New Handlebars, Grips, and Bar Ends - Advise Please

[pennstump]

After reading through a number of existing threads, I'm left with a few more questions about replacing my bars, ends, and grips.  I'm just now getting around to replacing my handlebars after putting my bike down.  The bars are bent and I lost a bar end (so both need replaced) and my grips are heavily worn - might as well replace them while I'm at it.

• The Bikemaster Superbike Handlebars have been noted as close to stock, are there other bars out there similar to stock?
• What grips can I use with these?  Do they have sizes?
• How do I select bar ends?
• If I wanted to get bar end mirrors, do they require specific bar ends or do they come with bar ends?

Any info you guys could give me would be great, plus this thread could live on for future askers.  Any info on kits / common suppliers would be great, too.

Thanks.

pennstump
'93 GS500E

[CndnMax]

I just changed my grips to some Progrip 724's,only 12 bucks, and they feel nice because they are made of gel.

[yupoo]

I switched to bikemaster superbike this past week. A little lower than stock but i love them. I used the cap on bar ends they supplied and the old stock grips. (I bought some grip club to put them back on) I am a big cheap ass, i do notice they vibrate a little bit more but im already used to it and do not notice anymore

[pennstump]

What bar ends could I get to work on those superbike handlebars?

[scratch]

These are closer to stock dimensions: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=24097.msg246830#msg246830

Any grips that fit 7/8ths inch bars

Heavier barends quell vibration more, such as the stock ones.  Otherwise, if you're just into looks, any barend that flicks your fancy will do; again, for 7/8" bars.

Barend mirrors replace the barends.

You can get the stock barends back on using the rubber out of a pair of Lockhart-Phillips barends, and a longer screw and nuts from a hardware store.  Take the barend and rubber with you.

[Zack]

I got Bikemaster Superbikes and I love them. They are standard 7/8" bars that will swap right in. They are about 1/2" shorter then the stock ones, but are still very comfortable. I used Progrip 724 dual compounds to dull some of the shaking. Use  a squirt of hairspray to slip them on, then let it dry... works like a charm. I put plug-style Delrin barends in because they are light, abrasion resistant and cheap. I've been very happy with this combo for a few thousand miles now. Any kind of bar ends intended for 7/8" open-ended bars will work on the Bikemaster (or most other aftermarket) bars. They have a rubber plug that expands to fit in the end when tightened with an allen bolt. I got a pair of CRG 2" mirrors for my ends also. I wish I had gotten the 3" ones, but the 2's were cheap so I picked them up on eBay.

[The Antibody]

Just remember, the 7/8ths inch number is the outside of the bar. This is all the same for the grips obviously, but there can be a difference on the inside. I bought low rise bars made of aluminum.   http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/Handlebars.cfm?type=street
They are lighter, but thicker to maintain ridgidity. This means that normal bar ends will not fit because the inner diameter is smaller. I fixed this by shaving the bar end and drilling out the end of the bar a little more. Works like a charm.

I also approve of gel grips. I have 'progrip' sportbike gels. I love them.
http://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-4481/Progrip/Sportbike-Gel-Grips-699.html

  -Anti 

[AirStreamGS500E]

Google a company called AirTech Streamlining. Thats who i got my bars and titan fairing kit from. They have 2 different bars available. One is close to factory but a lil higher and the other is...well i dunno cause i dont have them..lol. Just check them out. The ones i have are only $38

[pbureau69]

I got new grips  8$/pair on special "Progrip Open End Sportbike Gel Grip Model 699" they work nice.
also I wanted all vibration out of my hands period so I got a pair of 1lb Stainless steel , Manic Salamander bar ends.. Wonderfull, expensive but no vibrations of ANY kind in the hands even on long trips (link -> http://manicsalamander.com/bar_end_weight_hollow_dragonfly.htm   


just something else to think about....

[Unnamed]

I got bar ends quoted from the dealer at $20 apiece. I said a polite 'no thanks', and that maybe I'd replace them when I was sure I wasn't going to drop my bike any more.