Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Forward/Backward Play on Handlebars?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:13 AM
  #1  
MilwaukeeMike's Avatar
MilwaukeeMike
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default Forward/Backward Play on Handlebars?

Hi all. Recently purchased 2004 FLSTCI. New to motorcycles. I noticed that when I apply a bit of force on the handlebars/grips to gently push/pull the cycle front/back there was a little 'play' there. (i.e., when you push or pull on the handblebar, it will move approx 1/8"-1/4" before the bike budges). It appears that there are some rubber o-rings around the fork/handlebar assembly. Anything to worry about or is this normal? There is no play when moving the handlebar left or right. The dealer tightened the handlebars (per the maintenance record provided to me) when they last serviced the bike.

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:23 AM
  #2  
hspring03's Avatar
hspring03
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
Default

Rubber bushings... Some play is normal.

You can always change the bushing out to a poly one like good n tite if it becomes annoying.

On a Twin Cam it's not as much of an issue. But on a Evo, with a little more shake the rubber bushings actually relieve the vibration that goes to your hands.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:31 AM
  #3  
2006FLST's Avatar
2006FLST
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 8
From: Powder Springs, GA
Default

Yep normal. I always just go with solid mounts but hdspring03 is right Poly bushings are good.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 08:37 AM
  #4  
DR. V-TWIN's Avatar
DR. V-TWIN
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Poly bushings will alleviate this problem.

Drew
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 10:33 AM
  #5  
Wide_Open's Avatar
Wide_Open
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 149
From: FL
Default

I have the polys and love them. That's the way to go.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 10:45 AM
  #6  
Buckinfitch's Avatar
Buckinfitch
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4,083
From: Taylortucky, MI
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by DR. V-TWIN
Poly bushings will alleviate this problem.

Drew
and where might one find these 'Poly bushings' for handlebars?
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 10:51 AM
  #7  
DR. V-TWIN's Avatar
DR. V-TWIN
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

http://www.drvtwin.com/catalog_keywo...ings&submit=Go

Drew
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 11:55 AM
  #8  
Buckinfitch's Avatar
Buckinfitch
Supporter
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4,083
From: Taylortucky, MI
Supporter
Default

Originally Posted by DR. V-TWIN
thanks ... just ordered me some
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 19, 2011 | 11:58 AM
  #9  
DR. V-TWIN's Avatar
DR. V-TWIN
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Originally Posted by Buckinfitch
thanks ... just ordered me some
Thanks for your business!

Drew
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vern58
Dyna Glide Models
16
Sep 30, 2021 09:45 PM
mirror
Dyna Glide Models
7
Mar 22, 2011 06:47 AM
LarryV
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Oct 7, 2009 07:28 PM
wraplock
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
3
Jul 24, 2009 06:49 AM
ronyd
Softail Models
4
Oct 9, 2007 08:42 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:15 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE