Patent Publication Number: US-2022227448-A1

Title: Handlebar risers

Description:
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/138,043, filed on Jan. 15, 2021 and which application is incorporated herein by reference. A claim of priority is made. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), motorcycles, mopeds, and the like are popular vehicles. In some examples, such vehicles are designed to be steered by a handlebar coupled to a steering mechanism of the vehicle, for example one or more skis in the case of a snowmobile, or one or more wheels of an ATV, motorcycle, or moped. 
     In some examples, it may be desirable for a vehicle to include a handlebar riser that mechanically couples the vehicle handlebar to a steering shaft of the vehicle. In some examples, a handlebar riser may be included in a vehicle as designed by a manufacturer, in other examples a handlebar riser may be added to an existing vehicle to fit the handlebar height to the particular requirements of a rider. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments describe a handlebar riser for use in a vehicle, including a first component comprising a first steering column mounting channel for receiving at least a part of a steering column coupled to the vehicle, and a first handlebar mounting channel for receiving at least part of a handlebar of the vehicle, a second component symmetrical to the first component, the second component comprising a second steering column mounting channel corresponding to the first steering column mounting channel of the first component and a second handlebar mounting channel corresponding to the first handlebar mounting channel. The first component and the second component are sized, shaped and arranged such that when an abutment surface of the first component and an abutment surface of the second component are placed in alignment with one another, the first and second steering column mounting channels form a first channel surrounding at least part of the steering column, and the first handlebar mounting channel and the second handlebar mounting channel form a second channel surrounding at least part of the handlebar, such that when the first component and the second component are mechanically coupled together, the handlebar is secured to the handlebar riser and the steering column is secured to the handlebar riser so that the vehicle is steerable using the handlebar. 
     Embodiments also describe a method of coupling a steering column to a handlebar using a riser assembly. The method includes placing at least a part of a steering column in a first steering column mounting channel of a first component of the riser assembly, and placing at least a part of a handlebar in a first handlebar mounting channel of the first component, arranging a second component of the riser assembly in contact with the first portion such that the at least a part of the steering column is arranged in a second steering column mounting channel of the second component of the riser assembly, and at least a part of the handlebar is arranged in a second handlebar mounting channel of the second component, and mechanically securing the first component to the second component, thereby securing the handlebar to the riser assembly, and the steering column to the riser assembly. 
     Also described herein are embodiments to a handlebar riser assembly including a first component comprising first means for receiving at least part of a steering column and first means for receiving at least part of a handlebar, a second component comprising a second means for receiving the at least part of the steering column and a second means for receiving the at least part of the handlebar. The first component and the second component are sized, shaped and arranged such that when an abutment surface of the first component and an abutment surface of the second component are placed in alignment with one another, the first and second steering column means form a first channel means surrounding at least part of the steering column, and the first and second handlebar means form a second channel means surrounding at least part of the handlebar, such that when the first component and the second component are mechanically coupled together, the handlebar is secured to the handlebar riser assembly and the steering column is secured to the handlebar riser so that a vehicle comprising the handlebar riser assembly is steerable using the handlebar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective front and side views, respectively, of a snowmobile that includes a handlebar riser, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6A  is a front view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly arranged to couple a handlebar to a steering shaft, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly arranged to couple a handlebar to a steering shaft, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6C  is a rear view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly arranged to couple a handlebar to a steering shaft, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6D  is a front view of one example of a handlebar riser assembly arranged to couple a handlebar to a steering shaft, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting one example of a method of coupling a vehicle steering column to a vehicle handlebar using a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front view of one example of a portion of a handlebar riser assembly, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view along line  8 A of the portion of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Handlebar risers may be used to couple together one or more portions of a steering mechanism, for example a handlebar or handlebars, and a steering shaft. Typical handlebar risers suffer from several deficiencies. For example, typical handlebar risers may be difficult or expensive to manufacture, have limited interchangeable parts, and may not sufficiently dampen vibrations, causing operator fatigue. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict a vehicle  300  that includes a handlebar  304  mechanically coupled to a steering shaft  306  of the vehicle using a handlebar riser  320  consistent with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As depicted in  FIG. 1A , vehicle  300  is a snowmobile. While this disclosure describes a handlebar riser  320  that may be used in conjunction with the handlebar  304  of a snowmobile, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the handlebar riser  320  described herein may be used with any type of vehicle that includes a handlebar  320  that are used to steer the vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), motorcycle, moped, snow-bike, or other straddle-type vehicle. 
