General Topics/Tech Tips Discussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.

06 Springer - 'squishy' risers/handlebars?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2013 | 04:21 PM
  #1  
thebeginning's Avatar
thebeginning
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default 06 Springer - 'squishy' risers/handlebars?

Hey all,

I recently was parking my bike, and had to walk/push it over a bump - I pushed too hard, and my handlebars shifted forward. Not a huge deal.

The problem is, I think it softened the rubber mounts of my risers or something, because now they just feel loose - like the whole handlebar + risers set up now has half an inch of play in it, that I can easily push or pull while parked or even riding. The handlebars don't actually roll forward or back unless I force them, but the risers still feel like they're mounted onto rubber that has lost its firmness (hence 'squishy').

It's still more than rideable, but it's kind of annoying - makes me trust the bars less when hitting bumps. Is this a common issue, and should I look into replacing the rubber mounts? I'm pretty noobish when it comes to how that all works.
 
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2013 | 09:46 AM
  #2  
Mr.Guns's Avatar
Mr.Guns
Road Captain
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 712
Likes: 6
From: Richlands, NC
Default

Personally, I would replace the mounts/rubber bushings. It takes less than 10 minutes (including a smoke break) and it's never a bad idea. IIRC, it's just one bolt per riser, with a bushing on the bottom and one on the top. They're just washers with rubber on them. I've heard good things about going with the polyurethane bushings over rubber.

If your bars are actually rolling forward/backward WITHIN the risers, then you may have bigger problems. Every set of bars I've owned had "teeth" cut into them for mounting on the risers, and if you've stripped those teeth, you're probably looking at needing new bars or risers, whichever stripped out.

Risers alone are easily replaced, but the bars take a little longer, since you'll have to remove all the controls. Not a tedious task, unless you've got internally wired bars. If you don't, use the opportunity to clean up the front end and run the wires through the new bars, if that's your thing.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Talyon
Dyna Glide Models
13
Dec 21, 2018 08:48 AM
crcraig
Dyna Glide Models
12
Feb 12, 2016 05:34 AM
bucket13
Dyna Glide Models
19
Oct 6, 2011 08:26 AM
The Donald
Softail Models
19
Aug 17, 2010 12:39 AM
DR. V-TWIN
Softail Models
5
May 30, 2010 09:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:37 PM.

story-0
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-3
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE