Riser Bushings
Riser Bushings
I picked up a set of HD polyurethane riser bushings because I really didn't like the sloppy "loose" feeling handle bars on my Wide Glide any more. After installing them and a short ride, the vibration was more than I could bare. I took them back out. I still can't get used to the mushy feeling risers, any suggestions ? How about the torque setting ? Does anyone have a service manual and wouldn't mind sharing the ft/lb setting for the riser bolts ? I'm at a loss at how to fix my problem.
Hi Joe, decent write up, and good info. I know how to do the swap, actually I just loosen up both sides, remove one bolt, swing the bars away from the risers, change out the bushings, and repeat for the other side. Easy job. I didn't have the torque settings, I am wondering if this will make an improvement with the vibration ? Also I got the Harley D. chrome riser bushings, not the same as the ones you got from Dennis Kirk. HD's have two pc. sleeves that push together into the urethane bushing, and bolt onto the bike with out the washer that was used from the factory. With this set up, there was INTENSE vibration. So much so that my mirrors actually spun loose driving down the road, and nearly flew off ! I have a set of the red ones from J&P now, that are nearly as squish as the stock rubber ones. What to do ?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
do they make a one piece upper riser for your bike? this is more than likely more solid feeling than the two piece ones...just gotta find one for a 1 1/4 " bar.... (they definately have em for 1" bars as they are stock on the FXDC).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
put the original bushings back in (to eliminate the vibrations from these new ones) and get a 1 piece riser and you should no longer have the " sloppy loose feeling".
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
I did the same thing with my Wide Glide, jaysonL... i couldn't stand the vibration.... went back to rubber... I have no problem with it
for some reason, i thought that the polys would be better suited, but they weren't.... they actually vibrated my apes loose and when i took off from a standstill one time, they landed in my lap
rubber for me, all the way
for some reason, i thought that the polys would be better suited, but they weren't.... they actually vibrated my apes loose and when i took off from a standstill one time, they landed in my lap
rubber for me, all the way
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
I put the Polly's in mine, with the 18" apes and love it...
Not sure what kind of bars you have, but another option may be to try moving the vibration to a different RPM..Everything has its own frequency and will vibrate. You can move that vibration if you really want to. Try taping some weights to the bars, near the grips, and see if you can find a weight that works for you. Essentially, your making the vibrating bar heavier and requiring more input to make it vibrate (your goal is to move that input out of your driving range)..From there, I've heard of many guys putting rolled(and taped) nickles in the bars (grip end). It sounds a little entailed, but its pretty much how any vibration is removed (actually moved to a different RPM range). Good luck..
Not sure what kind of bars you have, but another option may be to try moving the vibration to a different RPM..Everything has its own frequency and will vibrate. You can move that vibration if you really want to. Try taping some weights to the bars, near the grips, and see if you can find a weight that works for you. Essentially, your making the vibrating bar heavier and requiring more input to make it vibrate (your goal is to move that input out of your driving range)..From there, I've heard of many guys putting rolled(and taped) nickles in the bars (grip end). It sounds a little entailed, but its pretty much how any vibration is removed (actually moved to a different RPM range). Good luck..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 67
From: Hooterville, Fl.
I love my polys. Been in there for almost 4 years with 4" risers. Will never go back to the rubber. Yea more vibration at idle, but at speeds not much difference. Would rather have vibes than mush.