Modern Vespa

I recently investigated some heavier bar ends for my GT200. It is a typical scoot...a little wobble now and then, unless the tires are at that 'perfect' inflation. A little general road vibration, but not excessive. So I took the stock weights to my post office to get an accurate weight...they are 9.7oz. I contacted HVMP at www.hvmp.com as they specialize in bar ends. We came up witha set that bolted right on, weighing a whopping 17oz. They are stainless steel, and look great! They made a tremendous difference in ride quality. The vibration is gone, the wobble(one handed), is all but gone. They are just enough wider to allow you to move your hands out to where only one finger is on the throttle and left grip for a very wide stance grip in cross winds.
I value this mod as the best ride quality improvement mod I have made thus far! If you are interested, call them off their web site. You need to tell them what scoot you have, they will know which is best. IT IS NOT their universal one, so let them help you choose on the phone.

Can I get some, and if I call them will they know what I'm talking about? That is cool stuff.

They are new to the scooter end of things. Feel free to mention my name so they can match up the order. Steve is the guy to talk to, BTW. As I said, they are 17oz, and match the diameter of the grip perfectly! Jim Akins, aka TubaJim

I like your seat! Corbin?

Stock vespa seat! In 06, I guess an option was for the python skin panels, in addition to solid black. There are more pics of it in the Scooter gallery, under "recent pics of my GT 200' TubaJim

Hi,

Heard you were talking about us so I decided to stop by and say Hello.

Thanks for the kind words , Jim. We are glad you really like the bar ends. I am happy that we could come up with a bar end for you using off-the-shelf parts.

If anybody else is interested in bar ends, shoot us an email and we'll try to set you up. I can't guarantee we'll be able to fit every Vespa, but we'll try.

Regards,
HVMP
www.HVMP.com

PS: We still have day jobs so If you call leave a message and a time when we can get back to you. We try to answer all calls within 24 hours.

Thanks for the great product, Steve. All GT, GTS, GTV should use the exact same set I ordered bolt size-wise. I'm not sure of other modern scooters like the L series,ET's or others. As for all PX's and vintage vespa's, they all have a hollow bar end covered by its' grip. The od. of those bars is 7/8". Not sure of the id measurement. The grip would need to be trimmed off flush with the bar end to add these weights to a vintage vespa or PX. Perhaps the universal would work for the hollow bars, since it comes with the rubber expanding system. Anyway these stock HVMP bar ends should bolt right on the above mentioned G series Vespa's with a simple allen wrench and about 2 minutes of your time! Hope this info helps! TubaJim

Thanx for supporting our little community.

Those ends look great and will do a fine job at 17 Oz.

Hope you get some business for your trouble.

R

8)

glasseye - we are happy to support the Vespa community, even if it is just by making bar ends.

My husband, tells me that his mother used to ride a Lambretta in Italy back in the day. He says it was similar to a Vespa but larger.

Would you consider making the bar ends with the notch for tie downs? I really wanted the Jettin Industries bar ends but they told me they are even lighter than the stock bar ends.

I use several Jettin products on my scoot, Chrome dipsticks. I know everyone has their own opinion, but I really wouldn't want to trust my scoot on a carrier to the shear strength of a relatively small diameter bolt running through the center of a bar end. I cringe every bump any way, not to mention the added worry of this set up. Also, what do the bolts run into? Is their connection glued in the bar end or is it simply a small disc welded in? The ratchet action of a tie down, compounded by the weight of the scoot seems, on paper, too much to trust to that little bolt. With that said, I believe Jettin makes great products. Perhaps they could chime in on the safety of the connection. 308lbs of scoot battling the little bolt....even grade 8 bolts wouldn't make me rest any easier. TubaJim

I have thought the same thing. It's a clever idea, do I trust it...not exactly.

I have the Jettin bar ends on my BV250 - when we moved the scoots from OK to CA inside the truck, I attached the straps to the bar ends and cranked em down TIGHT. I was more worried about the bar than the ends. At the end of the 1400+ mile trip - no worries at all - no damage - held up great!

These new ones look great! I think that for people with wobble issues, this could be a superb fix!

Jim,

Dumb question here but do the bar ends match your stock brake levers? I'm really condsidering getting a set of these but I think I might be sad to get rid of my chrome stock bar ends. I wonder if Jettin could chrome them, or if they look good as they are.

My goal with mods and accessories is to only get the ones that look like they 'belong' there. I don't won't it to stand out.

