Removing the Bar ends - just can't unscrew them

[iceman]

I've tried so many times but the cross-head holding the as-supplied bar end's on just doesn't budge. I've tried several large screw-drivers and one of the hefty ones fits perfectly, but I'm almost bursting blood vessels trying to unscrew the screws. I've turning the screws anti-clockwise on each side (but have tried clockwise with no luck) - I assume anti-clockwise is right? Why are they on so tight!

[kramnala58]

If I recall, counterclockwise is correct, so don't give up. I believe it took two of us to get mine off. My friend held the bars and the weight of the bike while I leaned into and turned the screw. The trick was that I used a socket with a Philips head and was able to get some torque on it with the socket wrench. If you don't have the Philips socket, use a screw driver but turn it with either a crescent wrench (if the shaft has flat sides) or a pair of vice-grips (if the shaft is round). I am not sure what a crescent wrench and vice grips are called outside of Canada and the US.

Hope that helps.

[DAB]

I've tried so many times but the cross-head holding the as-supplied bar end's on just doesn't budge. I've tried several large screw-drivers and one of the hefty ones fits perfectly, but I'm almost bursting blood vessels trying to unscrew the screws. I've turning the screws anti-clockwise on each side (but have tried clockwise with no luck) - I assume anti-clockwise is right? Why are they on so tight!

Anti clockwise is correct. I had to use an impact driver on mine and still bent the bit, just finished installing my new Storm handguards.

[iceman]

Thanks! I could not understand why they were so tight (I want to fit some plastic guards to reduce winter wind chill) and it seems some manufacturers loctite the bolts! It may have been easier if they were allen bolts as a right-angle tool could be hammered, not so easy with screw heads).

[ScooteringAbout]

I may change my bar ends on my Pcx when it arrives in April, I'll go order a torque wrench suitable for a Abrahams tank then.

[WhiteNoise]

I just found some Very Helpful info: (but executing these tips can be challenging )
http://www.motorcycle.com/how-to/how-to ... -3440.html

Why are some fasteners so overly tight? Yeah, they feel bound by loctite. Oil bolt nuts anyone? Yeah, that's quite the fun! Yippee...

[WhiteNoise]

And for stripped screws, (c'mon, we've All been there, done that ) a new-to-me bit called the Grabit http://www.ronhazelton.com/tips/tool_fo ... pped_heads

[Alibally]

I used a 3/8 drive ratchet with a Phillips bit in a socket and they came out but we're very tight. There's a taper on them so they really take a grip. Make sure the bit is a good fit cos if you round them you might struggle to get them out.

[you you]

I've tried so many times but the cross-head holding the as-supplied bar end's on just doesn't budge. I've tried several large screw-drivers and one of the hefty ones fits perfectly, but I'm almost bursting blood vessels trying to unscrew the screws. I've turning the screws anti-clockwise on each side (but have tried clockwise with no luck) - I assume anti-clockwise is right? Why are they on so tight!

Get a good fitting bit and give it a good hit with a heavy hammer. Or use an impact wrench. I really didn't have a problem.

[you you]

If I recall, counterclockwise is correct, so don't give up. I believe it took two of us to get mine off. My friend held the bars and the weight of the bike while I leaned into and turned the screw. The trick was that I used a socket with a Philips head and was able to get some torque on it with the socket wrench. If you don't have the Philips socket, use a screw driver but turn it with either a crescent wrench (if the shaft has flat sides) or a pair of vice-grips (if the shaft is round). I am not sure what a crescent wrench and vice grips are called outside of Canada and the US.

Hope that helps.

Vise grips? We call them mole grips? Same thing?

[Valiant]

If it's sealed with loctite, can't you heat it up to loosen it? I don't think you'd need anything drastic, a hair dryer ought to do it, but I am of course assuming it's blue loctite and not the red "permanent" one.

[iceman]

Why do they have to fix them so tight - do Honda believe they would come loose that easily - with vibration? And Valiant, not sure about the PCX as I've not got them off yet (other may say what they found glue wise), but from googling it seems the red loctite is used by some manufacturers.
Having them so tight not only makes it a pain to get off, but there's a chance of injuring yourself or slipping and scratching/breaking the bike.