Anybody Have Solution for Sagging Apes?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Did something similar with a dowel pin in the chopper days, problem was eventually the bars cracked at the dowel hole.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 150
From: Michigan
Hey, much thanks all - I see this is a well know issue. I've got them back up now. I've got them torqued to 32 foot pounds - (shop manual says 30-40, i'm using a harbor freight wrench so it may be 3,200 - they feel really tight). When I have more time, I'll explore some of the options above. Thanks again for all the great suggestions.
Jay
Jay
Last edited by rjo3491; May 11, 2019 at 06:01 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 765
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32 ft/lbs is way too much torque on those 5/16" bolts. Not only are you at or exceeding the maximum torque (stretch) on the bolts you are putting the threads on the aluminum risers under too much stress. You wouldn't be the first to strip out the threads with those hardened grade 8 cap screws. I personally would much rather feel the warning of a loose handlebar that rotates slightly than face a total separation of parts due to catastrophic failure of fasteners which comes with zero warning. Try my recommendation of the centre punch indentations inside the smooth risers and cap along with a more reasonable torque spec. HD service manual states 12-15 ft/lbs so I wouldn't dare exceed 18-20 max.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Southeast Texas
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
32 ft/lbs is way too much torque on those 5/16" bolts. Not only are you at or exceeding the maximum torque (stretch) on the bolts you are putting the threads on the aluminum risers under too much stress. You wouldn't be the first to strip out the threads with those hardened grade 8 cap screws. I personally would much rather feel the warning of a loose handlebar that rotates slightly than face a total separation of parts due to catastrophic failure of fasteners which comes with zero warning. Try my recommendation of the centre punch indentations inside the smooth risers and cap along with a more reasonable torque spec. HD service manual states 12-15 ft/lbs so I wouldn't dare exceed 18-20 max.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: East TN
Took about a 100 mile ride today (it's cold here in the mitten state). Hit a few bumps (our roads are beyond terrible here) and noticed I had to keep adjusting my mirrors upwards due to the fact that my handle bars were making a beeline for my chest every time I hit a bump. I've got them over torqued (John Maxwell said that was OK), but I don't want to keep adjusting them and ultimately strip the knurling and end up having to get new bars. Anyone else have this problem - if so, what are you doing?
Started using Paul Yaffe Super clamp. The bars will bend before they will move.
Super Clamp
I will never install apes with out the super clamp