Changing handle bars

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Jan 22, 2005 | 02:45 PM

Col Fod

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Jan 2005

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Changing handle bars

I admired a set of heritage softtail handle bars on a friend's road king. The dealer had swapped his out for him. Can anyone walk me through the procedure? HD says my cables will all fit and I would like to try to do it myself...being somewhat mechanically minded.
Jim

Sorry, forgot: I have an 03 Road King Classic.

Jan 22, 2005 | 07:02 PM

luvmyflhtcui

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 629

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From: Virginia Beach, VA

RE: Changing handle bars

Measure your cables and also the cables of the bike the bars are coming off of. Changing out the handlebars is very easy. The harderst part id removing your old grips and installing them on the new bars. You have to sand and prep the bars for the glueing on of the left grip. The wiring is all on the outside of the bars and the clips are very easy to install. Make sure that you have free clearance for all cables and that they do not bind and you will be in there.

Good luck,
Scott

Jan 22, 2005 | 09:06 PM

billnourse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,934

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From: Bloomfield, NM

RE: Changing handle bars

On the Road King, you have to remove the Headlight and and the cover on top of the Nacelle to get to the handle bar clamp. My suggestion is to get a shop manual for about 57.00, and you will have step by step instructions. If you are mechanical, you will probably want to do other maintainance, repairs, changes, etc, so the manual will be a good investment.

Just a thought.

Regards,

Bill

Jan 22, 2005 | 10:36 PM

Sincecrazy

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,726

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RE: Changing handle bars

To remove the bars youll have to remove the handlebar clamp cover, to expose the handlebar clamp. There is a trim ring around the fork lock cylinder that simply pops up, slight use of a flat head screw driver will work. Youll have to remove the screw under it for the cover removal. Remove the headlight trim ring and the headlight assembly to expose the nut that holds the slim chrome cover on top of the headlight nacelle, after removing the nut you can lift up on the front and pull toward the front of the motorcycle to remove the trim. After removing the trim you will see the bolt that holds the handlebar clamp cover to the headlight nacelle, remove this and the cover should lift off. Remove the 4 bolts holding the handlebars and you should be able to lift them off. I would recommend covering your tank should you drop a wrench or the bars on the tank. Remove your controls and grips before removing the bars. You can easily remove the left grip using a thin bladed screwdriver in which you want to push under the grip and spray some carburetor cleaner under the grip, then twist. Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Jan 23, 2005 | 12:14 PM

Col Fod

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 2

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RE: Changing handle bars

Thanks to everyone--I'll go to the dealer today (open Sunday afternoons), get the manual and get started. I am moving from Georgia to Oklahoma soon and cannot wait for the cruise back west.

Jan 23, 2005 | 09:53 PM

05roadking

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2005

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From:

RE: Changing handle bars

Hey sincecrazy, was there a lot of work involved with putting those ape hangers on your RK? I assume ya had to get different length cables all round....?

Jan 23, 2005 | 10:54 PM

05roadking

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 169

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From:

RE: Changing handle bars

just saw what you did in another post so.......NEVERMIND!!!![sm=icon_quiet.gif]

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Jan 27, 2005 | 10:10 PM

pococj

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 11,068

Likes: 1,478

From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?

RE: Changing handle bars

Quote:

ORIGINAL: ApeKing

Quote:

Next time you come this direction from GA, aim for the southeastern part of OK. Beautiful riding country there and in neighboring Arkansas. Try the Talimena Highway near Mena, AR and heading over into OK.

Jan 27, 2005 | 11:42 PM

#10

Sincecrazy

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,726

Likes: 12

RE: Changing handle bars

Quote:

ORIGINAL: 05roadking

Hey sincecrazy, was there a lot of work involved with putting those ape hangers on your RK? I assume ya had to get different length cables all round....?

Yeah, there is alot of work in it. All the cables have to be replaces with longer ones. The wires have to be extended and ran internally in the bars. All of the exhaust had to come off to replace the clutch cable(if only the clutch cover would have been in a different place). Brakes had to be bled. Its involved, but I love the results.