handlebar swap

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Feb 5, 2014 | 12:13 PM

supermanotorious

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Joined: Aug 2013

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From: Phoenix, AZ

handlebar swap

I think I'm ready to swap my mini apes which have bent corners for mini apes with fish mouth weld corners, does any one anticipate difficulty? I'm not sure how easily I can fish the wiring out of the existing bars and into the new, I'm really good at fishing wire but I'm concerned about how they were originally put in (cut and spliced or otherwise). I've heard I need to engage the brake lever and insert some cardboard in the pivot point to hold in place or it would mess something up. Anything else I should be aware of or any tips?

Feb 5, 2014 | 12:37 PM

128auto

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Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Vancouver B.C. Canada

You can remove individual wire from the connector. Use bead chain to run the wires, very simple unless you have the Z-ape, pain in the A S S

Feb 5, 2014 | 02:55 PM

Black_Pearl

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Joined: Jan 2014

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From: Ohio

Just put a set of 10in T-Bars on and I used the beaded chain and it worked great. I sprayed some clear lithium grease on a rag and wiped down the rubber wire covering and they slid thru the bars a lot easier the second time lol

Feb 6, 2014 | 07:46 PM

TUCCI

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Joined: Jun 2011

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From: Glendale AZ

Good thread......thanks guys

Feb 6, 2014 | 10:55 PM

monster715

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Joined: May 2010

Posts: 1,718

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From: Bay area, CA

Put a set of those bars I think your talking about on my buddies road king and one side went in pretty easy.. The right side too weld had a huge booger on the inside making getting the wires through a total b*tch! Had to keep working the wires til the booger finally broke off and they pulled right through. Worst part was after we finally got the wires in, we had to pull them back out to make sure all the fighting didn't screw up the sheathing I put them in. Should have sent them back due to the crappy quality but like most of us, we were too impatient to wait another week to get another set in. Good luck man here's the bars I'm talking about

Also about the brake lever, you shouldn't need to remove it if your just doing bars. If you do need to remove it just be careful not to damage the little button behind it that activates your brake light. I've never used the cardboard trick

Feb 7, 2014 | 04:58 PM

! rock103 !

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Joined: Jun 2012

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From: Los Lunas, NM

Patience is key. Baby powder the **** out of them helps, and I use zip ties which works really good on threading the wire through. With brake lever, just take care with the plastic button inside. No real big deal.

Feb 7, 2014 | 05:59 PM

hell hound

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Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 2,666

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From: TEXAS

bad pic i know but mine have the bends top and bottom
it is a pain
these are 1", with sharp *** corners on the inside, lots of weld on the inside
i wish i knew about the beaded chain that seems like a good idea, i dropped a fishing wieght with line through, then used that to pull some string
i actually had them though and was tring to get a little more wire though when i ripped a wire, it sucked
i used dish soap, baby powder seems like something to try first though