How to Install Motorcycle Handlebar Risers

Motorcycle handlebar risers are becoming an increasingly popular way to customize your motorcycle for aesthetic or functional reasons. Many people like the look of raised handlebars, while some simply feel that they get a more comfortable grip on their handlebars when they are raised. Regardless of your reasons for seeking to raise your handlebars, below you will find a guide for performing the installation. With a little patience and attention to detail, you will be driving your revamped motorcycle in no time.

Step 1: Cover Your Fuel Tank

In order to avoid damaging the paint job on your motorcycle, the first thing you will want to do is cover the fuel tank completely with shop rags. Since you have probably spent a great deal of money painting your motorcycle, you do not want the paint job to be damaged by the errant slip of a tool or handlebar.

Step 2: Insert Riser Mount into Triple Clamp

Find the triple clamp and insert the top portion of the riser mount into it. Place riser bolts into the riser mount setup through the top of the riser mount. Then, insert the lower riser mount onto the riser bolts just below the triple clamp. Make sure that all of these pieces are properly locked into their recesses on the triple clamp before continuing.

Step 3: Tighten Riser Bolts

Place the riser lock nuts onto each riser bolt and begin to tighten them into place with your hands. Before you tighten the riser lock nuts too far, apply blue loctite to the riser bolts. This will seal the riser lock nuts in place and ensure the safety of your new setup when it is completed. Use a rachet and socket set to tighten the nuts into place to the point where you can still rotate the riser mounts slightly.

Step 4: Install Handlebars

Next, you will be installing the handlebars and the handlebar clamp. To do this, align the bolt holes with the holes in the riser mount and fit the bolts through the holes. At this point, you will want to tighten your riser lock nuts as much as possible with your ratchet and socket set to make a tight seal.

Step 5: Tighten all Nuts Completely

When making any alteration to your motorcycle by yourself, the most important thing to remember is to make sure that everything is safe when you complete your project. You will be traveling at high speeds on your motorcycle and do not want to have even the slightest possibility of your new handlebars becoming loose or dislodged at any point during operation. With that in mind, you will now be using a 1/2-inch torque wrench and socket in order to make the final adjustments to your new raised handlebars. To do this, be sure to consult your manufacturer's directions for guidelines about the recommended torque for your motorcycle's year, make and model. These figures will vary depending on the machine and should be adhered to closely.