I desperatly want some buckhorn style handlebars to replace the stock ones of my Road King Classic. THe bars themselves are not expensive, but the labor at a motorcycle service shop is the issue. It would be so friggin great if i could do this myself, but dont know how huge of a job it would be. How do i know if i can still use the standard cables when switching for a different style handlebar? Anybody can report on doing this job themselves?

Thank you.

 

I'd start by asking the bar manufacturer.

 

You can re-use the cables providing they are long enough. It is an easy enough job that you could do it.

 

Buck horn bars are kind of narrow! The going thing now with fly by wire is heritage bars for Road Kings. Depends on the year of your bike. New bikes come with SE twist grip sensor that is longer. That part can be had for about $80. Heritage bars at dealer for RK
$80. Shop gets an hour and a half to install. You can do it, maybe take longer, but, you can do it!

 

I am almost sure you don't mean "buckhorn" handlebars...

Mark

 

ok. i'd like to look into the heritage style ones, but from a quick search i cant find any for older bikes. anyone know a site i could find the heritage style bars for a 98 FLHRCI?

I figured buck horn because they appear that they would be so friggin comfortable with that amount of pullback.

 

easy job.

 

Buckhorn bars are very comfortable cruise bars, the stock bars on many bikes from the 1970 to 1990s. They will fit no problem, you may reroute the clutch cable to the front of the bar. I have put at least 50,000 miles on Bucks, I like them and kind of old school. Good luck, Mini apes are nice too.

 

No, it's not an easy job, especially for someone who describes themselves as "not the most mechanically inclined". For someone with all the necessary tools and the skill to use them, sure.

OP, you're going to want to think long and hard about this, and be honest with yourself about your skill level. It's not a terrible job on a Road King, but there's still a couple of things that require some know-how. Not to mention there's the safety aspect involved in not putting it back together right. I've seen plenty of people cost themselves a fortune trying to save a buck doing a job that was way over their head.

 

The worse that you could mess up is busting the front brake light switch. Then your screwed. If the cables reach, every thing is loosen, slip off and slip on.