New bars moving
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 1,152
Loctite has many different chemical products besides the blue and red threadlocker that we are all familiar with. They make a bearing retaining compound which is a specifically designed adhesive for cylindrical assemblies. It will lock a press fit bearing inner race onto a worn shaft or a press fit outer race into a worn casting with extreme strength so that parts that are not designed to rotate against one another stay put and no longer continue to cause wear. The retainer compound comes in a small bottle like the threadlocker and is available in different shear strengths and will fill voids of different sizes. I would be very interested in seeing the OP try this as he stated his handlebars are without knurls and are slipping inside the risers. Another huge advantage of using this bearing retainer compound to basically "glue" the bars in position is that you have time to snug up the bolts on the riser top clamp and rotate the bars to the desired angle for rider comfort before the compound sets. In addition, you only have to tighten the bolts to factory specs thus eliminating any chance of stripping out the riser threads or over-torqueing the handlebar clamp bolts which could lead to catastrophic failure with broken bolts and handlebars which have separated from the motorcycle. The answer here is not to keep tightening the risers until something breaks....find a supporting means to help stop the bars from rotating inside the clamps. A pin may hold the bars from rotating but it doesn't allow for easy repositioning should you wish to change the bar angle in the future. I would be very interested in finding out just how much holding power the Loctite bearing retainer compound has as it just may be the best solution yet for the age old problem of slipping apes. If the OP decides to give this a go please report back with your experience. Google up "Loctite Bearing Retainer" and let us all know how it works out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,742
Likes: 1,182
From: Jamestown, CA
I put a Drop on Top of the Riser and a drop on the top clamp where the bars set , and a Drop on the bars where they fit in the Riser . Hope this helps I have been doin this on all my bars that don't have Knurling .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,742
Likes: 1,182
From: Jamestown, CA
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 282
From: West Virginia
I like the bearing retainer idea but, is it permanent? As in, if I use it, did I just marry the bars to the risers forever?
I think I'll look into some of the other suggestions first, starting with a wrap. I wonder if a couple thin strips of aluminum window screen would work.
I'm hesitant to start cutting cross hatches and compromising the chrome which might invite hidden corrosion to start.
Not knocking any suggestions, just sorting out the right one for me.
I think I'll look into some of the other suggestions first, starting with a wrap. I wonder if a couple thin strips of aluminum window screen would work.
I'm hesitant to start cutting cross hatches and compromising the chrome which might invite hidden corrosion to start.
Not knocking any suggestions, just sorting out the right one for me.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 150
From: Michigan
....I went with the dry wall screen wrapped around the bar (a forum suggestion, thanks very much). haven't slipped since.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 282
From: West Virginia
Window screen did not work. It actually seemed to make it worse. I thought I had some drywall sanding screen in the shop, but couldn't find it. Next experiment will be just a couple drops of bearing retainer. If that doesn't work, I'll try to find a top clamp as Ranger73 suggested.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,428
Likes: 7,122
From: Beyond Fucital
When I went from 10" to 14" bars, my bars moved due to increased leverage. The top clamp did the trick for me.
I had posted a picture and link but it must have been removed, maybe a violation of some HDF rules.
I had posted a picture and link but it must have been removed, maybe a violation of some HDF rules.