I've always wanted a pair of apes but I've always said maybe on my next bike. Well I'm really thinking of getting a pair now, mostly leaning towards the z-bars (really don't know what height to get, I'm 6' 1" if anyone has suggestions). I don't really have a wide arsenal of tools, but my roommate has a toolbox or two (we live in a condo, so no garage, just a basement).

Few questions:
1. Is this something I could do myself, tool-wise?
2. How do I know what else I'm going to need to get, besides the bars themselves? (cables, etc?)
3. Will my mirrors look flat out dumb on top of 8"+ ape hangers?

 

You can do it yourself with basic mechanics hand tools. your best bet would be to mount the bars and then measure for cables and wires, or buy a cable and wire kit to fit your bars and bike. being verticaly endowed I would suggest 16" apes others will give different opinions but that is my $.02. I am 5'11" and I went with 18's, but I have had several sets of apes and wanted something a little extreme. When selecting your bars don't go cheap expetialy if you are doing internal wiring. good luck let us know how it works out.

 

I think technically here in CT (or maybe it was NY) your hands couldn't be above your shoulders, legally.

What cables/wires would be affected by the taller bars? All that cables/wires for everything on the grips? i.e. clutch, front brake, turn signals, horn, starter, engine cutoff switch?

I've found this thread: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...questions.html
This makes me think there's a lot more involved that what it sounds like.

 

I put 12" apes on my bike myself and it took me a while to do it but I did! I had to replace the clutch and front brake cables. If you go higher than 12", you will most likely have to replace the throttle/idle cables.

 

Just finished putting 10" apes on my 2002 Sporty. Here's what I needed:

Bars themselves
New cables: clutch, throttle/idle, brake
Ratchet set, combo wrenches, screwdrivers

All the wiring worked, although the turn signals were a little tight. There is a lot coiled up inside the headlight that can be pulled out. Might go with a relocation kit in a little while once I build up some cash.

A second pair of hands helps, and a decent flashlight or something like that.

Overall, it is a pretty simple job, just a tad bit time consuming. I'll have a post coming up showing off the new set-up with part numbers and everything for my bike.

I used the 10" mini-apes from the old Wide Glide or the '06-'08 Street Bob.

Edit: For what it's worth, the new set up is 110% more comfortable than the old stock bars. Being 6'2'' it was too much of stretch with the old ones. I feel a lot more at home on these. No problems with the apes, but I would recommend the polyurethane bushings for the risers (I'll be doing those soon too) because the old rubber ones are flexible. Manageable, but it is a bit wobbly if you get on the bars hard. Handling is great as well, no complaints there.

 

1). You can do it yourself...I've done it twice myself (and I'm a girl) lol...I'm 5'6 and went with 14" and I think I could've went taller...get yourself a service manual and take your time...I just installed some Road 6 Custom 14" apes and managed to strip the threads in the primary cover where the cluth cable attaches and I broke the front brake light switch (forgot to put in the cardboard piece). Even with all the fvck ups I did still feels good I did it myself.

Don't hesitate and get after it...you won't be disappointed.

2). I have found if you stay at 10" you won't have to change any cables...just bend the **** out of your brake line..anything taller you will have to change cables and extend wires.

3). just flip your mirrors

 

What year Wide Glide bars work on the Sportys?

 

DFsporty mentioned it, but did you follow the service manual Scuba? I've got a copy of the HD one but it seems to be rather vague at times.

Where would I get new cables?

 

I have Licks Cycles 10" Z bars on my bike. I only had to replace the front brake cable. Magnum Shielding makes a "build your own" kit($55). Steal braided. I bought the 6ft line and cut it down to around 34". Other cables I just cut a few wire ties off and moved them up over top of the front tank mount to get a little more length out of them.

 

I used part number 56079-93T, from the 2002-2005 Wide Glide, or the 2006-2008 Street Bob. They're the chrome equivalent of the black bars that you can get for the Nightster/Iron.

Chrome Mini's

Satin Black