Hey Gang,

Wanted to trouble you guys for your opinion. This is something I normally don't do and I tend to go with my own instincts when it comes to aesthetics but with these new handlebars that I am installing I find myself having a hard time coming to a clear conclusion.

Some time ago I scored an awesome deal on eBay for a set of H-D wide Springer beach bars and risers, complete with all controls, signals, mirrors, black levers, nostalgic grips, clutch and throttle and idle cables. All parts were in either new or near new condition and the bars were already wired and ready to install. All this for $200!

Because the bars were already wired and ready to go, I figured the best thing would be to just throw them on as is, meaning leaving them chrome on a bike that is otherwise relatively chrome free. One forum member even stated that the downside to the bars being ready to install is that I couldn't have them powder coated black to go with the rest of my bike.

As I was mocking the bars up last night I realized they must have come off of an pre-2007 motorcycle because the plugs for the controls were the Deutsch style where as my Bones uses Molex connectors. I was not aware of the difference until I I had everything mocked up and quickly determined that I would need to replace the control wires on the beach bars with the stock ones of my Bones. Since I will now be completely disassembling the beach bars it will now be possible to have them powder coated black as I originally would have liked and as others suggested. However, as I looked at the bars on my bike I thought that this was one of those cases where a splash of chrome was a nice touch to my blacked out ride. Now I am conflicted on whether to leave them chrome or black them out. I have seen these bars on at least two Crossbones in two different Harley P&A catalogs and they didn't look bad at all in chrome. One idea I had was that if I do leave the bars in chrome I would at least black out the risers to break up the chrome between the bars and the fork springs. I also removed the chrome turn signals that came on the bars. Originally I was going to replace them with my stock black turn signals from my Crossbones but I think I will just keep the signals off the bars and finally get around to installing my blacked out, flat Heritage style turn signals onto the auxiliary light bar.

So what do you guys think?

If you are one of those Chromosexuals who thinks everything and their mother should be chromed out them your opinion probably won't have much bearing. Although I like chrome as an accent, I am hardly a FAN of it and like to keep it to a minimum. I would love to hear from the rest of you who have a balanced sense of taste and can appreciate a combination of finishes and looks. Unfortunately I only have photos of the mock-up so it doesn't give the best sense of what the final product would look like. I threw a few photos up below. One is of my scoot in running order and two of the bars mocked up on my partially disassembled scoot.

I would like to decide before I wire the beach bars and complete the install. I don't want to have to pull the tank off again and go through the process of removing the break line and undoing the wire plugs so that I can run the bars to the powder coaters.

Thanks,

Skeez

 

Black them out. I think if there was more of a balance I would say leave them but since the bike is mostly black, I think it would look much better blacked out. It is your ride and go with ever you like, but you already know that.

 

I went with blacked out bars on my bike and kept the stock polished/chromed risers. I personally like it better with the chrome risers. But that is me. If you are leaning toward the black then go for it.

 

I freely admit that I am a card carrying chromosaur. Nevertheless, I love the look of your bike; it seems to be a perfect blend, but of course, to each his own. Your bike is largely but NOT exclusively black, and I think that is key. The contrast looks great. I'll post a pic of what I think is too much chrome, but bikes that are 100% murdered out, especially in flat black, don't do it for me. Again, to each his own.

The second issue is the retro look to your bike. Unless one is going for a retro military look, some chrome seems appropriate. Again, nice scoot! Click link below!

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/attac...ight-rider.jpg

 

From one Crossbones owner to another, I say leave them chrome. Bikes that are all black are very boring to me. There's nothing to draw the eye anywhere. You have a Springer because you like the nostalgic look. Take a look at any photo of, let's say, a 1947 Knucklehead, and you'll see black and chrome, including a chrome a/c cover. I even swith between black and chrome a/c covers and horn covers, depending on my mood. Contrast is a nice thing and would look especially nice on your bike. Take some styling cues from your original bike. The front end already has gloss black and chrome (springs). Carry that through your bike. Since your A/C cover is black, your horn should be black. Since your oil take cap is chrome, consider the Harley oval chrome coil cover. Maybe a chrome voltage regulator cover to match? Just a few thoughts.....

 

Like most of the Softail section, I am also a chrome *****. It truly surprises me to say this, but on your ride, I would black the stuff out.

 

To much black is horrible
To much chrome is horrible.


I say leave it chrome. It goes good with your chrome pipes.

 

And a +1. Kind of my idea with my LO.

 

I like the subtle two toned effect of the bars against the blacked-out bike you have.

You could always consider using your stock blacked-out risers and leave the bars and bolts for the risers chrome. That way your bars and a few subtle parts are chrome, like the valve covers and exhaust on your bike. It is just a little sparkle.

Or, you could mask the controls and plasti-dip paint the bars black and see if you like it. If not, the plasti-dip paint removes easy and you will have the chrome. If you really like the black, either leave the plasti-dip paint on them or better, just remove the fittings at the end of the wires (totally easy), pull the wires out, and have the bars powder coated. Putting the wires back through is really, really, easy.

But, the more important question is: what do you think?

 

Can't use the stock risers. These bars are the H-D Wide bars which are 1.25 inch diameter and do not reduce at the center. The require the use of larger capacity risers which only come in chrome from H-D and were included with the purchase of these bars. Thanks for all the ideas. After disassembling my stock bars and mocking up those controls onto a set of 16 inch 1.25 diameter apes that I have I believe as you say that re-wiring the bars will be super easy. I was concerned because I thought that my stock wires would not be long enough since the installation instructions call for extending the turn signal wires. I couldn't imagine why the same would not be true for the control wires but I guess those are long enough. I will know for sure when I take apart the beach bars but for now I think I am good.

I think I will start looking at some photo reference of old scoots that I am trying to emulate and see where that takes me as well.