Installing New Bars

[thunderstormgrowl]

I tried the google search, but could not find what I needed.

So I have protaper contour bars, and going through the installation I am at a crossroads, do I drill holes into the protapers for the plastic nub on the throttle, or do I remove the nub and use some type of adhesive(probably 2 sided tape) to help secure it more than just the pinching of the housing.

What have your guys done?

[konarider94]

i drilled holes in my bars

[50dro]

I ground off the nubs and just used some electrical tape to enhance the pinching.

[TooFst]

^^ Yep ^^. I think I just used a side cutters to clip the nib off. Then electrical tape.

[thunderstormgrowl]

Any issues with the throttle slipping?

How did you mark for the holes?

[2004xb12s]

Didn't drill a hole and mine has never slipped. Just make sure it is tight. I put renthal fat bars on mine

[konarider94]

i marked the holes by putting a dab of anti-seize on the nub and then put in on the bar where i wanted it and it left a nice little spot where i needed to drill. when i do things i do them right, using electrical tape seems kind of jank to me. just my opinion though, im sure it works.

[50dro]

I hear what your saying but in my case (and I would assume the Protaper's case as well) the Renthal instructions warned against drilling holes in the bars due to weak spots etc. so I chose the lesser of the 2 evils being the potential for the controls to slip a bit by using the tape. Chances are, you won't find a failure either way if you take care in your procedure. Just take your time and you'll probably be OK. Good luck!

[konarider94]

I hear what your saying but in my case (and I would assume the Protaper's case as well) the Renthal instructions warned against drilling holes in the bars due to weak spots etc.

keep in mind these are designed for dirtbikes. you put a lot more force into the bars landing from a big jump and hitting whoops than you ever could on a street bike.

[Blaylock1988]

Did any of the XBs come factory with Protaper bars? I bought my XB9 and it already had them, I was pretty sure the original owner didn't do anything to the bike.

[50dro]

Not to my knowledge...he must have put them on there.

[1972c10]

yea dirtbike bars can handle a beatdown, I have regular renthal bars without the cross brace and havent had an issue

[thunderstormgrowl]

How much did you need/decide to cut off of the ends?

[50dro]

I'm not sure how the dimensions of the Protapers compare to the Renthal Streetfighters but I didnt need to cut mine at all :)

[konarider94]

I also left mine full width. im running protaper Carmichael bend with precision engineering fat bar adapter.

[thunderstormgrowl]

Kona what did you do for your routing of the throttle cables? They seem very tight, that that is with the end of the throttle tube about 3/4 of an inch in.

Just to clarify I have protaper contour bars carmichael bend using the diesel moto adapters

[2004xb12s]

I cut an inch off of each side of my renthal's because they just seemed a little wide and I was having cable issues like you. So instead of buying longer cables or rerouting I just made the bars a little shorter. :D Solved the problem and I bet you wouldn't even notice the difference.

[Bossanova]

nip the nubs :p

[turboraven]

I cut them off as well and also 1" off each end.

[Blaylock1988]

I want to cut an inch off each end of my protapers but the bends are too long, I already have everything pushed as far in as they will fit. Looks like I have to get new bars :(

[konarider94]

I routed the throttle cables under the bottom of the stem instead of through the front.

[konarider94]

I routed the throttle cables under the bottom of the stem instead of through the front.

[g3STRIKES]

i drilled mine. and yes dirtbike bars can handle alot of abuse mine actually saved my frame in one instance,im running 32inch bars and they held frame off ground in a slide,lol plus i love the reduced effort

[thunderstormgrowl]

You guys that cut off some from each end, what did you use to get an even straight
cut

[g3STRIKES]

i had to trim mine after a wreck to even up i used 4.5 inch grinder with metabo slicer wheel

[2004xb12s]

They don't have to be completely straight with the cut. Just grind a little bit if you make a really bad cut. The grip will cover up any imperfection without an issue.

[thunderstormgrowl]

Well I think I striped out my left control housing. Trying to get it really tight, I overtightened what I know assume to be plastic threads. Any suggestions?

[konarider94]

you might be able to try the next size up screw. keep in mind the next closest might be metric. you dont want to split the housing with a screw too big though, so id be careful trying it. other option would be to use some epoxy(or some other glue) and try to glue a nut to something. are you sure there are no metal threads in there? i cannot remember from when i had mine apart.

[konarider94]

or http://www.buellsterparts.com/product.sc?productId=33&categoryId=6

[thunderstormgrowl]

Thanks guys, I am going to look into using some JB weld before I go up a size or re tap the hole. Any problems with that plan?