Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

changing bars..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2008 | 06:06 PM
  #1  
motordrum's Avatar
motordrum
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From: OKC
Default changing bars..

Just got a Nightster, it's my first Harley. Wanting to change to drag bars. I want to do it myself. Did it on my metric real easy. Is thisgoing to be just as easy???
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2008 | 06:08 PM
  #2  
HDHornet's Avatar
HDHornet
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Default RE: changing bars..

No
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2008 | 06:13 PM
  #3  
motordrum's Avatar
motordrum
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From: OKC
Default RE: changing bars..

What will make it more difficult?
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2008 | 07:01 PM
  #4  
GothMetalGuitarist's Avatar
GothMetalGuitarist
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From:
Default RE: changing bars..

First off, welcome to the forums. If you are going from the std Nightster bars to drags, you will NOT have to change cables. It's a fairly easy job. Make sure your new bars are dimpled if you are going to run your cables externally. Running your wiring internally is a much more difficult job but ultimately looks cleaner. Should be as easy as pulling all your cables and controls off, remove your riser cap and bars, plop it all back together. Not tough at all.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #5  
motordrum's Avatar
motordrum
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From: OKC
Default RE: changing bars..

So they have to be dimpled for external wiring?
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2008 | 02:17 AM
  #6  
ColinB's Avatar
ColinB
Novice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: UK
Default RE: changing bars..

ORIGINAL: motordrum

So they have to be dimpled for external wiring?
Not necessarily. You can file out the plastic on the switch housing to let thewires exit without pinching them if you have no dimples.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2008 | 08:00 AM
  #7  
motordrum's Avatar
motordrum
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 4
From: OKC
Default RE: changing bars..

Ok, I see!
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2008 | 08:49 AM
  #8  
carlo's Avatar
carlo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 6
From: 50 Miles North N.Y.C.
Default RE: changing bars..

Get the HD service manual. Its worth it. Watch out for the front hand brake switch. You have to wedge a peace or card board in it as not to damage switch. Thats why the manual is good to have.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mwiles
General Topics/Tech Tips
1
Jun 18, 2018 11:34 AM
loosnut
Want To Buy Motorcycles/Parts/Accessories
0
Jul 1, 2011 09:40 PM
cozziem137
Sportster Models
4
Sep 10, 2010 07:42 AM
The Reverend D
Dyna Glide Models
7
Mar 15, 2010 09:49 AM
Fivehorisun
Sportster Models
6
Apr 16, 2009 11:01 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE