Handlebars
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Tony, WI
Handlebars
Hey all,
Ok another stupid question<g>
74 Sporty, mostly stock. Thing's got "Mini apes". Last night while bombing around had 'em fold back at me on a curve (causing a minor dump). My question is this, I'm told they're "collapsable" for safety in a crash and the plate holding 'em down is all the way down to the bottom of the clamp. Would you reccomend new bars? Guy I was riding with last night said we could file off part of the upper plate and shorten the retaining bolts to make the bars tight again, but, it sounds like I'd lose the folding quality in a crash...and I really don't feel like eating those bars in a worst case scenario<g>
If it comes down to replacing the bars, what am I looking at for difficulty? Looks fairly straightforward to do, but then again, so did my points/timing/carb issue<g>
Any reccomendations on bars, brands ya'll like that are fairly comfortable on distance rides?
Thanks,
Wolf
Ok another stupid question<g>
74 Sporty, mostly stock. Thing's got "Mini apes". Last night while bombing around had 'em fold back at me on a curve (causing a minor dump). My question is this, I'm told they're "collapsable" for safety in a crash and the plate holding 'em down is all the way down to the bottom of the clamp. Would you reccomend new bars? Guy I was riding with last night said we could file off part of the upper plate and shorten the retaining bolts to make the bars tight again, but, it sounds like I'd lose the folding quality in a crash...and I really don't feel like eating those bars in a worst case scenario<g>
If it comes down to replacing the bars, what am I looking at for difficulty? Looks fairly straightforward to do, but then again, so did my points/timing/carb issue<g>
Any reccomendations on bars, brands ya'll like that are fairly comfortable on distance rides?
Thanks,
Wolf
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,478
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Handlebars
The heck with that collapsible crap! Sounds like a cop-out for poorly designed bars, risers, or someone forgetting to tighten things correctly. If these bars fit you, then filing the upper clamp to get more squeeze sounds like an idea. Are the bars grooved or knurled in the clamp area? If they are 2 piece bars, then you might want to spend some time with a hammer and cold chisel and put some upset grooves in 'em. Be sure to slip a piece of solid stock into 'em before whacking them, otherwise you'll collapse the tubing.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,162
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From: Tony, WI
RE: Handlebars
Hey,
No they're one piece bars and they've got grooved area where the clamp's supposed to be.
Sounds like I'll try to file off part of the upper plate then, least if I screw that up replacements are a dime a dozen<g>
Thanks for the responce,
Wolf
No they're one piece bars and they've got grooved area where the clamp's supposed to be.
Sounds like I'll try to file off part of the upper plate then, least if I screw that up replacements are a dime a dozen<g>
Thanks for the responce,
Wolf
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Joined: May 2006
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RE: Handlebars
Sounds to me like you have 7/8" bars in a 1" riser/clamp. You can swap either the bars or riser, or use some shim stock, or file as your friend suggested to make 'em tight. Just depends on how much you want to spend.
BTW, the fold up thing sounds like [sm=bs.gif] If you hit those bars in a worst case scenario, they'll fold up all right. You should not be able to move your bars in the clamp without SIGNIFICANT effort.
Tim
BTW, the fold up thing sounds like [sm=bs.gif] If you hit those bars in a worst case scenario, they'll fold up all right. You should not be able to move your bars in the clamp without SIGNIFICANT effort.
Tim
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Handlebars
I am in the same boat as everyone else here regarding those 'folding bars.' Bars will bend if the impact is great enough, but they are not designed to do so. Quite the opposite in fact.
Your machine originally came with a two piece bar, having a left and right side bar. They were 1 inch diameter and sat in a 1 inch size clamp. I have seen where someone bought an aftermarket bar that was 7/8 inch diameter and used it with the Harley mount. Never worked well because you cannot tighten them up. Bars of 7/8 inch diameter back in the 1970's were found on the BSA, Triumph, Norton etc and there are many made for those bikes. Back then 1 inch was unique to Harley. I know of no other brand of motorcycle that used one inch bars except HD. Measure the bars and the clamp. Do they match for size? If not, then you need to match up a set.
Hey, by the way, I am glad to learn the the Wolf is rolling! Sounds like you are happy with the electronic ignition and that the carb problem is now a minor issue. Keep it rolling.......................piniongear
Your machine originally came with a two piece bar, having a left and right side bar. They were 1 inch diameter and sat in a 1 inch size clamp. I have seen where someone bought an aftermarket bar that was 7/8 inch diameter and used it with the Harley mount. Never worked well because you cannot tighten them up. Bars of 7/8 inch diameter back in the 1970's were found on the BSA, Triumph, Norton etc and there are many made for those bikes. Back then 1 inch was unique to Harley. I know of no other brand of motorcycle that used one inch bars except HD. Measure the bars and the clamp. Do they match for size? If not, then you need to match up a set.
Hey, by the way, I am glad to learn the the Wolf is rolling! Sounds like you are happy with the electronic ignition and that the carb problem is now a minor issue. Keep it rolling.......................piniongear
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