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Handlebars for Nightster

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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 10:56 AM
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Default Handlebars for Nightster

I guess this is where I post this, I couldn't find a separate forum for sportsters only. Please move it if I am wrong, sorry.

But I just got hit by a car a month ago and have money to fix my bike, luckily it was there fault.

I want to get a different set of bars (I think), but I don't want to have to do any cable work (such as have to buy longer cables or anything). I want something with a little more pullback than the stock bars because I am a short guy, 5 foot 2, and a little pullback would help. I wouldn't mind 2 inches or so of rise either, as long as my stock cables would reach. Any suggestions on what bars to look at? Z bars and T bars look sharp, but I don't know the rise and pullback of the stock bars so I really don't know how to make sure I am not needing to buy new cables and do a lot of cable work.

Thanks guys
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 11:09 AM
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I have an 08 nightster. At one time I was looking into different handlebars,(mini apes) but for the cable change costing more than the bars themselves, I found it cost prohibitive. If you are going to go with aftermarket bars, you can probably compare them to genuine HD, (dimensions) using the HD catalog. The catalog will tell you whether or not different cables, and/or wiring connections are needed. In true HD fashion, anything cool is going to cost you.
 

Last edited by fissco1234; Nov 20, 2014 at 11:10 AM. Reason: Added text
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by fissco1234
I have an 08 nightster. At one time I was looking into different handlebars,(mini apes) but for the cable change costing more than the bars themselves, I found it cost prohibitive. If you are going to go with aftermarket bars, you can probably compare them to genuine HD, (dimensions) using the HD catalog. The catalog will tell you whether or not different cables, and/or wiring connections are needed. In true HD fashion, anything cool is going to cost you.
Thanks man. How about if I just got risers to pull the stock bars back a little and up a little? It seems like my cables have a few inches of slack in them.
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 11:38 AM
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When I bought my bike, it came with braided stainless cables. I started pricing black ones to goe with the mini apes and lost interest quickly. I didn't have the stomach or wallet to even consider all new stainless cables.
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 11:44 AM
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Got ya. Mine are just regular black cables. I'm thinking I could get a little rise and pullback from them. Only problem is my bikes totaled a few hours away so I can't exactly look at it and get measurements right now. Thats why I was hoping someone here had already dealt with this. I guess I could look at rise and pullback of my stock bars from a HD catalog like you mentioned earlier to help shop for bars.

Thank you.
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 05:59 PM
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Compared to HD badged cables, you can save more than 50% going to drag specialist, the parts guy at my local HD helped me size cables and ordered them for me. By rerouting cables, with bars not drastically different you could likely get by with just brake line. On my wife's Iron, I ordered some simple 1 1/2" risor extensions from DK Customs, did not have to replace anything. That small amount made a difference.
 
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Switchback12
Compared to HD badged cables, you can save more than 50% going to drag specialist, the parts guy at my local HD helped me size cables and ordered them for me. By rerouting cables, with bars not drastically different you could likely get by with just brake line. On my wife's Iron, I ordered some simple 1 1/2" risor extensions from DK Customs, did not have to replace anything. That small amount made a difference.
Thanks!
I may just do 1 1/2" risers then for my stock bars. Do you have a picture of your wife's iron by any chance? I want to see what the bars look like with a little rise, although you probably can't even tell much in a picture?
 
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 05:51 PM
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I installed a set of nightster bars on my 48 shortly after purchasing it.
Here's a spec sheet for comparison.
http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Import...ckBarsOne.html
Your stock bars should be 6" height 32" wide 10" pullback.
There are a few bars that might meet your needs.
The harley bars ran about $80.00 for mine.
If you don't go more than 2" in any direction , the stock cables and wiring should be able to be reused most of the time.
Mick
 
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Old Nov 21, 2014 | 07:13 PM
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I have z bars and didn't have to change anything. They do lean forward though. Took a little getting used to them but now I love them.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2014 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Mick
I installed a set of nightster bars on my 48 shortly after purchasing it.
Here's a spec sheet for comparison.
http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Import...ckBarsOne.html
Your stock bars should be 6" height 32" wide 10" pullback.
There are a few bars that might meet your needs.
The harley bars ran about $80.00 for mine.
If you don't go more than 2" in any direction , the stock cables and wiring should be able to be reused most of the time.
Mick
thats for a 2008-13 nightster. Are the bars different for the 2007 nightster?
 
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