So -
I decided I did not care for the stock handlebars on my'02 Wide Glide. I did adjust on them, but never really felt comfortable with them. I purchased a used set of Wild One Chubby 501 Handlebars.

I wanted to clean up the front end a bit as well so I got a set of the Kuryakan 1432 mirrors with turn signals built in. I also got new hand controls in chrome and new grips.

After mounting up the bars and riding for a bit to make sure I liked them, I started on installation of everything else.

Running the wires were a PITA. I got them run okay using a piece of string to start off with and used weed eater line to fish them through. My problems came in with running the wires for the turn signal mirrors in the handlebars and through the hand controls.

As much reading as I did on this project, I never did find that to get the wire harness back into the frame you have to access a small panel under the front side of the rear fender and pull them back into the frame. Apparently the best way to do this is to remove the rear tire.

I ended up having a local shop fix everything (skinned wires, harness installation) when I took it in for the new stator, rotor and primary seals. I also had new throttle cables and clutch cable installed due to binding issues and a new brake line to match everything. I also had a new rear tire installed as the old one was just about showing air.


A couple of thoughts -

My problems were blowing fuses for the turn signals and the headlight. The mirror wiring was skinned up / damaged during installation into the handlebars. The turn signal mirror wiring is tiny and will fray / break easily. This was the root of my problems with blowing fuses after the installation.

The hand control switch housings were purchased from a big vendor on Ebay. They were not finished well. I had to spend time with a file to allow the switches to fit and function properly.

I will not be changing out the handlebars anytime soon. If I do, I will let someone else do that for me.

I am happy with the results and really like the way it looks. I hate I could not finish the job but I guess that is the way it goes sometimes.

Here are some pictures of the project -


Before - Pretty much stock.




Handlebars installed.
I also had a stock seat cut down, added memory foam and had everything recovered.





Wire harness hanging out of the frame.
Text showing the turn signal connector for another thread.




Turn signal connector.
De-pinning = PITA.




New turn signal integrated mirrors, chrome hand controls and grips.





Next, I will be polishing the paint.
Otherwise, I am all done. (for now)...

 

Well, at least it's all together and ready to ride. Looks nice.

 

Personally not all that big on Chrome but I dig the seat

 

Nice seat! That ought to keep you firmly planted for huge engine build!