I have an '06 RKC and thinking I woudl like to get some apes on it over winter. I really like the looks of Ape hangers on Road Kings but often wonder if they are comfortable for the long haul. I am 6'2" and have heritage bars on it now. I talked to some who have them and they love them. The big question here are as follows:
1) Are they worth getting Comfort wise, handling, and cost?
2) The shop I was at today can install the over the winter and they think it will be between $850-1100.00 with all parts and labor is that a good deal (they told me I can store my bike there over winter with no charge too) ?
-I seen them on ebay for the whole setup for $600.00 but the guy at local shop said they may be using junky parts and that he has had problems in the past with cusotmers buying things on ebay and they did not work right.
3) What are good parts to get to do this job right ?
I was thinking 16" Wild Chubby 1 1/4" WO509 bars, but would like opinions on what all are good: braided lines, chromed master, clutch, brake, switch housing, and what not. I would like to get quality parts that will not change color after 4 monthe or chrome start peeling off etc.

 

Thanks for this thread !! I have an 07 RKC and I think I have decided to go the ape route also. I don't know where you are located but I'm in So Cal and the Indys are about the same price that you are getting ( $ 800.00- $1,100.00). The dealer wants $1,500.00-1,600.00. I think after sitting on a few the 13" - 14" Wild Ones feel best for me. I'm 6'1 and am sitting on a Sundowner seat. For me the 16's put my hands at about shoulder level so I am worried that being above my heart that my hads might go to sleep after a while. Does anyone else have experience with this?

 

Yah, I agree, apes really makea a bike look sweet, They feel fine, I cant answer you how they feel on a long trip because I just got them on the other day but I had 2 other buddys that put them on this summer and when we went to sturgis they said they never had any problems with a sore back or shoulders or neck, On my mini apes that I had before my hands always fell asleep, seemed like my arms were locked forward elbow straight know they have a bend in them. Believe me I thought long and hard about putting these bars on and did lots of research, I would have never thought these bars would be comfy but after riding my buddy bikes I kinda changed my tune, hopefully in the next couple of days I can get some miles on it and tell ya more.

I used 16 inch Burly gorilla bars 11/4 and +6 throttle and +6 clutch and +6 brake hose Russell and none were any to long.
They took me about 12 hours to install I would guess, I ran the wires in the bars, Im glad they were 1 1/4 bars because if they were smaller it would have really been a pita, 1 1/4 was bad enough, I soldered and heat shrank all the connections, I have a mity vac so bleeding the brakes was not a problem but I think if I didnt have on it would have taken a lot longer and made more of a mess (which would not be good at all know being I have dot 4 in there and it is hard on paint). The project which included Bars, 2 stainless throttle cables, 1 stainless clutch cable, 1, 3 piece stainlesss brake line, a polyurethane riser bushing kit, and a 1 piece handlebar clamp and a bottle of dot 4 brake fluid(the moco switched from dot 5 to dot 4 in 2005), The solder and wires I had and the whole thing ended up costing me $417 from Dennis Kirk with a 10 percent discount from not ordering in a year and that is including shipping. here is a pic .Todd

 

looks sweet!!

 

I put 13" Cyclesmiths on my Classic a couple of month ago and wished I had done it sooner.I'm 6-9, and probly should have gone with 16",but the 13's fill great.The 16's were the same price,my choice. I used +6 on all cables and brake line,and the wires were long enough without spliceing them.Just a thought,you want regret.If it fills good,do it.

 

IMHO a touring bike with apes is an oxymoron. But that just one mans opinion.
Marsh

 

Marsh, Your bike looks great. I haven't scheduled an appt. yet and still love the low look and Apes. This is allot o $$ to spend so I'm sure we all want to get it right. What bars do you have? My main concern is comfort since I like them both. That knife in the shoulder pain ain't too cool except when my Wife gives me a shoulder rub while riding. That won't stop will it?

 

I'm am 6'2" as well and find the apes very comfortable and on long trips. The stock bars killed my neck and back. Sitting up straight is the way to go for me. As for handling, it takes about an hour to get used to but I don't think I have compromised anything. As for the price you can expect around $1100-$1300. The parts with bars and cables will run you $500 - $600 and you have a full day of shop labor. I opted to install myself. It is a project but a fairly easy one. Just takes time. Mine are 16" Wild Ones.

The last reason you should get them is because chicks dig 'em!

 

Did anyone chrome out the Master, switch covers, clutch, brake WHAT BRAIDED LINES YOU GO WITH ?
When I do this I want to know what is goodd and going to last vs something that will fade fast.
PLEASE SHOW PHOTOS..
I am not to keen on the beech bar look and IMO they are uncomfortable for me.
By the way I am in SE MN.

The other thing I have Cruise NO Radio anyone know if anyone makes a chrome switch housing specific to Cruise only. I ask as they all have cut outs for both radio and cruise which I do not like.

 

scg, thanks. The bars are 1-1/4" Chubby Wild one 504's with internal wiring and are just right for me. They retail for around $200.00 but I bought one or their seconds which supposedly has a handling mark or blemish but damned if I could find it. I love the bars.
Goggle Chubby Wild Ones. Good folks.
Marsh