new bars new problem

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May 14, 2013 | 05:35 PM

Blackest

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From: Scranton, Pa

new bars new problem

So I laid my bike down a few weeks ago, I bent the handlebars and I just got a new pair. But now I think I bent more than just the bars

. My handlebar clamp seems to be bent, or something is out of alignment. These pics are with the wheel pointed straight forward. What do you guys think?

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new bars new problem-20130514_144242.jpg

new bars new problem-20130514_144256.jpg

May 14, 2013 | 05:40 PM

byrdman.45

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From: Missouri

Did the same thing to one of my XL's and to re-align the tubes to the trees. I'd try that first.

May 14, 2013 | 08:41 PM

mbutton65x

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From: cny

Looks like the risers are twisted in the bushings, turn your bars all the way to the right and twist them back, just like a dirt bike lol

May 14, 2013 | 08:49 PM

topdwg

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The trees look to be off. Just put a jack under the bike and raise up just until it puts little pressure on the bike. Then loosen the tree clamps and have someone straddle the tire while you straighten everything back up. If you do not put the jack under the bike when loosen the tree clamps your fork tubes will slide up. Not a big deal, you'll just have to slide them back down. My manual for the Fat Bob says the top of the fork tube should be .50 above the top triple tree...

May 15, 2013 | 05:49 PM

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From: Scranton, Pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by topdwg

I tried this and it didn't help. I think its the handle bar clamp and bushings. I tried turning the bars all the way right as suggested and it felt like if I turned any harder I would have bent the bars. I can't find anything in my HD service manual about this problem. Any other suggestions?

May 15, 2013 | 06:04 PM

schitty

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From: NW Iowa

Pull the risers off and inspect the bushings. Just taking them apart and putting them back together might straighten them up. Worked back in my motocross days.

May 15, 2013 | 06:21 PM

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From: Scranton, Pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by schitty

Pull the risers off and inspect the bushings. Just taking them apart and putting them back together might straighten them up. Worked back in my motocross days.

I tried that quite a few times after reading this thread: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...crooked-3.html

I tried different tightening sequences as that thread suggested, and it cant be the handle bars being bent from the factory because its obviously not the bars that are out of line. Like I said; I cant find anything in my service manual about this and I know it wouldn't be covered under my warranty since I dropped the bike. Id like to figure this one out without having to pay the stealership $75+ an hour. I also installed new poly bushings when I did the bar swap. I am kind of stumped at this point, hopefully someone can help me out.