Upgrade Bushings on Bars!

Artie · 09-07-2009, 07:13 PM

I hope you guys don't get sick of my articles, let me know if you don't care!

Anyway, when I got my Pitbull a few weeks ago, it had been sitting for several years, but apparently lots of people got on and off the bike and this on and off damaged the soft rubber bushings on my bars. So I decided to upgrade them to the urethane version, which I had my local tech order for me for about $25
Torn bushings under the upper triple tree

Bars lean back and actually contact the aluminum on the upper mount....

Pretty basic upgrade, but sometimes it's the small things that make the most difference!

I didn't like the thin washers that came with the bushings so I reused the thicker stock washers, just cleaned them up a bit first.
I put a towel folded over the tank to prevent the obvious bashing and scratching that might occur doing this solo. I loosened the two bolts holding the bars in place, then gently laid the bars on the tank.

I then tapped the old bushing sleeve out using a long socket and a soft dead blow since they were pretty snug.

Pull out the old bushings, reinstall the new ones with the new sleeve.

Be sure to use Loctite on the bolts to prevent them from coming out, duh!

Tighten everything back down and wipe off all the greasy fingerprints! Go ride!

jimizee028 · 09-07-2009, 08:02 PM

Allways a pleasure to read how tos and see what everyone is doing to their bikes....thanks for the time you took

stlmikie · 09-07-2009, 08:10 PM

Good job Artie!

pompey · 09-07-2009, 08:10 PM

Thats one of my next jobs to do on my 2000 pitbull. It's good to see step by step instructions & with pictures

Big Ron · 09-07-2009, 08:10 PM

Good job. Pretty easy to do but for those who haven't ...there you go

V · 09-07-2009, 08:20 PM

Artie · 09-07-2009, 08:25 PM

Awesome guys! I figured there are guys like me that are just starting out with bikes, I searched and didn't see any articles in the archives so I figured "what the heck!" Look for the Big Radius 2 into 1 install soon. Should get em this week!
Art

Moespeeds · 09-07-2009, 08:48 PM

How is the vibration with the urethane? I have custom bars, and when I changed them I switched to urethane. The vibration through the bars was so bad I broke two mirror stems in one weekend. Went back to HD soft rubber bushings and no more problems. Again, I have custom bars that are more like mini apes so that might have a lot to do with it.

McLovin · 09-07-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moespeeds

How is the vibration with the urethane? I have custom bars, and when I changed them I switched to urethane. The vibration through the bars was so bad I broke two mirror stems in one weekend. Went back to HD soft rubber bushings and no more problems. Again, I have custom bars that are more like mini apes so that might have a lot to do with it.

Shit, that sucks, I replaced mine with the stiff bushings and noticed a vast improvement over the stock worn out bushings. I can't tell a difference with the vibration through the bars..

IrishGuy · 09-08-2009, 12:13 AM

any idea where I can order urethane bushings for my 05 ridgeback? I asked the dealer once about urethane bushings and they just looked at me funny.

McLovin · 09-08-2009, 01:25 AM

Yeah, here's the link to Wild Ones chubby bars, which is where I got my bushings, but it appears they have exceeded their bandwidth allotment for the moment. Hopefully the site will be back up shortly...

http://www.wild1inc.com/

Artie · 09-08-2009, 03:01 AM

Moe,
Funny u mention that, I went for a ride after the install and I did notice more front end feedback with the bushings! I had a set of aftermarket mirror stems, but during the ride, one broke! Luckily the other was fine, so I removed the broken one, but I did notice that the bike was much more stable over 70mph than she had been previously, inputs were smoother for me and the bike just felt more solid with the new bushings. I replaced the mirror stems with my original ones upon arriving home, I will buy more substantial aftermarket ones that are longer, down the road, but for now, I am set!
Well here's the bushings I got!

PitBull43 · 09-08-2009, 03:14 AM

My 06 Pitbull has worn out bushings and it vibrates so bad i get tingling in my right hand if its a long trip. I will have to check out the link below and see if i can order replacements. Thanks for the thread !!!

PitBull43 · 09-08-2009, 03:15 AM

Nope link doesnt work!!! Anyone know where to order a stock set?

Thumper · 09-08-2009, 02:02 PM

I went with the Urethane and actually noticed less vibration. Guess because the stock rubber were completely collapsed I noticed the improvement. jmo