     Snowmobile  300  includes a snowmobile body  302 , a seat  314  an endless track  316 , shock absorber  317 , and at least one ski  202 . In operation, an engine (not shown), such as an electric or gas engine, supplies power to track  316 , which propels snowmobile  300 . Snowmobile  300  also includes a steering mechanism to control a direction of snowmobile  300  based on a position of skis  202 , which are operatively connected to handlebar  304 . In some embodiments, the skis  202  are coupled to a snowmobile chassis via suspension arms  204 ,  206  and spindle  102 . 
     As shown in the examples of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , snowmobile  300  includes a handlebar riser  320  that couples handlebar  304  to steering shaft  306 . As described herein, in some embodiments, handlebar riser  320  includes first and second opposed components, each of which comprise a steering column mounting channel configured to receive a portion of the steering column, and a handlebar mounting channel configured to receive a portion of a handlebar. When the first and second opposed components are placed together and secured to one another, the respective steering column mounting channels form a first channel that surrounds a part of the steering column, and the respective handlebar mounting channels form a second channel that surrounds a part of the handlebar. The first and second components may each include a plurality of apertures, each configured to receive one or more fasteners (e.g., a bolt and corresponding nut). When coupled via the fasteners, a portion of the handlebar is at least partially surrounded by the first channel and is mechanically secured to the handlebar riser  320 , and a portion of the steering shaft is at least partially surrounded by the second channel and is mechanically secured to handlebar riser  320 . 
     In some examples, the respective handlebar mounting channels and steering column mounting channels of handlebar riser  320  may be described as tracks that, when the first and second opposed components of the handlebar riser  320  are secured together, form respective channels surrounding at least part of handlebar  304 , and at least part of steering shaft  306 . 
     In some examples, the first and second opposed components may be described as symmetrical to one another in the sense that each includes respective mating surfaces of substantially similar size and shape that, when put in contact and secured to one another, are reliably securable to a vehicle handlebar and steering column. 
     In some examples, the first and second opposed components may be described as substantially identical to one another. According to these examples, each of the respective components has an identical size, shape, and features. 
     Handlebar riser  320  as described herein provides significant advantages in comparison to typical handlebar riser used to couple a handlebar to a vehicle steering shaft. As described above, handlebar riser  320  is formed of opposed components which, in some embodiments, are symmetrical and formed with a molding or casting process, which may be simpler and with reduced cost in comparison to typical handlebar risers which are formed with an extrusion process. In some examples, the respective components of the handlebar riser  320  may be substantially identical, formed by the same manufacturing process, and interchangeable with one another. In alternative embodiments, a portion or none of the two components are symmetrical or identical. 
     In some examples, forming handlebar riser  320  components by a casting or molding process may allow additional materials not suitable for extrusion to be used, such as polymers or different types of metals. As specific examples, handlebar riser  320  may be formed by injection or cavity molding, and made out of die cast aluminum or magnesium, or a polymeric-based material, including a composite such as fiberglass-filled nylon or carbon fiber-filled nylon. 
     In some examples, handlebar riser  320  is formed of a polymer. Such a polymer may include nylon, for example, Nylon 6/6 or Nylon 12. In other examples, such a polymer includes Polyethererketone (PEEK), Polypropylene (PP), and/or Polyphthalamide (PPA). In some examples, handlebar riser  320  may be formed of a hybrid composite of a polymer and other materials. For example, handlebar riser  320  may be formed of one or more of the above-described polymers containing glass and/or carbon fibers. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are diagrams that illustrate respective front and side views of one example of a handlebar riser assembly  420  consistent with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , handlebar assembly comprises a first component  420 A and a second component  420 B. In some embodiments, first component  420 A and second component  420 B are symmetric to one another. In another example, the first and second components  420 A,  420 B have one or more of corresponding features, interlocking features, and mating features. For example, each of first and second components  420 A,  420 B may be symmetric in the sense that each includes respective abutment surface  422 A,  422 B with a similar size and shape to one another. 
