Ape handlebar mounting question

[roadking705]

Have an 02 RK and am installing 12 1/2" Wild One Apes.  Contrary to published as well as HD dealer advice, my mechanic says to use the stock two independent mounts vs the one piece mount.  He says since the bar knurling is not across the entire center width of the bar, a one piece is not as good as two mounts.  If one of the two mounts fail, you will have the other one as backup. Not so with a one mount system.  Would appreciate input.

[f-x-d-w-g]

Sounds like a crock to me.  Unless someone can show me a failure mode where the one-piece upper clamp is not as strong.

For that matter, I don't see why either would be preferable from an engineering standpoint.

Waiting to be convinced otherwise...

[calif phil]

Go with the one piece. It helps the bars from flexing and cracking at the wire exit hole in the bottom of the bars.

[BikerJim44]

I changed the bars on my 04 Rk which I bought new in May of 04 and the bars I changed the bars in June or July of 04 with the same bars you are getting, Loved them BTW, and used to two clamps. Rode the bike for almost 37K before trading it. Always checked the bars usually gave them a look before a ride and definately at every 3K service and I never had one problem with them. I understandf why they want you to run the one piece but for the 12 1/2" bars and even though they are heavy I just don't see it. If you were doing wheelies, which I suspect you aren't, motorcross racing, again I suspect you aren't, or just nothing but drag racing, and again, well you get the point, I don't see the need. If they were any higher then yes I would say you need them. JMHO, Spidey.

[JAFHR]

That is a total crock, I know because I've already been through it. They don't realize the torque that is created at the clamping area by using taller bars. The one piece is stronger because it covers (clamps) a larger area. I had 18" apes installed my 05 RK. with the supposed knowledge that they were putting on the one piece. (they didn't) They put the stock two piece back on. I hit a good little dip in the road prior to going up a hill, and wham, my bars were sitting in my lap. Let's just say that was eye opener.

I later put on the one piece bracket and daily punched the sh@$#$t out of it. The 12" isn't as tall but will still need the one piece. Don't find out later that you need one. It isn't that expensive.

[hrdtail78]

Installed a few sets of apes on FLH's.  From 12 to 18.  Always used the stock clamps.  Can't fit a 1 piece under there.  No returns yet.  I know one set has seen atleast over 50,000 miles.

[bearman1755]

for whats its worth, here's my 03 RK Classic with 16" Chubbys, all wiring is inside the bars.  Indy insisted on using the one clamp type. Havent had a prob.

[HDFAT2001]

Hrdtail.

Harley now uses a low profile one piece as stock since '08.  Works great under radios P/N 55918-08 about $35.  We use 'em on every glide with apes from 12 - 19"

[hrdtail78]

Hrdtail.

Harley now uses a low profile one piece as stock since '08.  Works great under radios P/N 55918-08 about $35.  We use 'em on every glide with apes from 12 - 19"

Thank you.  Will keep that in mind. 

[BikerJim44]

Jafhr, I wasn't saying you shouldn't put the one piece on, Just saying that I never had a problem with mine and I ran the living hell out of that bike. I wouldn't use them on anything over a 12-12 1/2" bar as I know they are heavy and there's a lot of top weight and with vibration and all it's kind of a no brainer. I had the same issue with the one piece fitting it under the nacelle and that's why I just went with the two piece. I probably could have had some material shaved off the top of the one piece to make it fit but that kind of defeated the purpose IMHO so that was the other reason for my choice of the two piece. Maybe I was one of the lucky ones,  Spidey.