How to align handlebar?
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
How to align handlebar?
O.K. I have another question:
When looking straight down onto my riser I notice a slight misalignment. My handlebar is not "square" with my fork nuts. In the drawing below, I have exaggeratedthe proportionto show which alignment I am talking about. The handlebar on the left side covers more of the fork nut than what is covered on the right side.
The fork bolts are properly aligned (square) to the wheel, so I don't think I need to touch my yoke nut, but the double-point riser holding my bar seems to be higher on the left. Nothing is loose, and the bike tracks straight as an arrow.
The real misalignment seems to be about 1/8 to no more than 1/4 inch. What/how do I adjust the riser alignment?
Thanks for some guidance! (I just think someone was a little sloppy at the dealer when they mounted the handlebars. I can't believe I drove over 2000 miles now and didn't notice until this past weekend.
(drawing obviously NOT to any kind of scale, just did my best to express my problem).
When looking straight down onto my riser I notice a slight misalignment. My handlebar is not "square" with my fork nuts. In the drawing below, I have exaggeratedthe proportionto show which alignment I am talking about. The handlebar on the left side covers more of the fork nut than what is covered on the right side.
The fork bolts are properly aligned (square) to the wheel, so I don't think I need to touch my yoke nut, but the double-point riser holding my bar seems to be higher on the left. Nothing is loose, and the bike tracks straight as an arrow.
The real misalignment seems to be about 1/8 to no more than 1/4 inch. What/how do I adjust the riser alignment?
Thanks for some guidance! (I just think someone was a little sloppy at the dealer when they mounted the handlebars. I can't believe I drove over 2000 miles now and didn't notice until this past weekend.
(drawing obviously NOT to any kind of scale, just did my best to express my problem).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: How to align handlebar?
Switch the riser bushings to polyurethane ones. The stock rubber bushings seem to cause this misalignment.
Cheers!
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Cheers!
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
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From:
RE: How to align handlebar?
It's not in the bushings.. It's in the sequance you tighten the Bar top Clamp.. Tighten front Fasteners to just hold the bars in place, Tighten rear fastners to 12-15 Ft-Lbs Final tighten front fastners to 12-15 Ft-Lbs ..There shopuld be a gap in the front....Then Torque the Riser Bolts to 30-40 Ft-Lbs..
RE: How to align handlebar?
Loosen both riser bolts from the bottom. Turn the handlebars full left and have a helper continue to put pressure to the left stop while you tighten the bars. Fixed my dad's Deluxe bars in about 15 minutes. Stick with a simple solution first.
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 401
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From: Murrieta, CA
RE: How to align handlebar?
I have the same problem on my 2007 Deluxe. Ipointed it out to the dealer twice and they didn't fix it. I was on my buddies Deluxe and his is the same way. It drives me nuts..I'm such a perfectionist! I noticed it right away when I got the bike and was hoping someone knew the answer. My old Sportster was the same way. Obviously this is a common occurance. Sure would like to know more about it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
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From:
RE: How to align handlebar?
I know exactly what ur talking about. I had the same prob with my train. All it is is the busshings. Took it to the dealer and the guy said oh yeah thats normal it happens when u go over a bump the bushings take the hit and not or hands. he walked over to the front of the bike locked the front tire with his legs juggen it a little and straighned it out it keeped happening and thats the quik fix i did every time. up until i went to apes and installed poly bushings about forty buks but worth it. My buddy has apes with stock bushings and his bars bove out of aligment all the time.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 781
Likes: 35
From: St Louis
RE: How to align handlebar?
I replaced my rubber bushings with urethane and tightened them in sequence and they have not moved out of alignment for 10K miles. I had adjusted he rubber ones 3 or 4 times and they still tended to move to the right .
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: How to align handlebar?
ORIGINAL: kishstl
I replaced my rubber bushings with urethane and tightened them in sequence and they have not moved out of alignment for 10K miles. I had adjusted he rubber ones 3 or 4 times and they still tended to move to the right .
I replaced my rubber bushings with urethane and tightened them in sequence and they have not moved out of alignment for 10K miles. I had adjusted he rubber ones 3 or 4 times and they still tended to move to the right .
I've looked up riser bushings; feeling overwhelmed with a huge assortment and speciality measurements. I don't know where or what to order.
Thanx!