Dura-Ace AX handlebars

In a roundabout way, I have ended-up putting an AX group together, for a frame I have yet to buy...

I've got a pair of Dura-Ace AX bars and they look to be comfy, with flat tops and flared ends; but the bar ends are cut-off at an angle, much like the end of a quill stem:

• why?
  
• what plugs will I need to spend countless hours trawling Ebay for, before handing over my first-born?
  
  

Shimano: I thought you were supposed to be easy!

Don't usual ones fit anyway?

Make some yourself?

Cork?

Wood?

Regular plugs are too short: only one edge reaches the bar, although I suppose they would be held in place by the tape.

Should be able to cobble something together, but would be nice to have a "proper" plug.

Regular bar plugs do the job but they come out easier, and very likely to be lost.
AX handlebars originally had bar ends that go over the top of the bar tape, not inside the bars, like here:
h!~~60_35.JPG)

There's a bit better view here.

Shimano 1982 Catalog

Thanks for that, couldn't find any clear shots of built-up bikes online.

I guess it'll be a DIY job then, as the chance of finding some original caps has got to be slim.

If I remember correctly, after all my experiments with those bars, basic Cinelli plugs worked best, but I never tried DIY route.

I've been having a rummage in the parts bin and found some extra-long plugs with an expander mechanism, so they should do well.

I've been having a rummage in the parts bin and found some extra-long plugs with an expander mechanism

ooh vicar..

some joker over on american ebay is after $900 for these, complete with bar ends

Guffaw!

Mind you, the plugs are "sweet baby blue fixie", so perhaps that's fair...

ooh vicar... some joker over on american ebay is after $900 for these, complete with bar ends

Price drop... $648

Oh look! here's everyone ready to pay that money! ;)

If I'd seen this post earlier I would have offered a pair of Cinelli plugs which have some kind of screw retention!!

Thanks Ken: you know what a slippery customer I am though...