     In some examples, first component  420 A may be substantially identical to second component  420 B. According to these examples, first component  420 A and second component  420 B have an identical size and shape to the extent that they are interchangeable with one another. In some examples, where components  420 A and  420 B are identical, the components may be formed using the same manufacturing processes and techniques, thereby reducing complexity of manufacture and use of handlebar riser assembly  420 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first component  420 A includes a first steering column mounting channel  442 A, and a first handlebar mounting channel  440 A. In some embodiments, first steering column mounting channel  442 A and first handlebar mounting channel  440 A are arranged perpendicular relative to abutment surface  422 A of first component  420 . First steering column mounting channel  442 A is arranged at a lower section (closer to the ground) of abutment surface  422 A, while first handlebar track  440 A is arranged at an upper section of abutment surface  422 A. As stated above, second component  420 B may be symmetrical to first component  420 A, and likewise includes a second steering column mounting channel  442 B, and a second handlebar mounting channel  440 B. Second steering column mounting channel  442 B and second handlebar mounting channel  440 B are arranged perpendicular relative to abutment surface  422 B of second component  420 B. As shown the example of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , second steering column mounting channel  442 B is arranged at a lower section of abutment surface  422 B, while second handlebar mounting channel  440 B is arranged at an upper section of abutment surface  422 B. 
     As described herein, first and second handlebar mounting channels  440 A and  440 B are configured to receive a handlebar in the sense that each is sized and shaped to correspond to substantially half of a circumference of a vehicle handlebar  404 , such that when first and second components  420 A and  420 B are coupled to one another, a handlebar is securely coupled to handlebar riser  420 . Likewise, first and second steering column mounting channels  442 A and  442 B are configured to receive vertical flanges of a steering column  406  in the sense that each is sized and shaped to correspond to substantially half of a diameter of the vertical flanges, such that when first and second components  420 A and  420 B are coupled to one another, the steering column is securely coupled to handlebar riser  420 . Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that first and second handlebar mounting channels  440 A and  440 B and first and second steering column mounting channels  442 A and  442 B need not have a size and shape that corresponds exactly to a diameter of handlebar  404  or steering column  406  flanges, as a spacer or other fitting mechanism may be employed to improve the fit. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , first component  420 A and second component  420 B are sized, shaped, and arranged so they when abutment surfaces  422 A and  422 B are placed in contact with one another, first handlebar mounting channel  440 A and second handlebar mounting channel  440 B form a first channel  440  that surrounds at least a part of handlebar  404 , and first steering column mounting channel  440 A and second steering column mounting channel  440 B form a second channel  440  that surrounds at least part of horizontal flanges of steering column  406 . As shown in the examples of  FIG. 2 , the respective first and second components  420 A,  420 B are mechanically coupleable to one another in a manner that secures handlebar  404  in first channel  440 , and steering column  406  in second channel  442 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments, first and second components  420 A,  420 B are coupled to one another using a fixation mechanism arranged at a surface perpendicular to an orientation of handlebar  404 . In the example of handlebar riser assembly  420 , first component  420 A includes a plurality of apertures  410 A- 413 A configured to receive such a coupling mechanism, and second component  420 B includes a plurality of corresponding apertures  410 B- 413 B similarly arranged. For example, the coupling mechanism may comprise a plurality of bolts insertable through apertures  410 A- 413 A and  410 B- 413 B and configured to be secured via a corresponding nuts arranged at apertures  410 B- 413 B. In some embodiments, the apertures include a through hole and counterbore. In some embodiments, the recess (counterbore, if round) can be in the shape of a hex, etc. to correspond with the bolt head. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , handlebar riser assembly  420  may include one or more routing members disposed on one or more exterior surfaces, which may be used to route electrical (e.g., signal or power carrying), mechanical, or fluid cables or hoses for controlling the vehicle (e.g., brakes, clutch, throttle etc. of a snowmobile) to handlebar  404 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , first component  420 A includes a first routing member  451 A arranged on exterior surface, and a second routing member  450 A. Likewise, second component  420 B includes a first routing member  451 B, and a second routing member  450 B. In the example of  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , riser assembly includes routing members  451 A,  451 B arranged near an edge of an exterior surface. In other examples not depicted in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , handlebar riser assembly  420  may include exterior routing members  451 A,  451 B arranged close to a center of a rotational axis of riser assembly  420 , in order to reduce an amount of cable or hose “take up” when turning handlebar coupled to handlebar riser assembly  420 . 
