I've finally found a bike... 2003 Fatboy, mint, at a great price. Sat on it today...I guess I've never sat on a fatty with stock bars. I hate 'em. I love the reach of the heritage, more relaxed position. How tough is it to make this switch? I've searched the forum and most talk about putting apes on. Anyone have pics of their fatboy with heritage bars? Curious how they look. Or is there another option (besides apes) that gives you a more relaxed seating position. I might buy this bike tomorrw...I have been looking at Fatty's and Heritage's, the Heritage seems to suit me more, but I love the looks of the fatboy.

 

To swap the bars is very simple. If you want to run the wiring internally it is a bit more work. I don't think the Heritage bars are drilled for internal wiring but i am sure it could be done. I would buy some larger diameter nice chrome bars like a set of apes, but I have always run apes. You could also get some T-bars like a 10" Wild 1 or West Coast T-bar. I can get you all of this stuff, let me know what you need. Also, with Heritage bars it would make sense to get some polyurethane riser bushings to go with that style of bar.

Drew

 

If you're going to go through the trouble of switching bars I'd go with an 1" 1/4. Looks far better on the FB and just about any other bike. Check out the Wild1 site. If you're an apes person the 12.5" are nice and as I recall they also make a mini ape similar to the Heritage but with more pullback. I almost got the 12.5" but I decided they didn't have enough pb and plus I don't think I'm a ape person.

My dealer quoted me 6-8hrs labor to swap my wife's out. I decided to do it myself. Basic tools, service manual, the internet, and a step by step methodical approach is all that's needed.

Wouldn't have taken it on as a first bike project but after tinkering on the bike and having the gas tank off a couple of times for this and that I felt comfortable enough to give it a shot.

Actually if I were in your shoes I'd get the bike I wanted and then take my time researching and deciding what handlebars fit me the best. You wanna get it right the first time.

My wife was anxious to get new bars too and everytime she'd see some she liked she'd bug me to get them for her. I kept telling her yeah they're nice but do they fit you, I'm not swapping bars twice. Our (my) patience paid off and she now has the perfect bars on her Deluxe. Now it's my turn

 

i would be happy to see this as well...

 

Just buy the Heritage and be done with it. I also liked the FB but, like you, I disliked the bars and felt the Heritage bar was much more comfortable for my height and arm reach.

Changing out the bars is a big job and then if you eventually want to sell it, you may have problems if someone is looking for the FB with the stock bars.

Just get the Heritage...I did.

 

+1. Then if you want a pseudo 'fatboy' just pop off the windshield and take off the bags!

 

IIRC, KumaRide (do a member search) has Heritage bars on his Fatboy. Check his photo's. They are the shorter (pre-2009) Heritage bars.
It aint rocket science. Many here have swapped out bars. Just takes a little time (a weekend) and patience.

 

09 and up have 10" mini apes. Before 09 was a different style. If I were you, I'd go with 10" mini apes from Wild 1 (I have 12.5" on my Heritage). The 10" mini apes will put your hands about the same height as pre 09 Heritage bars and they have more pullback. I'd also consider the 8.5" Baby Apes as well. I have an 07 so those are the Heitage style bars I am referring to with regards to height or rise.

 

Did my bars two weekends ago. It took around 4 hours with internal wires and a few beer breaks. Nothing to it at all. On the fat boy you do not need to remove the tank, just the two bolts and unhook the fuel line at the quick connect then slide it back. Plenty of room to get at the wires. It really is a simple job.

 

Had an indy put a set of heritage bars on my 06 Fatboy, he charged me $50. I really like them better than the original fatboy bars. Not a big fan of apes but these are still low enough that its comfortable to ride.