heated handgrips and internal wiring
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
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heated handgrips and internal wiring
I got a?for you tech guys. I am putting 16 inch apes on my RKC and planning to run the wires through the bars. My dilema is that I also have a set of heated handgrips. Directions for grips state that they are not compatile with internal wiring. Has anybody done it anyway?What would be the possible reason you couldn't? I don't see why I couldn't.I live in the northern states and sure do like my heated grips.Tkanks for any input.
Waiting for the snowdrift in front of my storage shed to melt.
Waiting for the snowdrift in front of my storage shed to melt.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 346
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From:
RE: heated handgrips and internal wiring
A little more information please... What brand of grips did you purchase? OE Harley (doomed to early failure), Hot Grips? I am putting the Hot Grips brand on my ride as I type. There are some difficulties putting these on.
I too have always had heated grips. It just makes cold weather riding eaisier. If you want to know more just post.
Joe
I too have always had heated grips. It just makes cold weather riding eaisier. If you want to know more just post.
Joe
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
RE: heated handgrips and internal wiring
You can add heated grips and run the wires internally. What youll have to do is drill through the side of the left grip (internally) to allow the wire clearance in order to run/place it into the hole where the control wires will run into the bars. On the right grip, youll have to drill a hole into the bars on the bottom and just past your controls (toward center of the bike). Make sure to leave enough clearance/wire length for throttle return. I installed heated grips on my wifes sporty with 12"apes wires ran internally. I also had to add turn signal wires being that they mounted with the controls. Talk about a tight fit!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 717
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati
I've replaced heated grips (wraps) on a few snowmobiles. I see no reason why it wouldn't work on a motorcycle - 12v. Visit any snowmobile Indy or dealer and they should have replacement heated wraps (about $30). Basically they just wrap around the bars with a sticky side under your grips... then just run the wires as you want, internal or external. They typically come with 2 temp settings, high and low so you'll need to install a switch somewhere...
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Lorton, VA
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: ID Ho
The instructs say its not compatible BUT the CVO's have them!
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 90
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From: Madrid (Spain)
As other have said, all you need is to drill a hole on the left switch housing. This is how I did on a Chubby W0508 handlebar for my RK09. Ensure that internally the wire cannot be cut or damaged by sharp metal edges (I must also cut the edge of the piece supporting the cruise switch to ensure this).
Last edited by emece; Dec 16, 2009 at 03:33 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 226
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From: Creola, AL.
I put heated grips on my 09 RK just a few months ago. I asked Harley how much to install? They said 5 hours labor 
to install. That didn't sound right to me. So I asked my local shop if they were interested. They said yes and it would between 2 and 2.5 hours labor. I agreed and brought the bike over. I decided to wait for the bike. 5 and 1/2 hours later the bike emerged from the shop. The owner said its worth every bit of 5 hours labor. It was late and I had to get home so I left. On the way home I noticed the throttle action didn't seem right. Brought it back. They changed the throttle out. On the way home (this shop is 60 miles from the house) I decided to turn them on. Didn't work! Back to the shop 3 days later.
Happy ending. They now work great. Haven't had to put them over the #2 setting yet. If I had to do it again I would probably let Harley do it.
to install. That didn't sound right to me. So I asked my local shop if they were interested. They said yes and it would between 2 and 2.5 hours labor. I agreed and brought the bike over. I decided to wait for the bike. 5 and 1/2 hours later the bike emerged from the shop. The owner said its worth every bit of 5 hours labor. It was late and I had to get home so I left. On the way home I noticed the throttle action didn't seem right. Brought it back. They changed the throttle out. On the way home (this shop is 60 miles from the house) I decided to turn them on. Didn't work! Back to the shop 3 days later. Happy ending. They now work great. Haven't had to put them over the #2 setting yet. If I had to do it again I would probably let Harley do it.