Loose handlebars
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 429
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
Loose handlebars
Over the winter I installed a set of 10 in LA Choppers Twin Peak Bagger Apes, bars are awesome and I got the look and rise I wanted. I've got about 1800 miles on the bars and they are loose, not to bad it does take some effort to pull them back. I realized this when I stood up to pull my pants down a little after they rode up and the bars came back towards me a little. Anybody ever tightened their bars without removing the inner fairing? I remember I had to take it off to install. A buddy said I need new bushings but I don't recall bushings and the bike only has 2500 miles on it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
With only 10" bars you really don't need the new bushings. Pop the ignition switch out and remove the switch cover. This will give you access to the rear bolts on the bar clamp. With a little manipulation you can get an Allen wrench in there to those bolts. I used the ball end of the Allen and a small box end wrench on the elbow end of the Allen to assist in turning it. Just be careful to not over tighten.
I used this method several times when trying to get my bars set just right and no problems.
I used this method several times when trying to get my bars set just right and no problems.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Yup....you can pop the ignition out and take the dash off. (dash=aux switch section piece) my la chopper apes loosened up twice. Both times about 1500 miles apart. The second time I tightened the fuc out of the riser clamp hex bolts myself. Dealer did the install. Then did the first retighten job....
The second time like I said I did it myself so there was no doubt on how tight they were.
I took each bolt out and bathed it in lock tight blue and tightened the living crap out of all 4 bolts one at a time. Has not loosened up in about 8k miles since I did it.
Harley might not be tightening them as tight as they really need to be.
The second time like I said I did it myself so there was no doubt on how tight they were.
I took each bolt out and bathed it in lock tight blue and tightened the living crap out of all 4 bolts one at a time. Has not loosened up in about 8k miles since I did it.
Harley might not be tightening them as tight as they really need to be.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Are you upgrade to the single clamp or are you ising the 2 piece one? It is required to put a single clamp on, there is even one out there that has set screws in the top of the clamp into the bars for added security. I think Yaffe has them as others. Just use a dab of locktite and torque to spec otherwise you will F up the threads in the riser and will have loosening issues.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Are you upgrade to the single clamp or are you ising the 2 piece one? It is required to put a single clamp on, there is even one out there that has set screws in the top of the clamp into the bars for added security. I think Yaffe has them as others. Just use a dab of locktite and torque to spec otherwise you will F up the threads in the riser and will have loosening issues.
I have one downstairs but have not had to use it since I retightened the last time.
The problem with the pin clamp is the day you think you need to use it you have to really take everything apart because you have to drill dimples in the bar right where the hex pin bolts will tighten to the bar. That's a real project to make room for your drill to get right where you need to be. Like I said...the day you decide to do that job be prepared to take the outer off and disconnect the inner to get to the bar to drill it.
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