     In some examples, such as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , respective routing members may be arranged such that when first component  420 A and second component  420 B are coupled together, respective routing members  450 A,  450 B combine to form a cable (or hose or wire) guide that substantially surrounds at least a portion one or more cables, wires, hoses, and additionally secure the cables or hoses. One or more cables (or hoses or wires) may be inserted between the respective routing members  450 A,  450 B before riser assembly  420  is mechanically coupled to handlebar  404  and steering column  406 , and may be secured in place when riser assembly  420  is mechanically coupled to handlebar  404  and steering column  406 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view depicting components of a handlebar riser assembly  520 . Handlebar assembly  520  is configured to couple a handlebar  504  of a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, to a steering column  506  of the vehicle. As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , controls are mounted on handlebar  504 , such as a brake control  572  and a throttle control  570 . Brake control  572  may be coupled via one or more cables or hoses (e.g., hydraulic hose)  580 A to one or more brake mechanisms of the vehicle, while throttle control  570  may be coupled via one or more cables (or hoses)  580 B to a throttle of the vehicle&#39;s engine. 
     As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , handlebar riser assembly  520  includes a first component  520 A and a second component  520 B. First component  520 A includes a first handlebar mounting channel  540 A configured to receive a part of handlebar  504 , and a first steering column mounting channel  542 A configured to receive flanges  508 A,  508 B of steering column  506 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , handlebar riser assembly  520  further includes a second component  520 B. Second component  520 B includes a second handlebar mounting channel  540 B, and a second steering column mounting channel  542 B that correspond to the first handlebar mounting channel  540 A and first steering column mounting channel  542 A of first component  520 A. 
     First component  520 A and second component  520 B may be considered symmetrical in that first component  520 A and second component  520 B include opposed mating surfaces that are similarly sized, shaped, and arranged such that when placed together, the first and second steering column mounting channels  542 A,  542 B combine to form a steering column channel  542 , and the first and second handlebar mounting channels  540 A,  540 B combine to form a handlebar channel  540  (see also  FIG. 6A ). 
     In some examples, first component  520 A and second component  520 B be may be substantially symmetrical to one another. For example, first component  520 A and second component  520 B may have an identical size, shape, and/or features to one another such that the components are interchangeable with one another. In one embodiment, the first and second component do not share symmetry across the plane where they interface, but rather share rotationally symmetry as a substantially identical component. Symmetry can be across a plane, such as a mirror image, but could also be symmetry of one component rotated 180° with respect to the other. 
     In some such examples, first and second components  520 A and  520 B are formed using the same manufacturing process, which may be a casting or molding process, in some examples. Using an casting or molding process to form respective first and second components  520 A and  520 B may offer significant advantages in comparison to typical handlebar risers, because a molding or casting process may be less complex and/or expensive compared to other manufacturing techniques such as extrusion which is commonly used to form a typical handlebar riser. In addition, using a casting or molding process to form handlebar riser  520  may allow colored materials to be used, which may eliminate a need to paint an exterior of the handlebar riser for cosmetic or other purposes, further reducing complexity and costs associated with manufacture of in comparison with typical handlebar risers. 
     In some examples, each of first component  520 A and second component  520 B may be considered symmetrical themselves, in that each of component may be identical and used interchangeably. Although identical, the components may join in only one direction, for example, in order to align fastener apertures. In another example, a first component  520 A may include a first end and a second end, and when in a first position, the first end is used to couple the handlebar riser to a steering column, and a second end is used to couple the handlebar riser to a handlebar. According to this example, first component  520 A may be flipped around to a second position, in which the first end is used to couple the handlebar riser to a handlebar, and the second end is used to couple the handlebar riser to a steering column. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , first component  520 A and second component  520 B each include a plurality of corresponding apertures configured to receive a coupling mechanism to couple first component  520 A and second component  520 B to one another. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , first component  520 A includes apertures  510 A- 513 A, which correspond to apertures  510 B- 513 B of second component  520 B in the sense that, when aligned, a coupling mechanism can be inserted through the respective apertures. For example, the coupling members may include a plurality of male and corresponding female portions, such as bolts  515 A, and  515 B, and corresponding female nuts  516 A (not depicted in  FIG. 5 ) and  516 B. 
     In order to secure first component  520 A and second component  520 B together, bolts  515 A are inserted through apertures  510 B,  511 B and apertures  510 A,  511 A, and corresponding nuts  516 A are screwed onto each bolt. Accordingly bolts  515 B are inserted through apertures  512 B,  513 B and apertures  512 A,  513 A, and corresponding nuts (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) are screwed on to each bolt. 
