Hepco Becker Crash Bars

[lajaro]

Well I was going to provide some information on how my install of the HB crash bars on my 650 went (picked some up this weekend on my trip to Montreal, Quebec from Ottawa, Ontario). Imagine the surprise when I walked in to the store and a set was hanging over the service counter!!!! Sold in a split second.

Also imagine my (unpleasant) surprise when I arrived home earlier, only to discover that the tightly wrapped package contained two left feet (er, I mean bars). :shock:

Anyhow, what I can say is one of the bars had alot of metal shards inside. Taking the end cap off and shaking it around got them out.

The rest of the review will come as soon as I can work this fiasco out. Stay tuned....

Lang

[Strom-meister]

Hey Lang,

How much did you pay for them?

I also read of a fellow that filled the hollow tubes with foam in a can insulation. I thought that was a great idea as it would keep out moisture and strengthen them further.

Regards,

Shawn

[lajaro]

$229.00 CAD + PST/GST out the door. I thought this was a steal considering the only price I found on the net was $200 USD before shipping.

IIRC, the folks that filled their bars had Givis and did so because of the vibrations they got at certain revs.

These are quite solid, and from what I read, don't suffer from the same problem. They look different, however, from the pics posted on the net...they are a powder finish (not gloss), and the lower tube mounts further back on the frame (top-back, over the crankcase).

The mounting hardware is straightforward - all in metric and mostly brushed steel fastners. The installation diagram is only in German, but they supply additional information in english and french on a separate sheet. If I didn't speak german, I wouldn't have understood their warning about completely doing the left side first, before the right, so the engine doesn't fall out! :shock: (perhaps an exaggeration, but still a valid warning that merits a translation).

According to the installation instructions, need to torque the supplied M8 hex and allen bolts bolts to 27Nm (~20 Ft-Lbs) - just right for the low end of my torque wrench (These specs will change, though, if I use some blue locktite). Will need a 13mm socket and 6mm hex bit to complete the task.

Am expecting my replacement today via courrier - will do the actual install later today (the joys of working from home :) ) , and will provide some pics and a follow-up.

Lang

[lajaro]

As promised, here is the rest of the review. Installation was *almost* a breeze. I'll go through the process first, then provide additional commentary.

First off, make sure you have the right tools for the installation (I tried to use a 6mm hex socket, as per the recommendation at Home Depot, and stripped one of the stock bolts :shock:
(a lesson to be learned - do your research first and trust noone!) :lol: But that's what the learning experience is all about.

Anyhow....

Tools used
Torque Wrench (20 lb-ft required - mine takes 3/8" sockets)
T40 Torque Socket (for supplied M8 torque bolts - side mounts)
13mm Socket (for supplied M8 hex bolts - to mount under bar to side bars)
Blue Loc-Tite (or equivalent)
Hex key to remove black side panels

Do one side at a time. Remove the black side panel first, then remove the four stock bolts (you will need to set the torque high on the wrench to do so). Don't worry, nothing misaligned during this process, but be careful not to strip the bolts.

The bars went on with no problems - the fit was perfect (something I attribute to German engineering). I put a little blue lock-tite on the bolts to make sure they didn't slip, and torqued to 20 lbs-ft (the equivalent of 27 Nm as specified in the installation instructions).

The whole process took about 30 minutes. Took the bike out for a ride. Sure, the bars vibrate at higher revs (over 5k RPM), but there was no noticeable harmonics or noise generated. Also, I should note that I am 6'4" and there is no problem with leg clearance.

Ok, so my gripes:

First, the supplied installation diagram/instructions are in German only (if you need a translation, let me know, as I fortunately do speak Deutsch)
They supplied 12 washers, but the installation diagram only shows where 8 go....I followed the diagram and left the extra washers off.
The torque bolts they supply are brushed steel. I would have thought that annodized black would look better. They do supply black plastic caps for the hex bolts that go underneath, so why not covers for the side? I guess they have their reason. Nothing a little liquid electrical tape won't fix, though.

In the end, though, I am very happy with the quality of the bars and ease of installation. I hope that I will never have to find out if they will serve their purpose in a fall.

Pics are available at:
http://www.lajaro.com/gallery/Hepco_Becker_Crash_Bars

Lang

[Strom-meister]

Hey Lang,

Thanks for the info on the crash bars! And thanks for the short tech course and pictures. Looks good, well done!

Shawn

[Columbo]

They must have changed the style in the last few months. They are different than mine. I ordered mine from a vendor...who ordered two sets; one for me and one for stock...and they sent two right sides! Who packages this stuff anyway?

[Strom-meister]

Hey Columbo do you have pictures of the different style?

Sorry, I don't. Perhaps they are in a FAQ somewhere. Maybe on Calsci's site or Twisted Throttle. Got mine from California Sport Touring.