Quick Answer
Install the RAM Quick-Grip Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base by securing the U-Bolt around your handlebar, attaching the short double socket arm, and snapping your device into the spring-loaded holder. This guide walks through each step for a stable, rattle-free setup.
What You Need Before Starting
The RAM Quick-Grip Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base (short) comes with the spring-loaded holder, a short double socket arm, and a zinc-coated U-Bolt base that fits rails from 0.5" to 1.25" in diameter. You will also need a 7/16" wrench or socket and a small flathead screwdriver for tightening the ball-and-socket joints. No drilling or permanent modifications are required.
Choosing the Right Handlebar Location
Pick a spot on your handlebar that gives you clear line of sight without blocking your instrument cluster or controls. Avoid areas where the mount might interfere with brake lines, throttle cables, or your grip. The U-Bolt base works best on straight sections of the bar; curved sections can cause the mount to sit at an awkward angle.
Installation Steps
- 1. Attach the U-Bolt Base to the Handlebar: Place the U-Bolt around the handlebar at your chosen location. Slide the mounting plate over the threaded ends of the U-Bolt, then thread the nuts on finger-tight. Use a 7/16" wrench to snug the nuts evenly, alternating sides until the base is firmly clamped. Do not overtighten—aluminum and thin-wall steel bars can deform. Check that the mounting plate sits flat against the bar; if it rocks, reposition the U-Bolt on a straighter section.
- 2. Attach the Short Double Socket Arm: Loosen the socket arm’s knob a few turns. Press the ball end of the arm into the socket on the U-Bolt base, then tighten the knob until the arm holds its position with moderate resistance. Leave the other ball socket loose for now—you will adjust the final angle after mounting the phone holder. A common mistake is tightening the arm fully before aligning the phone holder; leave the second socket loose for final positioning.
- 3. Mount the Quick-Grip Holder to the Arm: Press the ball on the back of the Quick-Grip holder into the remaining socket of the double socket arm. Tighten the knob until the holder stays in place but can still be rotated with some effort. You will fine-tune the angle in the next step. Make sure the holder’s spring-loaded arms face upward—installing them upside down can cause your device to slide out over bumps.
- 4. Adjust the Viewing Angle: With your phone or device in the holder, loosen both socket knobs slightly, tilt the holder to your preferred viewing angle, and retighten the knobs alternately until both joints are firm. Test by gently pushing the phone—if it moves, tighten the knobs a bit more. If the phone vibrates excessively at highway speeds, the socket knobs may need another quarter-turn of tightening.
- 5. Secure Your Device in the Holder: Pull back the spring-loaded arms and place your phone or device into the holder. Release the arms so they grip the sides. If the fit feels loose, adjust the side keepers by turning the small thumbscrews on each arm inward until they contact your device snugly without pressing the buttons. For phones with rubberized cases, the side keepers may need a slightly looser setting to avoid the device popping out under vibration.
Product Details
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RAM® Quick-Grip™ Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base - Short: This version of the spring-loaded RAM Quick-Grip holder provides a secure fit for a variety of regular size phones and other devices. The adjustable side keepers ensure that devices like GPS units and Bluetooth speakers within the listed compatible dimensions will also fit. Included is a short RAM double socket arm and zinc-coated handlebar U-Bolt base that accommodates rails from .5” to 1.25” in diameter. The adjustable side keepers let you securely hold not just your phone but also a GPS or Bluetooth speaker, making the mount versatile for different rides.
RAM® Quick-Grip™ Phone Mount with Handlebar U-Bolt Base - Short