Low rider handlebars
Thread Starter
|
Account Suspended
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
Low rider handlebars
OK - I am at a loss.
I want to change my handlebars on the low rider. Either want chrome versions that are the same, or switch to slightly more buckhorn style (rotate wrist a bit).
However, I want to do internal wiring as well. I have been told the Harley chrome bars are no good to drill. Apparently they use the stainless bars and just chrome them - and since chrome doesn't adhere well to stainless, it chips away once drilled.
I can't seem to find any similar chrome bars after market. I woudl like to keep the same clamp because of the idiot lights.
Anyone found anything similar in chrome? Thanks.
I want to change my handlebars on the low rider. Either want chrome versions that are the same, or switch to slightly more buckhorn style (rotate wrist a bit).
However, I want to do internal wiring as well. I have been told the Harley chrome bars are no good to drill. Apparently they use the stainless bars and just chrome them - and since chrome doesn't adhere well to stainless, it chips away once drilled.
I can't seem to find any similar chrome bars after market. I woudl like to keep the same clamp because of the idiot lights.
Anyone found anything similar in chrome? Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale, FL
RE: Low rider handlebars
Here's what you want. The stock bars on your bike are part # 56004-00. These are the same bars in chrome, part # 56085-83T
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Thread Starter
|
Account Suspended
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
RE: Low rider handlebars
Do you have experience drilling the Harley bars?
An independant service shop told me the Harley bars are not good to be drilled for internal wiring. As I mentioned earlier, the harley bars are made of stainless, and then chromed. Apparently the chrome adhesion to stainless is so poor that where you drill them, the chrome will flake off and continue to deterioriate.
For this reason, i was hoping to find some after market bars (either chrome on cold steel, or pre-drilled).
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale, FL
RE: Low rider handlebars
I don't think those are stainless, if you read the description it says "Chrome Handlebars
Chrome-plated handlebars are designed to be exact replacements for the Original Equipment stainless steel handlebars."
If they were the same material, why would they even mention stainless? Now I'm not 100% sure about that,but they're only $38.71 at Zanotti's. Worth a try.
Chrome-plated handlebars are designed to be exact replacements for the Original Equipment stainless steel handlebars."
If they were the same material, why would they even mention stainless? Now I'm not 100% sure about that,but they're only $38.71 at Zanotti's. Worth a try.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Low rider handlebars
I've drilled lot's of Harley stock bars... stainless and chrome. They are different. The chrome bars are mild steel, they are NOT chromed stainless.
The only bars that I have ever had chip (when drilling) were a set of Flanders beach bars, and they were not chromed stainless... just a bad chrome plating job on mild steel tube.
The stainless bars are a little rough on the drill bits. The chrome versions are much easier to drill.
Incidentally, I did to my Low Rider what you want to do... just get a little more rise and pullback than what the stockers give, and to run the wires inside. I used a set of bars (stainless) off a 2001 Superglide. They are about an inch higher with about two more inches of pullback.
Get whatever bars you want and drill some holes. Don't worry about it so much... it's all good.
The only bars that I have ever had chip (when drilling) were a set of Flanders beach bars, and they were not chromed stainless... just a bad chrome plating job on mild steel tube.
The stainless bars are a little rough on the drill bits. The chrome versions are much easier to drill.
Incidentally, I did to my Low Rider what you want to do... just get a little more rise and pullback than what the stockers give, and to run the wires inside. I used a set of bars (stainless) off a 2001 Superglide. They are about an inch higher with about two more inches of pullback.
Get whatever bars you want and drill some holes. Don't worry about it so much... it's all good.
Thread Starter
|
Account Suspended
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
RE: Low rider handlebars
Thanks for this info - I'm happy to hear the guy was wrong about the Harley chrome bars.
I also found the Superglide bars to be very comfortable. FOr me it has to do with wrist rotation. The stock bars keep my hands "flat" and that causes some discomfort on long rides.
But with the SG bars, did you have to run extensions on your internal wiring to fit, or was there enough slack in the wiring harness? If you did extensions, did you splice (solder) or use a "connector" extension kit?
Thanks.... Warren
I also found the Superglide bars to be very comfortable. FOr me it has to do with wrist rotation. The stock bars keep my hands "flat" and that causes some discomfort on long rides.
But with the SG bars, did you have to run extensions on your internal wiring to fit, or was there enough slack in the wiring harness? If you did extensions, did you splice (solder) or use a "connector" extension kit?
Thanks.... Warren
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
RE: Low rider handlebars
ORIGINAL: Trout
I've drilled lot's of Harley stock bars... stainless and chrome. They are different. The chrome bars are mild steel, they are NOT chromed stainless.
I've drilled lot's of Harley stock bars... stainless and chrome. They are different. The chrome bars are mild steel, they are NOT chromed stainless.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Low rider handlebars
ORIGINAL: warren888
Thanks for this info - I'm happy to hear the guy was wrong about the Harley chrome bars.
I also found the Superglide bars to be very comfortable. FOr me it has to do with wrist rotation. The stock bars keep my hands "flat" and that causes some discomfort on long rides.
But with the SG bars, did you have to run extensions on your internal wiring to fit, or was there enough slack in the wiring harness? If you did extensions, did you splice (solder) or use a "connector" extension kit?
Thanks.... Warren
Thanks for this info - I'm happy to hear the guy was wrong about the Harley chrome bars.
I also found the Superglide bars to be very comfortable. FOr me it has to do with wrist rotation. The stock bars keep my hands "flat" and that causes some discomfort on long rides.
But with the SG bars, did you have to run extensions on your internal wiring to fit, or was there enough slack in the wiring harness? If you did extensions, did you splice (solder) or use a "connector" extension kit?
Thanks.... Warren
I've never used an extension kit... too expensive, and there's no guarantee that the length you end up with will be correct. Too much wire to hide can be worse than not enough wire.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Low rider handlebars
ORIGINAL: Dynamite
Have you run in to any issues w/ rust when drilling out the chrome harley bars?
ORIGINAL: Trout
I've drilled lot's of Harley stock bars... stainless and chrome. They are different. The chrome bars are mild steel, they are NOT chromed stainless.
I've drilled lot's of Harley stock bars... stainless and chrome. They are different. The chrome bars are mild steel, they are NOT chromed stainless.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
klaybus
Want To Buy Motorcycles/Parts/Accessories
0
Jul 11, 2018 08:32 PM
Rodman813
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
3
Jun 9, 2007 06:59 PM
anubisss
General Harley Davidson Chat
4
Oct 27, 2006 01:12 PM
