Slipping Ape Hangers

[oldscoots]

Hey Gang,

With the recent popularity of Ape Hangers, I am sure someone else has experienced this.

I just installed a set of 13" on my bike with stock 1.5" risers and the stock top clamp. I tightened down the top clamp and used Blue locktite on the allen head bolts. I have the bars positioned slightly forward of the fork tube angle.

After hitting a couple of bumps, the bars start sliding backwards towards me.

I took the bars off and took a center punch and roughed up the riser inside surface as well as the inside surface of the top clamp. This still did not cure the problem.

I see guys running 18" Apes and I know they generate more leverage to potentially cause the bars to move and no problems.

How do I fix this? The risers are used takeoffs but look OK for the most part.

[Lightnin]

Wish I had a good answer for you. I have 12.5" apes that are knurled but when I hit an unavoidable bump/road divot, they'll pull back too. I just push them back. I figure by the time the knurl in that spot wears out and won't hold during normal riding, I'll be tired of them and switch to different size apes.

Sorry, not much help...I know

[baggersport]

Using the center punch is a good thing when they aren't knurled. Make sure you tighten on the stock risers by the book, you may have a washer type boss on one side of the top clamp and I think you tighten that side first. You might try coating the clamping area with some green Loctite (bearing and sleeve retainer).




.

[seamonkeyman]

I cut a beer can up into strips. Wrap them between the bar and clamp then tension. No slipping whatsoever.

First time the bars slipped I was a fair ways from home and had to ride bike back with loose bars. Not a wise move....

Good Luck

[swmnkdinthervr]

Go to a hardware/plumbing supply/home depot and get some emery cloth (sand paper to clean copper with) cut to size and I'll bet they won't move anymore...

[oldscoots]

Thanks for the ideas.

I second that motion, riding home with slipping ape hangers is the worst!! A literal pain in the neck/back.

The bars are knurled but the risers have some "mileage" on them. Maybe the worn tolerance needs shimming up i.e. aluminum strips or emery cloth.

I'll try and update with results.

Thanks again!

[Otto]

you did it backwards use the center punch and punch the bars so the bars bite into the riser lunim just pushes away if you punch the riser

[oldscoots]

Thanks Otto,

The bars are already knurled though. They are Flanders, so nicely done.

[ridingcoreman]

Originally Posted by swmnkdinthervr

Go to a hardware/plumbing supply/home depot and get some emery cloth (sand paper to clean copper with) cut to size and I'll bet they won't move anymore...

Thats what I did.No more slipping.It doesn't take a very big piece.

[oldscoots]

OK,

So I am going to try the emery cloth option first. Will update on results.

Thanks again!

[oldscoots]

Logged a few hundred with no bar slippage at all.

Got some emery cloth from Home Depot, trimmed to fit width of knurled section of bars, installed, no problem.

Thanks guys!

[DNLEVESQUE]

I used emory cloth also on mine and no more slippage. Thanks for the idea swm.

[swmnkdinthervr]

Originally Posted by DNLEVESQUE

I used emory cloth also on mine and no more slippage. Thanks for the idea swm.

anytime bro...it's a reall bummer when yer goin' into a turn and the bars move as you lean!!!

[mcbean7]

Originally Posted by oldscoots

OK,

So I am going to try the emery cloth option first. Will update on results.

Thanks again!

I've been experiencing the same problem with 14" apes. I'll try this emery cloth too. Thanks for the idea guys.

[DNLEVESQUE]

Originally Posted by swmnkdinthervr

anytime bro...it's a reall bummer when yer goin' into a turn and the bars move as you lean!!!

I'm glad it never did it on a turn but even when not on a turn it'll make you pucker up.