How to Remove Motorcycle Handlebar End Caps

Are you going to work on the throttle but don’t know how to remove motorcycle handlebar end caps? You will notice that some motorcycles have both end cups done differently.

The one on the left side is glued while the throttle end is either welded or bolted. But no need to worry as you can get them out in no time.

This guide will help you with that, so keep reading.

What is the Purpose of These End Caps?

What is the Purpose of These End Caps

So, what do these end caps do? These handlebar end caps are slightly heavy. You will notice that right away as soon as you get them off from your handlebar.

Therefore, these handlebars are there as weight balancers. They are there to make sure that the handlebar of your motorcycles doesn’t vibrate because of any resonance that might occur due to engine start.

If your motorcycle is a narrow or wide handlebar, these end caps are prone to damage if your vehicle falls. In such a scenario, your end caps will take the hit directly instead of any other parts that are costlier to replace.

Apart from that, your hands will have to deal with less fatigue on longer riding sessions. With too many vibrations in the handlebar, your hands will begin to fatigue after a short while.

To prevent this from happening, you can go for these heavy end caps to prevent the handlebar from vibrating. You will notice that your fingertips will not go numb anymore, no matter how long you continue to ride.

Do They Really Work, or I Can Get Rid of Them?

Do They Really Work or I Can Just Get Rid of Them

So what if you get rid of these end caps? They might not seem that important other than making your motorcycle wider. But these end caps do have a purpose. They keep your hands safe from any fatigue, especially on long riding sessions.

If you ride your motorcycle for long sessions, then you might need these end caps for sure. They are there at the end of your handlebar to add some weight balance. Plus, they prevent your handlebar from vibrating and hand fatigue.

However, they do not serve their purpose if you do not ride your bike for longer sessions. In such a scenario, you can get rid of them. But how to remove motorcycle handlebar end caps? We are going to discuss this matter in the following text.

Why Would You Need to Remove Them?

Why Would You Need to Remove Them

There can be multiple reasons why you are thinking about removing them. Maybe you are looking to install new end caps on your bike with more style and character to them. We all know stock accessories are not much fun.

Maybe you are looking to remove them just to add more weight to your handlebar as it continues to vibrate during your ride. You pour in some lead in your handlebars or go for healer end caps.

Or maybe you are just looking to add new bar-end mirrors. In this scenario, you will have to remove the end caps and install new mirrors that perfectly fit your handlebars.

Maybe you are just looking to change the handlebars or grips on your motorbike or are just looking to clean or maintain your handlebars or your front-end braking system.

In either case, you will have to take these end caps off first. Therefore, you must know how to remove your handlebar to complete the job you are looking to perform on your bike. 

How to Remove Motorcycle Handlebars Cap Ends?

How to Remove Motorcycle Handlebars Cap Ends

Thinking about removing the handlebar end caps? Well, things might get a bit confusing here if your end caps do not have any screws. There are different types of handlebar end caps too.

Rubber end caps

Some of them are just made of rubber, and you will cut them in front or pop them out with a bit of pull-force. If you are looking to keep your end caps safe, just wrap them with a piece of cloth before you start applying any force.

Vice grip pliers will work with these end caps the best. You might also have to wiggle them out as you are pulling them. They will rock out of your handlebars pretty conveniently with a bit of force.

Plastic end caps

Some of them are made of plastic. These are pretty easy to damage. Hence, you will have to be very careful while handling endcaps. With just a tap on endcaps, you will notice that they will have an opening. You can place your knife in this gap and pry them off carefully if you do not want to damage them.

Handlebar grip end caps

Some bikes have them as part of their handlebars grips. You will have to get rid of these end caps by sawing the very end of your handlebars. But you will also notice that those vibrations on your handlebars will become unacceptable on longer rides. Therefore, you will need to have some end cap weights to keep these vibrations under control.

Glued and welded end caps

Some of these handlebar end caps are glued, and you will have to use a blowtorch on them. Such end caps will just fall out. You will also see that some motorbikes have their end caps welded. You will have to cut off a quarter-inch using a hacksaw in such a scenario, and the end cap will be gone.

Screwed end caps

Generally, these are the heaviest of them all, and they also come in a range of different sizes and shapes. You will only have to screw them off your handlebars. So, they are pretty easy to come off. However, some types might be screws, and you will have to use a screwdriver to get them off.

What to Do If My Handlebars Vibrate Even with End Cap Weights?

Why do you think they are heavy in the first place? Before you start gathering thoughts on how to remove motorcycle handlebar end caps, just give this idea that they have a purpose of serving.

As these end caps are slightly heavy, they are there to prevent any vibrations in your handlebar. But what if your handlebar vibrates even with these end caps on. In such a scenario, you will have to do some repair work.

You can use one of the techniques to get the end caps out. After that, you can melt in eight ounces of lead on both sides of your handlebar.

By doing so, you are adding a pound of weight on both sides of your bike. But, it will help you in eliminating any vibrations. This solution is much better than going for those aluminum handlebars.

FAQs

How can I remove chrome end caps without damaging them?

You can conveniently remove your chrome end caps without damaging the shine on them. Just use a piece of wood that is hard but is not sharp. You can use a rubber hammer for popping your end caps out if they are not screwed in. Also, make sure that you cover your endcaps with a piece of cloth. As a result, you will not mess up their shine in any way.

How do these end caps keep my bike safe?

If you have a narrow motorcycle or your handlebar is too wide, your end caps will come into play. These end caps will keep your motorcycle safe if it falls on either side. Plus, your parts that are more expensive to replace will remain safe as these end caps will take the fall.

How do these end caps keep the handlebar from vibrating?

These end caps add more weight to your handlebars. With more weight, any vibrations caused by resonance are kept under control. As a result, your hands will not fatigue anymore if you tend to ride for longer sessions quite frequently.

How can you remove these handlebar end caps?

How to remove motorcycle handlebar end caps is a process that is not that difficult if you have the right set of tools at hand. There are different types of end caps used on different motorcycles. Some of them are made of rubber and are part of grips.

You will have to see them off. Some end caps are made of plastic, and you will have to tap and pop them out. There are end caps that are bolted or screws, and some of them are welded or glued. Each of these end caps needs a different technique to be removed.

Conclusion

How to remove motorcycle handlebar end caps is a process that might seem confusing, but it is not. There are all kinds of different end caps available, and you can remove them using different tools and techniques. If you tend to ride your motorcycle for long hours, you should let these end caps be on your handlebar.

They prevent your handlebar from vibrating due to resonance and causing fatigue. But if you do not like these endcaps and want to remove them for any other reason, you can do so based on the end cap you have on your bike.