How To: Install Barkbuster Storm Handguards

[shigeta]

While the FJ-09 isn’t designed to go off-road, I (of course) take it there. The 17″ wheels and low ground clearance means that my pace is slow and the trails are easy, but despite my caution, I had a mild low-side on a trip in AZ last year. Given the design of the bike, it was no surprise that the left hand guard and some plastic bits tore straight off. That’s when I decided I needed some beefier protection. Barkbuster was the first name that came to mind.
 
After a few thousand miles with these in temps between 32° and 100°; rain and shine, I can definitely say that they offer superior protection from the elements. I haven’t crash-tested them yet, but the peace of mind from their durability over the stock hand guards in addition to their weather-isolation has made this one of the best mods on my bike so far.
 
 

 
 
[b style=font-size:large]Enter the Barkbuster Storm Hand Guards.[/b]
 
 
[b style=font-size:large][/b]
 
 
Barkbuster put together this FJ-09-specific kit which includes everything you need to replace your weak factory plastic hand guards.
 
The steps are pretty simple:
 
[ol type=""][*]Remove factory hand guards and threaded inserts
[*]Install Barkbuster threaded inserts
[*]Loosely attach handlebar clamp
[*]Loosely attach backbone to handlebar clamp and threaded insert
[*]Torque to spec
[*]Install handguard plastics
[*]Repeat on opposite side[/ol]
Here are all of the components of the backbone laid out:
 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 1: Removing Factory Hand Guards and Inserts[/b]

To remove the hand guards, you’ll need to first remove the mirrors and 10mm bolts below the clutch and brake perch holding the hand guard brackets on.
 
Then, unbolt the allen head bolt from the bar end.
 
Finally, remove the factory threaded insert using a 12mm hex socket.
 
Repeat on both sides.
 
 

 
 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 2: Installing the Barkbuster Threaded Insert[/b]
 
Thread the Barkbuster insert into the bar by hand, then tighten using a 17mm open-end wrench. I torqued this to approximately 25 ft/lb.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 3: Loosely Attach the Handlebar Clamp[/b]
 
Next, you want to bolt on the clamp that attaches the inside of the backbone to the handlebar.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 4: Loosely Attach the Hand Guard Backbone[/b]
 
Now, you want to attach the back bone of the hand guards to 1) the threaded insert in the bar end and 2) the handlebar clamp you just loosely installed.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 5: Tighten Everything Down[/b]
 
Now that the back bone is attached, you can align all the pieces how you want and tighten everything down.
 

 

 

 

 
Step 6: Attach the Plastics

With the Barkbuster system, you can attach any plastics to this back bone—Storm, VPS, JET, or their Carbon pieces. I chose the Storm as they offered the best protection against the elements as well as the most subtle styling.
 
The plastics come with 6 screws and 2 brackets. Each handguard uses one screw on the front and 2 screws to attach the bracket on the back side.
 
 

 
Align the plastics with the hand guard and install the largest screw using a Phillips driver.
 

 
Next line up the bracket on the back side and install its two Phillips screws. This is how the bracket is aligned. If you put it on backwards, it won’t hold the plastics on.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 7: Repeat on the Opposite Side
[/b]
Great! You’re done with one side. Rinse and repeat on the other side to complete installation.
 

 
 
 
 

[wordsmith]

Nice write-up and pix. Great Aussie-made quality too!

[Cruizin]

While the FJ-09 isn’t designed to go off-road, I (of course) take it there. The 17″ wheels and low ground clearance means that my pace is slow and the trails are easy, but despite my caution, I had a mild low-side on a trip in AZ last year. Given the design of the bike, it was no surprise that the left hand guard and some plastic bits tore straight off. That’s when I decided I needed some beefier protection. Barkbuster was the first name that came to mind. 
After a few thousand miles with these in temps between 32° and 100°; rain and shine, I can definitely say that they offer superior protection from the elements. I haven’t crash-tested them yet, but the peace of mind from their durability over the stock hand guards in addition to their weather-isolation has made this one of the best mods on my bike so far.
 
 

 
 
[b style=font-size:large]Enter the Barkbuster Storm Hand Guards.[/b]
 
 
[b style=font-size:large][/b]
 
 
Barkbuster put together this FJ-09-specific kit which includes everything you need to replace your weak factory plastic hand guards.
 
The steps are pretty simple:
 
[ol type=""][*]Remove factory hand guards and threaded inserts
[*]Install Barkbuster threaded inserts
[*]Loosely attach handlebar clamp
[*]Loosely attach backbone to handlebar clamp and threaded insert
[*]Torque to spec
[*]Install handguard plastics
[*]Repeat on opposite side[/ol]
Here are all of the components of the backbone laid out:
 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 1: Removing Factory Hand Guards and Inserts[/b]

To remove the hand guards, you’ll need to first remove the mirrors and 10mm bolts below the clutch and brake perch holding the hand guard brackets on.
 
Then, unbolt the allen head bolt from the bar end.
 
Finally, remove the factory threaded insert using a 12mm hex socket.
 
Repeat on both sides.
 
 

 
 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 2: Installing the Barkbuster Threaded Insert[/b]
 
Thread the Barkbuster insert into the bar by hand, then tighten using a 17mm open-end wrench. I torqued this to approximately 25 ft/lb.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 3: Loosely Attach the Handlebar Clamp[/b]
 
Next, you want to bolt on the clamp that attaches the inside of the backbone to the handlebar.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 4: Loosely Attach the Hand Guard Backbone[/b]
 
Now, you want to attach the back bone of the hand guards to 1) the threaded insert in the bar end and 2) the handlebar clamp you just loosely installed.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 5: Tighten Everything Down[/b]
 
Now that the back bone is attached, you can align all the pieces how you want and tighten everything down.
 

 

 

 

 
Step 6: Attach the Plastics

With the Barkbuster system, you can attach any plastics to this back bone—Storm, VPS, JET, or their Carbon pieces. I chose the Storm as they offered the best protection against the elements as well as the most subtle styling.
 
The plastics come with 6 screws and 2 brackets. Each handguard uses one screw on the front and 2 screws to attach the bracket on the back side.
 
 

 
Align the plastics with the hand guard and install the largest screw using a Phillips driver.
 

 
Next line up the bracket on the back side and install its two Phillips screws. This is how the bracket is aligned. If you put it on backwards, it won’t hold the plastics on.
 

 

 
[b style=font-size:x-large]Step 7: Repeat on the Opposite Side
[/b]
Great! You’re done with one side. Rinse and repeat on the other side to complete installation.
 

 
 
 

 
Great write up, thanks for taking the time to do that. Tech tips makes life easier for fellow forum members and really, that is why I created this forum in the first place. Great job!
 

[kimmie]

You make it look so easy even a girl could do it!!!    (rofl) (rofl) (rofl)
 
Thanks for taking the time to document.
 
 

[koth442]

Thank you.

[dundee]

When Yamaha factory heated hand grips are added, the right hand bar end is changed in the kit.  Will The Barkbuster kit work with FJ-09s that have factory heated hand grips?  If yes, how?

[shigeta]

When Yamaha factory heated hand grips are added, the right hand bar end is changed in the kit.  Will The Barkbuster kit work with FJ-09s that have factory heated hand grips?  If yes, how?

Great question! I have the factory heated grips, so the instructions should apply directly to you. 

[Dark&Stormy]

@shigeta did you manage to install the backbone without unpluging the clutch safety switch? I cannot get the clamp the line up with the backbone unless i unplug that switch.

 

 

[shigeta]

@shigeta did you manage to install the backbone without unpluging the clutch safety switch? I cannot get the clamp the line up with the backbone unless i unplug that switch. 
 
 

Hmmm... It's been a while now. I had to wiggle some stuff around as I was installing and it was a tight fit, but it definitely cleared. Have you adjusted your bar/lever angle at all? 

[Dark&Stormy]

I eventually got it to fit. The barkbuster clamps arent sitting as flush as they were intended to be but it works.

[brewhaha]

Glad I looked at this. I almost ordered just regular barkbusters. There is a specific model for the FJ09. Installing mine tonight. 

Thanks for the great post @shigeta

[brewhaha]

So @shigeta they only send one clamp per plastic side? Even though there’s clearly two per side?

**edit. evidently yes. guess its a good idea to look at the instructions.ha**

Edited February 9, 2019 by brewhaha

[dingophil]

Thanks for the excellent write up! Does anyone know if they also allow bar-end weights or sliders to be installed?

[keithu]

So this is weird. I ordered the FJ-09 Barkbuster Storms last fall (Sept or Oct 2018 I think) and they were different from this. The kit I got does not have the backbone piece. They only mount to the bar ends and basically float on the inner ends. It doesn't seem to be a problem; the steel bracket attached at the bar end is very Stout and there is zero flex in them. It certainly made the install simpler.

[betoney]

45 minutes ago, keithu said:

So this is weird. I ordered the FJ-09 Barkbuster Storms last fall (Sept or Oct 2018 I think) and they were different from this. The kit I got does not have the backbone piece. They only mount to the bar ends and basically float on the inner ends. It doesn't seem to be a problem; the steel bracket attached at the bar end is very Stout and there is zero flex in them. It certainly made the install simpler.

According to the Barkbuster Website they are offered in single point mount or two point mount.