2019 Honda Monkey: MNNTHBX Handlebar Step-by-Step Install

What a great upgrade for the Monkey! At first glance, the OEM high-bars have a cool retro look, but when you really start riding aggresive, there's room for improvement. MNNTHBX is the only company offering a Monkey specific handlebar, and it is spot on! Not only are they affordable, they make the bike look sleeker and sportier, and supports aggressive riding well with more leverage and a better riding angle. I highly recommend these bars to anyone that rides hard, or wants a sportier look in a super simple bolt on bar.

[@dieghino1974]

dear Johnny, I'm a new owner of Honda Monkey, since two days. Thanks to your tutorials. I just ordered this item and the plate hilder, and some other accessories. I am happy for this purchase. You convinced me. Thanks for everything. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@John5XR]

Love to hear this Diego! Those are two fantastic parts to change, the handlebars are an amazing difference. Enjoy the new bike! 👌

[@danandyong6653]

That's because the bar-end screws are a #3 philips, and you're using a #2 philips. An impact driver with a #3 (usually in the box) will easily remove them without the channel locks.

[@OperatorKerri]

You probably do need a JIS to get those bar weights out, philips heads are designed to cam out and strip the bolts at higher torque settings, they were designed to stop factory workers from overdriving screws during assembly. JIS (and I guess Pozidrive as well) aren't designed to intentionally cam out.

[@John5XR]

Good points, I’ve had trouble with them on other bikes as well, so I’m doing something wrong or don’t have the right screwdriver!

[@salmanchaudhri1493]

A 10$ impact screw driver from harbor freight will get those bar ends off without messing up the finish. Just a tip. Thank you for the video, helped with my install.

[@John5XR]

Indeed it would have. I had one, but couldn’t find it for the video. My time is so scarce to produce these videos, that once I’m in produce mode, I am committed! Lol

[@forrysc]

I've always used hairspray. It works as well as any grip glue I've ever used. It just takes some time to set up and dry.

[@John5XR]

Good idea, but they actually held and I don’t feel I need to revisit them. I like the hairspray idea though. I’ve used spray paint before and it can be messy

[@forrysc]

@@John5XR compressed air is best though. I don't have a compressor strong enough to effectively remove my grips though. I have hairspray in great supply though. Thanks wife!

[@John5XR]

Haha, yeah my life changed for the better once I learned the compressor trick!

[@ericevans9507]

If you have a pad of leather, you can use it to remove the bar ends by hand. Just wrap it tight, grip and turn. That’s how I did mine. Great video!!🤙🤘

[@John5XR]

Great idea! I’m sure there are several non-damaging ways to do it too. I should’ve thought about it more

[@baldilocks1914]

Impact wrench, no fuss no muss.

[@steveduarte9113]

John, Love the Channel and thank you for helping novices to navigate through these mods You make the disassembly and assembly look simple for an newbie like me to feel confident to install all of the new accessories on my own. Regarding this mod, do you need to adjust the brake or clutch cables because of possible slack? Did this become an issue for you? Thanks in advance for your advise.

[@John5XR]

Thanks for the comment Steve and I’m glad the videos are helpful! There was no need to adjust the cables as the height was being lowered as compared to stock, so they weren’t stretched like they might be with bars that are wider or taller

[@ASvanRandwijck]

Why not first snug the handlebar itself and THEN drill the holes. Only this way you can adjust and set the angles of your break and clutch handles exactly as you want them.

[@John5XR]

Sometimes you learn better ways at doing things AFTER you've done them via good feedback, right? ;-)

[@toolshedjunky]

Loose handle bar grips are a real drag. Grip glue takes hours to cure. I use WD-40 to install grips. After you get the grips on using WD-40, don't touch them for about 20min. They will be stuck on there so good you'll need a crowbar to get them off.

[@John5XR]

Since they still had glue residue on them, I just left it and reinstalled. They haven’t moved since install, so I feel as if they didn’t need anything at all. Typically on a dirt bike I’d use spray paint, so I was surprised to see how well they held

[@toolshedjunky]

@@John5XR Spray paint? Hmmm, that would work too. I'll try it next time.

[@jaro967]

Hairspray works! When wet the grips slide on but it’s sticky as hell when it dries!! That’s how I used to install my mtb grips before the lock on design came out!👍

[@danandyong6653]

Have you lost your mind? The "throttle clocking" has nothing to do with the amount of twist!, also You need to clock the kill switch assembly according to the level of the brake fluid cap...

[@John5XR]

Sounds like you need to start your own channel pal! So much expertise shouldn’t be left to just comments on other idiots videos

[@bobdog279]

got any advice if I would want to buy more of a dirt bike/atv style handle bars ? ones with the cross bar across. I know it may obstruct the view of the odometer but that's the look I wanna go for on mine. not sure on style, brand, or size

[@John5XR]

Absolutely! On my Grom I settled on the Pro-Taper KLX110 bar, but also bought the Pro-Taper XR50 bar to try, which is higher and more narrow than the KLX. For the Monkey, the XR50 bar would be more closely matched to the stock height and width

[@mediocreman5103]

What size was the drill bit to make the holes?

[@fletcher9000]

Bar end bolts came off easily with a battery powered impact driver. no nicks!

[@John5XR]

Damn, you brave! Haha, I put a screwdriver to it and gave it a turn, and knew I’d strip them. Same thing with my Grom

[@jorgeortega1709]

Why can’t the front brake reservoir be upside down?

[@John5XR]

I observed what the factory repair manual was saying, but if I had to guess, it would be to avoid allowing air bubbles to get into the line

[@jas350]

Did you eat?

[@spencerrayong]

I’ve just installed these bars and when I turn the bars to hard right my throttle sticks...? It’s ok on hard left..? I’ve put the cables the best route so they don’t get snagged but alas something is wrong...?

[@John5XR]

that's interesting. Sounds like the cable routing for sure, as when cables tighten up they'll pull the inner cable and activate the throttle

[@florme6494]

Without the bar ends doesn’t that make it have more vibration?

[@John5XR]

Good question, but I haven’t felt anything noticeably different than the stock bars as far as vibration. I’ll most likely fit some sort of bar end in it soon though

[@chuckbowen4334]

Mine vibrated like a bitch with the new handlebars...I returned the bars and got my money back. Not all upgrades are actually upgrades.

[@jas350]

Now you're mirrors are all messed up

[@tonykartracer8032]

Why didn't you get that handlebar in chrome version? That black just throws the whole bike off.

[@John5XR]

There is no chrome option (or wasn’t when I bought it). I like the black better, it goes better with the rest of my mods

[@drummerjosh1984]

I like the black!

[@miatasanson]

Hello John. Then you have to make only one hole?

[@John5XR]

I believe the only hole needed is on the throttle side to avoid rotation of the assembly

[@miatasanson]

@@John5XR Thanks. And.. another question. Can you put the ends in the new handle?

[@dducati5823]

Donde compro este manillar en españa 🇪🇸?

[@harrisonwilbanks2380]

If you enjoy low bars thats cool. But that shit is way to low for me lol

[@jas350]

Eeeeeeeeyouuuu