HELP! I need more handlebar pullback before Laughlin
HELP!
Time is getting short. I have bought a new FLHTK Ultra Limited, and I find that the reach is causing my shoulders to hurt on a long ride. (shorter arms than men.) And I need to ride to Laughlin next month for the big ride.
I need to change handlebars, and my dealer is not being very helpful. They say they have some longer bars, but they have to switch from outside bar wiring to inside, costing an additional 10 hours labor and re-soldering some 20 wires or so, and it's a gamble as to how much pullback I'll get because the fairing is on and I can't put them up there to see. They don't seem to be considering after-market bars...
Then I see on another thread that Wild 1 575s or 577s http://www.wild1inc.com/BAGGER.html will help, but I see that they are also inside wiring---requiring that additional 10 hours labor?
But then I also read that maybe I only have to change the clutch cable? Not all of them?
I'm in a sea of misery, here, looking soooo much forward to the trip to Laughlin, but having to endure sore shoulders to do it, getting no real help to solve this problem.
Can someone give me some pointers? Ideas? Input? to help me figure out what I can do?
I need to get some bars on the 2011 Ultra Limited. (I don't want to change the seat, because the seat-to-feet distance is great as it is.)
Thank you
Jenna
(1) need to do the 10 hours labor because, the dealer's been saying, if I put on bars that require inside wiring, it'd be a switch from my current stock bars which are outside wiring, and
(2) Much more cost for parts as well, as if the new bars are longer (which they'd have to be for more pullback), then everything---all the cables and wires---has to be changed to accommodate the longer length.
Is this all true?
Because I'm reading here that with the Wild 1 575, only the clutch cable has to be changed?
Ideas please? Help?
Jenna
If just the clutch cable has to be replaced I would question if the 575's have enough pullback for what you seem to need. Have you called Wild One? Love their bars and always found them to be very helpful. I never understood clutch cable needing to be replaced and not brake line though, my experience has always been the clutch cable was the longer of the two but maybe it is EG vs RK set-up.
I think your point # 2 is dead-on. For a lot of pullback all will need to be extended. (wiring, cables, brake line) Have you called a couple of other dealers or tried to find a local Indy for better labor quote?
Bars can be tough to research/find........many have gone through more then one set to find the right ones (including me).
I've got the same issue but I'm not paying $1100.00 to get the handlebars changed out.
Last edited by shortride; Mar 18, 2011 at 07:17 AM.
Take a look at the threads for Khromewerks + 2 sweeper handlebars. they are a little higher than stock but have more pullback to get your shoulders more comfortable, plus they have a decent wrist angle.
They are less than a 100 bucks and you do not have to wire them internally like the Wild ones. You'll need a longer clutch cable and some wireing extensions, but you will not need to do the internal wiring.
Also reccomend that you shop around if you have several dealers or good independent bike shops in your area. 10 hours for wiring bars internally is f*ckin steep.
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Before you spend any money consider simply adjusting your current bars. I found exactly the same problem (I'm a bloke) with my Glide when I first bought it. It took me several adjustments to get it just right, but only cost me some spare time with a few tools.
When releasing the handlebar clamps, the bars can be rotated towards you, so the grips get a little closer, drop a little and will also ease the angle you hold them at. You may be surprised how much adjusting them can improve your comfort.
By coincidence kc347 and I were thinking and writing similar things at the same time!
Last edited by grbrown; Mar 18, 2011 at 09:38 AM.








