I really don't feel comfortable with all that's involved with changing out bars, extending cables, etc., but this price seems absurd to me.

Are there any online resources that could help me through tools, parts, and a step-by-step how to so that I can do this myself?

That is, if $788 actually is absurd. I don't know, maybe it's reasonable? But the bars are only $70 apparently, and I can't fathom how the rest escalates the cost over 10x.

Any help would be appreciated

 

Sorry, the bike is a 2008 nightster

 

I've heard of prices as high as $1200 depending on how tall the bars are, how they are wired, etc.

Bar swap is something people should be doing on there own. It's not hard.

 

Damn. I'd love to do it myself, I just haven't touched controls before so I'm iffy. I think the minis are 10".

 

I've also been pondering the idea of apes for my forty eight. And like you, I am not so familiar with how to go about doing it myself. Some further info/how-to would be awesome.

 

Just go step by step stripping things off and take lots of pictures... Dig around here - its been done before- and you'll find out what you need to buy. This is only a few notches above changing your own light bulbs.

Toughest part will be bleeding the brakes if you have to change brake cables... Prolly a good thing to know anyway.


As for tools- pretty basic- allen wrenches, screwdrivers...

 

Yup, my dealer quote was double that!

 

Put my 16" Burly Apes on myself. Just took some time. It is not real hard.

 

The Sportster manual will give you the step by step on replacing the bars & the brakeline.

You will also need a longer brakeline and I think longer electrical wires. The wire kit can be had from NAMZ, the brakeline from J&P.

The throttle cables are long enough, and if you need to, you can route the clutch cable over your forward controls instead of below them.

It is pretty straightforward if you follow the steps in the manual and that come with the NAMZ wire extension kit.

Parts, including the mini apes should come in below $300 and then you save the other $400+ by doing it yourself.

 

It is a tedious job, but not complex. It took me a very long time and was frustrating, but it's doable. At 10", I'm confident that you will need clutch, brake and wiring extensions.

For the most part it's really straight forward. Some tips.
-Protect the front fender from brake fluid with a towel
-Pull the tank, don't prop it.
-Run the wiring inside the bars BEFORE extending it. With 10" bars, this shouldn't be a problem.
-Take good notes about the wiring and where it belongs in the connectors!
-You're going to need a lift for the clutch cable.. Find a friend with one.

Oh, and $788 is about average. This should take you the better part of a weekend if you've never done it before.