Anybody Have Solution for Sagging Apes?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 150
From: Michigan
Anybody Have Solution for Sagging Apes?
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?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,455
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 231
From: Dewey, Arizona 86327
I drill and tap small holes in the clamp and run setscrews (hardened steel) down, works better if you drill a dimple in the bars for teh setscrews to rest in.
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 Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 1,152
I've had success in the past taking one of those pushbutton centre-punch tools and putting a whole bunch of marks inside both the risers and the top clamp. Each punch makes a tiny dimple but it raises the metal around it giving the risers some grip on the handlebar knurling. Two grippy surfaces working together in tandem rather than just the smooth risers.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
I noticed that the chrome on the underside of a clamp I got from HD was peeling when my apes moved. Same deal as you, the bolts just couldnt hold it.
I sanded through the **** poor chrome on the bottom and they never moved again. Powdercoat on the bottom of a clamp can be the same way.
I sanded through the **** poor chrome on the bottom and they never moved again. Powdercoat on the bottom of a clamp can be the same way.