UNknurled handlebars

Monkeyman · 02-03-2012, 02:06 AM

I'm looking for a set of ape hangers and I see alot of them with NO knurling. I understand that the knurling helps with grip but does it really make any difference? Like, is it the difference between 40 grit and 2000 grit sand paper, or 40 grit and 60 grit? I'm looking for 12" apes so they won't be that high although it's still 4" over stock. My selection will be much greater if I don't need it. No reason for me to take new bars to a machine shop to have them knurled as I can just as well look for bars with knurling if it's needed.

TIA

**cnc** · 02-03-2012, 08:01 AM

Chris,
The knurling will bit into the risers slightly when everything is bolted down tight preventing any slip. Given the extra leverage that ape bars will exert on the that attachment, I personally would want bars with knurls. Also consider having a shop do the knurling will ruin the chrome in that area.

Monkeyman · 02-03-2012, 09:09 AM

Knurling it is, then. Thanks for the info.

jendesigner · 02-03-2012, 09:39 AM

A set of bars I bought for one of my bikes didn't have knurls so all I did was tape of the area that needed it and took a hammer and awl and made my own. It just needed to be rough enough for grip. Yes, it ruined the chrome but anything you do will, no be deal. Never had any slippage.

**ringadingh** · 02-03-2012, 10:23 AM

I would also want the knurling, not very safe without it.
Plus its hidden by the clamps anyways so its not seen.

Monkeyman · 02-03-2012, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the tip, jendesigner. Sounds like it would be in my best interest to just get bars with knurling. We know how badly I screw up most projects. Doing the fake knurling myself would be a bad one to screw up. Thanks, all.

**ringadingh** · 02-03-2012, 12:53 PM

I think you would have a hard time finding bars without knurling regardless.

**cnc** · 02-03-2012, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I think you would have a hard time finding bars without knurling regardless.

They might be doing that for appearance reasons if the risers are different distances apart on different brands and models of bikes. Sort of a one size fits all thing.

Monkeyman · 02-03-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I think you would have a hard time finding bars without knurling regardless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

They might be doing that for appearance reasons if the risers are different distances apart on different brands and models of bikes. Sort of a one size fits all thing.

I'll bet there are 100 of them on eBay right now. Seems like I did see the words "custom" in most of the listings.

dmyers · 02-03-2012, 03:27 PM

Its time consuming but you can knurl your own with a dremal cutter wheel.
just put the bars in the risers and tape on either side than just cut thin strait lines lengthwise in the bar. shouldnt take more than a couple of hours to do. you just have to deside what 2 hours of your life are worth. personaly if it saved me 10 bucks I would do it,,,,,,. Yeah Im that cheap :0

**ringadingh** · 02-03-2012, 03:47 PM

You could always get them knurled properly, there is a hand tool available that a machine shop should have. It looks similar to a pipe cutter.

**cnc** · 02-03-2012, 04:23 PM

A knurler actually pushes the metal aside as it makes it's pattern, so in fact the roughed surfaced is slightly higher than the original diameter giving a good griping surface. Cutting grooves will not be the same.

twowheeladdict · 02-03-2012, 07:09 PM

I've been told that you want Apes without knurling if the bars are illegal height. That way you can pull the bars down when you are passing by "the Man". Sounds dangerous to me but then again those same guys are running car tires on their bikes go figure.

**ringadingh** · 02-03-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twowheeladdict

I've been told that you want Apes without knurling if the bars are illegal height. That way you can pull the bars down when you are passing by "the Man". Sounds dangerous to me but then again those same guys are running car tires on their bikes go figure.

Thats as good a reason as any I suppose, but then I don't think darkside tires are dangerous, just different.

Caddyman · 02-03-2012, 07:31 PM

Knurled, Unknurled

I have no idea what you are all talking about??

Can someone explain to the poor Paddy??

02-03-2012, 02:06 AM	#1
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	UNknurled handlebars I'm looking for a set of ape hangers and I see alot of them with NO knurling. I understand that the knurling helps with grip but does it really make any difference? Like, is it the difference between 40 grit and 2000 grit sand paper, or 40 grit and 60 grit? I'm looking for 12" apes so they won't be that high although it's still 4" over stock. My selection will be much greater if I don't need it. No reason for me to take new bars to a machine shop to have them knurled as I can just as well look for bars with knurling if it's needed. TIA __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-03-2012, 08:01 AM	#2
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Chris, The knurling will bit into the risers slightly when everything is bolted down tight preventing any slip. Given the extra leverage that ape bars will exert on the that attachment, I personally would want bars with knurls. Also consider having a shop do the knurling will ruin the chrome in that area. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-03-2012, 09:09 AM	#3
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Knurling it is, then. Thanks for the info. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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02-03-2012, 09:39 AM	#4
jendesigner Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bloomingdale, Illinois Posts: 394	A set of bars I bought for one of my bikes didn't have knurls so all I did was tape of the area that needed it and took a hammer and awl and made my own. It just needed to be rough enough for grip. Yes, it ruined the chrome but anything you do will, no be deal. Never had any slippage. __________________ "All leather, no lace" 2000 Nomad 1500 (carbed) / 2003 Suzuki Volusia / 2014 Yamaha Stryker VBA #02051 2012 NCR Rally, Savanna, IL
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02-03-2012, 10:23 AM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I would also want the knurling, not very safe without it. Plus its hidden by the clamps anyways so its not seen. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-03-2012, 12:49 PM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Thanks for the tip, jendesigner. Sounds like it would be in my best interest to just get bars with knurling. We know how badly I screw up most projects. Doing the fake knurling myself would be a bad one to screw up. Thanks, all. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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02-03-2012, 12:53 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I think you would have a hard time finding bars without knurling regardless. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-03-2012, 03:27 PM	#10
dmyers Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: springfield Mo Posts: 1,310	Its time consuming but you can knurl your own with a dremal cutter wheel. just put the bars in the risers and tape on either side than just cut thin strait lines lengthwise in the bar. shouldnt take more than a couple of hours to do. you just have to deside what 2 hours of your life are worth. personaly if it saved me 10 bucks I would do it,,,,,,. Yeah Im that cheap :0
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02-03-2012, 03:47 PM	#11
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	You could always get them knurled properly, there is a hand tool available that a machine shop should have. It looks similar to a pipe cutter. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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02-03-2012, 04:23 PM	#12
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	A knurler actually pushes the metal aside as it makes it's pattern, so in fact the roughed surfaced is slightly higher than the original diameter giving a good griping surface. Cutting grooves will not be the same. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-03-2012, 07:09 PM	#13
twowheeladdict Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 616	I've been told that you want Apes without knurling if the bars are illegal height. That way you can pull the bars down when you are passing by "the Man". Sounds dangerous to me but then again those same guys are running car tires on their bikes go figure. __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager, 2007 Vulcan Mean Streak, 2009 Vulcan Nomad
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02-03-2012, 07:31 PM	#15
Caddyman Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: County Monaghan, Ireland Posts: 324	Knurled, Unknurled I have no idea what you are all talking about?? Can someone explain to the poor Paddy?? __________________ VBA #1912 2003 1500 Nomad 2007 HD Heritage Ultra Carpe Diem!
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