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Installing Apes????

Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:30 AM
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Default Installing Apes????

Did you do your own? I checked with the local HD shop and they estimated 8-9 hours labor. Is that accurate? How difficult is it to change the wires and cables? They estimated $800-$1000 plus the bars. 2005 Road King Custom
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:32 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Sounds high to me but which bike?
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

'05 RK Custom
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Sounds way high. I can do it by myself in about 4-6 hours. It really isn't a tough job. Get a service manual and do it yourself.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Not sure what your mechanical skills are but, if you want to start saving yourself tons of labor on your bike now is the time to start. I always encourage people to start working on their own bikes and learning what makes the bikes tick. Get a service manual and start looking it over. Changing out the bars/cables and running the wires internally is a great project for someone to start learning how to do things on the bike. Plenty of members here, including myself would be happy to talk you through the procedure if/when you run into questions or problems. You don't need any special tools to do this job and when it's done, you will be able to step back and be proud of "your" work rather than someone else's. Besides, most of the work performed by the stealers is crappy work. Give me a shout with any questions you have about the job......
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:52 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

I didn't do apes but with my wild1 518s I did have to lengthen all my wires. I did it in a day and a half, and that was with a lot of distractions. Anyway this website :https://www.hdforums.com/m_1328001/tm.htm and the HD manual is all you will need to do it yourself. You will be glad you did it on your own. Good Luck.


Jeff
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:56 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

A brother and I installed 16" apes on my Heritage this winter. It took awhile ,but Iwanted it right. Everything turned out alright and was Hundreds of dollars cheaper than the dealer.Can be done, just have patience. Cables were not a problem. The wiring which was ran internally, however was a little harder. But all in all would do it again....Love my apes....Ride Safe and Often.......BearC.Paw......
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 10:59 AM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Of the whole project i think the most frustrating would be the bleeding of the brakes, Take a lot of fluid to fill those new + brakelines, but in my mind can be easily accomplished, especially the forum near by for great reference and experienced tips. If you are not the best solderer and want to save time and add some confidence them i would suggest buying the wiring kit extentions, there cost will be easily absorbed in the savings you will see by doing it yourself.

Adam
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 01:43 PM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Thank you guys for the input. Gliderman I'll catch up with you beforeI start.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2008 | 06:04 PM
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Default RE: Installing Apes????

Definately not that bad of a job to do yourself!! Just buy the wire extension kit, the right cables and 4-5 hours you should be done.
 
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