How to fill handlebars with expandable foam

[HarryHornby]

Hi All,


I remember a while back someone one here said about filling the handlebars with expandable foam to try and reduce the 6k rev buzz.....yep, I had it on the old bike and have it on this new bike.




How do I get inside the handlebars??  I've taken the bar weights off and removed the grips but I can't see a way to remove the inner part that the bar ends screw into, without removing this I can't squirt in the foam.


Cheers

[tony_d123]

I can't see how putting foam in would make any difference. Normally you need weight. On my buzzy 2-strokes with traditional handlebars I pump silicone in the ends then push fishing bomb lead weights in.

[darrsi]

I can't imagine that making much difference at all.
Heavier bar ends, and maybe even a carb balance would be more useful.

[HarryHornby]

Someone said it was an old trick, I can see how the foam would absorb the buzz, would it not......  I thought it was worth a go seeing as I have some foam lying about 

[Ebme Geek]

High density rubber foam maybe, thinking absorption sheets and the like,
DIY low density expanding foam I doubt it, imo

[tony_d123]

You need some density, you would be better filling them with just silicone than using expanding foam.

[Ebme Geek]

Standard silicone would take a long time to cure all the way through, and the ones that smell like vinegar release acetic acid that will corrode the bars from the inside, not a problem where a full cure is achieved quickly but here I would not recommend it, cure rates are often only a couple of mm's per day. Better would be a two part mix compound that cures after mixing

[noggythenog]

Other option......get passed 6k as soon as possible 

[HarryHornby]

Other option......get passed 6k as soon as possible 

    Thanks guys, I shall not bother, given the advice on here.....at least you've saved me a job this morning LOL

[darrsi]

What about sand?
Easier to use with less mess.

[stevierst]

Fit Renthals. Comfier and less buzzy. Win/Win in my eyes!

[tony_d123]

Standard silicone would take a long time to cure all the way through, and the ones that smell like vinegar release acetic acid that will corrode the bars from the inside, not a problem where a full cure is achieved quickly but here I would not recommend it, cure rates are often only a couple of mm's per day. Better would be a two part mix compound that cures after mixing

The outside cures quickly so corrosion is not an issue. I have used it in bars for years.

[Lumpy]

Standard silicone would take a long time to cure all the way through, and the ones that smell like vinegar release acetic acid that will corrode the bars from the inside, not a problem where a full cure is achieved quickly but here I would not recommend it, cure rates are often only a couple of mm's per day. Better would be a two part mix compound that cures after mixing

The outside cures quickly so corrosion is not an issue. I have used it in bars for years.

but the outside would be inside, like in the original tube it came in so maybe it would take months to go off?


Filling the bars is all about changing the harmonic point of the bars, whether it be bar end, or filling, or different length bars, or aluminium, all the resonant frequencies will be different and the resonance will just be moved. No amount of carb balancing will stop an engine vibrating  . The standard bars are awful anyway and are only fit for the bin, goodness know what shape arms and body they were designed for. Hammering lead into the bars, and even aluminium can have a positive effect too. Every engine is different so there is no magic formula. Most like holding the bars less tight would have the best effect.

[darrsi]

You're saying out of sync carbs don't cause vibration?
Yeah, whatever........

[Dead Eye]

No, he's saying that perfectly synced carbs won't remove ALL of the vibration - big difference

[darrsi]

No, he's saying that perfectly synced carbs won't remove ALL of the vibration - big difference

That's not how i read it, that was in reference to my earlier comment!
It's an engine, obviously there'll be some vibration.

[Lumpy]

You're saying out of sync carbs don't cause vibration?
Yeah, whatever........

you are such a KAFA, the effect is minimal higher up in the revs and as the OP was talking about 6k revs the effect will be minimal in the extreme unless you can explain to us all why not and what effect an out of synch carb set will have on the main circuit?

[darrsi]

You're saying out of sync carbs don't cause vibration?
Yeah, whatever........

you are such a KAFA, the effect is minimal higher up in the revs and as the OP was talking about 6k revs the effect will be minimal in the extreme unless you can explain to us all why not and what effect an out of synch carb set will have on the main circuit?

No point in me trying to explain anything to you is there really?
Go and do something useful like clean your bike!

[mickvp]

Now now gents, let's keep things civil eh?

No reason why we can't discuss something like grown ups without resorting to name calling really. It's only a motorcycle st the end of the day

[Lumpy]

No point in me trying to explain anything to you is there really?
Go and do something useful like clean your bike!

Just as I thought, you couldn't explain it.


I know it is my opinion and it counts for little anyway but out of all the posters on this superb forum, you post the most inaccurate bollocks out of them all. I know you believe it to be true and maybe even think it's right but I really hope no-one takes most of your advice. I don't think you are a bad person or anything just misguided 


That bike gets cleaned regularly, at the moment it has been a bout twice a year    but yes it does need a wipe over. Most of the dirt just falls off as the carbs are not balanced and the vibrations do it. It feels like a 600 single without balancers fitted, but when the carbs are done it will be like a silky v12 I expect.


I'm not going to get into another battle of wits with an unarmed man so this will be my last, but please feel free to counter argue. 

[darrsi]

It's not about me trying to explain it, it's about me not getting drawn in to a conversation with you, 'cos I'm really not interested in anything you say.
So in the future please keep your comments aside from mine, and I will do the same with yours.

[Farjo]

you post the most inaccurate bollocks out of them all.

There's plenty of disagreements in this forum about the best way to do something. This is never a reason to get abusive.

It is good to disagree, but post "I disagree - this is why and this is what I think would be better".

Just because someone is posting inaccurate bollocks in your opinion does not mean that it is inaccurate bollocks. If a particular poster regularly suggested inaccurate bollocks then he would get a reputation for it, and I do not see the evidence for this.

Please give your opinions but argue your case on its merits rather than 'playing the man'.

[adeejaysdelight]

I have the same bike and have no such issue. I thing the carb balance might be the way forward?

[noggythenog]

My carbs need balancing & i still dont get bothered by buzzing...didnt with standard bars or my renthals that dont even have proper end weights in them.....but i dont do steady motorway riding so i must just be zipping passed the buzzy bit either that or i just dont tend to notice it.


But i suppose once you do notice it, it must be annoying little niggle.

[His Dudeness]

If you think someone's wrong point it out or don't. No need to be getting personal.

On my bike it's the exhaust that resonates at 6k and you feel it through the rest of the bike. Have to say it's not too bad but you can feel it through the footpegs and handlebars and the exhaust gets noticeably louder. I think if you could add some sort of damping at the exhaust mounting points it would go a long way to stop the 6k vibes.