79K bar end weights

[alehman]

Hi, quick question:

does the 79K have weights in the bar ends? I want to put bar-end mirrors on and don't really want to cut through the ends of my grips to see if there are weights there. Also, if there are weights, how do I remove them?

[riedling]

I have a 79 CB750K and do NOT have bar ends.

[sgtslag]

Ditto:  my '79K had no end weights.  I replaced my grips, nothing but empty tubing for the bars.  Cheers!

[Elliot Cannon]

OK.   For this newbie, what are bar end weights?  What are they for?  Is it important to have them?  I have a 1975 cb750.  How can I tell if I have them?  Should I remove them if they're there?  

[alehman]

I think they are to minimize vibrations in the grips for both comfort and to keep what's in the mirrors easily visible. Because the CB750's are known for their smooth running, I guess they probably don't need the weights.

[Beekeeper]

My 79F has something in the handlebar ends.  I just replaced the grips, and it almost looks like a rod with a nut on it.  I wondered what it was, and decided there was no way to get them out if I had wanted the bar end mirrors.

[sgtslag]

Exactly right:  bar end weights are used to minimize vibrations in the hand grips -- more to avoid nerve damage (when your hands start to tingle, it is time to take a break!), but being able to see in the mirrors, is an added bonus.  My '93 Voyager touring bike had them, OEM.  I replaced the grips with foamies, and left them off -- 7,000+ miles later, and no issues with nerve damage, or mirror vibrations (mirrors are mounted to the fairing, not the handlebars, though... ).

Since this topic has come up, I would highly recommend foam grips:  inexpensive, reduce vibration to virtually nothing in your hands, veeeerrry comfortable, particularly on long rides.  To remove the old, cut them off with a razor knife; to install the new, you can use grip glue, or wrap the bar ends with masking tape, and slide the new over it -- add enough layers to make them stick securely, but still be removable, if necessary; another option, is to use RTV Silicone -- when it's time to remove them, just grab, and twist, to break the RTV loose.  Cheers!