Heritage handlebars
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5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From:
Heritage handlebars
I told the dealer that the handlebars on the Heritage seemed a little high to me. His solution was, we will adjust them back and this will lower the grips. has anyone done this?any problem with the grips being moved closer to the rider?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From:
RE: Heritage handlebars
fly452,I had the same problem with the bar's on my Heritage so I moved them down and it helped a bit but not enough,I have a problem with wrist so I bought 2 1/2 inch up & back riser's from DragSpecialites and it worked great.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Australia
RE: Heritage handlebars
Guys
The risers sound good to me.
The problem I have is I like the look of the Buffallo handlebars and not the stock chopper style bars of the Heritage. When I explained this to the Dealer he suggested I get the risers and the buffallo Bars.
The problem is that I don't know if the Buffallo Bars are going to be less comfortable on the long trips. I understand the Heritage chopper style bars are meant for touring. Does anyone know if I added risers and buffallo bars if I would have the same riding position and comfort of the stock Heritage bars?
Also, does adding risers make the bike less robust/safe?
The risers sound good to me.
The problem I have is I like the look of the Buffallo handlebars and not the stock chopper style bars of the Heritage. When I explained this to the Dealer he suggested I get the risers and the buffallo Bars.
The problem is that I don't know if the Buffallo Bars are going to be less comfortable on the long trips. I understand the Heritage chopper style bars are meant for touring. Does anyone know if I added risers and buffallo bars if I would have the same riding position and comfort of the stock Heritage bars?
Also, does adding risers make the bike less robust/safe?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Heritage handlebars
Fly
I got the same impression as first.
But now I got a hunch that the top of the forks are low on the Heritage (i.e. too short) so they need chopper style bars to compensate for lack of height on the forks. In other words, they only look too high 'cause the top of the folks dont rise high enough. Thats why you would need risers if you did not have the chopper style bars...
Put another way, the chopper style bars seem equivalent to risers plus buffallo bars - but I am not sure about the exact positioning of the latter but it appears close.
I got the same impression as first.
But now I got a hunch that the top of the forks are low on the Heritage (i.e. too short) so they need chopper style bars to compensate for lack of height on the forks. In other words, they only look too high 'cause the top of the folks dont rise high enough. Thats why you would need risers if you did not have the chopper style bars...
Put another way, the chopper style bars seem equivalent to risers plus buffallo bars - but I am not sure about the exact positioning of the latter but it appears close.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Australia
RE: Heritage handlebars
Another possibility is that some of the other models ship with risers on them? Otherwise how you you explain that you need risers to fit Buffalo bars on a Heritage. Can anyone out there shed some light on these questions? [sm=dontgetit.gif]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Heritage handlebars
The Heritage and FatBoy (FLST types) have basically the same front end. Different risers and bars are used to give a different look. Same thing on the FXST types, too. And even then they're all pretty much set within the "average" dude's reach. Trouble is that "average" dude doesn't exist.
Best thing to do is ride the bike stock for a spell. Decide whether you want higher, lower, wider, narrower, pulled back, pushed forward, or turned upside down and painted green bars. Then make the change. Cheaper that way 'cause you only gotta get it right once.
When I went over my Sloptail last winter I figured out how I wanted the bars to sit. I found some old stainless steel (no chrome!) Buckhorn bars, cut them in two, added 4 inches to the left bar with stainless tubing, added 4 inches to the right bar with the internal throttle set-up, and tweaked the bends a bit to get what I wanted. They are mounted to the trees with 4 inch risers, and place the bars exactly where I need them.
Best thing to do is ride the bike stock for a spell. Decide whether you want higher, lower, wider, narrower, pulled back, pushed forward, or turned upside down and painted green bars. Then make the change. Cheaper that way 'cause you only gotta get it right once.
When I went over my Sloptail last winter I figured out how I wanted the bars to sit. I found some old stainless steel (no chrome!) Buckhorn bars, cut them in two, added 4 inches to the left bar with stainless tubing, added 4 inches to the right bar with the internal throttle set-up, and tweaked the bends a bit to get what I wanted. They are mounted to the trees with 4 inch risers, and place the bars exactly where I need them.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Heritage handlebars
Well Skip "you da man!" as they say. 
I just like that pulled back look that I think the Buffallo bars give you. I think you are right in saying I should wait and ride it for a while with the stock bars and see where to go from there.
From what you said I can guess that some HD's are coming out of stock with risers...easy to find out though, I will go have a closer look at the bikes at my local dealer.
Unfortunately, I am not much of a mechanic, and would not have a clue how to use a welder or a lathe or other such tools. I envy people that can do all of that as I have serious reservations about trusting bike mechanics, even though I always use the mechanics at the dealerships whom in theory should be good as they do it everyday.
And right now I am only an average rider with some advanced riding skills still to master (like countersteering, although some consider this one essential as opposed to advanced). My excuse is I am always too busy doing other things in my own time, either for my loved ones or for work! So, I love to ride to escape it all when I can, like all of us.
But back to my point though, I would love to learn alot more about motorbike mechanics one day. We will see how I go with the Harley, I think its going to be my absolute treasure (second only to the missus ofcourse) and I will want to know exactly what oil goes where, and all about (in detail) any maintenance done to it by someone else beforehand.
Thanks for explaining the risers and handlebars....its really cleared things up for me.
I just like that pulled back look that I think the Buffallo bars give you. I think you are right in saying I should wait and ride it for a while with the stock bars and see where to go from there.
From what you said I can guess that some HD's are coming out of stock with risers...easy to find out though, I will go have a closer look at the bikes at my local dealer.
Unfortunately, I am not much of a mechanic, and would not have a clue how to use a welder or a lathe or other such tools. I envy people that can do all of that as I have serious reservations about trusting bike mechanics, even though I always use the mechanics at the dealerships whom in theory should be good as they do it everyday.
And right now I am only an average rider with some advanced riding skills still to master (like countersteering, although some consider this one essential as opposed to advanced). My excuse is I am always too busy doing other things in my own time, either for my loved ones or for work! So, I love to ride to escape it all when I can, like all of us.
But back to my point though, I would love to learn alot more about motorbike mechanics one day. We will see how I go with the Harley, I think its going to be my absolute treasure (second only to the missus ofcourse) and I will want to know exactly what oil goes where, and all about (in detail) any maintenance done to it by someone else beforehand.
Thanks for explaining the risers and handlebars....its really cleared things up for me.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From:
RE: Heritage handlebars
Howartthou pull up my picture's and you can see the riser's I put on. Made a big difference,but not to get sarcastic,but isn't this putting the cart before the horse sort of speak,I mean they may be perfect for you after you get your bike. I needed to pull mine back because I have problem's with my wrist.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
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From: Australia
RE: Heritage handlebars
Tn.Heritage where the heck are your pics. I could not find them in the gallery.
I am not changing the handlebars until I have tried them out first. Position isn't my first concern, looks are, and I don't like the chopper look of the stock bars.
I like the look of the buffalos but I think I will need risers to get them close to the touring postion of the stock bars i.e. I dont want to have to lean forward too much.
I am not changing the handlebars until I have tried them out first. Position isn't my first concern, looks are, and I don't like the chopper look of the stock bars.
I like the look of the buffalos but I think I will need risers to get them close to the touring postion of the stock bars i.e. I dont want to have to lean forward too much.