Knobbies on the 2004 F handlebars

[Hazmat]

I have a 04F which has knobs/extensions on the ends of the handlebars.  They are made of metal.  Anyway it seems that you need to tighten them every 1000km or so otherwise you'll lose them :x .  I was lucky, my wife was driving behind me and say something fall, so she stopped to pick it up :lol: .  They are held in the handlebar by a rubber band which expands outward when the screw is turned (this compresses the band lengthwise).  

Has anyone else had this problem?
If not, you've been warned.

Good Riding.

[cernunos]

Wow, never had the bar-ends fall off...yer lucky that yer better half happened to see it . Biotechnologist huh? Could be a lotta things. By the way, don't you just love the GS500 and this forum? Browse thru the other sections and feel free to post yer feedback in the topics...it's a free solar system I think.

Cernunos

[Hazmat]

Thanks Cernunos

The problem now is that its all scratched up and makes the bike bike look like its been dropped.  I'll stop by the dealer and see if they'll do anything about it.  I wonder if they just didn't tighten it properly on assembly.

Not to mention the paint scrapped of the gas tank where the seat touches it.  Some moron put 2 staples right at the front of the seat cover at the one spot that this could happen.  Good news though, Suzuki is sending me a new tank.

[davipu]

do you get to keep your tank?  if so Meigan ( sory for butchering your name, i'm drunk ) is looking for one

[Hazmat]

I haven't asked yet, but it's unlikely.

[cernunos]

Hey, cool they're gonna replace yer tank. And you'd think they'll replace the bar-end too. Maybe they'll let you buy the tank back and you can sell it to Meighan (SP)...she needs a tank in a bad way. Love that bike, cherish this forum.

C.......

[Rema1000]

Meighan is in Vancouver.  It would be so cool if you could work it out with the tank.  Maybe you could deliver the bike to them sans tank, on a trailer on pickup.  If they protest, tell them you didn't know they wanted the old one, and will have to go look for it.  Or (this would be funny), put Meighan's dented tank on your bike when you take it in.  Make a couple of little holes in the paint where the staples are.  Tell them you dropped it on the way over to the shop.  If they already got the replacement tank in from Suzi, and you have Suzuki's offer in writing, then they'll still do the swap-out.

BTW, on my '92, the bar-end weights were always loosening.  I got into a nervous habit, that I twist them tighter when I ride.  Finally, after a year, I took them off and put Loctite on the bolts and screwed them back in again.  Haven't had a problem since (but I do miss tightening them while I ride ).

[oppy00]

I had to replace one of my bar-ends, after an observant lady backed over my bike, which was PARKED  :x .  For the barend, balancer, and screws and washers it was $23 for OEM at Bikebandit.com.  Fortunately her insurance payed for it, as well as the rest of my bike since they totaled it.  I think you can get just the barend for $10 then swap what's missing from the old piece.  OH, and don't worry about my bike.  I'm getting it retitled and even after repairs and fees I'm still ahead over a grand from what the insurance gave me  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen: .

[Hazmat]

Regarding Meighan, I will definetly ask if they will let me keep the tank.  Or how much they'll sell it too me for.  I saw her post ($798) and it frightened the hell out me.  This is how manufacturers make money, it is not the bike or vehicle that makes them money, its the replacement parts and service items.  Out of curiostity when I next go to my dealer I'm going to ask how much a replacemnt fairing costs since the option only cost me $800 on the new one.  I wouldn't be surprised if its around $1500-2000.

Will post price latter.

[tdan553527]

Never had any problems with my bar ends on my 04, My tank was scratched during shipping and assembly, the stealer said thay would get me a new tank also. That was in March, haven't seen my new tank yet. I'll check on keeping my tank for Meighan also.

[500rider]

... BTW, on my '92, the bar-end weights were always loosening.  I got into a nervous habit, that I twist them tighter when I ride.  Finally, after a year, I took them off and put Loctite on the bolts and screwed them back in again.  Haven't had a problem since (but I do miss tightening them while I ride ).

Sounds like the 04 weights do not bolt in the same way as previous bikes.  Mine has a nut welded on the inside of the bars.  However, assuming there is still a bolt and nut, Loctite may work on the compression type one.  

Sidebar discussion:

Interesting thing though, Loctite 242 is not supposed to work on plated fasteners.  You need to have at least one of the parts bare metal for it to work.  Maybe sometimes there is enough plating scraped off that it works.  Loctite also sells an activator or also has a new type that has the activator mixed in if your nut and bolt are both plated.

[Hazmat]

Well it looks like they won't let me keep or buy the old tank (sorry Meighan  :dunno: ).  On the brighter side my dealer said he would cover the handlebar knob, I don't think it's warranty but for the little cost of them it's probably a goodwill gester more than anything.


Steve