Crooked Handlebars
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
Crooked Handlebars
I took my bike in after 200 miles to get the handlebars straightened out...(these were so crooked I hated making right turns) and noticed that they're still a bit skewed. I picked up the service manual for the bike and noticed that it really doesn't address crooked bars.
Any tricks to getting them right?
Any tricks to getting them right?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Dawson Creek, B.C., Canada
RE: Crooked Handlebars
I had that after I changed my bars out. I just had to loosen the triple trees a bit, then while someone/something holding the front tire from moving, just give them a twist in the direction needed. Then tighten everything back up. I think they can move some in the bushings. I hope this is what you meant.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
RE: Crooked Handlebars
I had that problem with my 07 FXSTC. \\; When it went in for the 1K service, I told them about it. \\; When I got it back, it was halfway improved. \\; I've tried twice since then myself. \\; It just won't budge any more.
I gave up. I just ignore it now.
I gave up. I just ignore it now.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
RE: Crooked Handlebars
I can line up the bars under the clamps by eye and see it isn't in line with the triple tree. These are machined parts and should align with no problems. Maybe it's a design flaw with the soft bushings not comrpessing the same on each side?
Just gripes me a bit for the price of a new Harley but as I've been going over the bike on my new lift I see lots of stuff that isn't straight.
Here's one. Lift the bike and if you have a new Fatboy spin the front tire and watch the rim. It will amaze you as it wobbles back and forth. Not the actual rim where the tire meets but farther up towords the axle. The castings are crude and not evenly thick or straight, not sure which. At any rate it's quite a sight to behold for a $20K machine.
There's more but I'll digress at a later time...
Just gripes me a bit for the price of a new Harley but as I've been going over the bike on my new lift I see lots of stuff that isn't straight.
Here's one. Lift the bike and if you have a new Fatboy spin the front tire and watch the rim. It will amaze you as it wobbles back and forth. Not the actual rim where the tire meets but farther up towords the axle. The castings are crude and not evenly thick or straight, not sure which. At any rate it's quite a sight to behold for a $20K machine.
There's more but I'll digress at a later time...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
RE: Crooked Handlebars
sounds like a defective part. should be covered under your warranty.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Hereford, Arizona
RE: Crooked Handlebars
Ok, I did the search thing for poly bushings but came up dry as to where to get them. \\; Many replies as to use poly but no one said what source supplies them.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
RE: Crooked Handlebars
denniskirk.com has the poly riser bushings for under $15. They should do the trick but you should also be able to align the bars by loosening the riser and holding the bar in the position where you want it and tightening it back up.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 110
From: Mesa, Az.
RE: Crooked Handlebars
I've got a coworker with an 08 Fat Boy that had the same problem. He took it back to the dealer and they straightened the bars. If you did this and it's still not right - take it back again.