Apes?
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Ludington, MI
Apes?
Thinking about throwing some 12" apes on my 1200. Wondering how hard it will be....I'm pretty mechanically inclined but some say it's a big job in a backyard garage. Thoughts? Pics of yours?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Go with 14" or 16" narrow apes; wide apes on a narrow glide front end look funky. I have 12" Burly narrow apes and wish I would've went taller. Depending on how high you go you'll have to extend your wiring and cables. Remove the old bars and let the controls hang off to the side, install new bars how you want to run them (I prefer 5* forward), then measure how much additional length you'll need from there. You may find that you don't have to extend everything but make sure you check for snags by steering to both sides full lock.
The Burly narrow apes are a solid choice and are already drilled and dimpled for stock controls/wiring. It's also a good idea to deburr the edges of the wiring holes so the wires don't get cut after you run them through. And from what I've read, the Burly extension kits are too long. Either order one size down or better yet get your own steel-braided lines and wiring kit. If you're going for a blacked-out look, you could always order the black steel-braided lines or slip some vinyl tubing over the silver lines.
The Burly narrow apes are a solid choice and are already drilled and dimpled for stock controls/wiring. It's also a good idea to deburr the edges of the wiring holes so the wires don't get cut after you run them through. And from what I've read, the Burly extension kits are too long. Either order one size down or better yet get your own steel-braided lines and wiring kit. If you're going for a blacked-out look, you could always order the black steel-braided lines or slip some vinyl tubing over the silver lines.
Last edited by starforbrian; May 5, 2015 at 12:04 AM.
It's a pretty easy job...unless you are going internally wired...that is a whole other level of frustration and patience.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
I've never done it, but having been around HDF for a while I will observe that the wiring seems to give members the greatest challenge - whether internal or not! If you're good at making good quality electrical connections when extending or modifying the wiring and getting the darned things to end up where they belong, you'll be fine!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
If you're patient, good at following directions, have the tools/talent/patience, and are good at soldering = it's not too complex. Just need to take your time and think about each step, before diving in. Wiring's the biggest trick (of course) and I created color-coded diagrams for each harness as I removed the control(s). Also, get your height correct...12" might "sound" correct, but could be too low/high. Sit on the bike (normal), hold arms up where it feels comfortable and measure...that's your sweet spot for height. Good luck!
If you're not going internal, you can get wire extensions from NAMZ. That makes the wiring as easy as unplugging a few connectors and plugging a few in. 
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 613
Likes: 17
From: Boston, MA
I was wondering the same thing back when I had my sporty. I decided to just dig into it over the winter, which gave me plenty of time to do my homework in the even that I got stuck. Service manual made the job a piece of cake. It went so well that I even did my ape install on my brand new softail 2 months after I brought it home.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 965
Likes: 316
From: Nevada
I used the HD Brand Mini Apes, along with some Riser Extensions.
It's a pretty easy job...unless you are going internally wired...that is a whole other level of frustration and patience.
It's a pretty easy job...unless you are going internally wired...that is a whole other level of frustration and patience.