Author Topic: My bike likes caviar (lead shot in handlerbars) (Read 4434 times)

vadim · « **on:** August 13, 2006, 05:38:16 PM »

Even with a carb sync, I still had a noticeable amound of vibration on the handlebars. So I tried a slightly modified version of leadshot fix for the vibration. I mixed #7.5 lead shot with wheel bearing grease instead of just putting the lead shot in. The idea was to fill up the space between the balls and also add some intert material. There's a noticeable decrease in vibration now. Up to 5000 is silky smooth, 5000-6000 is still pretty bad, but not as bad as it used to be (5500-6000 has the worst vibration), 6000 and up is much better than it used to be. So overall a definite improvement.

So here's my mastercard moment:

Lead shot, about 7lb (less than half used), 24 bucks
Bearing grease about 1/6 pound, dollar
New rubber expanders for barend weights (old ones are worn) - 4 bucks.

Spoonfeeding your bike with caviar (yes, leadshot mixed with grease looks exactly like caviar and spoon is the most convenient way to get it into the handlebars) - priceless.

-Vadim

P.S. Lead is cheaper if you don't live in NYC and can buy some shotgun shells to get lead, so the whole thing could cost as little as 5 bucks: 4 for a box of rounds and a dollar's worth of greas.
P.P.S. I used a light hammer and a stick to shove the mix in. Since leadshot is mixed with grease it roll easily, but it also doesn't fall all over the place and I was able to fill up the whole bar by working from both sides.

Sven · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2006, 06:01:22 PM »

It's that can-do spirit that makes this country great! OK, who's next to try this?!

Dave 02 1200 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2006, 07:34:55 PM »

Using grease as a damping medium for the lead shot is a stroke of genius!

Thanks!!

vadim · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2006, 08:53:03 PM »

I couldn't fall asleep for couple hours after coming up with the idea - I was so excited to try it.

snofrog · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2006, 12:10:17 AM »

wont the grease melt under high heat ie hot day ,sun beating down

vadim · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2006, 09:49:10 AM »

I used calcium grease, which has the droppoing point of over 200F. I doubt the bars heat up that much, but I guess it's possible. So in retrospect I should have used lithium grease which is still cheap and has droppoing point of over 350F.

Now even if the grease becomes completely liquid, it won't go anywhere because the rubber expanders pretty much seal the handlebars. Even if it flows like water, it'll collect at the bottom of the bars which won't hurt anything.

If you'd like to read about grease and its applications, there's a very thorough document on the web: http://www.usace.army.mil/usace-docs/eng-manuals/em1110-2-1424/c-5.pdf

Enjoy :)

-Vadim

theroamr · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2006, 10:33:43 AM »

I just dumped bb's into mine, no grease or anything else. Worked great.

vadim · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2006, 11:12:15 AM »

It does, and it's cheaper than bar snake and the like. I don't know if adding greas provides better dampening, but I kinda like the idea anyway.

Daytona · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2006, 12:48:32 PM »

Well why not just pump it full of say silicon/latex caulking??? about $2.00 a tube!!! Won't rattle and is about as dense. I still think if the B12 has an excessive amount of vibs? Its a carb imbalance!!! Carb sync****

texasbandit · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2006, 10:46:02 AM »

I used expanding foam insulation (very light) in the clipons on my first year FZR1000 and it helped kill some of the high frequency vibration on the throttle side. I probably should have put BBs in first, but it still helped.