Stock Mini Apes (rolling them forward?)
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
The torque wrench you bought will be useless for this job because of its higher rating but keep it, its a great wrench to have around for other jobs. For a low torque rating like you need for this job you need a wrench like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-1-2-Driv...item35b8b4828a
You can probably get one from your local autozone or Napa parts stores on their loaner program.
From reading this whole thread I wanted to explain some stuff to make sure you understand the tools use and why its recommended for this job. I noticed you said that you could tighten the bolts that tight without the torque wrench. Your right, you can. The torque wrench does not assist in making a bolt tighter than you could normally make it. It works the same as a regular socket wrench, it simply measures the amount of torque you are applying to the bolt. The reason it is recommended for this job is so you get the caps on level and they get a good even bite on the bars. If you look at the way they are designed you will understand. There is a small gap between to the top and bottom of the handlebar clamps that you will be tightening. It needs to be there all the way around. If you tighten one side down first it will close all the way down closing the gap on that side and leaving a large gap on the other side and it won't get a good bite on your bars.
Make sure as you do this, start both bolts with a regular allen ranch on both clamps. If your worried about getting them nice and even just count the turns you make on each bolt as you snug them down just enough to hold the bars where you want them. Then put your allen head adapter on the torque wrench and begin torqueing the bolts going back and forth between front and back evenly. Do not simply torque the first bolt to 15ft lbs. Doing so what close the gap on that side. Torque the first one down just a little. Than do the the other bolt so it matches and keep going back and forth. Like I said earlier, the goal is to keep the gap even on both the front and back of the clamp caps so neither side bottoms out.
This is a super simple job. Should take you all of about 2 minutes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-1-2-Driv...item35b8b4828a
You can probably get one from your local autozone or Napa parts stores on their loaner program.
From reading this whole thread I wanted to explain some stuff to make sure you understand the tools use and why its recommended for this job. I noticed you said that you could tighten the bolts that tight without the torque wrench. Your right, you can. The torque wrench does not assist in making a bolt tighter than you could normally make it. It works the same as a regular socket wrench, it simply measures the amount of torque you are applying to the bolt. The reason it is recommended for this job is so you get the caps on level and they get a good even bite on the bars. If you look at the way they are designed you will understand. There is a small gap between to the top and bottom of the handlebar clamps that you will be tightening. It needs to be there all the way around. If you tighten one side down first it will close all the way down closing the gap on that side and leaving a large gap on the other side and it won't get a good bite on your bars.
Make sure as you do this, start both bolts with a regular allen ranch on both clamps. If your worried about getting them nice and even just count the turns you make on each bolt as you snug them down just enough to hold the bars where you want them. Then put your allen head adapter on the torque wrench and begin torqueing the bolts going back and forth between front and back evenly. Do not simply torque the first bolt to 15ft lbs. Doing so what close the gap on that side. Torque the first one down just a little. Than do the the other bolt so it matches and keep going back and forth. Like I said earlier, the goal is to keep the gap even on both the front and back of the clamp caps so neither side bottoms out.
This is a super simple job. Should take you all of about 2 minutes.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Here is a pic of them rolled forward. As you guys said, it was very easy. Also had to move the clutch and brake levers. I was a bit worried at first because it didn't seem like the lines were long enough but they ended up working.
Also chopped the old license plate holder last night, no more having the photoshop that out. lol
Also chopped the old license plate holder last night, no more having the photoshop that out. lol
Last edited by ghoticov; Jul 21, 2012 at 08:44 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,298
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
Not stock. Not too many Harleys I know of have stock mini-apes. Street Bob and 72 come to mind. This is my third set of bars since I got the bike, 12-inch minis. I rolled them forward about a year ago, and love it. More comfortable than the regular bars or Heritage bars which I had on before. It just depends on how you're built and what feels good to you and what looks good to you, there's really no way of knowing til you ride. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Thanks man. I was surprised how it changed the look of the bike and it also makes me sit more upright, which feels better on my back.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
Not stock. Not too many Harleys I know of have stock mini-apes. Street Bob and 72 come to mind. This is my third set of bars since I got the bike, 12-inch minis. I rolled them forward about a year ago, and love it. More comfortable than the regular bars or Heritage bars which I had on before. It just depends on how you're built and what feels good to you and what looks good to you, there's really no way of knowing til you ride. Hope this helps.
I have no idea if mine are stock mini apes, that's just what I assumed actually. The bike was pretty stock when I bought it and I thought stock the 07 softail custom came with mini apes. How can I tell what bars they are? I am also still trying to figure how you measure them (10", 16", etc).
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 4
From: Utah
yep, thats what its all about. Little tweaks that make your ride more comfortable. Looks great!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 974
Likes: 4
From: Utah
Wish I could run mine straight up. Every time I try the local gestapo pulls me over and gives me grief. Then I have to lower them and get the ticket signed off. Finally got tired of moving them and just left them down a little.
Pain in the butt...my hands are barely 1" higher than my shoulders with them up and the law here says your hands can't be higher than your shoulders. I see guys riding around with higher all the time but the cops here like me....
Pain in the butt...my hands are barely 1" higher than my shoulders with them up and the law here says your hands can't be higher than your shoulders. I see guys riding around with higher all the time but the cops here like me....
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,298
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
You're right, the '07 softail custom has stock mini-apes. I've always liked the looks of that bike. They look like 10-inch apes to me, but they're on risers, right? Not sure of the dimensions.