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I have 18" apes on my RK and i every couple of months have to take the front light apart so i can get the cover off of my bars so i can move bars and retighten them. is there anything i can do, has anyone been successful at developing a method to this madness?
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I have heard of guys "pinning" the taller bars.Essentially drilling a hole through the clamp (assuming it's a one-piece) and bars.Then installing a screw through both to hold the bars in position.
I think a couple of holes drilled and tapped with hardened screws and loctite should be pretty secure.Of course extra care would be required for bars with internal wiring.
Maybe some of the guys here have heard of this.....
NO! Do not drill and pin the bars or you can expect them to crack there.
Simply obtain a sheet of dry wall sanding cloth..........cut two strips 1" wide and long enuff to wrap one full turn around the bars, but not overlapping.
Hold the cloth in place on bars using caulk or something that will not set up hard, then tighten the riser clamps to spec.
You will bend the bars before they spin in the risers again.
Do not use sandpaper as it is gritty on only one side.
Make sure you have a one-piece top clamp. Also make sure you use a torque wrench to tighten the clamp screws. I had the same problem with my 16" apes until I pulled out the torque wrench. Unfortunately, the very nature of the bars will give you the problem over and over. The length of the bars gives extra leverage providing more torque to pivot the bars on the clamp - like using a breaker bar to loosen a stuck bolt. Enjoy your apes!
Make sure you have a one-piece top clamp. Also make sure you use a torque wrench to tighten the clamp screws. I had the same problem with my 16" apes until I pulled out the torque wrench. Unfortunately, the very nature of the bars will give you the problem over and over. The length of the bars gives extra leverage providing more torque to pivot the bars on the clamp - like using a breaker bar to loosen a stuck bolt. Enjoy your apes!
I tried to buy a one piece clamp but my cover that fits over my bar clamps wont sit right on it. I can't tighten the cover down because it sits too high. Is there a custom one piece clamp they sell for RK's?
I know a guy that had that problem and he laid a weld bead on the bars. I dont think he welded the bars to the clamp but just a small bead directly on the bars in the right spot so the clamp could tighten down on the right spot next to the weld bead. After typing this, welding the bars to the clamp and then tightening the clamp may be an option however.
I tried to buy a one piece clamp but my cover that fits over my bar clamps wont sit right on it. I can't tighten the cover down because it sits too high. Is there a custom one piece clamp they sell for RK's?
If you find Hill Country Cycles on ebay, they make a one piece clamp that is made to fit under the RK handle bar cover. It was like $45
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09 Vivid Black Road King
09 HD Iron 1200
Here is what we did. Helicoil the riser first off. the helicoils are far stronger than the stock holes. Then use a small chisel and put some small notches in the top of the bar that goes under the riser. The riser needs something to bite into, and once the knurling starts to wear out this does the trick. Did this for a buddy and he has not had to adjust his bars since.
Or you can do what bikers have been doing for years.
Cut a beer or coke can up and make a bushing.
Wrap the bushing [thin sheet of alum] around the bar, place in clamps, tighten down. Cost nothing and will work well for years.
Securing 18" Ape Hangers
