Poly riser bushings sloppy
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Hmmm
you sure they sent you the right ones?
I got mine from h3c aswell a few years back and have never had any play
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Rowlett, Texas
It's been awhile but I had some play in mine too. I think that it was the metal slip that goes inside them being too long and bottoming out when tightened. I think that I put the slip from my stock ones in there to cure it.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Los Angeles, CA
A while back someone ordered Carlini Poly's and could not get them firm either. Maybe it was a bad batch...When mine start to feel loose, it is time to tighten the riser boplts. As simple as that.
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From: Rochester, NY
You may be having a problem with the riser bolts bottoming out before they contact the bushings.
An easy, and cheap, way to test it is to find a washer slightly smaller than the bushings outer diameter (a stainless steel one about 1/16" or 1/8" thick will do perfectly) and fit it between the bolt head and the bushing.
Then try tightening to spec. If the bolt is only a tiny bit too long the washer will let it tighten up on the bushing (spreading it as well) instead of the bottom of the hole.
If it works you have two options, leave the washer in (why I suggested stainless) or pull the bolts and grind off an 1/8" or so from the end (not worth the trouble if you ask me).
If it has a steel sleeve in the bushing and its tightening up on it instead of the poly it will do the same thing as bottoming. But the cure is easier, just pull the sleeve out and grind about 1/8" off one end and it should be fine.
The whole idea is to get the bolts pressure on the bushing and not any of the steel parts. Your looking for the bolt to crush the poly and if it contacts anything else first it defeats the purpose of the whole thing.
PS when I changed the handlebars on mine I installed poly's with a thicker washer because the bolt bottomed out and they have been nice and tight ever since.
An easy, and cheap, way to test it is to find a washer slightly smaller than the bushings outer diameter (a stainless steel one about 1/16" or 1/8" thick will do perfectly) and fit it between the bolt head and the bushing.
Then try tightening to spec. If the bolt is only a tiny bit too long the washer will let it tighten up on the bushing (spreading it as well) instead of the bottom of the hole.
If it works you have two options, leave the washer in (why I suggested stainless) or pull the bolts and grind off an 1/8" or so from the end (not worth the trouble if you ask me).
If it has a steel sleeve in the bushing and its tightening up on it instead of the poly it will do the same thing as bottoming. But the cure is easier, just pull the sleeve out and grind about 1/8" off one end and it should be fine.
The whole idea is to get the bolts pressure on the bushing and not any of the steel parts. Your looking for the bolt to crush the poly and if it contacts anything else first it defeats the purpose of the whole thing.
PS when I changed the handlebars on mine I installed poly's with a thicker washer because the bolt bottomed out and they have been nice and tight ever since.
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Nov 27, 2010 at 12:53 PM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NJ
Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I think I've found the problem. Pulled the risers and installed rubber in one hole and poly in the other. The poly definitely could be rocked whereas the rubber fit snug.
I measured both with a outside caliber and found the polys to be 1/100" less in diameter than the rubbers.
Anxious to get this thing back together so I'll probably just put the stock bushings back in. Since they only cost $19 shipped it probably won't be worth the trouble to send them back to Dennis Kirk but I'll give them a call about it anyway.
I measured both with a outside caliber and found the polys to be 1/100" less in diameter than the rubbers.
Anxious to get this thing back together so I'll probably just put the stock bushings back in. Since they only cost $19 shipped it probably won't be worth the trouble to send them back to Dennis Kirk but I'll give them a call about it anyway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: OC,NY
Not to hijack,but Drew I took your suggestion and snugged up the riser bolts.Problem solved Thanks.I didnt think they would be loose as my apes were just installed over late summer and torqued to specs.Went a little tighter this time.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Los Angeles, CA
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