     In some examples, one or more of respective apertures  510 A- 513 A,  510 B- 513 B are specifically sized and shaped to receive a particular coupling mechanism. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , apertures  510 A- 513 A and  510 B- 513 B each include a hexagonal shape sized to receive an associated female nut with a corresponding hexagonal shape and hold it in place. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 5 , each of first component  520 A and second component  520 B includes respective mounting portions  550 A,  550 B. In some examples, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , mounting portions  550 A and  550 B are arranged such that when first and second components  520 A,  520 B are coupled to one another, mounting members  550 A,  550 B form a cable guide that acts substantially surrounds and secures at least part of an electrical wire or mechanical actuation cable or hose  580 A,  580 B coupled to respective controls  570 ,  572  mounted on handlebar  504 . 
     As shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , each of first component  520 A and second component  520 B include an interior depression  590 A such that, when first and second components  520 A and  520 B are coupled to one another, handlebar riser assembly  520  includes an interior cavity. In some examples, such an interior cavity may be used, in addition to or instead of routing members  550 A,  550 B, to route cables, wires, or hoses to controls  570 ,  572  mounted on handlebar  504 . In some example, cables or hoses may be routed through steering column  506 , extend through the cavity of handlebar riser assembly  520 , and to controls  570 ,  572 . In other examples, where such cables are not routed through steering column  506 , first component  520 A and second component  520 B may include one or more additional apertures to receive cables for purposes of routing them through the cavity. 
     According to the example of  FIG. 5 , handlebar riser assembly  520  includes first routing portions  550 A and  550 B, which are arranged to create a routing guide that surrounds at least a part of a cable, wire, or hose when the respective components  520 A and  520 B are secured to one another. As also shown in the example of  FIG. 5 , second component  520 B includes an additional cable routing member  551  arranged at an exterior surface of second component  520 B. In some examples, a combination of cable routing members  550 A,  550 B, and  551  may be used to rout respective cables and/or hoses from handlebar  504  to other components of a vehicle. In addition, although not depicted in  FIG. 5 , first component  520 A may also include an additional routing member at an exterior surface similar to routing member  551  and configured to secure a cable or hose. 
     As described above, each of first and second components  520 A,  520 B may include an internal cavity (cavity  590 A of component  520 A is depicted in  FIG. 5 ), that form an internal cavity when components  520 A, and  520 B are secured to one another. In some examples, such a cavity within handlebar riser assembly  520  may be filled with one or more materials to minimize vehicle vibrations felt by the operator. For example, the cavity of handlebar riser assembly  520  may be filled with a polymer, gel, or other filling configured to absorb vibrations so as to minimize the vibrations perceived by a vehicle rider when using handlebar  504 . 
     Handlebar riser  520  as describe herein provides significant advantages in comparison to typical handlebar riser used to couple a handlebar to a vehicle steering shaft. As described above, handlebar riser  520  is formed of opposed components, which can be formed with a molding or casting process, which may be substantially simpler and with reduced cost in comparison to typical handlebar risers which are formed with an extrusion process as described above. In some examples, because the respective components of handlebar riser  520  may be formed of a casting or molding process, additional materials such as polymers or plastics or metals (e.g., die cast aluminum or magnesium) may be used to form handlebar riser assembly  520 , which would not be possible for a typical handlebar riser manufactured using an extrusion process. As specific examples, handlebar riser  520  may be formed by injection or cavity molding, and made out of die cast aluminum or magnesium, or a polymeric-based material, including a composite such as fiberglass-filled nylon or carbon fiber-filled nylon. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 5 , bolts  515 A,  515 B are used to secure respective first and second riser components  520 A,  520 B together horizontally, which may allow for easier access in comparison to typical handlebar risers that use bolts arranged vertically. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  depict various perspective views of one example of an assembled handlebar riser  520 . As depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6D , first component  520 A and second component  520 B have been arranged such that a part of handlebar  504  is within handlebar channel  540 . Likewise, at least a portion of horizontal flanges  508 A,  508 B of steering column  506  are arranged within steering column channel  542 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , first component  520 A and second component  520 B are secured to one another via mechanical coupling through apertures  510 A- 513 A in first component  520 A and corresponding apertures  510 B- 513 B in second component  520 B. In the example of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the coupling members comprise corresponding male portions (bolts) inserted through apertures  510 A- 513 A,  510 B- 513 B and corresponding female portions (nuts) figured to screw onto the male portions and thereby securing first component  520 A to second component  520 B, and thereby securing riser assembly  520  to both handlebar  504  and steering column  506 . 
