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Bars pulling back??

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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 04:01 AM
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Default Bars pulling back??

Hoping for suggestions...I have a 2010 RG with WO515's 10" mini apes. I have the bar clamp tight as could be and my bars can still pull backwards. It seems like I pull on the bars a bit when I hit one of the infamous NJ potholes of road bumps. When I do the bars pull back slightly. I notice it in the feeling and especially when I look in my mirrors and I am looking downward. The bars are powdercoated from WO and I am not sure if the powdercoating is maybe breaking up under the clamp and causing a not-so-tight grab. I can't tack weld it because of the steel-aluminum connection...any ideas??? I am stumped and don't feel like buying new bars
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 04:43 AM
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I don't know which clamp the 10's have, but on my 07 I changed the two separate clamps for the upgraded one piece clamp. That might give you a better hold on the bars. Just a thought....
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 05:08 AM
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you may want to sand down the "half clamp alittle bit"
That will give it more contact....
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 05:31 AM
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use loctite, did you change the bushings , are you using the 1 piece clamp
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by ptl203
Hoping for suggestions...I have a 2010 RG with WO515's 10" mini apes. I have the bar clamp tight as could be and my bars can still pull backwards. It seems like I pull on the bars a bit when I hit one of the infamous NJ potholes of road bumps. When I do the bars pull back slightly. I notice it in the feeling and especially when I look in my mirrors and I am looking downward. The bars are powdercoated from WO and I am not sure if the powdercoating is maybe breaking up under the clamp and causing a not-so-tight grab. I can't tack weld it because of the steel-aluminum connection...any ideas??? I am stumped and don't feel like buying new bars
I have the same bars with no issues on my 08. Mine is a one piece clamp, pretty sure yours is too.
I'd make sure theres no powdercoating on the knurling and scuff that up a little. Make sure the clamp is tightened down in the correct sequence.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 08:16 AM
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The old trick is to cut strips out of a soda can and wrap them around the clamp area of the bars.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 07:20 PM
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What will the strips of soda can do? Just curious.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 07:28 PM
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Boy you hear lots of answers on this one.
You need to make certain you have the new 1 piece top clamp first, if you do you just need to sand the flat side down a little because it has bottom out on the lower half before it's getting tight and then torque it properly, handlebars only torque to 16-20 Ft lbs.
If this doesn't cure your problem then you should also check and make certain that your bars have proper nurling on them, I have seen bars that the nurling was way to smooth to get the job done if this is the case you either need a new set of bars or you can increase the nurling by using a standard old center punch and putting a dozen or so center punch dimples in the bars at the nurling this will cure your problem, center punching the bars raises the metal around the punch marks making the bars larger in diameter an adds some real teeth to grab the risers.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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Thaks Jag...as far as I know my Indy used the stock bar clamp for the bike when he installed the new bars. Hopefully tomorrow I will tackle the bars.
 
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by jag1886
... or you can increase the nurling by using a standard old center punch and putting a dozen or so center punch dimples in the bars at the nurling this will cure your problem, center punching the bars raises the metal around the punch marks making the bars larger in diameter an adds some real teeth to grab the risers.
Thats what I did to a set of Biltwell Frisco I put on my cousins bike Monday night! Worked perfect!
 
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