I just bought my first bike, '14 FXDB. I like the miniapes for now but I do not like the chrome. I've contacted a local powder coating shop in the Boston area and they said they would take care of making the bars matte black along with some other small pieces for about $75. My question is, how difficult is it to remove and put back the same bars? I have pretty much zero electrical/wiring knowledge. I can turn a wrench but thats as far as I go.

 

I have the same bike and personally, the wiring running through the bars doesn't seem like a big deal, as much as the throttle assembly. I've always been super paranoid about screwing that up when replacing bars or grips.

Figure you have the bolts on the dogbone clamp, a few screws for the controls on each side and grip removal, which can be a PITA sometimes.

Then the throttle (shudders), and disconnecting the wires in the frame, under the tank I believe and carefully puling them through the bars.

I'm sure putting it all back together is worse haha.

Grats on the new ride, BTW!

 

It's the same as replacing them which I think you've figured out by now minus running new clutch and throttle cables (does your bike have throttle or is it electric?)

I just jumped into this two weeks ago it isn't all that hard but you'll need to know some things. Hopefully you have a manual?

 

I understand what you mean by it being the same as replacing them, but its not quite becuase they are the same size. If I moved up to 16 inch bars I would be opening a whole new can of worms.

 

The electrical isn't all that bad. You'll need to learn how to disassemble an AMP connector and a Deutsch connector. Real easy if you watch a video. I use a hairpin for the AMP connector, and something like a needle for the Deutsch (I think thats what it is, i forget if its Deutsch or something else, either way it was easy to take apart). The idea is to use your phone to take pictures of those to aid re-assembly before you disassemble. The wires are stuffed in the neck of the frame. I accessed them by pulling the grommets off both sides and fishing them out carefully.

Your brake lever actuates a brake switch. It's a little rubber boot. Take a strong flashlight and look at the gap on your lever to the switch housing with the lever pulled in and you'll see the boot. You have to avoid tearing this when the lever is removed. Also in the manual.

There's some good videos on YouTube to get you started on what's involved. Ask questions once you've read up a bit more and it can all be explained. Hard to type all the steps up. Easier shown than explained kinda thing.

 

apparently the newer canbus system uses electrical connectors that fit thru the bars so it shouldn't be very hard at all...

it's the same as replacing the bars without replacing the cables - lots of write ups around.

i wouldn't try to run the throttle cable through the bars

 

Yup. Canbus on '13 and newer models. I replaced my bars on my 14 Street Bob and it isn't that hard. The Canbus connectors unplug under the tank, and slide through 1.25" bars with ease. When I was re-installing, I used the vacuum cleaner method to suck a length of ribbon through the bars, tape on the end of the harness and connectors and pull through back through.