O.K. so my 02 came with bar end mirrors or should I say one bar end mirror - the other had fallen off.
I like the bar end mirror look and wouldn't mind keeping it but am not sure a new mirror or mirrors will hook up to the current handlebar insert.
MY QUESTION: How do I get the old insert out of the handle bar? I screwed a screw into it and tried to pull it out but it's not budging. Is there a trick to this?
Make sure the screw isn't put in in a way that the plug is expanding, spray a bit of light oil in and wiggle it around to work it loose of it's stuck in there.
Also, sure it's the expanding plug and not the threaded metal plug in the older style handlebars?
I don't think it's the threaded plug, I'm pretty sure it's the expansion type. I'll try the oil/wd40/liquid wrench. Might try tapping it towards (further in) gently.
My thought is that they were sort of cheap mirrors in the first place and it is probably rusted in place.
If you can't get it out, just try to shove the thing far enough into the bar that you can put new bar ends on
I had it happen.
A little lube in there. Push in a little so it is free. Then thread some long wood bolt in it that is just enough to grab the thing and not expand it. Wood screws work best because they are tapered and have deep threads that can dig into the rubber plug without expanding it. I used a long timber bolt as the shaft of it is smaller than the threads and the threads are deep). Then a magnet on a stick or wire will pull out the nut that fell off the back side of it.
Clean the inside of the bar before putting on a new bar end.
Parts you removed are good to re-use so don't throw them out.