West Coast T-Bars Iron 883 review / pics
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 25
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Install questions
For those who don’t want to read about the install or more insight on my personal opinions, below is a quick pros and cons list.
Pros:
- Top notch build quality (great welds and powder coating)
- Dimpled bars for easy stock fit
- Internal wiring
- Outstanding product support
- Quick email and phone support
Cons:
- No tracking numbers on shipped products
To start these bars are going on a 2011 Iron 883 I have several pictures included. Some of the pictures are not very clear as I used my phone and many are taken in my garage under low light.
As I stated the bars arrived and you can immediately see the quality in the build. Nice thick bars with precision welds covered by a no drip or smudge powder coat … I was nervous to put a scratch on em!
My first install attempt ended in disaster! You may have read another forum post by me venting my anger at myself after having a bolt snap off on the inside of the bars. I attempted to countersink them out but broke that then I attempted to have the dealership take a look and they wouldn’t even touch them (stealership not being helpful?? Surprise surprise) I was at a complete loss. I emailed west coast T bars and explained my situation. My bike is my primary transportation and my old Truck is in the shop making my bike my only transportation to be honest I did not expect much help and was really surprised when I received a phone call shortly after my email!
I cannot tell you in the last 10 years when I have had any kind of customer service much less an actual call from a company about their product… all that to say West Coast T bars handles there business and takes care of their customers.
So I ship my bars to them and they ship me out a new set right away.
Bars arrive and I get them installed no problems.
Did you have to get new or extended______?:
- I used stock throttle cables
- I used stock brake cable .. I did not bend it but moved rings holding the cable.
- I did extend the electronics but could have used stock would have been a tight fit but with a tank lift possible.
I was not sure about speedo relocation and struggled with side mount or bracket and mounted off bars so I ended on the Roland sands option and I am very happy with the outcome.
I am 5’9 180lbs “what I was looking for in new bars”
I wanted to raise about 2 inches from stock and maybe an inch and a half more pullback or bring the bars in close to have my back in a more upright position I also did not want to sacrifice control or being able to “throw” the bike around.
The West Coast T bars accomplished exactly that! Coming right out of the tree brings them “back” into my body giving my back a more upright position. The bars are said to be 8inch rise mine were about 9inchs from the tree this was also perfect keeping my hands a little below my shoulders giving me comfort for long rides while retaining control and rigidness.
The bars feel extremely comfortable on long rides and the handling characteristics are rigid and tight just like stock.
I went through 3 setups before this. Biltwell z bars, Biltwell windowed bars, and 2 inch risers on stock bars. Do not get me wrong Biltwell makes a great bar but the comfort and placement I was looking for could not be reached by the above bars. I did put at least 400 miles on each set… except the z bars I knew right away they would not work for me.
So there you have it! More opinions about bars that will probably only further confuse you if your swimming through post wondering what setup you want BUT I wrote this in the off chance your looking like I was and maybe your around my size and maybe my descriptions are what you’re looking for and in that case I can save you some headache and some money!!
These bars feel, look, and ride amazing.
Pros:
- Top notch build quality (great welds and powder coating)
- Dimpled bars for easy stock fit
- Internal wiring
- Outstanding product support
- Quick email and phone support
Cons:
- No tracking numbers on shipped products
To start these bars are going on a 2011 Iron 883 I have several pictures included. Some of the pictures are not very clear as I used my phone and many are taken in my garage under low light.
As I stated the bars arrived and you can immediately see the quality in the build. Nice thick bars with precision welds covered by a no drip or smudge powder coat … I was nervous to put a scratch on em!
My first install attempt ended in disaster! You may have read another forum post by me venting my anger at myself after having a bolt snap off on the inside of the bars. I attempted to countersink them out but broke that then I attempted to have the dealership take a look and they wouldn’t even touch them (stealership not being helpful?? Surprise surprise) I was at a complete loss. I emailed west coast T bars and explained my situation. My bike is my primary transportation and my old Truck is in the shop making my bike my only transportation to be honest I did not expect much help and was really surprised when I received a phone call shortly after my email!
I cannot tell you in the last 10 years when I have had any kind of customer service much less an actual call from a company about their product… all that to say West Coast T bars handles there business and takes care of their customers.
So I ship my bars to them and they ship me out a new set right away.
Bars arrive and I get them installed no problems.
Did you have to get new or extended______?:
- I used stock throttle cables
- I used stock brake cable .. I did not bend it but moved rings holding the cable.
- I did extend the electronics but could have used stock would have been a tight fit but with a tank lift possible.
I was not sure about speedo relocation and struggled with side mount or bracket and mounted off bars so I ended on the Roland sands option and I am very happy with the outcome.
I am 5’9 180lbs “what I was looking for in new bars”
I wanted to raise about 2 inches from stock and maybe an inch and a half more pullback or bring the bars in close to have my back in a more upright position I also did not want to sacrifice control or being able to “throw” the bike around.
The West Coast T bars accomplished exactly that! Coming right out of the tree brings them “back” into my body giving my back a more upright position. The bars are said to be 8inch rise mine were about 9inchs from the tree this was also perfect keeping my hands a little below my shoulders giving me comfort for long rides while retaining control and rigidness.
The bars feel extremely comfortable on long rides and the handling characteristics are rigid and tight just like stock.
I went through 3 setups before this. Biltwell z bars, Biltwell windowed bars, and 2 inch risers on stock bars. Do not get me wrong Biltwell makes a great bar but the comfort and placement I was looking for could not be reached by the above bars. I did put at least 400 miles on each set… except the z bars I knew right away they would not work for me.
So there you have it! More opinions about bars that will probably only further confuse you if your swimming through post wondering what setup you want BUT I wrote this in the off chance your looking like I was and maybe your around my size and maybe my descriptions are what you’re looking for and in that case I can save you some headache and some money!!
These bars feel, look, and ride amazing.
So I just installed some biltwell z bars and they're alright, too much slouch though. I really wanted the t bars in the first place but I thought i would have to extend the cabling and wiring. From your post I think I gathered that you can slap them right on. Is it as easy as the Z bars? I don't want to extend cabling or wiring. What parts would I need? Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
i am not sure how this guy did his brake line but...... i did 10" licks aped z bars in my 2015 iron and it all worked fine. all i ahd to do was reroute my brake line straight up behind the headlight and in between the speedo and headlight eyebrow. tight as a damn banjo string but it works. all other cables and wiring was fine. stealership quoted me all new lines and wiring plus 10 hours of labor. coming out to well over $1250. i did it all myself for free :-)
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