Thats the problem with bar ends that you strap to; you must crank down your front shock very hard to keep the hook from hopping off the bar end if you hit a dip in the road. Maybe people have had good luck with them, but for me, I dont trust them and dont want to crush my front suspension like that. Maybe if you used a velcro strap, or rubber band or something to hold the hook on if/when there is slack??

As far as adding 10oz. to each end of your bars to solve a wobble, that seems to be putting a bandaid on the problem. Your adding almost a can of soda to each end of your handlebars The cause of the problem is being covered up instead of being addressed. Check your wheel balance, tire pressure, wheel alignment, shock, head bearing, etc.

OK I have been biting my tongue about this post for a while now.
First of all we/Johnny and I have tested the bar ends and grade 8 bolts, we have not had any problems with them breaking. We took 2 GT's up to Seattle from Southern California (over 1,000 miles) thru twisty turns, bumps, etc while the bike were in the back of the truck. No problems at all!
And as far as the tie down to come up off the barend the tie down would need to lift up about 1"-2" and there is a really no way that could happen, unless you really like your scooter to sway in the back of your truck because you don't tie it down tight enough.
Just remember those crappie canyon dancers will bust up your switches.

Anyways, We have had nothing but good feedback on our barends, and I want to thank everyone that stands behind us and supports our products at Jettin.

Thanks, Nyle

Suprised Nyle didn't answer your question.

Email him, if they don't have them in chrome I'm sure they'll chrome some out for you!

Nyle, I use some of your other products and have seen your barends. All top shelf quality no doubt. Its just a personal choice regarding tie down methods and I have never had a problem with canyon dancers or the like breaking anything. I just prefer a positive attachment.
What if your tie down points are set away from the bike? It seems that using the bar ends would require the tie down point to be almost directly under the handle bars or not to far out for the hook to properly catch on the bar end?

If they had tie downs with safety clips, that would do it I suppose.

As I mentioned in my reply a few posts ago....I belive Jettin makes top notch stuff...very good quality! I also mentioned the grade 8 issue. I believe the issue for me at least, is not YOUR set up, but rather what the bolt screws into. Is it glued in? Or a small threaded disc that's welded in?

As for the other replies...highly monitored air pressure, balanced, too.

I meant no offense to Jettin...I am a customer of theirs! I just prefer the added stability the extra weight gives. I posted a private message about vibration and harmonic waves that can travel through tubes(handles, in this case). The weight factor can dramatically change the transfer of these waves. I design Tubas for a variety of companies...the study of these waves is crucial to the placement of braces, etc...Any change that deadens these waves will be noticed as a difference in the 'feel' of the instrument...the same for the handle area. Vespa themselves have 'quietly' admitted there is a problem with vibration by their inclusion of stock bar weights...all the constant posting of wobble related issues by everyone here back that up. Again...no slam to Jettin...they make great stuff!

The inner disk in the handle bars is welded on............

All motorcycles have stock bar end weights. IIRC, they are mainly for vibration damping??
The reason you put on heavier weights when you add a trunk is for balance.

I tried the weights that are used with a trunk and thought the bike felt like it was falling into the turns, very 'un-neutral' feeling.

The main thing here is that its your scooter and your preference to have heavy weights. It it works for you, it works! Enjoy the ride

Following the lead post here, I spoke with Steve at HVMP and ordered, on Saturday, the 17 oz. bar ends. It's now Monday at 1:37PM and my new bar ends are received and installed.

First of all, they are beautiful!
They installed easily.
They work!

I was having lots of classic wobble while running 35-40 and that has disappeared. The one-handed wobble is all but gone.

THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THESE.

SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE FOR GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.



Sorry, too lazy to remove cover. Washed for trip. Bird crap. You know how it is.

What if you don't have a wobble? Would you consider these a performance mod or a correction to a problem?

I thought they would be an enhancement, but maybe I wouldn't even notice them. Anyone use them who didn't already feel they had a problem?

Although they appear to be a very nicely made item, they are a Cover to a problem, not a correction. Thats not an opinion that is a fact.

8) anyone give the price for these anti-wobble ends yet??????

Petrol is correct. We sell these bar ends as a vibration reducing modification, not as a headshake or wobble treatment. The reduction of a wobble can be a side effect of using heavier bar ends. If a wobble on your bike is a concern, then the things mentioned earlier like tire pressure and tire cupping, loose steering head bearings, suspension setup...should all be considered.

