I got a 2012 Blackline and am changing the handlebars. I am not very handy and am wondering if I would be able to do it myself or is it too complicated and I need to take it to someone? The cables would be the same length so i wouldn't need new or longer ones, I'm keeping the same control switches and covers. Would anybody recommend I do it? Suggestions and thoughts please.

 

Changing bars is pretty easy man. Just take you're time and pay attention to how you take things apart. If you're just too nervous, nothing wrong with that, I'm sure a riding buddy would be glad to help. And your local dealer would probably do it for an hour labor. Lots of resources on YouTube. Plenty of how to's there check it out. I learn just about everything from YouTube and forums

 

One other thing. With it being your first time you'll prolly knock the master cylinder around and need to bleed the brakes. If you're not comfortable with that, local shop might be you're best bet.

 

Watch a couple of you tube videos, torque stuff back, don't over tighten your switch covers and you will be fine. Oh and place that little shim in the brake handle when remove the right controls to protect that little switch.

 

Should be super easy on a Blackline. Especially if you are swapping to another set of separate bars. The plugs on the wiring are small enough now that you can just fish them through the bars, no reason to take the wiring apart. If you don't have to change cables, you could do this swap in under an hour I bet.

1)Pop up the tank and unlug the 3 plugs that go into the bars.
2)Loosen the 2 torx bolts on each handlebar control assembly and slide them off while feeding the wires through.
3)Remove the 2 nuts holding the bars to the trees.
4)Fish wiring through new bars
5)Bolt new bars to trees
6)Tighten handlebar control clamps
7)Plug wires back in under tank, and bolt tank back on
8)Drink beer and smile.

 

And...cover your tank with thick towel, or maint cover BEFORE wrenching. Tank dents suck...I know.

 

Go for it man.... there is no better feeling then tooling on your own bike and seeing the outcome. I have done all my handle bar swaps and all other work on my bikes myself with a lot of patients, basic tools, service manual, Youtube, HDF, and a few beers you can do it. I have had some bad experiences with my local dealer and a few indys they just don't treat the bike like if it were their own and do things half ***. I can never trust if they tightened the bolts down correctly. Do some research first then jump in with both feet, another plus is you will learn how your bike is put together....thats a big confidence booster...

 

It's an easy enough task, especially if you aren't changing cables. Go for it!

 

Also, make sure you unplug the gas line before removing or propping up the tank. Those break easily so make sure you undo it, its a quick disconnect.

 

Are the control wires on a Blackline wired internally from factory?