Switching out my bars in a few weeks. Just ordered some bars but they are not knurled.


What if anything do I have to do to install them?

Wondering if they will simply go on my stock FXDC clamp without issues or if I have to modify them with a punch or some other tool for gripping purposes.

If this is the case please advise the proper method to do so.

Any and all info is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Tom
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I don't know about the stock FXDC clamp, but my first set of apes were not knurled and they held just fine with my street bob integrated risers. Had them on for about 6-8 months with no issues.

 

I've heard of guys wrapping pieces of old tire tube rubber around the bars where they mount in the risers and then torquing. I'll be trying this soon as the knurling on my Santee bars is not top-notch.

 

Get two B-Bs and a punch. Using the punch, make a slight imprint on the handlebars within the clamping areas of the risers, not the top clamp. Using superglue, glue the B-Bs to the imprint then torque the bars into the risers. They won't move.

Some people run smooth apes no problem for a long time, but then the first time they actually have to push hard on the bars for some reason, there they go!

 

Two years with non-knurled bars. Tightened to factory spec and no problems.

 

you just need some raised metal to add a little grip... I took a punch and just dinged the bars up at a 45 degree angle so that it pushes the metal up a bit. The "oldschool" solution is to cut strips out of an aluminum can and put that in between the bar and riser... the aluminum is extremely soft so it bites in a little easier than the steel.

 

take some drywall sand paper and wrap your bars. My 16" apes use to slide around until I wrapped them, works great.

 

Aluminum can strips, drywall sandpaper, and if your "old-school" like me, skateboard grip tape would work as well...

 

i would take a punch around it a bit,. then use emry cloth... done this about 4 times now on customers bikes with 0 issues in the past

 

same here !