handlebars
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: weatherford texas
handlebars
i am thinking of adding a set of chubbys low profile drag bars or harleys street slammers to my 05 fatboy this winter, what i am concerned about is the reach and comfort of these bars. am i going to be leaning forward so much it is hard on hands and lower back on long rides. i have a badlander seat for lower seating and i am only 5'6. i dont want to sacirfice comfort for looks only. my stock bars dont even seem to be far enough back. and sometimes my hands get numb... should i even try the drag bars or just a set of risers to my stock bars.... any advice will be apperciated kerry
RE: handlebars
It really depends if you want looks or comfort, if you really want some comfortable bars that will bolt right on with no cable changes.Go to the dealership and have a seat on a heritage and see if that's what you're lookin for(p/n 56623-99). The drags look cool,but nothin for comfort.
Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: handlebars
I had Carlinis on my Deuce that are pretty much the same thing you're thinking about switching to. Those bars definitely vibrated more, and you could see it in the mirrors. The reason is because there is no break between the risers and bars to dampen the vibration. I'm also 5'6" and I had to lean forward a bit to reach them. After switching to a Custom, I found that a set of apes or even mini apes are by far the most comfortable bars. They allow you to keep your back straight rather than lean forward. Just make sure your hands aren't above your shoulders, and you'll have no issues with your hands going numb. So my recommendation is go with a set of mini apes (10" or so) or apes (12"-16"). Just my $.02.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: MI
RE: handlebars
Just my 2 cents. I have seen your bike pics and it looks great. Drag bars and wild 1's etc. look great too. But I'm all about comfort. I would bolt a chrome turd on my bike if it would keep my back from hurting from reaching too far forward to ride long distance. I need bars a couple inches further back so I can slouch into the backrest. I'm going to get some pullback risers just because it's a quick bolt on. Instead of new bars and the pia installation
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: handlebars
I hear ya. A short time ago I posted regarding a desire to change my risers. My '08 FB has 1.25" bars and no taper in the middle. I need 1.25" cup-size in the risers. Texas Fat Boy hooked me up with a clue on a '04 SE Dyna that came with nice pullbacksto fit1.25" bars. I finally found a part number, but haven't ordered anything just yet.
Here's my thinking (towards main goal of more comfort): Replacing the risers and keeping your stock bars is as cheap as you can go.
If you change to Apes (which are way-cool) you have to change cables. If you change cables, might as well go braided stainless steel. If you switch bars, might as well change-out stock switches to chrome (or at least chrome switch covers), and you have to do new grips because the stock grips on your old bar will never come off in one piece.
Apes, or any other bar-type will make your brain go through these thoughts. It quickly becomes expensive. For me, it would be hard to go half-way on this set of mods.
So like I said, I just want to change risers, hopefully keeping everything else stock for now. (note to self: make sure I can keep stock cables with the new pull backs).
Good luck withyour brain working overtime on this.
Here's my thinking (towards main goal of more comfort): Replacing the risers and keeping your stock bars is as cheap as you can go.
If you change to Apes (which are way-cool) you have to change cables. If you change cables, might as well go braided stainless steel. If you switch bars, might as well change-out stock switches to chrome (or at least chrome switch covers), and you have to do new grips because the stock grips on your old bar will never come off in one piece.
Apes, or any other bar-type will make your brain go through these thoughts. It quickly becomes expensive. For me, it would be hard to go half-way on this set of mods.
So like I said, I just want to change risers, hopefully keeping everything else stock for now. (note to self: make sure I can keep stock cables with the new pull backs).
Good luck withyour brain working overtime on this.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From:
RE: handlebars
I"m having the same issues, I'm 5'7" and I have an 07 Fatboy and I also like the looks of HD's street slammers but I don't want to reach and hurt my back on long rides. I'm not crazy about the looks of the stock pipes either but like you said once you change one thing you ending up changing everthing.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 852
Likes: 3
RE: handlebars
Looks for comfort, NO WAY. If you just ride around the block then maybe. But why. Check out other Chubbys.
I'm in the process right now of changnig my stcok Deluxe bars to Chubby 504's. As it was, I didn;t like to reach out to the stock bars. So, I was initally thinking the same but I'm glad I didn;t.
PoorBoy, you hit it right on the nose man. I said, well, I'm changing the bar, might as well change out cables and brake line to SS. Going with the Magnum's. They are really nice looking and sitting on my table. Of course, changing out the grips with ISO's. And of coarse I said, gets cold in early Spring and late Fall here in the NE, so I'm installing Kuryakn Heat Demons. BTW, see my post in Electrical forum on wiring up these badboys. They will be here tomorrow. I'll wire them up the same time I internal wire the switch assembly harnesses. Then, I said, might as well change out the switch assemblies and levers to chrome. Don;t know if I want the HD, since they are really expensive. HD hasn;t released the patent I don;t think yet, because they made a change for '07, so after market not available yet. Wasn;t sure if I could slide that under the wire without my wife knowing.
I figure I'm doing the work myself, so saving money in one hand, but spending it back in the other. Hey, more for me right.....
springerbadboy, you DO HAVE ONCE SWEET LOOKING SCOOT!! Let's see a real life pic of the other side of that badboy!!
I'm in the process right now of changnig my stcok Deluxe bars to Chubby 504's. As it was, I didn;t like to reach out to the stock bars. So, I was initally thinking the same but I'm glad I didn;t.
PoorBoy, you hit it right on the nose man. I said, well, I'm changing the bar, might as well change out cables and brake line to SS. Going with the Magnum's. They are really nice looking and sitting on my table. Of course, changing out the grips with ISO's. And of coarse I said, gets cold in early Spring and late Fall here in the NE, so I'm installing Kuryakn Heat Demons. BTW, see my post in Electrical forum on wiring up these badboys. They will be here tomorrow. I'll wire them up the same time I internal wire the switch assembly harnesses. Then, I said, might as well change out the switch assemblies and levers to chrome. Don;t know if I want the HD, since they are really expensive. HD hasn;t released the patent I don;t think yet, because they made a change for '07, so after market not available yet. Wasn;t sure if I could slide that under the wire without my wife knowing.
I figure I'm doing the work myself, so saving money in one hand, but spending it back in the other. Hey, more for me right.....
springerbadboy, you DO HAVE ONCE SWEET LOOKING SCOOT!! Let's see a real life pic of the other side of that badboy!!
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
RE: handlebars
Well I went with Carlini clean sweep drag bars with a 9" rise with a 7.25" pull back.It fits me to a tee. I'm 5'9 and when I'm on the seat the bars are at my reach with no bending forward and arms slightly down hill. Here are some photo's. I installed the bars myself, was a good 5 to 6 hour job which included the switches and throttle cable. The brake and clutch I did later on cause they where back ordered. Those two items where about a 3 hour job total.
I like the riding postion and no problems with hands going numb, unless on a real long ride then I get it on occasion.
It is an expensive option all total about 700.00.
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[IMG]local://upfiles/1528/296E9303E3A34FC0AAE250F80FB44EE9.jpg[/IMG]
I like the riding postion and no problems with hands going numb, unless on a real long ride then I get it on occasion.
It is an expensive option all total about 700.00.
[IMG]local://upfiles/1528/E09142B343764922A3AD6F316A1DB799.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1528/296E9303E3A34FC0AAE250F80FB44EE9.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 852
Likes: 3
RE: handlebars
CycleDrider, did you have to remove your exahust to remove transmission cover for clutch cable? Just picked up my Magnum Chromite clutch cable and didn;t think about it much. well, until now. Looks like I have to remove top exhaust and the O2 sensor...