GREAT STUFF for handlebar vibration - Harley Forum

COOLXL · #1 03-30-2009, 07:58 PM

This last winter I went from XL-C bars to XL-L bars on my 06 1200-C. When I did that, I put some old left over 1/2" drive sockets that fit tight in to the ends of the new handlebars thinking that a little bit of weight might cut down on vibs, after my first ride I didn't see much deference. My first Sporty was a 2000 1200-C the vibs wasn't to bad at lower speeds but I couldn't last 10 miles on the highway, the vibs in the handlebars was terrible. So I got a 06 rubber mount this was a big improvement at highway speeds, but not so much at low speeds. I still had blurring in the mirrors at most speeds.
Now last Thursday night the clutch side grip came loose, so after I took it off to re-glue it back on, I got to thinking about how a hollow pip will vibrate more when empty then when it's full of water. I had a can of insulating foam sealant 'GREAT STUFF' I got it last year for a door, I got it for $3.98
So I took off the right grip and pulled the 4 wire clips out and covered up my Bike and put tape over the 4 small holes. Now I just stuck the straw in to one end of the bars and held a rag around it so the foam would not come back out at me. I sprayed the foam in for a bit, then re-sharked the can and kept going until it came out the other side. Then I put the old sockets back in. As it cures it keeps coming out the ends so I had to rush around to cover the floor. I fond out it's very impotent to keep the bars warm for 48 hours. I used a hair dryer to help it cure. This foam is very sticky, it will clean easy from the bars but don't let it get on any plastic or just about anything other then the bars.
Yesterday here in Michigan it was a bit cool out but I put on 91 miles. All I can say is I'm very happy, for the first time on a Sportster I can see in my mirrors with no blurring at any speed. I still get just a little shaking in the mirrors but I can see clearly at all speeds LOVE IT. I wish I had did the same thing on my solid mount . Would be cool to see how much it would have helped. With internal wiring this could not be done. Would have been a lot easier to do this before I installed the new bars, but I just didn't think of it. I just cant put in to words how much smoother the bars feel now. All I can say is it worked great on my bike.
So this is my cheep $4 fix for my handlebar vibration ...

shovelmike · #2 03-30-2009, 08:06 PM

Wow CoolXL, great tip there. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.

unclepsycho · #3 03-30-2009, 08:09 PM

That is so cool, I never would have thought of it, Glad it works!

My BMC has a solid mount engine and at full throttle the mirrors will vibrate loose and start spinning... I have had both come off at the same time and fly over my shoulders..... thats an expensive way to have fun. I settled on steel rods and aluminum frame mirrors that hold on during these blasts of throttle. Now I will try the Great Stuff!

Thanks

COOLXL · #4 03-31-2009, 08:42 PM

The brand name of the foam is 'GREAT STUFF' If you try it be sure it's warm, like around 70 or so. Find 2- 1/2" drive sockets for plugs that will fit tight in to the end of the bars. I put duct tape around the sockets to make sure they fit tight and left a small opening for the foam to expand. When the foam starts to come out the other end you will need to move fast to get the plugs in to the ends. Don't forget to leave a small hole in the plugs for expanding. If you have 4 small holes for wire clips be sure to tape them up. Cover the bike and the floor under the bars. My garage was a bit on the cool side so I used a hair dryer to help it dry.
Remember after that foam gets in, you will never get it back out.
If you do this please let me know how it worked. PM me if you want more info or e-mail gpviperman@aol.com

monckywrench · #5 03-31-2009, 10:01 PM

There is a very old and excellent fix that would complement yours.
I hammer a large lead fishing sinker into each handlebar end when I replace bars.

eeyore · #6 03-31-2009, 10:30 PM

I always thought blurry was okay - "Don't look back, something might be gaining on you"?

frisco-rigid · #7 04-01-2009, 03:23 AM

Great one EEYORE----
Satchel Paige the great Negro League Base-Ball player said that..

Yeah,, what's wrong with blurry,,, it's a HD thing..

A wee research will find the Bar-Snake..
It's a weighted flexible thing that slides in from one end to the other to accomplish the same thing.. But who wants More weight up front.? I'll take giggles..

However,, I dig the crap outa little experiments that guys do that achieve good results.. Good one Coolxl---- you get the Gold Star..!

hotrodsporty · #8 04-01-2009, 11:53 PM

We always installed aluminum wire inside the aluminum bussing in substations before we welded the end caps on. The "engineering" reason for this is harmonic balancing. Even electricity creates vibrations, not seen by the human eye, but the vibrations could be bad enough to crack the welds. With the wire freely inside the bussing it dampens the vibrations. Kind of the same concept.

999iron · #9 06-26-2009, 10:48 PM

Hello All, Great idea, using foam, I can't wait to use it.I'm new here and wanted to say hello, I couldn't find a place to introduce myself, so here it is.I have an 2002 883, bought it 4 months ago, it had 7900 miles, now it has 15,500.I love this bike! I live in Central Texas, Comanche County, so if you see a fat old dude on a blue Sporty, it could be me.

Gas Man · #10 06-28-2009, 08:27 AM

I agree its a great idea.

How's it holding up? How many miles on the foam now?