I receiently installed 16'' ape hangers on my 05 heritage springer. The problem I am running into is the bars come loose after riding. I have stock risers on and the teeth on the bars aren't gripping onto the risers because they sit in the hole where the nut is to attach to the fork. Anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this? Do I need a set of aftermarket risers? thanks!

 

Mine slipped while riding. This is an easy fix! Take a can of your favorite beer and slam 2 of them. Then take the empty cans and cut 2 strips about 1" wide and 3" long. One for each riser. Wrap the strips of aluminum around each bar where the riser grabs it, and then re-tighten to spec. Problem solved! Worked for me.

The aluminum gives the riser extra material to grab onto.

 

Sounds like the OP didn't get bars specifically designed for a springer.. The spacing on the risers is different for a springer

 

I have 22 inch apes and what I did was go with gooden tight mounts. Stock risers but I had to shim my clamps to get a better bite on the bars. I used a aluminum can as a shim I just folded it twice. I friend of mine used a piece of a tin can. It works for him.

 

The hole where the nut he's talking about is inside the riser. They sound like the right bars, but he's right, the riser is hollow so the knurling is almost useless because of how the risers are attached.

 

I'm not reading it that way at all....

 

Thanks for the help guys. I am going to try the aluminum and see if it works. They are the right risers for a springer, just with stock risers the kurling doesnt grab the bottom part due to the hole for the nut, it only grabs the top.

 

I agree. Sound like the bars are not meant for a Springer front end.

 

I also have 16 on my springer and had the same issue. Instead of the thin aluminum to add grip, I coated the knurled part of the bar with red Loctite. Tightened the crap out of the bar clamps and let it sit for a couple of days to completely dry. Its amazing how good and solid it feels. Bar doesn't rotate back anymore. I've marked it on the clamp...I see no movement at all.

 

I saw a video some time ago where a Harley mechanic suggested using aluminum foil.