So I was just taking off the one bar end that was still on my bike when i bought it and when I was unscrewing the screw at the end and pulling the end off the whole metal rod that goes inside the handlebar came off with the bar end. It had a band of electrical tape wrapped around the end that the screw goes into and I'm guessing it's not supposed to be like that. Is there a type of rubber washer that goes around the end to hold the rod at the end of the handlebar or how does that work. I'm still a newb with all this stuff so sorry if this seems stupid. I guess my question is how do I keep the metal rod in place when I put it back in and install new bar ends. Thanks all.

 

I was wondering the same thing...

 

There is suppose to be 2 wide rubber o-rings on the internal part to hold it in place and to help dampen vibration. It sounds like either the o-rings have been removed for some reason by the previous owner or they have deteriorated enough that they no longer hold the internal part in place. Im not positive but you could probably put a couple of regular o-rings on in the the grooves so that they fit into the bars nice and tight.