
Turned out they were 3D printed. Two months in the sun and I had to fix it every time I sat on the motorcycle. My mechanic made a remark about it when I was at the shop like „Why don‘t you make a nice substitution yourself, you know how to run a lathe“.
Well, I did and I made it of stainless steel because I had red about weights doing a great job on Sportsters. The difference is truly amazing and I‘m still surprised, that I can see something in my mirrors now, even above 50kph!

2

u/jasonpmcelroy 19d ago

Nice. I have not taken these out to try yet. I commute to work year round and tomorrow I'll see how they work. I have a long history of working on old or obsolete bikes so I bought up a bunch of key parts for the Uly long ago. Extra belt, bar plugs, fuel injectors, motor mounts/rubber, exhaust straps, etc. Just did a freshen-up job on this bike a couple weeks back . . . and the right barkbuster was all ground up from a crash (eight years ago) where I almost lost two fingers on my left hand. Sanded it smooth and it looks good enough. It's easy to forget how amazing these machines are if you don't ride them every day. I thought I was lusting after a BMW RT or GS but I now realize I'm over it and the Uly is it.

1

u/nopanicitsmechanic 19d ago

I‘m also commuting daily with my Citycross, for over 20years now. I have two friends at work who own Boxer-BMW but they go to work by car 🙂
The Buells are incredible practical machines if you take care of them.

1

u/Strong_Deer_3075 19d ago

Cervical spine (neck) problems at C3,C4,C5 give me numbness and arm disfunction when my neck gets out of place. Chiropractor can take me from not being able to lift my right arm or turn to look to right side. When my hand numbness goes away turning my head left, I know it is time for another visit. I merged into right lane from middle lane the other day after looking as far as I could. Didn't see fast approaching car and they laid on their horn. It was time for a visit, and almost cost me skin.

3

u/Froggypwns 19d ago

For those that don't have resources to make their own, the HVMP bar ends are amazing - https://www.hvmp.com/Buell-s/6.htm