So, 70 miles into my 100 mile jaunt, I realized my right weighted bar end was GONE?!  I have a 96 GS500E.  The handlebars have a metal plug just inside the opening that the bar end screw threads into.  Should I remove that and go with the bar ends with the rubber insert that expands and grips, or try to find something that will work with my current set up?
Thanks,
Mike

Where you? Update your profile to include that.

Then post a want to buy. Many of us have extra bar ends. Stock is fine. Just check them once in a while (like all bolts on your bike) to be sure they are tight. Threadlock is your friend. You should have felt your bar end wobble long before it fell off.

I'm in Springfield, IL.  I'll update my status.  I'm wondering it the thing I see inside the handlebar is what remains of the lost bar end?  I can thread a screw into it and see if it can be removed by pulling.  Good idea or bad?

tbh I don't see it as a bad idea unless you use a jackhammer to tug on insert lol

Method 1) get just about any bar end and remove rubber expansion bits, mount into your bar

Method 2) get a bar end/ends that does not have expansion, mount into your bar

Applicable experience: my GS (same year as yours) has the welded-in lugs. I found some 07 Hayabusa ends on The Bay of Fleas and the mounted right up. Should you choose that route, just put "Suzuki bar ends" in the search box, set search parameters for "used", and whatever comes up should work.

Be careful if you're a new rider which ones you get. Hayabusa bar ends boost torque by 42.7%.

If it were me, I would get new ends to screw itthe bars and use blue Loctite 

That is a steel slug welded in there and IT HAS A BOTTOM! The threads do NOT go all the way through. Stick a small stick in there and see how far in it goes.
I stress that because people use screws that are too long. When the going gets tough, they keep going and break off the screw.

Quote from: adidasguy on April 17, 2014, 03:59:00 PM
That is a steel slug welded in there and IT HAS A BOTTOM! The threads do NOT go all the way through. Stick a small stick in there and see how far in it goes.
I stress that because people use screws that are too long. When the going gets tough, they keep going and break off the screw.

Thats what drill bits and taps/chasers are for 

All you need is a bar end and a bolt.
So, would you like a bar end? 
I have a box full of them.   
I have been waiting to see the "want to buy". I thought I hinted to do that.