Road Glide Handlebar swap

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Sep 11, 2008 | 08:59 AM

danhahn

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 439

Likes: 91

From: 44.4 North

Road Glide Handlebar swap

Bought a 08 Road Glide in July and love it except it kills my back after about 200 miles. I am blaming the bars, so I bought Heritage style bars from Harley. I have never changed bars before. Are there any surprises? Are the hand controls and wiring easy to make the switch?
The book says no cable changes required.

Last edited by danhahn; Sep 11, 2008 at 09:12 AM.

Sep 11, 2008 | 07:07 PM

Bryan1724

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 1,439

Likes: 2

From: Lancaster, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by danhahn

Are there any surprises? Are the hand controls and wiring easy to make the switch?
The book says no cable changes required.

Yes, be careful when putting the start/stop, turnsignal etc housing back on to the new bars. Make sure all the wires are where they should be before tightening up the bolts. I pinched my igninition wire and it grounded out on the handle bars, bike wouldn't turn over. Had to take it back apart and fix it. You should be alright with your cables and wires.

Sep 12, 2008 | 04:57 AM

mslater741

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 948

Likes: 2

From: s.w. mi./daytona

let us know, how it goes....i need to do somethihg soon,,hurts my back between my shoulder blades

Sep 12, 2008 | 08:34 AM

bagman1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4,999

Likes: 55

From: Bay Area

Been there done that. Mine was after 100 miles. As stated above on the switch housings, if you pinch the left wires you will have horn/light issues.

Sep 12, 2008 | 09:01 AM

Orion1369

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 216

Likes: 4

From: Rincon, GA

Follow the intructions in the manual, it is specific about removing the switch housing on the right side. Also it is specific about disconnecting the throttle sensor. The green connector is extremely fragile. I did mine after putting 285 miles on the bike back in Jan. I now have over 7500 miles on it, what a difference it made in the comfort.

Sep 12, 2008 | 10:19 AM

2807

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 679

Likes: 8

From: Southern California

PIcs?

Anyone have pics of before/after for this swap?

Are Heritage bars just a taller ape? How much taller?

Any pics or info where I could see side by side?

I am buying a RG sooooon and this is exactly what I a trying to figure out! (and a correct windshield).

Thanks!

Sep 12, 2008 | 10:28 AM

Jinks

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,241

Likes: 7

From: Daytona, Fla.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2807

There are several pictures on the forum, findin' one shouldn't be hard. Also look at the WideGlide bars when you make your choice. Both are about the same height, but have different bends that determine wrist angle. Pick the one that you feel will be most comfortable.

On the '08 & later the throttle module comes out the end of the handlebar & you have to feed some wire in from the fairing to get enough slack to get the connector that's in the handle bar out. Other than that it's bone simple.

Raising the bars will also give you a much better rearview mirror position. One of the least expensive, easiest, & most effective mods you can do on a new RG.