Manufacturers do put bar ends on their bikes to reduce the resonant frequency of the handlebars. They generally use cast iron, or some type of alloy. Using stainless is very cost prohibitive, so you will find few factory stainless bar ends on any bike.

While it was still in development, the P-38 WWII fighter had bad elevator flutter at high airspeed (in dives). Lockheed fixed it by hanging teardrop-shaped lead weights from arms above and below the elevator. They're visible in the photo, above and below the elevator at mid-span.

Very similar situation. Adding the weights at a distance from the axis decreases resonant frequency down where there isn't as much excitation energy.

I think I'm being misunderstood.

I do not have a wobble.

Will these improve the ride of a stock bike with stock bar ends?

HVMP
I was considering adding Oberon bar-end mirrors to my GTV, but was hesitant to because their bar-ends are lighter than stock. Is there any possibility of you adding holes for mirrors to the bar-ends here discussed?
Thanks

Correct. And as HVMP said, they are mainly intended for bad vibes. Actually I might order a set from HVMP at about 10 oz since I often carry weight on my rear rack.

Let me clarify my position on this "wobble" issue.

I was not experiencing a problem with my GT, not in the sense that the front wheel was wobbling out of control as though something else was wrong or out of whack. I think what I was experiencing was the vibration factor characteristic of Vespas or any scooter, bike, whatever. Before I installed the weighted bar ends my GT performed just the way a Vespa is supposed to perform; all I'm saying is that following the installation the bike feels more stable/solid at higher speeds. I like 'em.

I'm trusting that by having them installed they won't create some adverse long-term performance issue...or whatever.

As for price: I gave $65. bucks.

Ok. Now there is a straight answer I was looking for. Thank you.

So in reading this thread and the one I posted in the general forum, there seems to be a mixed reaction.

My bike runs great and as smooth as I expect any stock bike to run. This seemed like a relatively easy/inexpensive way to improve performance.

Some people agree. Some people do not.

Everyone agree with that?

It is a pretty typical Vespa thing based on the steep angle of the steering column. Just ask any chopper rider if he experiences handlebar wobble. You'll likely get a confused look.

~Drew

I just put in an order less than 15 minutes ago so they'll be here by Monday at the latest.

I'm experiencing the wobble that probably should be there just because it's a Vespa so I'll update later with the difference.

Check the website in the next week. we should have a Vespa page up and running. We will be offering a 14 ounce and 17 ounce version.

Also, if you have any specific questions about our products try to direct them to info@hvmp.com. I don't always have time to check the forums and it'll probably guarantee a faster response.

Thanks,
HVMP
www.HVMP.com

Just got the bar ends in the mail...wow...that's some high grade bar end right there. Haven't installed them yet, but I will today and offer a full update on how they handle downtown Baltimore.

I just did a 80 mile break in period for the bar ends and they are phenomenal. It makes my scooter feel like it's on rails. There is no wobbling at all...with one hand I could do 0-60-0 with little to no wobble.

These kind of results should be seen by nearly everyone because you're putting 1 pound on either end of the bar. These bar ends were made for Hayabusa's too, bikes more than double the weight of a GTS.

Without a doubt, the best upgrade to cure wobbling. After that it's new tires, which I already did 2000 miles ago.

Gotta jump in on this one. I bought a set of Nyle's Jettin bar ends because I think they are a great idea for tying down a scooter that is inherently hard to tie down. In my opinion, Canyon Dancer harnesses are garbage--they bust up switch housings because of their design. The harder you pull on the cuffs, the more they try to move together, taking grips and then housings with them. My Multistrada housing fell victim. I have bought a couple of Condor scooter chocks for my trailer, so there is not a lot of pressure required on the tiedowns--they just need to keep the scooters in the chocks. I also know that heavier bar ends are good for stabiity and smoothness, especially for people like me with carpal problems. So I currently run stock bar ends, with the Jettin ends saved for times I need a good and innovative tie down point. They take seconds to swap out. I now plan to go to HVMP bar ends as my "daily drivers" and use Nyle's great ends for transport needs. If you plan to transport your scooter and you want the best ride, I think you really gotta have both sets. Of course I just got two GTSs so I shudder to think what I will have tied up in bar end weights when all is said and done.

Jeff

The Vespa Page should be up and running by late friday or Monday. All emails after this posting will be answered on Monday. HVMP is going moto-camping this weekend - leaving tomorrow morning.

Cheers all!

HVMP

The new Vespa page is up.

I am going to order mine this weekend.

Thanks guys!