Foaming handlebars-A HOW TO with pics!

[MNfarmdude]

I would think fuseing the handwarmers directly to the battery would make
a big difference?

 

[Blue Oval]

Not to be critical, but I have played with about every kind of foam on the market (I own an insulation company)and to avoid the hastles of the mess, the window and door foam is okay, but I would recommend the minimal expanding foam. Generally I would cringe at the thought of "hardware store foam", but the minimal expanding foam is actually a more dense foam, and will resist degrading over time. Once you take the bolts out of the end of the bars, (I would leave the bolts out and just try to put something under it to catch the excess) put some clear silicone over the hole. The exposure will cause the foam to degrade, which will let moisture in and possibly rust the bars from the inside out, or worse, the moisture it will absorb could freeze and split the bars! Keep in mind that the foam seals out air but will absorb some ammount of moistureand in such a confined area will probably never dry out if it does get wet. (washing?) I would definately seal the ends of the bars, and try to fill the entire bar if you can. We do this to the rungs on ladders and it adds a huge ammount of strength to them also!
Nate

Hi Nate..

I did state to use the LOW expansion foam..I used to use the regular foam for yrs on window/door installs,then when low expansion came out i switched...the old stuff would dry hard and brittle...we would saw it off...and the new low expansion stuff stays flexible...

while i agree with much of what you said...I dont see any ILL effect,such as freezing or rusting of bars....I agree you could fill entire bar,but i feel its not needed....

thanks for your input,thats what this site is all about....I truly feel this simple cheap and easy fix will go along way to HELPING keep hands warmer then stock....and any extra heat,no matter how little is good!

Dan

I'm planning on doing the foam this Sunday on my 07 RTX.
I picked up some DAP WATER based expandable foam at Home Depot. From reading the instructions it looks like it's rated for 45 deg to 105 deg and expands 90%. Should be easy to clean up if theres a spill. What do you think? It says window and door foam sealant. Thanks Doug

 

[nate007]

All told, for what you are foaming, it really shouldn't hurt to try something different. My earlier post I was definately being too critical (sorry machzed!) and should've just kept my mouth shut! Try it, let us know if it worked out okay! The temperature range (I believe) would be just for application purposes.
I do know that if there is controversy as to weather or not you should do the entire bar. I say it couldn't hurt to try to get the whole thing, and if you only get 1/2 filled, you'll still be fine.
One trick you can do to help make it travel further through the bar is to soak the can in hot water for a while before you use it. Be carefull, it will go everywhere, so make sure the tube is far enough in the bar! if you do make a mess, I would say to not touch it until it sets up, and then just pick it off, but I'm not sure what to tell you to use to clean it off if it smears. I have a special foam gun cleaner that I use, and you my be able to find it a a contractor supply store. Even though you are looking at a water based foam, it may still require a foam cleaner, so read the can first.
Nate

 

[SharkAttak]

any results yet on this, does it work good? are the warmers hot in cold temp's?

 

[welterracer]

I havent had a problem with my new Handlebars.. but just for safety sake i foamed my bars today.. (you never know how they will work in minus degrees)Takes no more than 5 minutes from start to finish..

I would like to personally thank Mached for the info i feel he is a very good person to have on this site with alot of info to share.. (THANKS MACHED)

Brian

 

[kia303]

I wish that I would have foamed my bars before leaving for Quebec tomorrow morning, it is going to be COLD!

Thanks for all the comments on this thread, I will be doing my bars as soon as I get back from riding.

 

[Bigwin]

Went across Lake of Bays yesterday afternoon from the South shore to Dwight beach -17 by the time I got there averaging 75 to 95 mph my fingers where frozen c$$k stiff. took off my gloves and the bars where barely noticeably warm to the touch, wiring was checked and rechecked, and I also have a Med windshield.You would think these Guys would have there Ducks in a Row for the 07"s.

 

[SERPAGS]

Went across Lake of Bays yesterday afternoon from the South shore to Dwight beach -17 by the time I got there averaging 75 to 95 mph my fingers where frozen c$$k stiff. took off my gloves and the bars where barely noticeably warm to the touch, wiring was checked and rechecked, and I also have a Med windshield.You would think these Guys would have there Ducks in a Row for the 07"s.

After foaming them or without foaming ???

 

[Bigwin]

no foaming.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I hear ya....we were out last weekend and at minus 18c even in the trails with handgaurds(powermadd) i couldnt feel any heat at all...then you hit lakes and forgetaboutit!!

anyone try this method of rewiring?..i still dont see how to wire it any other way then how it says....

foaming at least gives us a chance at abit of heat..but it surely is an issue of not enough power IMO.

dan

 

[zipclean]

Rode my 06 Attak last weekend at -12c with snowmobile gloves( not X country gloves) and I turned them down for most of the ride. Med wind shield, hand guards.The new bars are 200% better then my old ones even with the washer fix.Maybe got a good set or am used to riding in cold Saskatchewan.But still going to foam as we ride at -35c the very odd time and on open feilds where the wind plays a major part in temps.

 

[SERPAGS]

I hear ya....we were out last weekend and at minus 18c even in the trails with handgaurds(powermadd) i couldnt feel any heat at all...then you hit lakes and forgetaboutit!!

anyone try this method of rewiring?..i still dont see how to wire it any other way then how it says....

foaming at least gives us a chance at abit of heat..but it surely is an issue of not enough power IMO.

dan

Dan:

I will riding tommorrow in -38 temps. I will definately know if they are warmer because at -10 my hands froze.

 

[attak-d]

Can you foam the old bars. Thanks P.S. Whats the washer Fix.

 

[zipclean]

Put a plastic washer between the metal hook and the handle bar (there is a bolt that holds the hooks on put a washer on bolt and put back on).That seems to stop the migration of cold/heat, from the hand grips to the hooks or other way around.Any way it worked quite well other then the hooks are still like ice but the handle bars get warm.

 

[Bodacious]

I did the foam thing to my new updated bars three days ago. I rode today 14f still had to run them at max to keep the sensation of heat noticable. I tried shutting down my thumb warmer to see if that would make a difference... it sure did... now I had luke warm hands a frozen thumb .I'm wearing Klim gloves with liners and also have a set of Heat-Locs on the bars. All in all this is the first of 8 Yamahas that I have owned that had crappy warmers. The seld is great, except for this step backwards in the warmer department. Looks like I may have to look into a set of Arctic Sno-Pro bars and warmers. COME ON YAMAHA ..... we all know that you are capable of comming up with a fix for this!!!