Straight bar engine guard for my Heritage
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
Straight bar engine guard for my Heritage
I'm not a huge fan of either engine guards or adding weight. But I'm considering adding one of the straight bar types across the bottom. I'm old and my balance isn't great. If I drop it, it will most likely be just toppling over. Opinions on if that will be adequate protection? I have no experience with them
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 529
From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
I share your concern, and acted on it by buying and installing a "full loop" engine guard. From what I have seen, the single straight bar type you are considering are mounted higher than you appear to think they are - I believe they fasten to an available OEM set of bolt holes near the TOP of the downtubes. I rejected that straight bar shape because:
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
I share your concern, and acted on it by buying and installing a "full loop" engine guard. From what I have seen, the single straight bar type you are considering are mounted higher than you appear to think they are - I believe they fasten to an available OEM set of bolt holes near the TOP of the downtubes. I rejected that straight bar shape because:
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,422
From: USA
One advantage of the bar type that she uses is the end tips are replaceable. Scars on the hoop types stay there, though its down low and effectively invisible.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 529
From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
Doesnt seem to be an issue with either type. @FranBunnyFFXII runs the bar type on her softail and uses it often, without problems.
One advantage of the bar type that she uses is the end tips are replaceable. Scars on the hoop types stay there, though its down low and effectively invisible.
One advantage of the bar type that she uses is the end tips are replaceable. Scars on the hoop types stay there, though its down low and effectively invisible.
- Sand it smooth and repaint
- Sand it smooth and powder coat
- Cover the scrape with black heat shrink black tubing or slit tubing
- Cover the scrape with highway pegs
Jim G
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 2,083
From: Newport,TN area
BungKing has a few options with replaceable delrin 'sliders'.
https://www.bungking.com/2018-2023-softail/
hth,
T.
https://www.bungking.com/2018-2023-softail/
hth,
T.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 923
Likes: 305
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
Doesn’t seem to be an issue with either type. @FranBunnyFFXII runs the bar type on her softail and uses it often, without problems.
One advantage of the bar type that she uses is the end tips are replaceable. Scars on the hoop types stay there, though it’s down low and effectively invisible.
One advantage of the bar type that she uses is the end tips are replaceable. Scars on the hoop types stay there, though it’s down low and effectively invisible.
I've used these guard protectors from E-Glide Goodies on several bikes including my Heritage. They are not expensive and have saved my guards when I'm practicing slow speed cone maneuvers in parking lots
https://eglidegoodies.net/store/Moto...ors-p485456539
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 49
Likes: 8
From: Kansas
Light weight either way
I have a chrome set of tip over bars on my Softail. They are not heavy at all and provide piece of mind. Reason
Im over 65.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I share your concern, and acted on it by buying and installing a "full loop" engine guard. From what I have seen, the single straight bar type you are considering are mounted higher than you appear to think they are - I believe they fasten to an available OEM set of bolt holes near the TOP of the downtubes. I rejected that straight bar shape because:
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
- it tries to absorb all the force of impact with the groundat one POINT versus a wider contact area, so there will be a concentrated force on that one point, and the length of the bar gives that force leverage to BEND the bar, especially if the bike is moving at the time of the fall
- The point can also injure a rider in a fall, especially if the bike is in motion when it falls, by stabbing him
A full loop shaped engine guard:
- distributes the impact force over a MUCH broader area
- Is more resistant to being bent
- is more resistant to shearing its mount bolts because there are MORE mounting bolts (top AND bottom), and the bottom bolts are subjected to a compression force versus a shear force, and so are far less likely to be broken by the impact
- Provides a choice of many places to mount highway pegs if you want highway pegs
- Is really not highly visible if you choose "black" versus chrome. If you wANT the higher visibility, then choose chrome.
Jim G
"Resistant to being bent" up to a point. When I was hit by a fellow motorcyclist a few weeks ago, my engine guard bent forward like it was made of butter.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jun 10, 2024 at 04:08 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 529
From: Lethbridge, Alberta Canada
Think in terms of the crash absorption structures used on modern cars to protect the occupants and keep the damage as much as posible restricted to EXTERNAL sheet metal versus much costlier items like engines, transmission, and rear axles. You want 3D shapes that will deform (bend) to absorb impact and energy, but will not "break" and will NOT bend enough to expose more costly parts, or YOU, to damage.
Jim G