09-07-2009, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Artie Certified Gear Head! Name: Art Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lee's Summit MO Posts: 105 My Bike(s): 2002 Pitbull, 2005 BDM Chopper Black Cherry My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Upgrade Bushings on Bars! I hope you guys don't get sick of my articles, let me know if you don't care! Anyway, when I got my Pitbull a few weeks ago, it had been sitting for several years, but apparently lots of people got on and off the bike and this on and off damaged the soft rubber bushings on my bars. So I decided to upgrade them to the urethane version, which I had my local tech order for me for about $25 Torn bushings under the upper triple tree Bars lean back and actually contact the aluminum on the upper mount.... Pretty basic upgrade, but sometimes it's the small things that make the most difference! I didn't like the thin washers that came with the bushings so I reused the thicker stock washers, just cleaned them up a bit first. I put a towel folded over the tank to prevent the obvious bashing and scratching that might occur doing this solo. I loosened the two bolts holding the bars in place, then gently laid the bars on the tank. I then tapped the old bushing sleeve out using a long socket and a soft dead blow since they were pretty snug. Pull out the old bushings, reinstall the new ones with the new sleeve. Be sure to use Loctite on the bolts to prevent them from coming out, duh! Tighten everything back down and wipe off all the greasy fingerprints! Go ride! __________________ 2002 BDM Pitbull 2005 BDM Chopper

09-07-2009, 08:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
stlmikie I wish I had more money. Name: Mike Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: St. Peters Posts: 2,457 My Bike(s): 03 Mastif My Biker Photos Rep Power: 5	Good job Artie! __________________ If ignorance is bliss then knock the smile off my face!

09-07-2009, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
V Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,812 My Bike(s): Black Ridgeback My Biker Photos Rep Power: 5	__________________ Disgusted Member

09-07-2009, 08:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Artie Certified Gear Head! Name: Art Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lee's Summit MO Posts: 105 My Bike(s): 2002 Pitbull, 2005 BDM Chopper Black Cherry My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Awesome guys! I figured there are guys like me that are just starting out with bikes, I searched and didn't see any articles in the archives so I figured "what the heck!" Look for the Big Radius 2 into 1 install soon. Should get em this week! Art __________________ 2002 BDM Pitbull 2005 BDM Chopper

09-07-2009, 08:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Moespeeds Wrecked! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 1,545 My Bike(s): 2004 Big Dog Chopper, 2011? Redneck Monoshock, 2003 Roadstar Midnight, 2000 Roadstar Custom My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	How is the vibration with the urethane? I have custom bars, and when I changed them I switched to urethane. The vibration through the bars was so bad I broke two mirror stems in one weekend. Went back to HD soft rubber bushings and no more problems. Again, I have custom bars that are more like mini apes so that might have a lot to do with it. __________________ Moe Colontonio Cherry Hill, NJ My newest project, 330 Monoshock...

09-07-2009, 08:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimizee028 TRUE COLORS COLLISION Name: JIMI Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BALTIMORGUE Posts: 1,608 My Bike(s): big dog chopper 2007 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 5	Allways a pleasure to read how tos and see what everyone is doing to their bikes....thanks for the time you took

09-07-2009, 08:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
pompey Member Name: Marc Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Waycross GA Posts: 352 My Bike(s): 05 Ridgeback My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Thats one of my next jobs to do on my 2000 pitbull. It's good to see step by step instructions & with pictures

09-07-2009, 08:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Big Ron Member Name: Ron Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Franklin, Virginia Posts: 1,014 My Bike(s): 2001 Road King My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	Good job. Pretty easy to do but for those who haven't ...there you go

09-08-2009, 12:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
IrishGuy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 294 My Bike(s): 05 Ridgeback My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	any idea where I can order urethane bushings for my 05 ridgeback? I asked the dealer once about urethane bushings and they just looked at me funny.

09-08-2009, 01:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
McLovin Member Name: Technically, I don't have a first name... Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 220 My Bike(s): 2005 Ridgeback sans EHC My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Yeah, here's the link to Wild Ones chubby bars, which is where I got my bushings, but it appears they have exceeded their bandwidth allotment for the moment. Hopefully the site will be back up shortly... http://www.wild1inc.com/

09-08-2009, 03:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
Artie Certified Gear Head! Name: Art Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lee's Summit MO Posts: 105 My Bike(s): 2002 Pitbull, 2005 BDM Chopper Black Cherry My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Moe, Funny u mention that, I went for a ride after the install and I did notice more front end feedback with the bushings! I had a set of aftermarket mirror stems, but during the ride, one broke! Luckily the other was fine, so I removed the broken one, but I did notice that the bike was much more stable over 70mph than she had been previously, inputs were smoother for me and the bike just felt more solid with the new bushings. I replaced the mirror stems with my original ones upon arriving home, I will buy more substantial aftermarket ones that are longer, down the road, but for now, I am set! Well here's the bushings I got! __________________ 2002 BDM Pitbull 2005 BDM Chopper

09-08-2009, 03:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
PitBull43 PitBull43 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD Posts: 203 My Bike(s): 06 Pitbull My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	My 06 Pitbull has worn out bushings and it vibrates so bad i get tingling in my right hand if its a long trip. I will have to check out the link below and see if i can order replacements. Thanks for the thread !!!

09-08-2009, 03:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
PitBull43 PitBull43 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD Posts: 203 My Bike(s): 06 Pitbull My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	Nope link doesnt work!!! Anyone know where to order a stock set?

09-08-2009, 02:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
Thumper Top Dog Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 906 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	I went with the Urethane and actually noticed less vibration. Guess because the stock rubber were completely collapsed I noticed the improvement. jmo

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode