Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone knows why the Defiance hand grips and foot pegs don't fit my bike.

Cheers

Ryno

 

I can't say with any certainty why they wouldn't fit your NightTrain but I just put a set of Defiance chrome grips on my 2009 Heritage Softail just last week. It too has a cable throttle like your bike and I had to modify both grips to fit. The part no. indicated proper fitment on my bike but neither grip would fit correctly without some fine tuning with a file. The left grip which has a plastic collar which locks into a recessed channel in the switch housings needed about 1/8 inch removed from each side so that the larger diameter semi-circle would sit flush with the lower switch housing. The upper switch housing could then be installed without a gap and would lock the grip in the correct orientation displaying the HD logo and preventing the left grip from rotating on the handlebar or being pulled off. The right side throttle grip also needed a tune-up with a file as the plastic collar which held the brass ferrules on the ends of the throttle/idle cables was manufactured very rough and would bind the throttle once the right side switch housings were securely tightened to eliminate any gap between them. I was mindful to leave a slight amount of play at the end of the handlebar by not pushing the throttle grip tight to the end of the bar but the binding action preventing smooth throttle action and return was indeed caused by interference with the switch housings themselves. It was no big deal to file away a little plastic on either grip and the slight modifications are hidden from view once assembled but for the price Harley charges for these grips they should fit right without issues right out of the package. I think the Defiance grips are the nicest of Harleys offerings and I also put a set on my 2010 Ultra Classic. That bike has throttle-by-wire and strangely enough both grips fit correctly without any modification at all. Putting the different throttle applications aside (cable vs. tbw) there clearly is a difference in the way the left hand grip fits inside the switch housings of the Softail and the Touring bike. Harley should pay better attention to the fit and finish of these premium grips. They are nice grips but beware you may have to make minor modifications during the installation. Both sets of these Defiance grips were clearly marked Made In USA on the package btw.

 

Like many HD parts, they specify fitment then they just dont fit..Me personally, if they dont go on, they go back. Kudos to Wide Glider, I just dont have that patience anymore..