I purchased my 2006 Street Bob used a few months ago and thought the Ape Hangers were factory height. I spoke to a guy today that was on his 2006 and asked him if he changed his handle bars because they looked like they were shorter than mine. He said that they were the factory 10" Ape Hangers. When I got home, I measured mine and they have 12" of rise measured from the bottom of the bar to the top. It doesn't seem like it's that much of a difference, but I can definetly see the difference when walking by. Is there anyway to tell who made the bars without pulling anything off? I guess I should just be happy that I have 12" bars instead of 10"!

 

If they are 12 from bottom to top they are 10", they have 10" rise, Don't get hung up on all this, different manufacturers measure differently from what I have seen.

 

It is possible the previous owner installed 12" handlebars.

 

I definitely found that out while looking to buy new bars. You have to be very sure how they measure theirs or you could end up with bars of a height you didn't expect

 

I may just need to install 16" apes so my bars are higher than the new tall sissy bar and back rest I just installed.

 

Those look like factory mini apes unless someone has changed them out for heritage bars, they do look a little more squared off.

 

Those are stock mini-apes

 

keep in mind the bigger the seat, your apes will be lower and more reachable...

I got 12.5" wild1ones (yes needed all new wires), and don't try to keep the stock rubber grips.
With my barebones seat my apes look big, people have asked if they are 16"...

BUT with my Sundowner (BIG seat) the apes look lower and feel like stock apes.

So keep in mind what type of seat u will be keeping.

now after the fact, I'm thinking i should have done 14's... but i still love my 12.5's

 

those are mini 10's from hd
go 16's minimum

 

Keep in mind if you decide to go larger you will need to purchase longer throttle/idle cables, clutch cable, possibly wiring harness extension, and possibly longer front brake line. Just my two cents.