chubby's on RK Custom
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
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RE: chubby's on RK Custom
I have an 07 RK Custom with the Chubby Beach bars, and I can say in my humble opinion they blow away the stock "Beach" bars. I don't really consider the stock bars Beach bars......
I was torn between Chuby 16' Apes, or the Beach Bars.....I went with the Beach bars and couldn't be happier.
Swapped the bars out myself, took a little over 7 hours for the whole job. Ran all the wires inside the bars, except for the turn signals. I had everything inside the bars before I realized that the Chubby bars are not dimpled for the turn signals. So rather then tear everything down again to drill the bars I pulled the turn signal wires out and ran them down the bars, brake side of the bars worked out great you can hardly see the signal wire, left side you can see the three ty-raps, still doesn't look bad, this winter I'll put the light bar on her and will relocate the signals.
I've taken 3 trips over 800 miles a pop with the new bars and I have not had any discomfort issues. My bike is also lowered in the *** end with Progressive 11.5 440 HD's. I am 5'7' and the stock bars wore me out! Took a5 day 1500 mile trip earlier this year (The Dragon)with the stock bars and I was in serious pain and needed to self medicate at the end of each day!
I was torn between Chuby 16' Apes, or the Beach Bars.....I went with the Beach bars and couldn't be happier.
Swapped the bars out myself, took a little over 7 hours for the whole job. Ran all the wires inside the bars, except for the turn signals. I had everything inside the bars before I realized that the Chubby bars are not dimpled for the turn signals. So rather then tear everything down again to drill the bars I pulled the turn signal wires out and ran them down the bars, brake side of the bars worked out great you can hardly see the signal wire, left side you can see the three ty-raps, still doesn't look bad, this winter I'll put the light bar on her and will relocate the signals.
I've taken 3 trips over 800 miles a pop with the new bars and I have not had any discomfort issues. My bike is also lowered in the *** end with Progressive 11.5 440 HD's. I am 5'7' and the stock bars wore me out! Took a5 day 1500 mile trip earlier this year (The Dragon)with the stock bars and I was in serious pain and needed to self medicate at the end of each day!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 31
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RE: chubby's on RK Custom
Do those beach bars make you reach forward or is your riding position pretty similar to stock on the custom..? At first I didnt like the custom "wheelbarrow" handlebars because it made my wrists feel awkward, but I have grown used to them and dont mind them - but I am planning to swap to braided cables and when doing so I want a bar I can hide the wires as well - so I need to pick a bar so I can get this done over winter.I assume that the 508 is basically what my custom has on it now for the most part is that correct..? I really like the look of the 550 beach bars , but I am not sure what to expect with those bars - I also like the 518 look as well - but I am not sure how much I will have to reach with those. Also, if any of you who have beach bars on a road king could post a pic that would be sweet. Thanks a ton.
Marcus
Marcus
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 340
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RE: chubby's on RK Custom
mlawrenc,
There is no reaching forward for me with the Chubby beach bars, they feel very naturalto me. They do spread you out a bit further then the stock "beach" bars, and the wrist position is very comfortable for me.
They make the bike look allot better in my opinion also. The riding position with the Chubby beach bars put me in mind of a 76 FLH I had quite a few years back.
I don't have any pictures of my bike nor do I know how to post a picture on this site, I'm kinda new around here. The Chubby's website does have a picture of a red RK Custom with their Beach bars.
http://www.wild1inc.com/wo550onbike1.html
I will snap a few pictures of mine over the weekend, and try to post them on Monday. Mine is lowered quite a bit both front and back, so the larger Chubby Beach bars really add to the "Low Rider" look I was going for.
There is no reaching forward for me with the Chubby beach bars, they feel very naturalto me. They do spread you out a bit further then the stock "beach" bars, and the wrist position is very comfortable for me.
They make the bike look allot better in my opinion also. The riding position with the Chubby beach bars put me in mind of a 76 FLH I had quite a few years back.
I don't have any pictures of my bike nor do I know how to post a picture on this site, I'm kinda new around here. The Chubby's website does have a picture of a red RK Custom with their Beach bars.
http://www.wild1inc.com/wo550onbike1.html
I will snap a few pictures of mine over the weekend, and try to post them on Monday. Mine is lowered quite a bit both front and back, so the larger Chubby Beach bars really add to the "Low Rider" look I was going for.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
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From: Miami, FL
RE: chubby's on RK Custom
I'm running the WO550 on my 06' Road King. I look of the 1.25 bars is great!. The position is very comfortable for me, I like to slouch in the seat a bit. I took advantage of the change to extended the wiring and run them inside the bars for a cleaner look. No plug or endorsement intended purely informational, I used the wire extensions from Novello. They are colored and have the factory style connectors.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 518
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From: atlanta ga
RE: chubby's on RK Custom
had apes last 15 years. everybody asks dont your arms get tired, a'int they uncomfortable. I say i can't understand why new bikes don't come with them. KEEP THEM APES HANGIN
Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: chubby's on RK Custom
I'm interested in this also because I've gotten the "new bar itch" as well. Anybody have or had beach bars (W0550) and didn't like them or absolutely loved them? If so what was the reason for the love or hate? Of course pictures to drool over are always welcome 
Thanks
Mac
Thanks
Mac
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 252
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RE: chubby's on RK Custom
ORIGINAL: fishafly
Not true... 1.25's fit no problem... the wind deflector is above the risers...
ORIGINAL: rkcrwlr
Check for interference with the customs little wind deflector on the bar clamp cover. I was told that the 1.25 bars interfer with it.
Check for interference with the customs little wind deflector on the bar clamp cover. I was told that the 1.25 bars interfer with it.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 31
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From:
RE: chubby's on RK Custom
I saw on their web site that they recommend the 508's over the 518's for shorter folks - anyone know why..? At 5'10" is the 518 going to cause me reach issues..? Also, from looking at the specs on wild1's web site it sorta looks like the 518 and the 550 beach bars are pretty similar in spec, with the major difference being the 518's set a few inches higher, and the 550 pull back a slight bit more - does that sound about right.? Also, if any of you have pics with beach bars installed I would be grateful if you would post em - the pic on wild1's web site does not do a great job of showing the bars off imo.
Thanks
Marcus
Thanks
Marcus