Handlebar Slippage

[firecrackerboom]

I just installed new handlebars, and at night when it gets colder, the bar must contract, because it slips, as in tilts downward when i come to a stop! I noticed the new handlebar didn't have any grooves like the old ones did, what should i do?

[cajun31]

I would suggest you get a piece of rubber and clamp it down under the mount . Wrap it around the bar then torque it down. It should help hold it stable.

[fredintoon]

Hi 'boom,
betcha the clamps are bolting down solid before they get a real good grip on that smooth aftermarket 'bar so the 'bar can slip round in there no matter how hard you reef on the bolts.
My son fixed that exact problem by drinking a beer. Once the can is empty cut it up with kitchen scissors to make two pairs of half-circle shims and install them between the 'bars and the 'bar clamps. These added shims will ensure that the clamps get a real good grip on the 'bar and won't bottom out before they do so.

[petejw]

u could also file down the
tops of the brackets, thatll also
give a tighter fit.

[strippedFJ]

Originally posted by fredintoon
Hi 'boom,
betcha the clamps are bolting down solid before they get a real good grip on that smooth aftermarket 'bar so the 'bar can slip round in there no matter how hard you reef on the bolts.
My son fixed that exact problem by drinking a beer. Once the can is empty cut it up with kitchen scissors to make two pairs of half-circle shims and install them between the 'bars and the 'bar clamps. These added shims will ensure that the clamps get a real good grip on the 'bar and won't bottom out before they do so.

This is actually a very good idea, we used to do it back in the 80's for worn/small bars. The aluminum strips give a degree of vibration damping to the bars, without giving the bars a rubbery mount feeling, or deadening road feedback too much.

[firecrackerboom]

Sounds good. I was "reefing" on the bolts pretty good! I will try the can thing!

[Bowtied]

If you need any help drinking the beer let me know! hahaha!

Wouldn't just wrapping some electrical tape work just the same? Thats what i would try first or the rubber pieces under it! Either way man good luck!

[firecrackerboom]

well, putting pieces of can in there doesn't seem to help at all, they just kinda smush... i might go get a couple pieces of rubber or something.

[wa407mpp]

Cut some emery paper and use a glue pencil to glue them to both sides of the handle bar clamp with the rough surface facing the bars, if the bars are extra slick cut the paper twice as long and double it over with the glue in between the layers. This has always worked for me.

[fredintoon]

beemer bars?

Hi 'boom,
were the new bars by any chance meant for a BMW? For reasons that escape rational thought BMW bars are 22mm diameter instead of everyone else's 7/8" (22.2mm) diameter. That is, BMW bars are 0.008" smaller. That would definitely give the symptoms you describe. Try 2 layers of beer can.

[John]

How about using a sharp center punch and hammer in a bunch of dimples where the bars and clamps meet. Kinda like knurling...

[xs11jack]

I think that if I was madly in love with the bars and want to keep them forever, I would find a friend that has a table saw. Lay a sheet of course sandpaper grit side up and start rubbing the top clamp back and forth and every so often I would try the clamps to see if they snug up. You can then use a higher number sandpaper to polish the clamp a little and tighten the clamps and ride!! Just a little shadetree machining.

[barberad]

I tried using rubber on my high pegs on my crash bars, still moved. Ened up cutting stips from a dryer vent (like the can idea) and it worked great.