ADV-SPEC Engine Bars Problem Fit.

[windsurfer]

Just bought a set of Adventure Spec Ltd Engine bars for my F650 twin 2010, not the cheapest at £205 but I encountered a problem when fitting that others may have experienced or could advise on. In essence the right hand side bar and left hand side bar are connected by a cross bar passing in front of the radiator bolted to flanges on rhs and lhs side bars. On my bike when the side bars are bolted up tight and the cross bar is bolted to the rhs bar the lhs flange does not meet up by about 35mm as shown on the pic. Considerable force is required to pull the cross bar into line to engage the two fixing bolts.
My concern is the stress this places on the tapped holes in the engine which the side bars are bolted to.
When advised Adv Spec said that this was obviously incorrect and the fault was either a bent bike or their bars were wrong. Adv Spec sent me a second bar set for comparison but they were identical with the first. The bar set was then assembled and laid over a paper grid, see pic. It is apparent that the lower mounting plate on the rhs is not parallel to the lhs (reversed on the pic) and splays by about 6 degs. which would account for the cross bar not lining up. Adv Spec refuse to say if this is correct per their design drawings and say their stock is identical. They have offered to refund the cost which I have declined because otherwise it is a good bit of kit. I have fitted 3mm rubber gaskets at the side bar/cross bar joints, not ideal but will go some way to minimising residual stresses on the engine tapped holes. I would greatly appreciate hearing from other 650 or 800 Twin owners who have fitted the Adv Spec bars and their solutions if they had the same problem.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the heads up windsurfer

I like the ADV spec and would go for them most likely next (in time)

I beleive Malcolm Leick has them on his F650 perhaps a pm!

mind you the F800 - f650 should be same fitment albeit when installed the F650 gives the apearance of more like sticky out ears (FA cup effect) due to the F8 having more plastic in the cheeks.


no doubt someone will be along shortly to add 2p worth

 

[Big Bird]

I have these bars fitted on my 800, I fitted them a little while ago and my memory of the fitting process is a little blurred, but, I seem to remember having to put the together very loosely and then positioning and tightening.

They have been on for a number of years and have saved the engine on a few occasions i.e I don't think theres a problem.

 

[flatdog]

First thing with these aftermarket things is to assemble loosely so it's mounted on the bike but still loose.
Go around each fixing and tighten up the slack.
Any minor adjustments are then taken up by the whole assembly, rather than just one end.
If it's still bad than send it back.


Must type quicker

 

[Big Bird]

Must type quicker

You've got no chance, I can type with 1 finger on BOTH hands

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

It's all been said... but fit everything on very loosely then gradually tighten everything down with thread lock. Mine went on no problems whatsoever. I did have to reuse the main frame bolt from the previous Givi crash bars but that's a specific Givi issue.

 

[thomo57]

Fitted mine about two years ago and I was impressed at the near perfect fit and alignment, went on first time without any tweaking.
Whereabout in sunny Northumberland are you?

 

[tosh23]

sexy bars ...

 

[Malcolm Leick]

As Dean said above...I have had them about two years and had no problem fitting them. They have taken quite a bashing over that time on dirt and tarmac and I recently had them shot blasted and re powder-coated for something ridiculous like £20! A good bit of kit.

If you have the time, why not ride over to Adventure Spec? It's a nice neck of the woods and they are helpful guys.