Handlebar Play
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
Handlebar Play
Good morning,
Perhaps I am being overly conscious about the front of my 00FLSTC since upgrading suspension myself but I have a question regarding handlebars. I have always been able to move my bars by pulling up on the grips. The bars are torqued at the clamp and never seem loose riding. Are the bars rubber mounted? Is this a place to inspect?
I can't find much in the FSM unless I am missing it.
Wishing you all a great New Year
Perhaps I am being overly conscious about the front of my 00FLSTC since upgrading suspension myself but I have a question regarding handlebars. I have always been able to move my bars by pulling up on the grips. The bars are torqued at the clamp and never seem loose riding. Are the bars rubber mounted? Is this a place to inspect?
I can't find much in the FSM unless I am missing it.
Wishing you all a great New Year
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 2,225
From: College Station, TX
Yes, the risers are mounted in rubber in the upper tree as a vibration isolator. They shouldn't move much, but will flex some if you put some effort into it. If they move easily, then I'd check the bolts (they go up from the bottom of the upper tree into the risers) that attach the risers to the upper tree. If the bolts are tight, then the bushings are likely worn.
See item 12 and associated parts.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...bfa324fbc678/y
Paul
See item 12 and associated parts.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...bfa324fbc678/y
Paul
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,420
From: USA
Clarification, are you describing wiggling or actual slippage in the clamps?
Wiggling has been explained above.
Slippage can be addressed with a bit of shim stock from a beer or soda can in between the handlebars and clamps.
Wiggling has been explained above.
Slippage can be addressed with a bit of shim stock from a beer or soda can in between the handlebars and clamps.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
Yes, the risers are mounted in rubber in the upper tree as a vibration isolator. They shouldn't move much, but will flex some if you put some effort into it. If they move easily, then I'd check the bolts (they go up from the bottom of the upper tree into the risers) that attach the risers to the upper tree. If the bolts are tight, then the bushings are likely worn.
See item 12 and associated parts.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...bfa324fbc678/y
Paul
See item 12 and associated parts.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...bfa324fbc678/y
Paul
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
Thanks Foxtrapper for the help
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 1,490
From: Black Hills of SD
They do shrink due to age. I have a set for my bike that I will put on one of these days. They are polyurethane, I believe the OEM bushings are rubber.
Getting to the bolts underneath is the only hard part if you have the front chrome fascia like mine does.
Getting to the bolts underneath is the only hard part if you have the front chrome fascia like mine does.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,420
From: USA
As mentioned, you can get stiffer riser bushings. You could even go solid metal and eliminate all play.
But, your price for that will be increased vibration in the handlebars.
But, your price for that will be increased vibration in the handlebars.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
I took a quick look under the top triple tree. Looks like a long 3/8 extension will get in there. I ordered a set of urethane bushings. I don't think my bars are dangerously loose but will renew them.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
I will pass on the solids, urethane sounds better
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
I went with solid bushings and noticed no difference in vibration from the polyurethanes I had prior, but any slop in the bars was eliminated. Just FYI, I am running 16" apes on 1.5" risers.
Cheers!
Cheers!
