Ape Hanger install difficulty?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: USAF in Germany
Go with the Novello kit. I didn't see the year of your Fatboy; I found that my 08 had longer pins than my 05. Made it a little harder to route the wires through the bars. Hindsight being 20-20, I would have soldered the harness together before trying. A couple came loose, and didn't notice until I had the plugs back together.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
Soldering in extensions just wasn't something I felt like doing (I hate wiring), so I bought this kit. It comes with switches already attached to an extended harness. All you have to do is cut the wires to length, crimp the duetsch ends on and snap them into the factory connector. Easy as pumpkin pie.
If you are running the wires through the bars here's what I do.
1. crimp a fishing weight to some fishing line and tape the fishing line to a shoe lace. run the line through the bars, gravity is your friend with the lead weight.
2. tape the shoe lace to the wires and pull through.
http://www.customchrome.com/catalogs...l.asp?page=162
If the bars have smooth bends you should be able to pull all the wires for each side through all at the same time.
Other than that you need basic skills to remove the fuel tank, remove the pipes if need be to pull the trans cover to install a new clutch cable, know how to bleed brakes, etc.
If you are running the wires through the bars here's what I do.
1. crimp a fishing weight to some fishing line and tape the fishing line to a shoe lace. run the line through the bars, gravity is your friend with the lead weight.
2. tape the shoe lace to the wires and pull through.
http://www.customchrome.com/catalogs...l.asp?page=162
If the bars have smooth bends you should be able to pull all the wires for each side through all at the same time.
Other than that you need basic skills to remove the fuel tank, remove the pipes if need be to pull the trans cover to install a new clutch cable, know how to bleed brakes, etc.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
I think this is what they are talking about...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softail-models/291269-handlebar-change-with-pics.html
You went from Apes to beach now back again... I'm going from beach to Apes... hopefully I won't change my mind too soon
Mimo.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softail-models/291269-handlebar-change-with-pics.html
You went from Apes to beach now back again... I'm going from beach to Apes... hopefully I won't change my mind too soon
Mimo.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
I've done 2 different sets of drag bars in the last year and now the apes......I'm through with bar changes for awhile. The drag bars were cheap changes.....price of the bars and a couple of hours of my time. The apes with all the cable changes got into my wallet a little bit. I paid more for the riser than I paid for either set of the drag bars.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Soldering in extensions just wasn't something I felt like doing (I hate wiring), so I bought this kit. It comes with switches already attached to an extended harness. All you have to do is cut the wires to length, crimp the duetsch ends on and snap them into the factory connector. Easy as pumpkin pie.
If you are running the wires through the bars here's what I do.
1. crimp a fishing weight to some fishing line and tape the fishing line to a shoe lace. run the line through the bars, gravity is your friend with the lead weight.
2. tape the shoe lace to the wires and pull through.
http://www.customchrome.com/catalogs...l.asp?page=162
If the bars have smooth bends you should be able to pull all the wires for each side through all at the same time.
Other than that you need basic skills to remove the fuel tank, remove the pipes if need be to pull the trans cover to install a new clutch cable, know how to bleed brakes, etc.
If you are running the wires through the bars here's what I do.
1. crimp a fishing weight to some fishing line and tape the fishing line to a shoe lace. run the line through the bars, gravity is your friend with the lead weight.
2. tape the shoe lace to the wires and pull through.
http://www.customchrome.com/catalogs...l.asp?page=162
If the bars have smooth bends you should be able to pull all the wires for each side through all at the same time.
Other than that you need basic skills to remove the fuel tank, remove the pipes if need be to pull the trans cover to install a new clutch cable, know how to bleed brakes, etc.
wow, looking at the Custom Chrome catalog, you have to buy the spring clip for the brake switch in a pack of ten for $11.........you only need one and I can't see how that one would ever go bad. Efficient way of increasing your sales....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,583
Likes: 4,536
From: USA
Dealer wants $500 to change bars!? I can afford to screw it up several times over and still come out ahead! But being semi retired that's more than a two weeks pay check. But then again I wouldn't go to a genuine HD dealer if my ***** were on fire and they had the only fire extinguisher in town!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
I put 16s on my Deluxe and changed out all the cables, switch housings, etc at the same time. It took me probably 20 hours total but I took my time and read the manual as I went. I also pulled the tank, changed the risers, added a tach and a few other odds/ends.
Running the wires internal to the bars is pretty easy. I taped off the holes on one side at a time and used an air compressor and blew through a piece of yard twine. Once the twine was through I simply taped the wires to the twine and pulled them through slowly. Make sure to check the holes and debur as necessary before starting.
One trick when removing the tank. Be careful or you can scratch your front rocker cover. I slid a piece of cardboard between the tank to protect it. I also used the fender covers when working on the bike just in case I dropped a tool or something.
When extending the wires, seperate the soldered areas so you don't end up with them all at the same location and a fat wire bundle. Use shrink tubing over the joints.
You won't have any problems...just take your time and read the manual as you go. The Harley manual is really excellent. Post any questions that come up here and you will get some help. Just don't rush it.
One othe thing to remember...disconnect the battery before starting or you will blow a fuse.
Running the wires internal to the bars is pretty easy. I taped off the holes on one side at a time and used an air compressor and blew through a piece of yard twine. Once the twine was through I simply taped the wires to the twine and pulled them through slowly. Make sure to check the holes and debur as necessary before starting.
One trick when removing the tank. Be careful or you can scratch your front rocker cover. I slid a piece of cardboard between the tank to protect it. I also used the fender covers when working on the bike just in case I dropped a tool or something.
When extending the wires, seperate the soldered areas so you don't end up with them all at the same location and a fat wire bundle. Use shrink tubing over the joints.
You won't have any problems...just take your time and read the manual as you go. The Harley manual is really excellent. Post any questions that come up here and you will get some help. Just don't rush it.
One othe thing to remember...disconnect the battery before starting or you will blow a fuse.
