I own a 2002 Road King, I have replaced the stock handle bars with stock chrome bars. Problem is the new bars do not stay tight, they keep dropping.
I noticed the new ones have a straight knerl, and the stock have a criss cross pattern. Could this be the problem?When I took it apart I also noticed my riser bushings are shot. Two part question:

1. Why do the bars keep dropping, and how do I cure this?
2. What are the torque specs for the bar clamps and the torque specs for the riser bolts

 

Could be the worn down knurl. You can try what I used to do and that's slip a small piece of rubber on the knurlked portion of the bar and tighten. The rubber keeps it from slipping. Oh and torque specs for the bar clamp---tighten the **** out of it!

 

I had the same problem when I put the bars on my Classic, It's a bitch to have to go back in there to do anything. I found a couple of very thin star washers in my junk drawer and put one under each top clamp, against the barsand tightened the *** out of it. No more problems.

 

Did you replace the upper clamp when you changed out the bars??? If not... That could be the problem... The OEM upper 2 part clamp are junk as it doesn't grab the replacement bars as well as the 1 part clamp...

 

Since you don't have a manual, and you should, this is out of the manual:

Tighten upper handlerbar clamp screws as follows:

a. Tighten front screws until upper and lower handlebar clamps make contact.
b. Tighten rear screws to 12-16 ft-lbs.
c. Tighten front screws to 12-16 ft-lbs

Note: A slight gap will exist between the upper and lower clamps at the rear of the handlebars after tightening.

 

I have the same problem with my apes. Not a big deal, yet, but does bother me. I asked a question here about it, and was told to try a piece of sandpaper wraped around the bars. I haven't tried that. I also contacted the bar maker, and he suggested to use a clamp that has set screws in it. I believe this to be the best solution, but have been unable to find a top clamp with set screws. I have decided that since it is not a real big issue, I will wait until winter. What I plan on doing is taking the one piece top clamp off, drilling two holes in it, and threading the holes. Then I will add a couple of screws to it. Should work okay, and seems like a better fix.