Removing Factory Handlebar Spacers

I looked through previous threads...and even looked for recently active members in those threads...before posting this.

I am having a hell of a time getting the bolts holding the spacers down to break loose. When I get a fair amount of pressure in...the shaft of the spacer then flexes and it won't break free. I've sprayed PB Blaster down in there and let it sit overnight...and they still won't move. I am hesitant to put much more force in there at risk of the bolt getting rounded. If there are any members still active who have removed them...is there any advice you can give? If that bolt rounds its going to be a nightmare to get removed. Getting at the bottom bolts on the ends of those screws seems to be VERY tight. Thankfully I might be taking off the front fairing for another need...which may make access easier.

Sounds like there's locking stuff on the threads, or corrosion. If there is Loctite on the threads, the usual answer is heat to soften it. It'd be difficult to get it close to where it's needed, though a hot-air gun played on those spacer shafts might help. Some type of impact tool might work better than a steady push, but I appreciate your dilemna.

Nick

Try removing the face and sticking an actual wrench in there and put all your force into loosening the nut instead of tryin to turn the screw. Hope that makes sense

krolinked said:

Try removing the face and sticking an actual wrench in there and put all your force into loosening the nut instead of tryin to turn the screw. Hope that makes sense

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Yeah....that was what I was going to try this weekend. I was removing the front fascia (beak & light) to put in a Hypermotard factory screen. Although..finding all the screws and mounting points for that isn't easy.

I removed them a couple months ago. Used a socket on the bottom end. They are on rubber shock mounts, which is why they flex. I was unable to completely align them on re-install because of the twisting and flexing. So, they got a little english but only enough that I would notice. I was trying to straighten them out after a little low side I had.

gatdammit said:

. So, they got a little english but only enough that I would notice.

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Please explain!!

English Nick

Nick, you are the king/queen/xe/xhe of making me explain myself when I think you know the answer. You seriously don't know what 'putting English on a cue in pool"?

They have a little sway...tortuous...bowed...distorted...malformed...they're a little off center.

gatdammit said:

Nick, you are the king/queen/xe/xhe of making me explain myself when I think you know the answer. You seriously don't know what 'putting English on a cue in pool"?

They have a little sway...tortuous...bowed...distorted...malformed...they're a little off center.

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Two countries separated by a single language, or something like that! First of all, I should reassure you I go in via the door with an M on it, and then point out that pool isn't our national game, billiards or snooker is. Now if you'd said it meant being a bit left-field rather than boringly conventional, I'd take it as a compliment!

I've just been looking up the meaning of the US term of putting 'English' on a cue ball. It's obviously in common usage across The Pond, and it may be that we over here originated the technique of putting what we call 'side' on the cue ball to make it swerve or generally do weird things. Other nationalities called it 'English'; a name which would, of course, mystify the average Englishman...

You learn something every day, even when the subject is Italian bikes!

Nick, UK

An American putting English on an Italian bike!!

(Though I'm mildly insulted that 'putting English' on something means it has gone wonky!)

-A

Try this: An American riding an Italian bike he purchased in Florida, that was manufactured in Italy, only to bring it back to Italy and have to get it registered as a US vehicle.

gatdammit said:

An American riding an Italian bike he purchased in Florida, that was manufactured in Italy, only to bring it back to Italy and have to get it registered as a US vehicle.

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Wh.. wh... what!?!
That is quite cool actually.

Then you put some English on it!

-A

I certainly enjoy riding here more than the US. I would have been locked up dozens of times by now. Around Naples, if it's not speed controlled, it's kinda big-boy rules: the speed limit is whatever you feel safe/comfortable with. They don't patrol or set speed traps and I pass cops all the time (they are just transiting, not looking to give out tickets). There is a very strict respect for keeping the left lane open to faster traffic, a courtesy that is all but lost to the American commuter. Flashing you high beams is just communication here, like "please move over so I don't have to hit the breaks", or, "don't pull out to pass because I'll end up in your back seat". In the US, flashing my highs was usually greeted with a brake check, middle finger or holding a pistol in the air. It's a damn shame and makes me drive like a hoon just to get away from it. Oh, never seen an Italian have road rage. They can be a bit selfish in traffic and off ramp lines (ya, they don't wait in lines, car or otherwise), but everyone keeps their cool.

I always looked at putting English on it as a a finesse move, so I'd consider it complimentary.

Michael_Hill said:

I looked through previous threads...and even looked for recently active members in those threads...before posting this.

I am having a hell of a time getting the bolts holding the spacers down to break loose. When I get a fair amount of pressure in...the shaft of the spacer then flexes and it won't break free. I've sprayed PB Blaster down in there and let it sit overnight...and they still won't move. I am hesitant to put much more force in there at risk of the bolt getting rounded. If there are any members still active who have removed them...is there any advice you can give? If that bolt rounds its going to be a nightmare to get removed. Getting at the bottom bolts on the ends of those screws seems to be VERY tight. Thankfully I might be taking off the front fairing for another need...which may make access easier.

Click to expand...

Remove the screw holding the top cap on with a 5mm hex key. Remove the one or two screws holding the stem


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