Installing a cup holder on a motorcycle requires replacing handlebar clamp bolts with longer hardware and spacers, or clamping a split-ring mount directly to the bar, then securing the holder so it clears the tank at full steering lock.
One wrong turn at full lock and your iced coffee meets the gas tank. The fix for adding a drink holder to your bike uses the bolts that already clamp your clutch or brake controls to the handlebar. With a few tools and thirty minutes, you can mount a cup holder that stays put at highway speeds. Here is the exact sequence for a clean, safe install that works on Harley-Davidson Road Glides, Honda Goldwings, SUPER73 electric bikes, and most street bikes with standard 7/8-inch handlebars.
Tools You Will Need
Before you start, gather the common hex-key sizes that tighten the clamps and bolts. A T27 Torx driver fits stock Harley control bolts; a T10 works for speaker housings. A 10–13mm socket set handles pinch bolts, and a 5mm socket fits Goldwing-specific screws. Threadlocker — specifically Loctite 242 (medium strength) — is non-negotiable for every fastener exposed to engine vibration.
Step-by-Step: Handlebar Control Mount (The Common Route)
1. Prepare the Tank
Lay a protective mat over your fuel tank. Dropped wrenches chip paint; a cheap moving blanket or folded towel prevents that repair bill before it starts.
2. Remove the Two Control Bolts
On the left or right side, remove the two bolts that clamp the clutch or brake control housing to the handlebar. These are the factory bolts the kit replaces.
3. Insert the Chrome Spacers
Place the included chrome spacers onto the handlebar exactly where the bolts were removed. The spacers create the gap that the bracket sits in.
4. Thread the New Longer Bolts
Run the new, longer bolts through the bracket, through the spacers, and into the handlebar. Hand-snug them only — over-tightening strips the threads in the aluminum controls. You will final-tighten later.
5. Set the Cup Holder Angle
Loosen the top adjustment bolt just enough to pivot the holder. About 45 degrees off-center usually keeps the cup out of your knee path. Preview the angle before you commit.
6. Apply Threadlocker and Tighten
Dab Loctite 242 on the adjustment bolt threads, then tighten to spec. This step is what keeps your drink from vibrating off mid-turn. Apply threadlocker to every fastener, including the clamp bolts, before the final snug.
7. Attach the Cup Holder
Push the holder’s rubber grommet into the keyhole slot or onto the ball perch, then hand-tighten the plastic nut. Do not use a wrench on plastic nuts — they snap. Hand-tight is enough; the threadlocker holds.
8. The Full-Lock Check
Turn the handlebars fully left and right. The cup holder must not contact the gas tank at either extreme. If it touches, loosen the bracket, shift it inward a quarter inch, and retighten. Passing this check is the only way to know the install is road-safe.
If you are comparing different holder styles before deciding which to buy, check out our tested roundup of the best cup holders for motorcycles to see which mount type fits your bike best.
Passenger Mount: Drilling a Speaker Housing
If you want your passenger to have a drink holder, the mount goes on a rigid structural part like the right-side speaker housing or grab rail — never the seat foam. Remove the right speaker housing using four T10 Torx screws. Reattach the cup holder to the dovetail and tighten the knob. This is a permanent modification — the holes in the speaker housing are irreversible and may void its warranty.
| Mistake | What Happens | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Over-tightening bolts | Stripped threads in handlebar controls | Hand-snug first; final-tighten only after adjusting angle |
| Skipping threadlocker | Fasteners loosen from road vibration | Apply Loctite 242 to every threaded fastener |
| Mounting on seat foam | Holder tilts or breaks under a full cup | Attach only to rigid metal or speaker housings |
| Skipping the full-lock check | Cup holder hits tank during turns | Turn bars fully left and right before final tightening |
| Using a wrench on plastic nuts | Plastic cracks or snaps | Hand-tighten only; the rubber grommet provides grip |
FAQs
Will a cup holder fit on any motorcycle handlebar?
Most aftermarket holders work on standard 7/8-inch diameter handlebars found on cruisers, touring bikes, and electric bikes. Oversized or 1-inch bars may require a different clamp size, so check the kit’s specs before ordering.
Can the cup holder hold a large Yeti or tumbler?
Yes, but the ball-perch nut must be firmly tightened to keep the sleeve from tipping under the extra weight of a heavy metal cup. Hand-tighten it, then check for wobble before loading your drink.
Does drilling a speaker housing void the warranty?
Drilling permanent holes in the speaker casing of a Harley or Goldwing is irreversible and may void the manufacturer’s warranty on that specific plastic part. Consider a handlebar mount instead unless the passenger mount is essential.
References & Sources
- SUPER73 Support. “Cup Holder Installation Guide.” Details handlebar and passenger mount procedures for SUPER73 and similar bikes.
- Motor Moxie. “How to Install Your Cup Holder on Your Motorcycle.” Covers hardware, spacer placement, and safety checks for universal mounts.