[Slappy]

Good afternoon all

Having recently finished my bike I am having a bit of an issue with the handlebars slipping, the bars are the 1950's type from Hitchcocks

all the bolts and bracket are new stainless steel, the last thing I want is them slipping when riding, and I didn't really  want to pin or grub screw them if possible
Has anyone got any good ideas

Thanks Dave.

[ddavidv]

I'll toss this out there. Can't guarantee it will work.
My handlebar controls would not stay in place. They are pretty beat up, so may be deformed. Anyway, I wrapped a bit of that traction tape you put on stair risers around the bar and that did the trick.

[stinkwheel]

If I ran into a similar problem, I'd probably go for shimming the clamp with some slices of thin steel. If I had the tool, knurling the bar where it clamps would probably work too.

[Bilgemaster]

As 'ddavidv' and 'stinkwheel' have already suggested, taking about the only actual maintenence-related excerpt from Pirsig's famous Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence  to heart and somehow shimming them seems worth a try. Pirsig described shimming his loose handlebars with a simple cut piece of a beer can. But then beer cans were made of stouter stuff back then. Still, any thin sheet of reasonably firm metal cut to size might do the trick. I can't see how a drop or three of some "medium threadlocker" too, like this goo from Harbor Freight, could hurt. It'll be handy anyhow almost everywhere else if you're nursing a Bullet along. Hell, you might as well wear one as a pendant. Oh, and you would do well to wear gloves while preparing and manhandling that shim into place.

Step One: Prepare the metal
(Pretzels optional)

[Karl Childers]

+1 on the beer can trick. I've used them to shim a few different things with good results. Actually the modern beverage can being thin is a plus for me. They can be cut with regular scissors into long strips of what ever width you want and for a circular object like a handlebar wrapped how ever many layers it takes to get the right thickness.

[Slappy]

As 'ddavidv' and 'stinkwheel' have already suggested, taking about the only actual maintenence-related excerpt from Pirsig's famous Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence  to heart and somehow shimming them seems worth a try. Pirsig described shimming his loose handlebars with a simple cut piece of a beer can. But then beer cans were made of stouter stuff back then. Still, any thin sheet of reasonably firm metal cut to size might do the trick. I can't see how a drop or three of some "medium threadlocker" too, like this goo from Harbor Freight, could hurt. It'll be handy anyhow almost everywhere else if you're nursing a Bullet along. Hell, you might as well wear one as a pendant. Oh, and you would do well to wear gloves while preparing and manhandling that shim into place.

Step One: Prepare the metal
(Pretzels optional)

Thanks everyone for the reply's

I will give the shimming a go we have some really thin gauge at work

regarding the suggestion of beer can, I am a little concerned that a can from different continents are not the same i.e. US contains lager stuff that rot's the can leaving it useless as a shim and destroys the soul

where as UK Ale adds layers to the metal and works wonders for the grey matter so aiding better motorcycle engineering ideas

Regards Dave.

[AzCal Retred]

If the shimming with aluminum beverage can trimmings doesn't work out, these may be a next step:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-4-3-16-in-x-11-1-4-in-150-Fine-Grit-Drywall-Sanding-Sheets-5-Pack-9091DC-NA/100130840

Thin, tough open mesh fabric with a hard mineral coating for bite. Use an old resharpenable knife to trim to desired size.

[Slappy]

Thanks AzCal

[Bilgemaster]

[...Snip!]

regarding the suggestion of beer can, I am a little concerned that a can from different continents are not the same i.e. US contains lager stuff that rot's the can leaving it useless as a shim and destroys the soul

[Snip!...]

It's hard to argue with that soul rot hypothesis, as most any photograph of me in my 20s will attest.

[StefArmstg]

When I've needed a thin shim, I've cut a blade off a feeler gauge set.

[Nitrowing]

When I've needed a thin shim, I've cut a blade off a feeler gauge set.

Yep, same here 

[darmst6829]

Good afternoon all

Having recently finished my bike I am having a bit of an issue with the handlebars slipping, the bars are the 1950's type from Hitchcocks

all the bolts and bracket are new stainless steel, the last thing I want is them slipping when riding, and I didn't really  want to pin or grub screw them if possible
Has anyone got any good ideas


I had to use a set screw on my trials bike.

Thanks Dave.

[Yinzer]

When I've needed a thin shim, I've cut a blade off a feeler gauge set.

Always wondered what that super thin one was for 

[Paul W]

If you cut off a feeler gauge, the next job you do will probably require a feeler gauge of exactly that thickness.

[Slappy]

After posting the question I've not had the chance to even take the cover back off the bike, I have been doing a complete rewire for a friend with a XS 750 Chop.

One issue I did have the last time I tried to tighten it down a bit more one of the top threads went, so I am going to have strip it all off and fit a hellicoil when I get a minute

Need to pull my finger out as it is going to an indoor show on the 10th December

Slappy