Poly Riser Bushings
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 433
Likes: 18
From: Cheyenne, WY
Poly Riser Bushings
Hey everybody, I installed poly bushings from drag specialties on my 2003 FXD about 20k miles ago, I just recently moved up to a much taller riser, and noticed a little slop, nothing crazy, but its there. I'm trying to determine if 20k is about right for the lifespan of poly riser bushings and I just need to replace them, or if maybe it was the result of going with $10 bushings instead of a $40 set of bushings. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 667
Likes: 189
From: U.K.
Good chance it's more to do with your taller risers. I run 12" Lucky Dave's SD bars with their poly bushings and i still get some flex, but it's only really noticable when riding really hard. For regular road riding i never notice it. There are risers available that solve the problem, but regular tube type risers are always going to give some flex when you go tall.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 433
Likes: 18
From: Cheyenne, WY
I would be ok with that, but there's flex when turning the bars when I get on it, and I can tell it's coming from the bushings because I can see it. I would almost be convinced there were still rubber bushings in it, but I went back and was able to check my order history and I made sure they were in fact polyurethane.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Make sure the bolts through the bushings are really tight, and that the caps on each side are sitting properly (if your bushings have metal caps). Squeezing the bushings expands them into the tree, so if they aren't tight enough there will be more movement. I haven't tried this, but I've seen mention of trimming the center shaft just slightly, allowing the bolts to be tightened a turn or two more, creating more bushing expansion. If you really can't get them where you want them, you may need to try solid bushings.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 433
Likes: 18
From: Cheyenne, WY
Make sure the bolts through the bushings are really tight, and that the caps on each side are sitting properly (if your bushings have metal caps). Squeezing the bushings expands them into the tree, so if they aren't tight enough there will be more movement. I haven't tried this, but I've seen mention of trimming the center shaft just slightly, allowing the bolts to be tightened a turn or two more, creating more bushing expansion. If you really can't get them where you want them, you may need to try solid bushings.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
Get the clear poly bushings. $40.
Way better than the junky black plastic poly. I've tried both.
HD poly bushings. You cant go wrong. Surprisingly they are high quality which is rare for most HD aftermarket parts these days.
Way better than the junky black plastic poly. I've tried both.
HD poly bushings. You cant go wrong. Surprisingly they are high quality which is rare for most HD aftermarket parts these days.
Trending Topics
Novice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Australia
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 231
Likes: 13
From: Ontario, Canada
My poly bushings started having some flex to them after about a year. Could be the fact that they were the Drag Specialties ones.
I switched to solid bushings recently, it does increase vibrations at idle and lower rpms but I definitely like them better.
I switched to solid bushings recently, it does increase vibrations at idle and lower rpms but I definitely like them better.