12.5" apes keep falling down
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Joined: Nov 2007
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12.5" apes keep falling down
Had dealer install Wild Ones Chubby 12.5" apes to my Heritage. Torqued to the recommended 12 ft lbs. Used blue loctite. After about 2000 miles, they are loose again. This has happened several times, and this weekend happened while driving. Is there any simple way to get these to stay tight? I thought about putting something around the bar between it and the clamp, but I can't think of anything. Any help would be appreciated.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
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From: So California
Some have suggested cut strips from an aluminum can to wrap around the knurling on the bars. Others have tried skateboard tape like is used on ladder steps. That can be purchased at a local Walmart.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Northern Illinois
Hi, just a thought. Did the dealer replace the risers/clamp also? Reason I ask is that I recently talked to the tech guy at Wild 1 Chubby about Apes for my Heritage, and he said that I would have to replace my Risers and Clamp also because the width where the bars clamp, was about 1/16" inch to narrow for the Chubbys.
Just thought maybe the clamps aren't seating properly?
Just thought maybe the clamps aren't seating properly?
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From: NJ
That sounds scary. Have you considered uping the torque. I think the recommended range is 12-15. I start with the lower number and work up to the higher one. If I feel more torque is needed I inch it up gradually. I have my stock bars at 20ftlbs.
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From: Queens, NY
my riser bolts are torqued down to just short of me having an aneurysm pulling on the wrench.
i hit a nasty pothole two weeks ago and they ended up coming back on me, but other than that they haven't moved at all.
curious, do you have poly bushings?
i hit a nasty pothole two weeks ago and they ended up coming back on me, but other than that they haven't moved at all.
curious, do you have poly bushings?
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Joined: Feb 2009
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A few of my homies with the 20"s have there apes welded into the lower riser just make sure you have them in the right riding pos for yourself bro ride safe
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Virginia
A few of my rat bike friends with apes have used cheese cloth between the bars and risers. Ive also seen the aluminum can trick work.
This may take a bit more work but what about drilling through the bar and a hole in the riser and clamp. Obviously not drilling completely through the riser, just about 1/4" into the pieces the bar touches. Then placing a piece of steel rod through the drilled hole?
This may take a bit more work but what about drilling through the bar and a hole in the riser and clamp. Obviously not drilling completely through the riser, just about 1/4" into the pieces the bar touches. Then placing a piece of steel rod through the drilled hole?
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Thanks. I think I will try the skateboard type grit tape. They did change out the risers and clamps when they did the install. I don't know whether I have poly bushings or not. Is there a way to tell easily?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Drill and tap the the risers or top clamp and use set screws. It is the only solution that will really keep the bars from moving. My Carlini's came this way and they are rock solid, and always have been. They are not even knurled. On my Wild 1's I used helicoils in the risers and used a chisel to rough up the knurling so there was some more bite for the risers to grab. This worked well too.
Drew
Drew