Are those RSD bars? I have the black vintage bars on my scoot as well, and had to sand and scrape the paint down to the knurling, thats underneath, to get a better bite. Before that, they always moved.

 

My risers are aluminum, and the clamp bolts are steel.

Careful not to strip out your riser threads (like I have) by tighenting them to the point they bend.

 

scares me to even dream of a pot hole @75

 

Yes! exactly the same thing. I was on I-80 with my 07 Softail Custom going to Chicago when I hit a huge pot hole. The mini apes were almost on my legs. I pulled them up while going 70mph.

It has happened since then also. I have torqued them as much as possible but the bars are slick and not grooved like most are at the clamps. I just cannot get it to where they hold. I have been thinking off taking a very thin gauge off of my feeler gauge and try to use it as a shim or even see if locktite may work.

 

well, when i went to tighten them, they were only finger tight, I guess they got loose from all the vibrations. Got me to thinking to make sure I check my bolts from time to time. I guess this serves as a heads up. Check your bolts from time to time fellas.

I called my buddy (one of the mechanics at my dealer) and he told me that i didn't have to torque them, but to make sure they were tight. He said if I had to, torque them to 17-18 lbs. I didn't end up using a torque, but I can assure you they are tight as hell now!! I just tightened them to the point where I had that 'feeling' that anymore, they'd strip off.

 

Hit potholes never had the bars move bent the rim but never moved the bars. Thats sucks Glag you made it out ok and thats all that happend!I know when we were kids on or motocross bikes we use to cut and put old rubber tubes on the gooseneck and clamp them dowmn and that worked but that was for BMX Bikes

 

That is one allen wrench that I always carry with me as I sometimes adjust for shoulder comfort.
Pot hole at 70? That would suck.
Worst here is railroad tracks around 60, wow, what a rush!

 

Yup. Screwing around and hit RR Tracks at 65+, folded them down about 8". The good news is I was on my way to the dealers, so they re-torqued them. Haven't had a problem since, but I haven't been stupid enough to hit RR Tracks at 65+ again.