Although it took a few days (never changed bars before) it was WELL worth it. Not only did I save a bundle, the dealer wanted about $800 in labor only, but the satisfaction of doing the job myself is great.

While I had the soldering iron out I decided to relocate my front and rear turn signals.

Got a little crazy with a flat black spray paint can.

Attached "little" bags to the struts.

And finally wet sanded my lower forks. They were ugly and pitted.

Check it out
http://s424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/plevine1/

 

The stealer wanted $800 bucks to put on bars???? My local dealer's rate is $80/hr, so that would be 10 hours to put on bars? Even if you had to extend the wires and cables, thats not a 10 hour job, especially for a seasoned tech.

Im glad you were able to get it done by yourself!

 

looks like you kept the stock custom riser. What height of bars did you go with?

 

Looks good but please lose that bra thingy
Ride Safe

 

Without the bra thingy my tank will sag.
The dealer quoted me 8 hours for the install. They charge $85 per hour. I was rounding with tax. The beauty about doing your own bars, with cables and wiring is that you touch so much of the bike. Clutch, brake, throttle and electrical. You learn a lot FAST.

Not certain that I would jump to do it again tomorrow. I now have the confidence to tackle other projects and my head is spinning over things for the winter.

I'm thinking of pulling my lower fork sliders and powder coating them black.
I'm thinking of pulling my outer primary cover and powder coating it black.
I'm thinking of pulling my rocker box covers and powder coating them black.
I'm thinking of taking the dog and powder coating him black. (he's already black)

 

Those are 13" apes. I must admit that with the stock risers they seem higher. If I had my wish I'd lose the stock riser but money was an issue and changing the riser would have added a nice amount.

As it is I hide the J&P boxes from my wife. I not certain she even noticed the new bars yet.

 

ok heres what you have to do now

put some drags, keep the tank bra, ditch the bags, put mid controls, and you have a nice start to what that sporty is supposed to be!


kidding, nice bike! doing the work yourself is great, isnt it? just wait until something goes REALLY wrong oh, the fun