Handle bar bushings
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1
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From: Larkspur Ca
Handle bar bushings
Hi. I recently bought a 2009 Road Glide which has ape hangers. The handle bar bushings are worn out & need replacing. Can anyone tell me if the bushings for ape hangers would be the same as the stock bushings? Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,605
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From: Long Island, NY
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
The stock bushing are rubber and ribbed, while there are poly, and even solid bushings as well.
Hence the higher the ape hangers, the more leverage you have to flex the bushing via the bars.
So it may not be that the stock rubber bushing are worn out, but it's just you now have move leverage to flex the stock bushing instead.
So on that note, you can pick up a set of poly bushing for under $10 to give them a try, but if you still finding the bars have too much movement due to the long ape hangers leverage, then either buy or have someone make you a set of solid bushings isntead.
Hence the higher the ape hangers, the more leverage you have to flex the bushing via the bars.
So it may not be that the stock rubber bushing are worn out, but it's just you now have move leverage to flex the stock bushing instead.
So on that note, you can pick up a set of poly bushing for under $10 to give them a try, but if you still finding the bars have too much movement due to the long ape hangers leverage, then either buy or have someone make you a set of solid bushings isntead.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 117
From: Southeast NC
i just put 14 inch apes on my 19 RGU and yes they definitely flex some compared to before but i like the dampening effect that the stock bushings give. its a little weird at first feeling the flex but i got used to it and for me anyways all is well. about 600 miles on them and they feel great with the small amount of flex.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
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From: Canada Flats
As stated , I would always go with poly bushings when converting to ape hangers . If they are 14's or 16's , I would also recommend a handle bar clamp with set screws that will help prevent them from slipping forwards or backwards .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
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From: new caney, tx
Very good idea. Back in the day I had 16s with 4 risers on my softail and got the damn scare of my life when I hit a huge hole and the bars came back to my chest lol.. It never happened again
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
I got these and they seem okay. Did have to drive out sleeves to reuse them and washers as well--some other kits appear to include those parts if that matters.
https://hillcountrycustomcycles.com/...n-touring.html
https://hillcountrycustomcycles.com/...n-touring.html
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