Ape Install
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 12
Ape Install
So I'm getting ready to install 12" Yaffe Monkey Bars and I've been doing a lot of reading and watching videos on the whole process. Looks pretty straight forward except for the running the throttle wires through the bars. Soooo... is it really that difficult as some say it is? Seems if I just take my time it should be fine. Feedback welcome from those that have done it already.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 106
From: Lancaster pa
14 and up are sooooo much easier to run the wires internally. I did the same bars with no issues. Just remember to push the wires in and only pull to get the slack you pushed in and it should o smooth
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
It's time consuming, not difficult. My advice, use a small chain to get the wires through the bars. I disassembled all connectors (take pics of the wire locations in each plug). I lengthened the wires by making staggered and soldered butt splices. Some people say you don't even have to do that if you reroute the wires. Honestly, there's not much to it. I think I spent about 8 hours on it and I took my time. It was the first thing I did to my new bike and I had never owned a fairing before. If you have the maintenance manual, you'll be good to go. If you have any questions along the way, just post up. Lots of people have done the mod themselves here.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 299
Likes: 3
From: Springfield, Massachusetts
Out of the whole process, running the wires through my monkey bars was a huge pain in the a$$. Agree with everything FNGonaRK said, but I would lube the wires prior to pulling, good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Austin, Texas
This part is really important, I'm sure I read this concept before doing my bars but it didn't really click until many hours later. It makes sense if you think about the angle of the bars. You cant just pull the wires around that bend and you cant just push them thru either. Push a little, then pull that little thru, continue that process until the wires appear at the bottom - MAGIC! Yes lube does help as well
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 15
From: San Dimas
It was also the first thing I did to my SG, and it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. I used some WD40 for internal lubing, and some twine with a nut tied to the end to "pull them through." It took me about 5 hours total.
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro, TN
It is a pretty manageable project if your not in a hurry. I did yaffes on my prior Ultra. For what it's worth I didn't change the bushings this last go around and within 6 months I have almost a full 1/2 inch of movement in the bars. Not stoked about tearing everything apart again when I could have spent the extra $30 on the front end.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 15
From: Virginia
I've installed about 6 sets of apes in the past couple of years. Actually doing a set of 12" Monkey Bars on my buddies '17 SGS right now. He didn't do the longer clutch/brake lines and I wasn't able to re-route the clutch line without breaking it loose from the master cylinder. We didn't have any DOT4 fluid so we called it a night last night and will resume with the install today.
I use fairly thick weed-eater string to pull the wires through the bars. I blow a string through the bar with air and tie the string to the weed-eater line and pull the weed-eater line through that way. The weed-eater line is fairly stiff so it "rounds" the corners a little more, for me helps with guiding the wires through.
As already stated, and I can't stress this enough, it's as much about pushing the wires through as it pulling. Give yourself plenty of time and don't get pissed off... like I did on first set we did... LOL
Seriously, it's not a hard job just time consuming, does require some patients and a tender touch.
I do extend the wires by soldering. Knock on wood, never had any issues or problems that we couldn't overcome.
Good luck!!
I use fairly thick weed-eater string to pull the wires through the bars. I blow a string through the bar with air and tie the string to the weed-eater line and pull the weed-eater line through that way. The weed-eater line is fairly stiff so it "rounds" the corners a little more, for me helps with guiding the wires through.
As already stated, and I can't stress this enough, it's as much about pushing the wires through as it pulling. Give yourself plenty of time and don't get pissed off... like I did on first set we did... LOL
Seriously, it's not a hard job just time consuming, does require some patients and a tender touch.
I do extend the wires by soldering. Knock on wood, never had any issues or problems that we couldn't overcome.
Good luck!!
