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Old Apr 5, 2010 | 04:46 PM
  #1  
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gzus
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6th Gear
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From: hollywood
Default riser bolts

just had a bolt that was holding my risers to my triple tree snap off the other day. i have some 19" apes on my bike and have had them over a year... anyway, i replaced them with bolts from the local hardware store that were of a higher grade (went from 5 to 8) and got to thinking, if they are harder bolts, they possibly have less flex and may snap again easier. someone i spoke to the other day said that the same thing happened to him with grade 8 bolts and suggested getting the stock bolt, but he kind of seemed full of it. someone else recommended airline grade (or something like that... i forgot... too many brain cells drowned in beer) so i was wondering if anyone had some experience with this, because i kind of like having my bars attatched to my bike
 
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Old Apr 5, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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WFA
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From: NORTH CAROLINA
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Grade 8 bolts should be more than sufficient to hold risers/bars under normal circumstances. Were you doing something extra stessful to them?
 
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Old Apr 5, 2010 | 06:21 PM
  #3  
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gzus
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From: hollywood
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no, i was just cruising at about 70 or so on the freeway. i didnt even hit a pot hole or anything. just heard a snap and kept going. when i pulled into my driveway i noticed that my bars had a little extra give to them and thought my bushings were getting worn again (i switched to poyurethane a few months back). when i went to check them, i noticed that the bolt had just snapped off and luckily left enough to keep it in place while the other bolt pulled double duty and held everything down
 
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Old Apr 5, 2010 | 06:26 PM
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DR.Greenthumb
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From: So. Cal
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This happened to me a few months ago too.I think my bolts had slowly come loose and the back and forth motion finally caused one to snap.It was a tough ride home,anything over about 10 MPH caused some severe shaking,luckily I wasn't too far away.You're lucky that you didn't have a disaster on your hands doing 70
 
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Old Apr 5, 2010 | 10:02 PM
  #5  
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Mr. Lucky
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From: Delaware
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Bolts aren't supposed to flex. Stock is grade 5. Stronger is better. You did the right thing going to grade 8. Just make sure you don't over-torque them. The stock torque setting is intended to partially compress the rubber bushings. Since the poly bushings won't compress, you actually need a lower torque value.
 
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