Can't wait to see the pics 
Blackline bar swap?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I don't see why you couldn't go to a swap meet and get a used upper tree, have it powder coated black, buy a handlebar mount for the speedo and do the same, and put the normal huge selection of bars on the bike? The bike was assembled "from the parts bin", right?
I like the blackline, too, except for how they screwed up the original bar design (based on the sketches I saw from the designer). Somebody will step up on this if HD doesn't discontinue the bike (which isn't as cheap as I thought it would be).
C#
I like the blackline, too, except for how they screwed up the original bar design (based on the sketches I saw from the designer). Somebody will step up on this if HD doesn't discontinue the bike (which isn't as cheap as I thought it would be).
C#
Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: maryland
hello all,
first time poster here. I bought my blackline in June '11 and kept it all stock last season. In Dec'11 I did a stage one conversion. Now looking at replacing those horrible stock bars. I contacted RSD regarding bar risers, seat and rear fender work they did on their blackline. Thought I would post what they said in their reply to my emails. The first response is about the seat and fender. The second is about the risers.
First response:
We have not yet decided to move forward on any production Blackline-specific parts. We are still gauging potential.
We used a Yuasa YTX15L-BS battery which is shorter. This allows room under the seat for ECM and V&H Fuelpak.
We used our standard Softail spring seat kit but modified it by trimming the battery cover piece to match the BL frame. We also made a custom piece to hide the back and side of seat-to-frame area.
Second response:
The risers on this bike are actually RSD production “Moto Risers” but the problem with the blackline is that they put the speedo in-between bars which required them to widen the riser spacing. Most bars are knurled at 3-1/2” but spacing and the blackline is 5-1/2”. You are going to have a hard time finding a handlebar with wide enough spacing to fit risers that are so far apart.
Our bike took a lot of custom parts including an adapter bracket to allow us to use our Sportster Gauge Mount.
Hopes this helps some of you out there.
Keep Rid'n
first time poster here. I bought my blackline in June '11 and kept it all stock last season. In Dec'11 I did a stage one conversion. Now looking at replacing those horrible stock bars. I contacted RSD regarding bar risers, seat and rear fender work they did on their blackline. Thought I would post what they said in their reply to my emails. The first response is about the seat and fender. The second is about the risers.
First response:
We have not yet decided to move forward on any production Blackline-specific parts. We are still gauging potential.
We used a Yuasa YTX15L-BS battery which is shorter. This allows room under the seat for ECM and V&H Fuelpak.
We used our standard Softail spring seat kit but modified it by trimming the battery cover piece to match the BL frame. We also made a custom piece to hide the back and side of seat-to-frame area.
Second response:
The risers on this bike are actually RSD production “Moto Risers” but the problem with the blackline is that they put the speedo in-between bars which required them to widen the riser spacing. Most bars are knurled at 3-1/2” but spacing and the blackline is 5-1/2”. You are going to have a hard time finding a handlebar with wide enough spacing to fit risers that are so far apart.
Our bike took a lot of custom parts including an adapter bracket to allow us to use our Sportster Gauge Mount.
Hopes this helps some of you out there.
Keep Rid'n
Last edited by solorider2011; Feb 24, 2012 at 01:51 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
That is something I never understand why harley does things like that those bars and the upper triple tree on the street bob with the bar clamps built in. Makes the option of customizing impossible unless you replace the upper triple. This is probably your best option as then your going to have a world of options on bars and not just a select few that you will have to wait for aftermarket to design.
You can get 4" risers to clear the speedoo and then custom build some nice bars 
or custom build a set from the current trees like most have done.
I understand your frustration when I first got my Blackline, but thats long gone now as I am going down the Custom route
or custom build a set from the current trees like most have done.I understand your frustration when I first got my Blackline, but thats long gone now as I am going down the Custom route
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 2
From: Pacific NorthWest Territory
I'm thinking this is the way to go. Then you can use any bars and adjust things the way you like.
Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: maryland
Custom blackline bars
Ok,
So after posting earlier about the RSD emails back and forth with what they did to the blackline, I went looking for more custom folks out there that could help me out. I really did not want to replace the tree at all. It looks good and honestly if I can find someone to do it without spending the $$$ to replace the trees, all the better. I found someone talking about John at hardtail custom inc. I emailed him and told him what I wanted. He emailed me back (same day) told me he could build the bars I wanted, powder coat them and drill for wiring. Going with a sweeper style, kinda like the Carlini super sweepers. If you all are intersted, here is his email john@hardtailchoppers.com His website is not up to date (he told me) so just tell him what you are looking for.
Also, the bars will not need risers and will go directly into the tree, just like the stock ones HD sells.
So after posting earlier about the RSD emails back and forth with what they did to the blackline, I went looking for more custom folks out there that could help me out. I really did not want to replace the tree at all. It looks good and honestly if I can find someone to do it without spending the $$$ to replace the trees, all the better. I found someone talking about John at hardtail custom inc. I emailed him and told him what I wanted. He emailed me back (same day) told me he could build the bars I wanted, powder coat them and drill for wiring. Going with a sweeper style, kinda like the Carlini super sweepers. If you all are intersted, here is his email john@hardtailchoppers.com His website is not up to date (he told me) so just tell him what you are looking for.
Also, the bars will not need risers and will go directly into the tree, just like the stock ones HD sells.
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: maryland
blackline bars
Just ordered my bars from hardtail choppers inc. Custom made, powder coat black gloss, drilled for internal wiring and the best thing... they go right into the trees, no risers or clamps needed. $295 plus $35 shipping.