I've been thinking about puting the Apes back on my Fatboy. Instead of getting charged $500+ in labor, I was wondering how hard it would be to do myself?

Update: 12/7/08

Here is a pic I just took with the apes on


One of the Trans cover when I took it off to replace the clutch cable

 

Faction95, what's up man? It's been awhile. Well, I did mine with the help of a buddy. It took us over 10 hours, but doing it again we could probably do it in half that time. It's not hard, just take your time and as long as you can use a soldering gun you should be fine. Wiring the bars and running the clutch cable are the most annoying steps.

Glad to hear you are getting the ape fever again.

 

Like WARG said, soldering is the hardest part. Make sure you cut all the wires at different lengths so they dont create an big blob once done. They do make extended harneses for apes, but it depends on how you are wiring it.

Cooper

 

Do it yourself. I did and saved alot in labor cost. Buy a service manual and take your time.

 

About 4 hrs. give or take. Last two we did (mine and a buddies) we used the Novello wire extension kit, works like a charm.

 

yo chech out mojobones post installing apes/with pictures
it has definately inspired me to do it myself,waiting on my cables

 

You can do it. Take your time and don't rush...

 

Do it yourself, its not that bad at all. Start on a Saturday morning and you'll be ridin' her by the end of the day.

 

Ive installed 2 sets of apes Ive done both cut and solder wires and I've used the Novello extensions. I would definately go for the extensions they save a lot of time without the pain of soldering. Other than that, running the wires internally gave me kinda of a fight for the first side, but second side went easier.

 

It's pretty easy. Anybody with a little patience and some mechanical skill can do it. I've done 3 sets now. It's not as bad as you think.