installing apes
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
It depends on what you are comfortable with. I have done it several times and usually have some other people around to help. There is nothing too difficult about it, it is just time consuming. there are plenty of threads on the subject here, but to give youa general idea, check out this one. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...e-install.html
A shop will charge an insane amount of labor to do this for you. Take your time and invite a friend over and knock it out. There are plenty of people here who are willing to help if you get in a bind.
Drew
A shop will charge an insane amount of labor to do this for you. Take your time and invite a friend over and knock it out. There are plenty of people here who are willing to help if you get in a bind.
Drew
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 356
Likes: 2
From: Godfrey, IL
Doc is spot on, not a difficult job but you will definately need the better part of the day. Only special tools you will really need are snap ring pliers and a torque wrench. Other than that its all basic tools, If you have any problems with anything shoot me a PM. I just finished my install last week and the hardest part was getting started, just dont rush through it and you'll be fine
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Paris, TN
Like Drew and Rowdy have said, it's not a hard job, just time consuming. If you're comfortable turning your own wrenches, then go for it! Doing it yourself is not only rewarding... it keeps lots of your hard-earned money in your pockets!
I bought my apes internally wired with switches already installed. The only other things I needed were shrink tubing for the soldered wire connections, brake fluid and transmission lube to replace what was lost when I pulled the cover off the tranny to hook up the clutch cable.
Tear into it! And if you hit a roadblock... you've got all the help and experience you'll ever need right here on this forum!
I bought my apes internally wired with switches already installed. The only other things I needed were shrink tubing for the soldered wire connections, brake fluid and transmission lube to replace what was lost when I pulled the cover off the tranny to hook up the clutch cable.
Tear into it! And if you hit a roadblock... you've got all the help and experience you'll ever need right here on this forum!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, Mo area
Having the right tools is so important. Having a GOOD Set of snap ring pliers is required for the clutch cable. Are you comfortable spicing and soldering your electrical wires? Do you have a Service Manual for your year and make of bike. You don't want to find out at 65MPH something in the steering wasn't torqued properly. Like rowdy82 said, take your time and if you run into problems, thats what this community is for. Hell, I've been an aircraft mechanic for over 20 years, I come here all the time for answers and advice from guys who have done it before. (I just posted a question about this exact topic) There's no greater pride in being able to say, " Ya, I did that". Go for it.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
You absolutely must have a manual for your bike.
It's certainly doable, but if you're not comfortable about it, then find a local shop to knock it out. If you're not feeling good about it then don't mess with your safety.
Good luck, lots of good threads on this here.
It's certainly doable, but if you're not comfortable about it, then find a local shop to knock it out. If you're not feeling good about it then don't mess with your safety.
Good luck, lots of good threads on this here.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga , tn
I got all the tools for the job and the service manual. I got some mechanical advantage so I feel comfortable doing it. Just worried that when I get it tore apart that the cables won't b long enough. I was told +6 over would work. They told me today at the HD shop that they charge 8 hrs to install apes. And that's at $80 an hr lol
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