Hi all 

I've recently been considering taking my RS on track as a learning exercise, and as part of making the bike track ready I needed to fit some lever guards which are generally a requirement for track days. 

Having looked around I found these Oxford items, which combine lever guards with hand protection. They are not too bulky and I'm thinking I could get them colour coded to my R1250RS Exclusive at the same time as having my panniers painted.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Premium-...C51&sr=8-4

I've bought a set and they are a well made item from aluminium so I think this will be a good route to take. Taking off the stock bar end weights is obviously straightforward. However, there is a spacer included but it is not wide enough and so when the lever is screwed in there is a gap as shown the picture. The spacer is loose so that's clearly not appropriate. 

   
   

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what I could use as a spacer instead...? or another way to address this? 

Also, the stock bar end weight is 259.5g and the Oxford, with the guard attached, is 259g. Therefore the weights are the same so hopefuly won't adjust the feel of the bars too much, but if anyone thinks it will then would be good to know. 

       

I am baffled by this, although I will admit I have never removed the bar ends from my RS (and don't feel like doing so now.   )

The link you provided to the product on Amazon shows an expanding assembly to make the connection inside the bar, and no spacer. The parts you have on the scale do not show the same assembly, just the long bolt. So, I am trying to figure out what is bearing up against what when you push the lever assembly into the bar end, such that it is sticking out too far (and needs a spacer that comes from where?)

   

Also, looking at the picture of the scale on the left - the original bar end has a short bolt which means that it is being screwed into some threaded hole in a block inside of the bar not too far in from the end. How did you fit the new lever guard past that. 

Anyway, Google "motorcycle bar end spacers" and you might find a spacer to add to the spacer shown ...?

Regarding the equivalency of vibration attenuation - yes the weights seen at the bar end are similar, but while the stock weight is a lump at the end, the lever guard with tiny "sail" attached causes different loads seen by the end of the barn which could cause a difference (reduction?) in the vibration reduction effect. Only way to know is to try it.

Is it just me or are those things hideous looking?

(05-29-2022, 10:26 PM)maxredline Wrote: Is it just me or are those things hideous looking?

Personally I am not generally a fan of bulky hand guards (eg Barkbusters) and probably won't ride with these day to day but since I had to fit lever guards to go on track anyway I think these are a good slimline option. They offer an additional benefit of hand protection from wind / rain / stones and actually I don't think they look that bad TBH (particularly if I have them sprayed to match the bike) and I may use the hand guards in winter riding. The premium lever guards are the same anyway whether or not you use the hand guards.

(05-29-2022, 08:12 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: I am baffled by this, although I will admit I have never removed the bar ends from my RS (and don't feel like doing so now.   )

The link you provided to the product on Amazon shows an expanding assembly to make the connection inside the bar, and no spacer. The parts you have on the scale do not show the same assembly, just the long bolt. So, I am trying to figure out what is bearing up against what when you push the lever assembly into the bar end, such that it is sticking out too far (and needs a spacer that comes from where?)



Also, looking at the picture of the scale on the left - the original bar end has a short bolt which means that it is being screwed into some threaded hole in a block inside of the bar not too far in from the end. How did you fit the new lever guard past that. 

Anyway, Google "motorcycle bar end spacers" and you might find a spacer to add to the spacer shown ...?

Regarding the equivalency of vibration attenuation - yes the weights seen at the bar end are similar, but while the stock weight is a lump at the end, the lever guard with tiny "sail" attached causes different loads seen by the end of the barn which could cause a difference (reduction?) in the vibration reduction effect. Only way to know is to try it.

Removing the OEM bar ends is literally a case of undoing the bolt at the end. The spacing difference is because the threaded hole projects beyond the end of the grip by a fair amount (maybe 15mm?).  

The expanding assembly bit just comes off and the bolt supplied screws straight into the threaded hole the original bar end goes into. It's a straight swap.  The supplied bolt is much longer than the OEM one (because of the assembly) but I've screwed it all the way in with no problem.  

Having done some measuring yesterday I think an M16 spacer (30mm diameter with a 17mm diameter hole in the middle) will do the job. I have ordered some and will report back... 

Yes, I figured there may be a difference given the different weight distribution. As you say, only way to know is to give it a go! At least the steel spacers I have ordered may attenuate any difference by a small amount. I doubt they sell M16 spacers made of lead  

Olie

(05-29-2022, 11:27 PM)OlieL Wrote: Removing the OEM bar ends is literally a case of undoing the bolt at the end. The spacing difference is because the threaded hole projects beyond the end of the grip by a fair amount (maybe 15mm?).  
...

Ahhh .. OK, so it is the block with the threaded hole that prevents the lever guard from going in further when the expanding assembly is removed leaving you with just the long bolt. That block is probably a press-fit piece and cannot [easily] be removed so I think that the additional spacer approach is easiest.

(05-29-2022, 11:27 PM)OlieL Wrote: Having done some measuring yesterday I think an M16 spacer (30mm diameter with a 17mm diameter hole in the middle) will do the job. I have ordered some and will report back... 

Great. Would like to see the finished product.

(05-30-2022, 07:54 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(05-29-2022, 11:27 PM)OlieL Wrote: Removing the OEM bar ends is literally a case of undoing the bolt at the end. The spacing difference is because the threaded hole projects beyond the end of the grip by a fair amount (maybe 15mm?).  
...

Ahhh .. OK, so it is the block with the threaded hole that prevents the lever guard from going in further when the expanding assembly is removed leaving you with just the long bolt. That block is probably a press-fit piece and cannot [easily] be removed so I think that the additional spacer approach is easiest.

(05-29-2022, 11:27 PM)OlieL Wrote: Having done some measuring yesterday I think an M16 spacer (30mm diameter with a 17mm diameter hole in the middle) will do the job. I have ordered some and will report back... 

Great. Would like to see the finished product.

M16 spacer was the right call, fits perfectly. Photos of the guards fitted are attached. I've only done one relatively short ride with them fitted, and since managed to break my wrist playing tennis so won't be riding for a few weeks, but they work well, had no additional vibrations and although the clearance looks quite tight I didn't find myself touching the inside of the guard at any stage. 



I think they would look a lot better with all the detailing removed with filler and painted to match the bike... I'm not sure whether I'll leave them on longer term or just use them as and when I do go on track and perhaps in the winter when shielding your hands from cold air is a good idea, but generally for what I need these for I am happy.

Couple more:

Glad the spacers worked out nicely, as did the project as a whole.