Anyone regret not going chrome controls.....
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Anyone regret not going chrome controls.....
when they did their apes?
After exhaustive research, I have decided on a set of 16 inch, 1 1/4 chrome apes for my Road King. There are so many options, its ridiculous, but the TBW helps limit the choices just a bit. I have been comparing the kits, versus just buying bars and cables, and doing my own splicing. One of the appeals of the kits like the Hill Country Customs is that you can order the pre assembled handle bar kits with chrome controls. Chrome is always a good thing, right? I am just a bit worried that HCC's version of controls might be crappy Chinese garbage that are a failure waiting to happen. Especially the cruise control switches, soldered connections, and cheap chrome.
I am fairly confident in the quality of the factory switches, plugs and connections, and would save a bundle if I just did the wire extensions myself, but am a bit concerned I will regret not getting the chrome controls and switches. So that brings me back to the question. Have any of you ape guys who stuck with the factory black switches and housings, regretted not popping the extra cash for the chrome version?
After exhaustive research, I have decided on a set of 16 inch, 1 1/4 chrome apes for my Road King. There are so many options, its ridiculous, but the TBW helps limit the choices just a bit. I have been comparing the kits, versus just buying bars and cables, and doing my own splicing. One of the appeals of the kits like the Hill Country Customs is that you can order the pre assembled handle bar kits with chrome controls. Chrome is always a good thing, right? I am just a bit worried that HCC's version of controls might be crappy Chinese garbage that are a failure waiting to happen. Especially the cruise control switches, soldered connections, and cheap chrome.
I am fairly confident in the quality of the factory switches, plugs and connections, and would save a bundle if I just did the wire extensions myself, but am a bit concerned I will regret not getting the chrome controls and switches. So that brings me back to the question. Have any of you ape guys who stuck with the factory black switches and housings, regretted not popping the extra cash for the chrome version?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville
I'm probably going to go with chrome controls on the RKC, but sticking with black on the ultra. Ultra is a black and white contrast while the RKC is gonna be a chrome *****.
As far as apes go, I adjust my stock handlebars forward to be parallel with the forks, and that is plenty of rise for me. Might wanna consider trying it before you blow money on apes.
As far as apes go, I adjust my stock handlebars forward to be parallel with the forks, and that is plenty of rise for me. Might wanna consider trying it before you blow money on apes.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Thanks for the input guys. Smokinbutts, yeah, I just want to get it right the first time. I am A.D.D. and will second guess myself unless I am convinced its what I wanted. Clubber, Its a black and bronze bike. Fairly dark in nature, so I don't really know how black controls would look. I adjusted the bars the day I bought the bike, but only because I could, not because I like the stock bars. I have always run apes and probably always will. Anything lower than 10's gives me horrible back aches. On any bike besides this TBW bike, I would probably be on my third set of apes by now, but because of the enormous amount of time and effort involved in swapping throttle by wire/cruise control handle bars on modern touring bikes, I have spent extra amounts of time researching, before my install. I want the right bars the first time, versus my traditional, buy/install/test/and resell on ebay method of the past. Thanks for the fast replies. All the ebay auctions end tonight, so I'm hoping to pull the trigger today.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I believe too much chrome on a black bike is excessive excessiveand I strive for a balance of the two, but thats the differance between the eye of the beholder its to each his own....buy what gives you the most eye appeal.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,598
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From: 27°51' N, 082°17' W
Pondered the same myself and decided to stay black. Had a pair of black 3" round mirrors I used and went with Avon air cushion grips in black. I like it and that's all that matters at the end of the day. My sig pic still has the OEM mirrors.
Last edited by Pagan48; Jul 7, 2013 at 05:37 PM.
