Lead shot to reduce handlebar vibration?

[wiznut]

I've been wondering lately what things there are out there to reduce handlebar vibration and have come across numerous accounts of putting lead shot in the handlebars. Personally, adding lead to a sport bike sounds kind of counter productive.

What kinds of things have you all found that works for reducing handlebar vibration besides tacking on 10lbs of weight to the front end?

From the archery I do, I know of a ton of bow related anti-vibration products, but do these kinds of things exist for us?

 

[fishgutz]

What vibration? I have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[Jabaniz]

get a jap 4cylinder if you dont like the vibration, or try some different handgrips maybe

 

[BuddhaBuell]

differnt handlebars, bar end weights, new gel grips, some gloves also have gel inserts in the palms....
just a few suggestions to deal with vibrations
[smirk]

 

[coreyvwc]

Renthal bars and Gel Grip, bye bye numb hands.

 

[browland]

Send your crankshaft off for dynamic balancing

 

[Evil Mechanic]

Liquid bar snake. I'm gonna try some this summer. Id get the 7/8 snake tube they offer, but the ID of my bars are 12mm, so liquid snake is what I need.

 

[Nuage420b]

I'm with you fishgutz. What vibes? All I get from Dorothy are good vibes [cool]

 

[Baal]

I have the original Bar Snake. I think it made a little difference, but not that much. It's my notion that it's more effective for higher frequency resonance type vibes than low frequency/high amplitude vibration like the XBs make. I got more results from adding bar-end weights. If I was going to do anything more than I've done, I'd get the "heavy" Throttlemeisters. One thing to consider (particularly about the liquid Bar Snake) is that using those is essentially a permanent installation. I don't know how I'd ever get the thing out!

 

[konarider94]

Send your crankshaft off for dynamic balancing

a v-twin cannot be perfectly balanced. I posted an excel sheet for inertia balancing a v-twin engine a few weeks ago i think. the crankshaft is already balanced for the reciprocating mass of the piston, conrod, wrist pin..etc.

 

[ajgerdes]

you need to ride a tuber if you think an xb has bad vibes. My xb12r feels butter smooth compared to my x1.

 

[browland]

a v-twin cannot be perfectly balanced.

but I am willing to bet that a performance machine shop like revolution performance would be able to give you a better balance than what it comes factory and you could get it lightened while you are at it

 

[fwkapaun]

If you don't want to use lead shot, fill the bar with sand. I did that on a '77 Ironhead Sportster I had a long time ago and it worked somewhat. Compared to that bike, the XB is a Cadillac in the vibration department.

 

[icepop77]

If you don't want to use lead shot, fill the bar with sand.  I did that on a '77 Ironhead Sportster I had a long time ago and it worked somewhat. Compared to that bike, the XB is a Cadillac in the vibration department.

+1 My 93 XL shook like washing machine on spin cycle. If you think the XB shakes, you ain't felt nothing like a rigid mount HD. Trust me, that little bit of vide you get from the XB is more than tolerable. It's how you know it's working.

 

[Ronin1]

To answer your question without joining in saying live with it yes, the lead shot works. I stuffed a rubber cork about four inches in from the throttle side, poured in about ten ounces of #9 shot and stuffed a cork in the left bar end. That and new grips helped a lot. I also ride with padded gloves.
You do not have to live with buzzing bars despite people thinking its "normal".

Jim

 

[Bossanova]

This is what I did on my 1125R..

Get a small (1 or 2 LBS) bag of soft weight from a dive shop. Or as mentioned by Ronin1, #9 shot. Lead shot works better but I think it is hard to find. This is why I used my dive weight shot.

I filled the bottom of a ziplock baggy, just enough to roll it up and still be able to slide it in the bar snug. I replaced the stock bar ends with the Retro-Rocket Bar Ends (ebay).

This helps considerably. In addition to this easy mod, you should consider installing a throttle/friction lock so you can flex your hand from the "WOT" position to the "let the blood flow" position!

 

[dallasb]

+1 Ronin [up]

 

[fishgutz]

My '78 CB740 Four vibrated more than my XB.
I get no tingles from longer ride on my XB like I did with the CB. That CB was a tank compared to the XB. About 200# heavier.

 

[Baal]

My '78 CB740 Four vibrated more than my XB.

The missing 10cc threw the engine out of balance.

 

[motownsniper]

3m spray foam insulation.take off bar ends just spray it in,it expands upon drying and it does help.sounds kinda redneckish but it works.