Hi Guys,

Installs 12” KST Bison Bagger handle bars on 09 Ultra. Replaced stock riser bushings with urethane bushings from HD.

When sitting on the bike if i pull back on the bars they move a little (.25”, maybe .5” at most if i had to guess). Bars are not moving in the clamps I believe it’s riser bushing flex.

Bolts were torqued to HD spec from service manual.

Is this normal/acceptable? Should I have torqued to a higher value because of the higher bars and urethane bushings?

First time both installing and having higher bars so doing a sanity check on what’s kosher.

Attached a short movie clip showing the play.

Thanks in advance!

 

Sorry but I don't need to download yer movie. Simple solution - tighten the riser bolts till movement is gone.

 

Ok so play is not normal and tighten beyond the stated HD torque spec until the play/movement is gone - got it. thanks

 

That movement is normal for urethane bushings. Don’t overtighten stick to HD spec. If you want zero flex, switch to solid aluminum bushings. Otherwise, ride it.

 

ok, so the play is normal because of the increased leverage of higher bars.lol sounds like i will need to back off the bolts I already intentionally overtorqued after this was posted - certainly dont want my riser
bolts snapping off while riding.

Appreciate the advice.

But i agree, i can’t see how there wouldn’t be any play with polyurethane bushings and 12” bars.
thanks again

(it anyone else wants to chip in feel free)

 

You can have up to 1/4" movement from flex with the poly bushings. Over torquing over spec isnt going to make that go away (you can only compress so much with the inner steel sleeve in there), it can stress your bolts as you said and make the mount feel more rigid. You'll feel your hands going numb from the vibration as you ride. If the movement gets worse over time, just go back in there and retorque but with 12" bars, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Or the bolt snaps...

Over torquing the bolt is not the solution, on anything...

The bike does not have solid riser bushings so the increased leverage of the taller bars makes it easier to move the bars back and forth.
@BiggT

If the bolts were over torqued, they should be replaced.