Handlebar Fitment Question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 21, 2015 | 11:28 AM

Ridewva

Thread Starter

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,842

Likes: 502

From: Northern WV

Handlebar Fitment Question

I've never changed bars before and I'm searching handlebars to replace the stock ones on my RK with ones about 2" lower. I would like to get as close as possible to the rise and pull back that were on my 09 FLHT which fit me to perfection. Unfortunately those exact bars have a wide base to rise almost vertically through the batwing and their knurl width is slightly wider. Is exact knurl width critical or can 3.14 and 3.50 be interchanged?
I've sat on 08-13 RK's which have different bars but their 7" rise feels almost too low for me.

Stock 15-15 RK bars:

Bar diameter 1
Width 31.25
Pull back 5
Rise 12
Base width 11.50
Knurl width 3.14

FLHT bars:
Bar diameter 1
Width 30.25
Pull back 6.25
Rise 9.75
Base width 15.75
Knurl width 3.50

I found 56563-95 which are sized pretty close to my ideal but are listed as fitting Sportsters and some Dyna's. Just curious what if anything is it about bars such as this, that they fit Dyna's but not Tourers? (RK's don't have internal wiring or cables.)

56563-95
Bar diameter 1
Width 31.50
Pull back 5.50
Rise 9.75
Base width 9.50
Knurl width 3.14

Jul 21, 2015 | 01:50 PM

jimmything

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,990

Likes: 23

From: NC

Don't know if you've checked out http://www.wild1inc.com/, but the site is very helpful with specs and pics.

Jul 21, 2015 | 02:11 PM

Ridewva

Thread Starter

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,842

Likes: 502

From: Northern WV

Thanks Jimmy yes I have, along with the handlebar chart in the HD catalog and sitting on various bikes at the dealership. It's probably gonna be a PIA changing them with TBW and heated grips so I want to be sure and just do it once!

Jul 21, 2015 | 02:51 PM

jimmything

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,990

Likes: 23

From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridewva

I've done it twice. Yea, a pita, but it's worth it. Take your time, and do it right. I put 9" extentions for my controls. I soldered them, and put heat shrink over them, including the tiny TBW connector, which I broke the tiny clip that kept it from seperating, so I put some heat shrink over it too and never had one problem for about 5 years so far. I never needed longer brake or clutch cables with my bars either.

Jul 21, 2015 | 03:38 PM

Ridewva

Thread Starter

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,842

Likes: 502

From: Northern WV

Yeah fortunately going a couple inches lower should't require changing the throttle wire. I'm sure I'll have to change the brake line and clutch cable. Not sure how to remove the left heated grip w/o damaging it though?

Jul 22, 2015 | 09:32 PM

pjones1969

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 215

Likes: 6

From: DFW, Texas

I put these on my FLHX, used the factory cables but had to reroute the clutch because of the angle where it came out of the inner fairing, I believe some of the pics show them on a RK, 7" wider, 2-1/2" lower and 1/2" more pullback as stock FLHX bars, doesn't say anything about heated grip comparability, I don't have those.

http://www.lachoppers.com/catalog/di...059/index.html

According to this chart the FLHR and FLHX have the same stock bar dimensions

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Import...ckBarsOne.html

Last edited by pjones1969; Jul 22, 2015 at 09:33 PM. Reason: Edit

Jul 23, 2015 | 06:21 AM

Ridewva

Thread Starter

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 3,842

Likes: 502

From: Northern WV

Thanks the chart in your link is helpful. I'm not sure I want handlebars 38" wide though?

Just stumbled on to this thread, perfect!

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...andlebars.html

Last edited by Ridewva; Jul 23, 2015 at 06:26 AM.

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Verdad Gallardo

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Verdad Gallardo

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Verdad Gallardo

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Pouria Savadkouei

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

Verdad Gallardo

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

Verdad Gallardo

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Verdad Gallardo

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Verdad Gallardo

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Joe Kucinski

Jul 23, 2015 | 10:24 AM

crimson13

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 4,080

Likes: 61

From: Leroy,Alabama

I don't have a suggestion other than agreeing with what pjones posted.
I was skeptical of wide bars also at first , after riding with them I find the wide bars being a lot more comfortable than narrow. To me the wide bars put me I am more natural seating position.
I have 14" apes on my limited now , but more than likely will be swapping to the big Johnson bars on the future.

Jul 23, 2015 | 09:08 PM

#10

pjones1969

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 215

Likes: 6

From: DFW, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridewva

Thanks the chart in your link is helpful. I'm not sure I want handlebars 38" wide though?

Just stumbled on to this thread, perfect!

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...andlebars.html

You'd like them!!

seriously though, I hear you, I looked forever before deciding on the Big Johnson's, it's a personal choice for sure and like you I only wanted to do it once, good luck and keep us posted on what you decide