Hi. I bought a '07 Softail Deluxe about a month ago and I want to install some bikini beach bars and short risers to it. I've been working on cars for years, doing some pretty technical and involved work. I consider myself very good with my hands, in working on cars, and in doing other technical work, but I don't know much about working on motorcycles.

Any insight about the level of difficulty and amount of time required to do this conversion?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

Fat07Hog

 

Not too hard. Don't lose the brass ferrules on the throttle and idle cables. Sucks trying to find them.

 

Very easy, takes about ten minutes. Be sure your cables will reach if the new bars are longer. Worst part is getting the left grip off. You can wedge a long thin screw driver into the grip workin it around to break the glue loose. Maybe should get some handle glue for the new bars. 4 bolts on the riser, and 4 torx screws on each bar end. You will need a torx set, any tool place has them....Sears. Some times it helps to slip the peices onto the bar ends before bolting the bar into the riser. First time will take you about 45 minutes, fouth time -ten minutes. ( I have put four different bars on a street bob trying to get it just perfect)
Oh and also you may have to bend the hard section of brake line (where it comes out of the master) just gently bend it to where it looks right and points the hose to the next hard section.

 

The kids have them on their RK and they don't like them. I tried them on a short 2 mile ride and didn't like my armswide spread or the position of my hands/wrists. It just didn't feel right twisting the throttle inward. For me it reminded me of pushing a wheelbarrow.

I really like the look of them but I don't think I could get used to them. Have you had a chance to ride a bike with a pair installed ?

 

You might be able to do it really quickly like pepesworld suggested, but it is not likely for your first time. Also, if you're going to go through the trouble, now is the time to run your wiring internally. It will take more time, but it's not that bad and the finished product is much better looking. You'll probably have to extend your wiring.If you have to install new cables, that will take extra time as well. I wouldn't count on finishing it in an hour. I would say more like an afternoon. That's if you have all the tools and supplies already lined up before you start the project.

 

I replaced the stock bars on my Superglide for the Bob bars. Had to change out the clutch cable, brake line, throttle and idle cables and it took me between 2-3 hours. I was taking my time though. It was also my first time to change bars. Also, there's a tech tip about putting a popsicle stick in the brake lever before removing it so check on that, they say if not done you could break the nipple on the brake switch.

 

By the time you figure out what to do and how to change this or that and oh I need to go get this and some wire and solder and a soldering iron.

Then you need to figure out the cables and brake line and if you have the new bars that you hide the wire inside and after you make your splice's and put the ends back on and figure out where they go and you take the gas tank off because someone told you that the wires run behind the gas tank.

Then you take the gas tank off to find out that the wires are really inside the headlight assembly. After taking all of the handlebar controls off and take the entire headlight assembly apart.

Figure out the best way to run the wire through the bars and splice the new wires on, put the new bars on and all of the controls back on and line everything up the way you like it.

Put the headlight assembly back together and the put the gas tank back on and new gas line and oh by the way...had to run to the HD shop to get the right clamps...of course they only had (1) and I had to wait around for about an hour so they could bring another clamp from the other HD shop.

Hey...these are thing you encounter if you have never swaped out handlebars before...you can plan on about 8 hrs.

You might could change them out in 30 min. if you have experience and you know what to expect and you have all of the things you needright there and ready for your swap.

I have been in maintenance most of my working life and am very good at electrical and turning wrenches. I even had one of my best buds helping me hold this hand me that...would have been very hard to do by myself.

I did enjoy the learning experience and that is part of working on your own bike with your friends...makes you feel good about doing whatever on your own bike or helping a friend with his or her bike.

Its much more than just saving money and not taking it to the dealer when you need something for your bike. Thats half the fun just trying to figure it out yourself and feeling good about it after you did it yourself.

Good luck with your handlebar experience.

 

RandyNC, You hit the nail on the head.

 

Spike is right, run the wires internally, do your braided cables now, etc. It will take longer, but will be worth the frustration. Be careful with the bikini beach bars, they will sit very low and if not set exactly right, the cableswill rub your tank. I just switched my bikinis out for a set of Wild 1 518 bars, for that very reason.

 

I have not ridden a motorcycle with bach bars yet, but I just can't get over the look. I'm super old school and just love the way the beach bars look on a Softail Deluxe. A few folks on this fourm have installed Burly bikini beach bars on their Deluxes and they give very positive feedback. I'm sure they will take some getting used to, and I'm willing to go through that to get the look I want.

Thanks.

fat07hog