Risers, Clamps & Brackets
About Risers, Clamps & Brackets
Risers raise the handlebar or move it back toward the rider, and clamps hold the bar in place. Owners shop here for a more comfortable reach, a taller bar for a taller rider, a stronger clamp after a crash, or a change in style, with finishes such as black and chrome.
The samples show the main types. Riser extensions are listed as pullback, in heights such as 1 inch and 2 inch. Angled handlebar risers give an angle and a height, such as 2 inch or 3 inch. There are also top clamps, plain and finned handlebar clamps, a clamp kit and a rotating master cylinder clamp. Clamps and risers are made for a particular bar diameter, so match it to your handlebars. A few items, such as a teardrop toolbox, are not risers or clamps, so read the title. Tighten the clamp bolts evenly as your manual says, and check that cables and lines still reach full lock.
Brands in this category include Covingtons, Drag Specialties, Thrashin Supply Co., Works Connection and LA Choppers. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. The bars themselves are in Handlebars, and levers and switches are in Buttons & Switches. The group is in Steering Wheels, Handlebars & Grips.
FAQs on handlebar risers and clamps
What is a pullback riser?
A pullback riser moves the handlebar back toward the rider as well as raising it, so the reach is shorter. Listings state the height, such as 1 inch or 2 inch. Check that the bar diameter and the mounting match your machine.
Will raising my handlebar cause problems with cables?
It can. A higher or further-back bar may stretch the throttle cable, brake line and wiring at full steering lock. Turn the bars lock to lock before riding, and if a cable or line pulls tight or kinks, you need longer parts or a smaller riser.
How do I tighten a handlebar clamp correctly?
Tighten the bolts evenly, in the order and to the torque in your service manual, so the gap is even front and rear. An uneven or overtightened clamp can crack the clamp or the bar, and a loose one lets the bar move. Recheck after the first ride.
Do clamps and risers need to match my handlebar diameter?
Yes. A clamp or riser is made for one bar diameter, and the wrong one will not hold. Measure your bar, or check your manual, and match the size in the listing. Check your bar's diameter first; 7/8 inch is common on off-road bars.
Do I need new clamps when I fit a new bar?
Not necessarily. Check that the old clamps are not cracked, bent or worn, and that they match the new bar's diameter. After a crash, inspect the clamps closely, since damage to them can be hard to see.
