The manual states torque the handlebar upper clamp screws to 16-20 ft lbs. Anyone torque them anymore? Just trying to see what one could get by with without stripping threads.

 

Always done them at 18 ft lbs , any reason why you want to go more ? Bars slipping ? I would think the clamp itself would crack / break before the bolt would strip .

 

No issues, I torque mine to 20 ft lbs. Just curious if I ever wanted to go more.

 

Seems like I saw a video from kst recommending 30 ft lbs.

 

The lower clamp bolts are 30-40 ft lbs.

 

Yes but I'm pretty sure that in this video he was installing 14 inch bars and said they torque the upper clamp bolts to 30 ft lbs. Seems like that's pushing it to me, but maybe not.

 

I think I'm going to threadlock mine with loctite blue. I lost the bottom clutch clamp bolt on an all day ride yesterday, and the top was working its way loose at a rapid pace. Had to stop by a hardware store to replace the bottom bolt.

 

I have the KST 14" bars and yes the vid says to torque them to 25-30ft.lbs (or around that, but higher than OEM spec none-the-less). What I am finding is that the socket recess is starting to deform due to the higher torque reccomendations by KST, so I would be causious in using too much lock tight on them. I also was looking to replace them with a harder material screw if possible, but can't find the actual size of the screws. (REF #: 2708A). If anyone knows that would be great. Otherwise either a call or visit to an HD shop is in order....or wait till winter to pull one out.

 

IMHO......

I would stick with the recommended torque spec for the bolts by the manufacturer.... whether they are OEM or an aftermarket clamp set-up

If I ever had a bar movement issue, like some people with tall ape hangers, I would pin the clamp with a set screw before I would increase the torque on my own....