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So I'm thinking I may have aftermarket re-pop tanks... I have had those Sportster bars on a couple of Sportsters Joe. Decent bend yes, and yes too small for a big twin IMO.
I now have two sets of bars lol, both Flanders (at 32" & 34" wide each), and I agree stock bars are decent.
I will study up my buckhorn bends and maybe try a set of those...
Well we might agree that my basket case bike is a frankenstein, and for me to make mostly right. Although I will keep it FLH (but mostly tidy) vs going back to FX.
Somebody after my lifetime can do that.
Shortening up my forks with a rebuild is first on my list.
My local H-D dealer closed its doors 10 years ago (I bought the last bike they sold), and my local indy shop is two H-D employees who opened their own business from that (tech & parts).
Rice grinder/ktm is all thats left in my small town.
I run stock bars, surprisingly comfortable. After my accident last year, I could not find OEM replacements, lots of changes and differences from early 60's to late 70's. I gave up and bought a new set from Ted, same bend and very comfortable.
Ted for handlebars? I am looking at Drag Specialties bars right now. They have Buckhorns in low, medium & high (low could be the ticket). ...Under consideration.
Fricken handlebars... I knew I would get hung up on that.
I just got a big bolts package, so I think I can continue my mock up. My goal is the bike sitting on the sidewalk kickstand down sans oil lines and any electrical.
I will get the bike back to stock height and not attempt lowering at this time.
Last edited by Maxacceleration; Jun 1, 2023 at 10:55 AM.
Well its been awhile... Stopped working on my bike, but I just got it off the lift and I'm getting a little help on it. Wiring, oil lines and fork rebuild going back to stock length fork tubes.
As my bike is a Frankenstein bike, it will go forward that way. FX Vin but it will go forward as a FLH bastard. The guy giving me an assist does non stock customs so he is not a purist either. A bit outlaw (what ever that means) but pretty stock appearing as it will go down the road. A lot of patina. The eagle will go.
I appreciate the input here, and the project continues...
Progress is happening. Main powdercoating is complete. A bit of polishing is happening. Parts sourcing for the front end is happening.
Remember, Frankenstein... A little old and a little newer.
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I feel your pain with the hardware. Harley put some thread sizes on that were designed so that you had to get the hardware from them. On my old flatties and pans I ended up buying a bunch of tap and dies that are Harley specific. A lot of money at the time.
Not so much anymore. Most of the Harley nuts and bolts are available at ACE Hardware. In fact, you can get a lot of chrome bits there. Harley has a habit of going fine thread where it doesn't need to be.
And unless it is a critical collector part, you don't have to use the original thread size.
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While perusing this thread, I saw the mention of various sizes of threads used by HD. The use of fine threads on machinery is very common. But determining the size of a bolt can be made very simple using a pitch gage. Every mechanic should have this gage. https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/86419645
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