     As shown in the example of  FIGS. 6A-6D , controls are mounted on handlebar  504 , for example brake control  572  and throttle control  570 . Brake control  572  is coupled to other components of a vehicle via one or more hoses or cables  580 B, while throttle control  570  is coupled to other components of the vehicle via cables or hoses  580 A and  581 A. According to the depicted example, cables or hoses  580 B associated with brake control  572  are routed elsewhere through cable routing guide  552 . As also depicted, a first cable or hose  580 A associated with throttle control  570  is routed through cable routing guide  550 , while a second cable or hose  581 A is routed elsewhere through additional routing member  551 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram depicting one example of a method of coupling a vehicle steering column to a vehicle handlebar using a handlebar riser assembly consistent with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , at  701 , the method includes placing at least a part of a steering column ( 506 ) (e.g., steering column flanges  508 A,  508 B) in a first steering column mounting channel ( 542 A) of a first component ( 520 A) of the riser assembly ( 520 ), and placing at least a part of a handlebar ( 504 ) in a first handlebar mounting channel ( 540 A) of the first component ( 520 A). As also depicted in  FIG. 7 , at  702 , the method further includes arranging a second component ( 520 B) of the riser assembly  520  in contact with the first component  520 A such that the at least a part of the steering column  506  is arranged in a second steering column mounting channel ( 542 B) of the second component ( 520 B) of the riser assembly ( 520 ), and at least a part of the handlebar is arranged in a second handlebar mounting channel ( 540 B) of the second component ( 520 B). The first and second steering column mounting channels form a steering column channel ( 542 ) that receives the steering column and substantially surrounds at least part of the steering column (such as flanges). The first and second handlebar mounting channels form a handlebar channel ( 540 ) that receives the handlebar and substantially surrounds at least part of the handlebar. 
     As also depicted in  FIG. 7 , at  703 , the method includes mechanically securing the first component ( 520 A) to the second component ( 520 B), thereby securing the handlebar ( 504 ) to the riser assembly ( 520 ), and the steering column ( 506 ) to the riser assembly ( 520 ). In some examples, mechanically securing the first component ( 520 A) to the second component ( 520 B) comprises mechanically coupling the first component and the second component together based on a coupling mechanism inserted into apertures formed in a surface of the first component and a surface of the second component. In some examples, the coupling mechanism comprises a male portion comprising a plurality of bolts, and a female portion comprising a plurality of nuts. According to these examples, a bolt is inserted through each aperture in the surfaces of the first and second portions, and secured by screwing a corresponding nut onto each respective bolt. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8A and 8B ,  FIG. 8A  shows an embodiment of a portion of a handlebar riser assembly and  FIG. 8B  shows a cross-section the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . In some embodiments, a first component  820 A includes a plurality of apertures, such as  810 A- 813 A. In some embodiments, an insert  830  is disposed in a portion of the component  820 A to form one or more of the apertures. As shown, in some embodiments, the insert  830  is cylindrical and may be made of brass, stainless steel, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the insert  830  is utilized to provide crush resistance as the riser assembly halves are affixed to one another. In this way, the insert  830  may be formed from a material that is less susceptible to crushing than the surrounding or adjacent portion of the first component  820 A. In some embodiments, apertures  810 A and  811 A are formed via the inserts  830 , though any suitable combination and number of the apertures can have the inserts  830 . The inserts  830  can be molded into the component  820 A, over-molded, pressed-in, adhered to the component  820 A, or attached or held in place by any suitable method. A In some embodiments, the insert  830  is a bushing or sleeve. In some embodiments, the insert  830  has internal threads for adjacent halves of the handlebar riser assembly together, for example via a threaded fastener. In some embodiments, smooth-bore (non-threaded) inserts are be located at  810 A and  811 A, while threaded inserts are located at  812 A and  813 A. In this way, the second component ( 820 B—not shown) is identical to the first component  820 A. When the two components  820 A and  820 B are assembled together and they are lying in the same orientation, one of them is flipped in facing relation and then rotated 180 degrees relative to the other. Thereafter, fasteners can be inserted through  810 A and  811 A and threaded into  812 B and  813 B (on the adjacent component). Similarly, fasteners can be inserted through  810 B and  811 B and threaded into  812 A and  813 A. Other suitable arrangements can be utilized—for example threaded studs can be molded into the part or otherwise attached to it and nuts or other retainers can be used to secure the halves together and on the steering column and handlebar (not shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). 
     Other embodiments of the present disclosure are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form various embodiments. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present disclosure should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. 
     Thus the scope of this disclosure should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present disclosure, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. 
     The foregoing description of various preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise embodiments, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The example embodiments, as described above, were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the claims appended hereto 
     Various examples have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.