I have 2012 Wideglide. I wanted to put some new Harley straight bars on it. The price was $247. I figured fine... Turns out the total for just changing my handlebars, which would necessitate new break and clutch cables, a cool $1500.00 with labor.

So, I'm living with the stock bars which are fine. But, why are upgrades so cost prohibitive. Labor rate is $110 an hour at my local Fort Worth dealer. I'd have thought they'd want people in the dealership getting farkles put on like mad! I don't think the cost should make a person think about the impulse purchase too hard. But, it does, and I didn't do it. So, everyone lost.

I'm not doing that work myself either. It's too involved and a bit dangerous if you don't know what you're doing!

Thoughts?

 

You answered your own question.

 

Not sure what is so involved about changing your bars and cables? fairly straight forward stuff.

If you can afford to have someone else turn the wrench, great, if not, you need to learn some skills.

 

Or find a new handle bar you like that doesn't need clutch and throttle cable extensions. There is a bit of slack available.

 

A good independent shop will do it for a bunch less. Call around.

 

I don't know if you are mechanically inclined, but give it a shot. Take your time and research before you dive in. If you feel comfortable, bust it out and learn a few things.


If not, well you just got to pony up the cash. The struggle is real... too many upgrades and not enough cash!

 

Hell, I'll do it for half the labor. You supply all parts needed. We both win. I did mine on my Street Glide last year.

 

It's simple economics. You don't know how to do it and someone else does. That means that task is worth something.

How much are the cables going to cost? Try to get an itemized estimate and that will tell you where the money is going.

It really can't be that complicated to do. It probably just takes a few hours according to the labor table.

Buy a factory service manual and study up on it and then decide. Also, most independent shops are substantially cheaper than the dealer.

What is the difference in length of the stock cables and replacement cables?

FWIW, generally the older the bike, the simpler it is. Love my Evo.

Also, you want to put straight bars on it. The stock bars have very little rise or curve to them, so why the need for replacement cables unless you are going with ridiculously tall risers.

 

I had a shop in Dallas quote me $1400 for parts and labor for drag bars, 6" riders and with no cables or hoses needed. So I went to a smaller city, smaller dealership and they did it for $450, parts and labor.

The moral of the story is, shop around, you'll be surprised what you might find.

Oh...the smaller dealership has had all of my business since then. They even sold me my Breakout, that I tried getting THREE times, unsuccessfully at the Dallas shop.

 

I would think you don't need new cables and such, but the dealership seems to like to go "above & beyond".