Saggin' Apes
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
Saggin' Apes
Most of you that frequent this board know I had 18" apes put on about a month ago. The brakes no longer leak, in case you were wondering 
, but now I have another issue.
I was driving a couple of days ago and hit a decent bump. Enough to bounce me (350 lbs.) off the seat. After, I looked in my mirrors and they seemed to be pointing more downward. I figured the jar knocked 'em down. Adjusted them and drove on home. Bars didn't appear to be any further down, so I figured it was just the mirrors.
Today the wife and I went out for a ride, drove through a construction site anmd again hit a nasty bump. The mirrors were pointed down a bit again. Tried to re adjust, but they were up as far as they would go. Well, at this point I knew that the bars had sagged. Sure enough, when I got home, I looked at the bars. When they were installed they were in a straight line with the forks. And were now back toward the seat.Originally I wanted them pushed a little forward, but much more would interfer with the windsheild. But, while at the shop, I asked the tech howI could move them forward and he showed me. I figure I can tackle it, but I have a question.
First: When reinstalling the top clamp (now a one piece), should I use loc tight on the screws? I figure the blue as opposed to the red. Is that right? Or not at all?
Second: Is this something that I can expect to happen from time to time? I figure that with the combination of my weight and the bump, that is what did it. Or could there be some other reason? I tried to push the bars forward and tried to pull them backward. I didn't use a lot of force, but I was NOT able to budge them. I am just wondering if there is something else I need to look at?
Thanks folks, sorry about the lengthy post. Let me know. Rain for the next few days, so I have time to take care of it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12433/31066621AE2D4267B09F11F64F2FBCD3.jpg[/IMG]
, but now I have another issue.I was driving a couple of days ago and hit a decent bump. Enough to bounce me (350 lbs.) off the seat. After, I looked in my mirrors and they seemed to be pointing more downward. I figured the jar knocked 'em down. Adjusted them and drove on home. Bars didn't appear to be any further down, so I figured it was just the mirrors.
Today the wife and I went out for a ride, drove through a construction site anmd again hit a nasty bump. The mirrors were pointed down a bit again. Tried to re adjust, but they were up as far as they would go. Well, at this point I knew that the bars had sagged. Sure enough, when I got home, I looked at the bars. When they were installed they were in a straight line with the forks. And were now back toward the seat.Originally I wanted them pushed a little forward, but much more would interfer with the windsheild. But, while at the shop, I asked the tech howI could move them forward and he showed me. I figure I can tackle it, but I have a question.
First: When reinstalling the top clamp (now a one piece), should I use loc tight on the screws? I figure the blue as opposed to the red. Is that right? Or not at all?
Second: Is this something that I can expect to happen from time to time? I figure that with the combination of my weight and the bump, that is what did it. Or could there be some other reason? I tried to push the bars forward and tried to pull them backward. I didn't use a lot of force, but I was NOT able to budge them. I am just wondering if there is something else I need to look at?
Thanks folks, sorry about the lengthy post. Let me know. Rain for the next few days, so I have time to take care of it.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12433/31066621AE2D4267B09F11F64F2FBCD3.jpg[/IMG]
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Saggin' Apes
When I had my RKC I had the same problem. I happened to notice it while I was parked at the dealer. I asked a tech how I could prevent this and he told me he had no clue and I'd have to live with it. An old biker was within earshot and walked over after the tech left and told me his little trick. Take a piece of emery cloth, fold it to where you have the rough side on both front and back. In other words, take a piece of cloth about 2" x 4" and fold it length ways with the grit on the outside. Make two of these. Wrap this around your handlebar where it clamps. Tighten your clamps around the emery cloth and you should be good to go. Worked for me. Handlebars never shifted again. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 808
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Saggin' Apes
..go with solid bushings instead of the stock rubber ones..18" apes apply a lot of leverage to bushings allowing play at top..when you pull back on bars, like when your backing up, you can feel give..could be allowing top clamp to work loose.
Later
Later
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Saggin' Apes
Mine have never moved but The chrome on my 12 1/2" apes got trashedafter installing a set of HQ-0039G cams.After going out and ripping onthe new build ithappend. It trashed the chrome on the left side of the clamp. The clamp did it's job and held But the chrome got alittletweaked. I guess from all the extra TQ and my fat *** trying to hold on. No big deal I kinda like the look andit gives it character.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Saggin' Apes
Make sure you use polyurethane riser bushing to hold the clamps on when you switch to apes as well. I am yet to have this problem although I am not quite of the same girth as you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 14
From: Bay Area 41510 To Vegas!!!
RE: Saggin' Apes
some funny chit!!!!
ORIGINAL: 04RoadKing
Mine have never moved but The chrome on my 12 1/2" apes got trashedafter installing a set of HQ-0039G cams.After going out and ripping onthe new build ithappend. It trashed the chrome on the left side of the clamp. The clamp did it's job and held But the chrome got alittletweaked. I guess from all the extra TQ and my fat *** trying to hold on. No big deal I kinda like the look andit gives it character.
Mine have never moved but The chrome on my 12 1/2" apes got trashedafter installing a set of HQ-0039G cams.After going out and ripping onthe new build ithappend. It trashed the chrome on the left side of the clamp. The clamp did it's job and held But the chrome got alittletweaked. I guess from all the extra TQ and my fat *** trying to hold on. No big deal I kinda like the look andit gives it character.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 2
From: Houston (Area)
RE: Saggin' Apes
I hit a nice bump Sunday, but no movement. I will keep my eye on it. I didn't use the 1 piece clamp that was recommended either.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Saggin' Apes
ORIGINAL: kjunguy
When I had my RKC I had the same problem. I happened to notice it while I was parked at the dealer. I asked a tech how I could prevent this and he told me he had no clue and I'd have to live with it. An old biker was within earshot and walked over after the tech left and told me his little trick. Take a piece of emery cloth, fold it to where you have the rough side on both front and back. In other words, take a piece of cloth about 2" x 4" and fold it length ways with the grit on the outside. Make two of these. Wrap this around your handlebar where it clamps. Tighten your clamps around the emery cloth and you should be good to go. Worked for me. Handlebars never shifted again. Hope this helps. Good luck!
When I had my RKC I had the same problem. I happened to notice it while I was parked at the dealer. I asked a tech how I could prevent this and he told me he had no clue and I'd have to live with it. An old biker was within earshot and walked over after the tech left and told me his little trick. Take a piece of emery cloth, fold it to where you have the rough side on both front and back. In other words, take a piece of cloth about 2" x 4" and fold it length ways with the grit on the outside. Make two of these. Wrap this around your handlebar where it clamps. Tighten your clamps around the emery cloth and you should be good to go. Worked for me. Handlebars never shifted again. Hope this helps. Good luck!
