Moving bars forward?
Moving bars forward?
Ok, so when I bought the bike these are the bars that came with. I know they are Z bars but not sure brand.
I'm not sure that I want to stay with these bars. I've been leaning more to a drag bar or closer to the stock bars that came on the bike. While they are not uncomfortable I don't like how far up the controls sit. Feel they sit at too much of an angle.
Right now they are angled back to pretty much follow the lines of the front forks.
I would like to angle the controls down a bit so it will be a better grab for me. The problem is that these bars are dempled so I'm thinking I will have to push the whole bar forward. My question is how far forward can I move the bars forward without really affecting the dynamics of the steering?
I'm not sure that I want to stay with these bars. I've been leaning more to a drag bar or closer to the stock bars that came on the bike. While they are not uncomfortable I don't like how far up the controls sit. Feel they sit at too much of an angle.
Right now they are angled back to pretty much follow the lines of the front forks.
I would like to angle the controls down a bit so it will be a better grab for me. The problem is that these bars are dempled so I'm thinking I will have to push the whole bar forward. My question is how far forward can I move the bars forward without really affecting the dynamics of the steering?
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: virginia
I got 14 inch apes I moved mine forward a little just looses the bolts on riser and move em a lil and ride around the block take a few turns and see how you like it I adjusted it about three times I also had to move the brake and clutch levers afterwards cause they were to far down when I moved the bars
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
I got z-bars on my Softail. I had 'em in line with the forks at first and it killed my back form leaning over. I tilted them forward and they're much, much better. Because of the geometry, rotating the bars forward brought the grips up and closer to me. I feel like I have better control with them rotated forward and my lower back is happier. I don't feel like the steering dynamics changed at all, but it's easier to ride 'cause I'm comfortable.
Move 'em around to different spots, but don't forget to put a bunch of soft rags on your gas tank before you loosen the handlebar clamp bolts. If you're not paying attention, the bars will have a tendency to fall away quickly and slam down. I learned the hard way.
Crappy pic of them after tilting them forward:
Move 'em around to different spots, but don't forget to put a bunch of soft rags on your gas tank before you loosen the handlebar clamp bolts. If you're not paying attention, the bars will have a tendency to fall away quickly and slam down. I learned the hard way.
Crappy pic of them after tilting them forward:
I got z-bars on my Softail. I had 'em in line with the forks at first and it killed my back form leaning over. I tilted them forward and they're much, much better. Because of the geometry, rotating the bars forward brought the grips up and closer to me. I feel like I have better control with them rotated forward and my lower back is happier. I don't feel like the steering dynamics changed at all, but it's easier to ride 'cause I'm comfortable.
Move 'em around to different spots, but don't forget to put a bunch of soft rags on your gas tank before you loosen the handlebar clamp bolts. If you're not paying attention, the bars will have a tendency to fall away quickly and slam down. I learned the hard way.
Crappy pic of them after tilting them forward:
Move 'em around to different spots, but don't forget to put a bunch of soft rags on your gas tank before you loosen the handlebar clamp bolts. If you're not paying attention, the bars will have a tendency to fall away quickly and slam down. I learned the hard way.
Crappy pic of them after tilting them forward:
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My 10" Z bars are more straight than pulled back. I pushed them more forward and like how they feel. I originally had them pulled back on the angle of the forks and didn't like the feel.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Check out this thread, post #8 (by cHarley), for exhaust flange nuts:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-stripped.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-stripped.html
Check out this thread, post #8 (by cHarley), for exhaust flange nuts:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-stripped.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...-stripped.html
Good info, thanks!