Just picked up an 03 Heritage Springer. Always loved the looks, but coming from a Road King with 14" apes, I miss the apes a lot. I've rotated the bars forward but the grips are at an uncomfortable angle. I need to get some apes.

The bike comes with 3" risers and rather sloppy looking external wiring. I'm looking for some recommendations (and pictures) of some apes on a Heritage Springer. I like the Hill Country kits, but am willing to solder as well.

Appreciate any advice & pics of some apes that work well on the Heritage Springers, as well as any install tips as I plan to do it myself (installed windshield and backrest today, and am able to spin a wrench on much tougher things as well).

Thanks in advance.

 

I have a few pictures in my Avatar and the one you see in my profile that shows when I post or reply. I have a few more in my file too. I also bought a new camera and I have pictures on it but I can't figure out how to download them. I went with the 14", 1.5" thick Gangster bars with Carlinis 1.5" tall bra riser. The way they run and feel makes them very comfortable the way the handgrips of the bars slightly flare into the palms of my hands. I had originally had the 16" but those were to tall for me. Carlini runs a little tall so these fit me perfect. I'm 5'10", 225 too.

I also ran everything internally through the bars too. It makes the front end look SO much more clean. I changed over to a hydraulic clutch, which I also love, so I could run that hose through the bars as well. The hydraulic clutch is so nice and smooth, no jerking at all and it is very precise. If I knew I would like that as much as I do I would have gone with a hydraulic clutch long ago even if I had stock bars. I went with Exile internal throttle too and what a nice clean look that gives my bike and the front end.

This set up is not inexpensive but to me, it is worth every single penny and I love the bike with this set up on it. It really gets peoples attention at bike rally's or shows. As for your bike being a Springer with such a set up? I think that would make your bike look just that much more BAD A$$!!! I will say this though, I would NOT use a 3" riser. In fact I would not use anything over a 1.5" riser. Apes, IMHO, should be mounted as close to the tree's as possible. In fact my 2nd choice would be the LA Choppers tree hugger apes with everything internal on those too.

I promise I will try my very best to get this camera figured out to get some pictures to you. I just put it in the shop yesterday for some late winter mods but I already do have a few on the camera. The shop is closed until Tuesday and if all else fails I will get some new pics then and someone to help me figure this dang thing out and get some new pictures to you.

 

Tbone Tony that bike looks bad a$$....

I"m 5.10 myself and 33 sleeves.Do you have any pics on the bike? How far up are your arms over your shoulders if at all? I don't mind a bit over but I don't want to have my arms go to sleep.

If you have a pic or two of you on the bike that'd be helpful, even a cell phone pic is great, I use photo bucket for all my pics, works great. If you need help with that I can guide you.

I probably won't go internal with the clutch or throttle, but wires for sure. I can't believe Harley made such a classic bike at the Heritage Springer and put the wires on the outside...heck they had them internal on flatheads & knuckleheads so they know how....

 

Hey Joe_G thanks and what's up? Ok, I have the Shotgun shock and NO people I am not pushing it! I am only adding that because with the SS I can adjust where the bars are and how they match up to my shoulders. If I pump it all the way up I am just about right at even with my shoulders. If I slam the bike they are about an inch over my shoulders, both of those give or take a 1/4 inch one way or another. I can tell you this though. Had I known it would be this comfortable I would have done it years ago, many years ago!

As for pictures Dude I just put my bike in the shop for some late winter mods. It does not open back up until Tuesday so I will try my best then. Hey, what a minute and let me check something..... Nope, didn't work so the best I can do is Tuesday. There may be a few more in my profile area where all the other information on me is at.

 

That sounds great, just what I'm looking for. Even with shoulders or maybe an inch up.

Not this guy's setup...though he is a nice guy.



Though it is good for team riding.



What risers do you have? Factory or aftermarket w/ rubber to hold the bars? My Road King has a rubber mounted riser and the bars will move if I push them too hard. I've learned to not push them up top when I need to move the bike but thought I'd see if you have this problem too and what type of risers you have.

 

Anyone use the hill country cycles plug and play ape kit? Good experience or bad?

 

Skip the HCC kits. Get what you want.

My recommendations are this...

Carlini Designs FSAP2 Springer adapter plate. This plate allows you to replace the top tree of the springer fork, and you can run any regular riser. With this, any bar of your choice is available to use.

You will need at least 1.5" tall risers. Biggest thing is making sure your bars will not touch the tank at full lock. The adapter plate will move the risers backwards just a touch.

As for bars.....on an FL springer, the bars really need to pull together with the style of the bike. 1.5" bars, IMHO for an FL springer are too thick. 1.25" bars are perfect, again, IMHO.

Look at Www.lachopperscom. They have a set called the Nice Curves. The bottoms are narrow and compliment the width of the springer front end.

This is them 16" tall, 1.25" diameter.

 

Good advice Redbeard. I'd heard of the adaptor, thanks for the link. Those are some wild looking bars, and you're right, they seem to match the thin front end of the Springer.

I also like the turn signal mount, did you buy that or make it? My turn signals are on my handlebars but I like the Road King look like you have better.

 

The plate for regular risers is a must have. Even if you find springer apes, I feel the separate riser clamps of the stock springer risers to be inadequate to keeping the bars secure. Not to mention, they are notorious for stripping out.

A one piece top clamp is much better suited for apes.

As for the turn signals...they're made by Legends Motorcycles. And....they're flipping pricey, but well worth it.

http://www.legendsmotorcycles.com/on...&category_id=2

 

I liked my Wild One 16's. This is a bar hopper though. With the LePera seat and tall apes, it got uncomfortable after a long ride.