Risers on a Ultra Classic
Risers on a Ultra Classic
QUick question, is it possible to put handlebar risers on a Ultra Classic? I would like to have the bars back towards me a bit so as not to have to reach for them.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From:
I'm going to watch this thread. Looking at going to a "mini-ape" myself. Want to put my hands just above the speakers in the fairing. Sat on one in a local dealership that had some on it, felt perfect. Lots of work I understand changing out the cables. Dealer said 8 hours, talked to friend who changed his on a Road King and he was telling me all he had to do, his was an older one so not dure the difference on an '09!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 5
From: Illinois
I could be wrong, but I don't think you can put in risers to get the bars closer. There is very little clearance between the bars and the radio/fairing. I believe you will have to go down the often convoluted road of which bars to put on.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you'd be looking at a bar swap, unless you want to loose the radio and the lower dash (sawzall time).
either way, you'd be looking at possibly changing wiring and cables depending on how much you make a change.
SOME of us ( me) are happy enough to loosened the rear pinch bolt of the riser and rotate that bars to desired position.
if coming back and down, make sure you have clearance to the tank- and remember the risers are on rubber bushings and when stressed the bars can move even farther.
1/2" minimum at full lock
Mike
either way, you'd be looking at possibly changing wiring and cables depending on how much you make a change.
SOME of us ( me) are happy enough to loosened the rear pinch bolt of the riser and rotate that bars to desired position.
if coming back and down, make sure you have clearance to the tank- and remember the risers are on rubber bushings and when stressed the bars can move even farther.
1/2" minimum at full lock
Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 718
Likes: 68
From: Waxhaw NC
I doubt the riser will work as the faring is not moving up with the bars. I just installed the Yaffe bars ( I think the Bagger Ape). Is is a 10 in bar - 2" more than standard. Puts your hands just above the faring and they feel great.
I was able to move/adjust the clutch cable with no problem I had to be careful how the throttle cables went in to the faring as the first time I tried it they were too tight and the throtte did not roll back and release. Tweaking it solved the problem.
The brakes were a different matter. Some folks on here reported no problems but I had to replace the whole brake line. What I bought was a 2 picece system vs. the stock one piece. The upper line was 29" but I think a 27" would have worked fine.
The real bitch in doing this was getting the radio out. I had to remove one brace on each side to get to the hex screws. I think the brackets had the speakers on them as well as some other things.
Depending on your year you may also have to replace the top part of the risers from 2 piece to one piece. I think the Jaffe site sates which years.
I was able to move/adjust the clutch cable with no problem I had to be careful how the throttle cables went in to the faring as the first time I tried it they were too tight and the throtte did not roll back and release. Tweaking it solved the problem.
The brakes were a different matter. Some folks on here reported no problems but I had to replace the whole brake line. What I bought was a 2 picece system vs. the stock one piece. The upper line was 29" but I think a 27" would have worked fine.
The real bitch in doing this was getting the radio out. I had to remove one brace on each side to get to the hex screws. I think the brackets had the speakers on them as well as some other things.
Depending on your year you may also have to replace the top part of the risers from 2 piece to one piece. I think the Jaffe site sates which years.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
If you have to do it again buy the long T handled ball allen wrenches. They fit in through holes in the brackets to unscrew the radio.OP--->Risers ain't gonna happen w/o serious modding that and loss of radio. Just buy some better bars. Job ain't so hard. Shops/dealers will generally rape you if you can't do it yourself though. Even still...worth it!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
A different, and yes I realize more expensive, route, but you might want to check out Helibars. I had the exact same problem to the point that it made my back hurt from over-reaching. Saw these bars at Laconia a couple of years ago (they were doing free installs) and never looked back. The bars are fully adjustable to whatever position you like. Probably the best comfort upgrade I've made along with my Mustang seat. http://www.helibars.com
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Forida
I know this is a little bit of a stale thread . . . . . . . . . but I did my due diligence with the SEARCH BUTTON 
imagine that, . . . . . . . and found exactly what I was looking for.
I recently bought an '09 Ultra and need desperately to bring the bars back 1 or 2 inches to stop the overreaching. Everything I've found out from the dealer is handlebar replacement as risers will not work with the frame mounted fairing. These HeliBars are just the ticket, expensive, but what I need to make the bike fit me. Will have to wait until after the holidays but they are definitely "on the list" of must haves to mold the bike to fit me. Lowering the bike is also on the list but those handlebars are first. Thanks for the useful posts/thread.
imagine that, . . . . . . . and found exactly what I was looking for.I recently bought an '09 Ultra and need desperately to bring the bars back 1 or 2 inches to stop the overreaching. Everything I've found out from the dealer is handlebar replacement as risers will not work with the frame mounted fairing. These HeliBars are just the ticket, expensive, but what I need to make the bike fit me. Will have to wait until after the holidays but they are definitely "on the list" of must haves to mold the bike to fit me. Lowering the bike is also on the list but those handlebars are first. Thanks for the useful posts/thread.
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