HEED Crash bars

[BillDallas]

Hi all,

Wondered if anyone could help or point out my obvious stupidness.
Just bought a 2009 Alpine GS with engine and upper Heed crash bars - I'm trying to remove so I can do some maintenance but...

On the RHS the upper bar is secured by a 8mm hex bolt which seems inaccessible unless I cut down a small hex key.




LHS access is fine.


Am I missing something blindingly obvious?

 

[SBD]

If you are, then I am too.

On the other hand, someone must have done it up somehow…

Will a ball-ended key fit?

 

[BillDallas]

Nope, can't even get a 28mm hex bit in - Might cut this down and use a spanner

 

[Blackblade-rry]

It might be the angles the photos are taken at that are confusing me, but isn’t there enough clearance to get to get an allen key socket and extension bar on it?

 

[Blackblade-rry]

Sorry, just seen your last post and photo about not being able to get the bit in.

 

[BillDallas]

Hi, New pics, cannot get the smallest hex key in - Think I'm gonna need to cut it down and use a spanner. I'm just thinking that this cannot be right - How was it put on in the 1st place? Hence, why I'm thinking I'm being stupid...

Pic is a bit iffy but the hex key won't go into the bolt at all. Probably need 10mm ish taken off and use a spanner on the remaining end....Unless someone with HEED bars knows better, just seems weird. Checked on HEED website and fitting instructions and not really anything there, maybe Ive just got a mix match of bars.

 

[boatman]

Is that threaded into a tapped hole or is it a long fixing with a nut at the other end?

 

[BillDallas]

Hi Boatman - It's a threaded bar between the two upper crash bars, taken out the LHS but stuck with the RHS. As connected to the lower crash bars and a solid upper bar, I cannot separate them. I probably need to give pics!

 

[BillDallas]

RHS



Bolt taken out of LHS


LHS

 

[BillDallas]

Sorted, but a massive flaff! Angle grinder was the answer....


No, not on the bars, cut the hex nut down and popped in with the spanner.

I'm sure there is an easier way so anyone with HEED bars I'd be most appreciative of info on the correct way!

 

[landmarkjohn]

Could something have taken a knock and got bent restricting access? Or were bars assembled together off the bike and then offered up?

Or....... is a there a HEED special tool? It is a bit of a mystery

 

[DJ123]

It's only a support bar to spread weight, rather than a mount. Looks like you assemble it off the Bike attached to the LHS - And unbolt from the RHS when taking the bars off the Bike. I can't see it restricting the removal or bars when still attached.

 

[BillDallas]

Hi all - To me it seems like a special tool to unbolt the RHS - The RHS and LHS are attached through each side of the engine crash bar, so unable to attach either before putting them on. I shall be keeping my little Hex key...If I decide to put them back on!

 

[SBD]

I’ve got the lowers on my GS, very happy with them, and the price. And they worked when I was a tit and fell over…

 

[Dazlove]

Are you sure the lower bars are not bent.
They look too far forward and possibly touching the cyclinder head guard.
The upper and the lower tubes also look as though may be touching too.
If that side lower was pushed back there would be room.

Cheers

 

[BillDallas]

Hi Dazlove, SBD - I cannot see any damage or indication that they are bent but then again they might be - SBD do the pictures seem different to how your lowers fit or maybe if you have pics you could show me?
There has to be something, cannot believe that the design is so bad.

 

[SBD]

As I’d just finished lunch and the bike is outside…



Looks like mine need to come off and get powder coated, this winter.

Hope it helps

 

[BillDallas]

Thanks SBD, much appreciated, but it seems my bars are completely different as on a 2009 oil head. I've checked for any signs of a hit or bending and can see nothing. I guess it's just the way they are and I'll keep my little hex key.

 

[SBD]

They are bloody close to the head covers!

 

[OMG!!]

Might be wrong, but will the top bar clamp fit before the bottom clamp .....might allow more access to tighten hex nut up, and the bottom bars would be slightly further away from the headers.