Fitting Barkbusters to an XTR
 

Hi all

I was just about to buy some Barkbusters when I came across a video on YouTube that shows hacksawing the end of the throttle tube off to fit the Barkbusters. Is that necessary for the XTR, or do the weight simply screw off and the Barkbusters go straight in? Also, do the handlebar clamps go into the right place fairly readily?

I'd like to fit the best, but I don't really want to take a hacksaw or an angle grinder to my new bike!!! :paranoid:

Mate - you should be fine. Simply unscrew the bar end weight, the end of the throttle tube is already open for the bar end weights.

The installation is a fairly simple affair.

Thanks. But don't you have to drill out the bar end thread so that the Barkbuster can slide in?

BTW, do you recommend getting the Barkbuster extra weights (part B66 http://www.adventure-spec.com/defaul...d-weights.html)

Sorry Mate, I can't help you with bar-end thread as I swapped to Renthals at the same time as installing the BBs.

Without sounding like an ar5e, I think I have read older threads on this forum about the threaded bar and a search may be help. While you are at it, search for Yamaha hand-guards as I believe these are re-branded Acerbis and use the the thread in the bar?

I have never had the bar-end weights on any bike previous and I think I am used to the vibrations (if there are any), therefore, I didn't bother with this one either.

Thanks Dale. I find the search on here quite tricky as there are so many sections and they all have to be searched individually.

You might be right about swapping to Renthal bars. I was considering this anyway, and as I need to fit guards and heated grips maybe that's all easier on a new bar.

Agree with your comments on the search functionality!

I did exactly what you are thinking, heated grips, replacement grips, and BB's - so I figured I would change the bars while I was at it. For about �40, it was simpler to do it then rather than pull it all off and re-do at some point in the future. Especially as the standard bars are reportedly as strong as cheese! :)

While you have the grips/bars in pieces, it would be worth having a look at Kev's throttle mod. I wish I had discovered that when I had mine apart :o

Thanks mate.

One other question based on what you just said. When you fitted your heated grips, did you wire straight to the battery, or find somewhere switched on the ignition?

(I was going to search ...) :)

I didn't wire direct to the battery, I am in the process of wiring through a fuse-block, which may be over-kill for your application?

Also, I would not wire direct to the battery as you *could* drain your battery if you fail to turn them off when the bike is not running. You will find a power source under the seat per your other thread.
http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=20224

You will find one of the points on the 4 point connector is live only when the ignition is on.

Thanks Dale.

Yep, I was very wary of wiring up to the battery. I'd be worried about some tit switching the grips on for joke when the bike was in a hotel car park over night.

BTW, what bars did you go for? Renthal 722? And the cables all reach?

I fitted Renthal "Jimmy Button" which are very close to the standard bar size, just a tad wider with no issues with the cables. Apparently, the bar of choice is the Enduro High. Being vertically challenged, I figured I could go with a slightly lower bar. :)

You will find the full list of Renthals here: http://www.renthal.com/File/apps1.as...TOCROSS/ENDURO

I bought them for �40 and figured that if I got it wrong, it wasn't the most expensive mistake!

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Don't talk to me about vertically challenged. My 29" inside leg makes any adventure bike a challenge. I've already got the engine bars on order as I'm sure my first topple is only days away! :D

I was looking at a 30mm lowering kit until I found out I'd need the stand shortened and welded etc.etc. and decided it sounded like too much hassle! :)

Renthals
 

Hello Hamslay

With regards to the fit of the BB's... I have fitted Renthal Jimmy Buttons as well.

Great bars - I cut them down 15mm each side to shorten them to the same length as stock which from memory is 775??

Anyway.... The Barkbusters DON'T fit so well I find..

The clamp section doesn't line up and is very awkward to fit nicely.

I am now looking at genuine Yamaha protection which mounts to the Mirror not the bar. (Very expensive at $300 almost)

Hope this helps

Marc

Marc,

I didn't have any issue with fitting the Barkbusters on the Jimmy Buttons. However, I could see that by removing 15mm off each end of the bars could possibly place the supports in an awkward position with respect to the cross bar and downward sweep. Do you have any pictures?

Photo's of my "safety yellow" BB's installed are in this thread.
http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=19950

As mentioned earlier in this thread, I did read somewhere that the Yamaha guards were merely re branded Acerbis items. Would be worth trying to validate this myth(?) as judging by UK prices, the Acerbis guards would equate to about 100 Aussie pesos - not $300 for the Yamaha item.

Cheers,
Dale

BarkBusters
 

Hello Dale

Yes - I suspect that cutting the bars a bit shorter did make the fitment awkward and it just didnt line up nicely.

The Yamaha Genuine protection I am refering to are these ones... VERY tough and fit on the mirror.
http://yshop.yamaha-motor.com.au/pro...-hand-guards-0
and
http://yshop.yamaha-motor.com.au/pro...and-deflectors

Marc