Crash bar supports

[Carbon_One]

I posted this info once before but it's been lost since the sites crash so will put it up once again. Hopefully others can benefit from this idea.
Ok we all know how flimsy the front crash bars are, especially if you've added foot pegs. I made up a set of supports to my bike to add some rigidity to them. There's a couple of advantages to adding these supports. One is no flexing the lower cowlings thus reducing chances of cracking them as some have posted. Another is in the event of either crashing or dropping the bike the bars won't fold back and cause more damage.
What I did was to purchase a pair of 1" chromed clamps, cut two strips of 10 gauge (1/8") flat stock 1" wide x 5 1/2" long, and bought 4 stainless steel button head bolts with nylon lock nuts. I used three piece clamps but other types can be used as well. Stainless steel can be subistuted with chromed or plain steel as well.
Next was mounting the each clamp to the front bars, adding the strip steel after drilling holes on each end. Then positioning the other end of the strip steel on top of the floorboards b mounting bracket. Locate the end of the hole where you can add the other bolt. Drill a hole thou the floorboard bracket and finish the install.
On the bolt that goes thru the floorboard bracket I put the button head on top. There's only a little room there thus that's why I used button head bolts ove hex head types. You'll also find it easier to drill the holes after taking off the bracket too and it also gives you more working room getting the bolt there in place.
Here's a couple of pics. I'll add a couple more later with more detail.
Larry

[BEER30]

I see another project on my list !

Thanks Carbon_One
Gene

[Squidley]

I have to do that too Larry...Thanks for the reminder :happy34:

[1rooster]

Great mod

[kbran]

Thanks Larry :thumbsup2:

[E-Fishin-C]

I would gladly test those braces Carbon One :Laugh: :Laugh:

[Carbon_One]

I would gladly test those braces Carbon One :Laugh: :Laugh:
No Thank you Charlie. I don't even want you thinking of testing on your bike either. You'll have a whole lot of explaining to everyone on why ya messed up.:whistling:
Larry

[MAINEAC]

Nice job Larry I like it... I've been watching ebay for new ones to replace mine because mine are extra flimsy cuz it got dumped b4 I bought it. I can get it to the right position but it always go back.

How thick is the stainless bar you use... I got a lot of stainless plate material I've taken out of ATMs I've upgraded and wonder if it's thick enough.

TIA,

[Carbon_One]

Nice job Larry I like it... I've been watching ebay for new ones to replace mine because mine are extra flimsy cuz it got dumped b4 I bought it. I can get it to the right position but it always go back.

How thick is the stainless bar you use... I got a lot of stainless plate material I've taken out of ATMs I've upgraded and wonder if it's thick enough.

TIA,

10 gauge is what I used. It's a bit under 1/8" thick. I'll go back and edit the first post to refect it's thickness.
BTW I put a set of these on DenDen's bike last year. He dropped his bike on an off chamber slope and he felt then that this mod saved him a bunch of grief and money.
Larry

[plainmd]

Looks like a great idea.....Can you tell me where you bought the clamps at???

[Carbon_One]

I bought mine from a local Harley custom shop. J&P Cycles have several styles to chose as well. Here's a few links --

<A href="http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=BFE7A495-6D65-4619-9570-B7C67EFA65E4&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=8">http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=BFE7A495-6D65-4619-9570-B7C67EFA65E4&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=8 (these are the type I used)

<A href="http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=A8E1B84F-0208-431D-B3CE-A240CA1AEBC8&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=5">http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=A8E1B84F-0208-431D-B3CE-A240CA1AEBC8&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=5

<A href="http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=2B4E94E0-2E56-496A-A09D-C5FA0552753A&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=1">http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=2B4E94E0-2E56-496A-A09D-C5FA0552753A&search=1"%20clamps&store=Metric&page=1

[Buzzard1]

I posted this info once before but it's been lost since the sites crash so will put it up once again. Hopefully others can benefit from this idea.
Ok we all know how flimsy the front crash bars are, especially if you've added foot pegs. I made up a set of supports to my bike to add some rigidity to them. There's a couple of advantages to adding these supports. One is no flexing the lower cowlings thus reducing chances of cracking them as some have posted. Another is in the event of either crashing or dropping the bike the bars won't fold back and cause more damage.
What I did was to purchase a pair of 1" chromed clamps, cut two strips of 10 gauge (1/8") flat stock 1" wide x 5 1/2" long, and bought 4 stainless steel button head bolts with nylon lock nuts. I used three piece clamps but other types can be used as well. Stainless steel can be subistuted with chromed or plain steel as well.
Next was mounting the each clamp to the front bars, adding the strip steel after drilling holes on each end. Then positioning the other end of the strip steel on top of the floorboards b mounting bracket. Locate the end of the hole where you can add the other bolt. Drill a hole thou the floorboard bracket and finish the install.
On the bolt that goes thru the floorboard bracket I put the button head on top. There's only a little room there thus that's why I used button head bolts ove hex head types. You'll also find it easier to drill the holes after taking off the bracket too and it also gives you more working room getting the bolt there in place.
Here's a couple of pics. I'll add a couple more later with more detail.
Larry

WAY TO GO!!!!:cool10: :cool10: :happy65: :happy65: :happy34: :cool18: :cool17: :sign outstanding: :You_Rock_Emoticon: :beer: ---That what im looking for. Thanks much ----next on my list----Buzz

[99silver]

Larry, Great jos on those, on my list as well !!

Gary

[SALTY]

Well Larry ! Are we gonna see anothe exclusive Carbon one item for sale to Forum members! LOL
A great idea those supports!
Salty

[Buzzard1]

J C Whitney has the clamps for $6.99 each Total for two --to the door $20.97--Mine are on the way:cool10: ----Buzz

[Bubbajbi]

Does this make a big difference of keeping the bars from flexing when your feet are on the hwy pegs? I feel like I am going to bend mine when my feet are on the pegs and I hope your mod will stop that.

[DAN STEVENSON]

This is one of the first mods I did. The supports do keep the bars from flexing. Great mod I highly reccommend doing it. Very simple to do.

[Bubbajbi]

Thanks, Dan!