Nightster Winter Makeover
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 7
From: NY
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 7
From: NY
Thanks Race. I am definitely going to change them out for something else. Not sure what yet. It would be nice if there was a handlebar store close by where you could bring the bike in and swap out different bars until you found the ones that fit best. I'll figure it out. It just isn't going to be as easy as I was hoping. 
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
From: black river falls, WI
Hey not from the sportster family but been following your project. AMAZING WORK!! youve really dug into that thing making it your own. so kudos all the way, but when i seen the bars, like the others. not feelin it. in the end it is your bike and you gotta want to ride it tho. If your interested in opinions at all I would think a nice low riser with drag bars or say 8-10" mini apes or zbars would fit your build so much better. Just my two cents like the rest of us watchin. Great job so far! keep it up!!!
I would think a nice low riser with drag bars or say 8-10" mini apes or zbars would fit your build so much better. Just my two cents like the rest of us watchin. Great job so far! keep it up!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Thanks Race. I am definitely going to change them out for something else. Not sure what yet. It would be nice if there was a handlebar store close by where you could bring the bike in and swap out different bars until you found the ones that fit best. I'll figure it out. It just isn't going to be as easy as I was hoping.
Hang in there buddy and if I happen to run across something that I think might help your quest, I will shoot you the link! I love your work man!!
Last edited by RaceFace; Jan 8, 2012 at 12:09 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 35
From: Gulf Breeze, FL
I would finish the bike and give the bars an honest chance Ergo. You never know, they might be the best one's you ever rode with in the end...if not, it is still the easiest thing to remedy considering all the work your bike has been through.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
You get the least hand/wrist fatigue with bars that would fit your hands when you just hold them out in front of you, grips slightly down and back. Dirt bike bars are almost always at that angle, for maximum control, although those wouldn't have the appearance you'd probably want. I did use a dirtbike bar once, with the brace running across, handy for hanging a little bag. Had the bar laying around, used it to get a wreck up and running, and ended up keeping it 'cause it felt so good (bought the wreck, never wrecked one myself). Lots of custom bikes have bars angled that way, and the stock bars on my sporty are, but I still see apes and touring setups with extreme pull back grips; those feel uncomfortable to me. Another thing to consider is the riser sweep back; with straight risers, the bars just pivot as they turn; with swept back risers, you get a swinging movement, too, which also increases leverage and might make the steering feel lighter. That doesn't feel natural to me, but I'm sure it's something you get used to; I haven't ridden a setup like that much.
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+1.....but looks plays a huge role in our "motortcycle parts" decision making lol.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
PVC pipe is the best way to mock up bar, get some pipe and fittings, and experiment with what looks good and feels good, putting preference where you want.
Then you can either find something that matches or find a welder to do the work.
Like many of you I have gone through more sets of bars than I care to admit before I decided to build my own. Best decision I ever made.
Then you can either find something that matches or find a welder to do the work.
Like many of you I have gone through more sets of bars than I care to admit before I decided to build my own. Best decision I ever made.
Last edited by 8541hog; Jan 8, 2012 at 07:37 AM.