Recumbent - Should my Rans handlebar be so wiggly?

I know the Rans Rocket has handlebars that pivot up and down so it is easy to get on and off the bike, but mine jiggle from side to side I think too much - a few inches at the top. The bar is secure so I'm not worried about it falling off, but it seems like it might be missing a washer. I've tried tighting the quick release, but it won't go any tighter.

Also when the bar is in riding position it rests on the adjustible screw at the bottom. Is it supposed to? It makes an annoying creaking noise and it is too short for me to adjust it any longer for a more upright bar position (assuming that is what it is supposed to do).

I have no owner's manual for it and no shop here has ever seen one before. But what do you want for a barely ridden $250 2000 Rocket...

He'p me!
-Clay

Wow! And I thought $425 for a 2000 Tailwind was a good deal!
My bars are completely diffferent than yours so I have no direct knowledge - have you checked Ransbikes.com? They have a 2005 Rans owners manual pdf listed which talks a little about the pivoting bars. Don't know if the Rocket pictures on the site would help you. I'm guessing a Rocket owner on this forum or bentrideronline can tell you what you need to know.

Is there a bolt that secures the handlebars, in addition to the quick release? This bolt may need to be tightened, it may need a few washers, or both.

Try adding some nylon washers, these will slide easier than metal ones. You can usually get them at any hardware store.

I will try the washers and see if that fixes the wiggle. I looked at the Rans site owner's manual and that helped me understand what the bars are supposed to do, but not exactly what's wrong. I hope the washers help.

Make sure the headset is tight, too. RANS risers have some flex in them, but it shouldn't wiggle like you're describing.

We have the same "Flip-It" bars on our '03 Rans Screamer. Within a year, our bars became so loose I replaced the quick release which helped for awhile. Eventually the wiggle returned so I replaced the quick release with a stainless bolt and nylock. End of problem. The bar will flop forwards if necessary, but I prefer the feel of having it good and solid.

Was this the Rocket in West Branch? A friend looked at one there and found it rather wiggly. We'd borrowed a Screamer that was slowly wearing its flip-it fitting and was starting to wobble. But we have a Rocket that is nice and tight, too, and it's fairly old...the last American made year, whichever that is.

And yes, the riser does just rest on a screw and it does creak a bit when pulled on.

Fun, fast bike!

Spray a little WD40 on the adjusting screw head. It'll not only quiet it down, but the bolt head tends to collect moisture and rust.