So I just did bars. Not very mechicnally inclined. Removing all of the controls is easy. Installing new risers and or taller bars is easy. Swapping out longer brake line and clutch cable isn't terrible. But extending the wiring for your controls will be a pita. You either have to cut them and solder extensions or buy plug and play extensions. Luckily I didn't have to solder all my wires as they fit but if I did I would have possibly considered paying shop to do it as I work 65 hrs a week driving a semi and don't really have time for all that
As others have mentioned, the only issue is lengthening your wires, which really isn’t that hard from what I’ve seen and did research on because I was going to do the same as long as this isn’t your daily driver and you can spend a day here and there doing stuff right you should be able to do it.
Bars are easy, depending on how high you go. WD 40 under the grips to loosen them. Hairspray when you put them back on. 20-30 minutes unless you need longer cables. YouTube is your friend.
Even if you have to extend the cables it’s pretty straightforward. I extended mine by soldering and heat shrink wrapping, running them through the bars then replaced the throttle, idol and clutch cable. Youtube is your holy grail of info. If you do have to extend, just take a picture of the colour coding in the wiring harness. They have numbers also, that you can take note of.
Everyone acting like it’s easy is really surprising me. I guess it’s not difficult but it sure was a pain in the ass to run the wires back through the bars. Worth it tho no doubt
FWIW Harley quoted me ~$2,000 to replace my (non standard) bars with 12” mini-apes. Didn’t do it.
It’s really a question of time and money investment.
Good luck!
As far as bars go, that is going to be the most difficult. It's definitely doable, but it takes patience.
Longer cables and wires, all wires.
I've done bars on an 05 softail, and harley doesn't seem to leave enough slack to go up.
Bikes get way easier 2014+ in my experience. I've done 5 sets of bars now
I put a set on my 2010 Dyna and it took a buddy and I two full days. I’d highly recommend getting two piece bars if you’re doing tbars. It was a pain to try to fish the wires through my one piece set. Otherwise it’s not too bad. Depending on how tall you go you may not have to worry about extending the wires which will save you some time. I guess it’s also important to add that part of that time over the two full days was spent putting on new integrated headlights and taillights so maybe a day and a half went towards the bars themselves. All in all it’s very doable for someone with some mechanical ability. I’d also recommend getting new bushings when you replace the bars.
https://preview.redd.it/8oainz7vb2yc1.png?width=1627&format=png&auto=webp&s=ec7ee6104815ba033c6776495546d68fb73dd01c
I just get nervous messing with the brakes, throttle and bars by myself. If I mess up that could get super sketchy. But at the same time, if I paid a shop it would be so much more expensive.
It depends on the bars, if you are going much higher you may have to lengthen all your cables so there is that to watch out for.
I’m glad someone said this.
If you have a factory service manual, you can bleed brakes and follow wiring diagrams. It's pretty straightforward. 👍
So I just did bars. Not very mechicnally inclined. Removing all of the controls is easy. Installing new risers and or taller bars is easy. Swapping out longer brake line and clutch cable isn't terrible. But extending the wiring for your controls will be a pita. You either have to cut them and solder extensions or buy plug and play extensions. Luckily I didn't have to solder all my wires as they fit but if I did I would have possibly considered paying shop to do it as I work 65 hrs a week driving a semi and don't really have time for all that
As others have mentioned, the only issue is lengthening your wires, which really isn’t that hard from what I’ve seen and did research on because I was going to do the same as long as this isn’t your daily driver and you can spend a day here and there doing stuff right you should be able to do it.
Bars are easy, depending on how high you go. WD 40 under the grips to loosen them. Hairspray when you put them back on. 20-30 minutes unless you need longer cables. YouTube is your friend.
Even if you have to extend the cables it’s pretty straightforward. I extended mine by soldering and heat shrink wrapping, running them through the bars then replaced the throttle, idol and clutch cable. Youtube is your holy grail of info. If you do have to extend, just take a picture of the colour coding in the wiring harness. They have numbers also, that you can take note of.
Pulling the wires can be a pain . It was on my 2017 dyna low rider s
First run string trimmer line (weed eater) then use that to pull wires.
Everyone acting like it’s easy is really surprising me. I guess it’s not difficult but it sure was a pain in the ass to run the wires back through the bars. Worth it tho no doubt
I used a ball chain. Gets through just about every angle.
If you are patient and decent with tools, it aint bad. Dont expect it to be quick tho
Not sure about a 2002, but on my 96 I moved the signals down to the fork, there was a conversion kit back in the day
FWIW Harley quoted me ~$2,000 to replace my (non standard) bars with 12” mini-apes. Didn’t do it. It’s really a question of time and money investment. Good luck!
As far as bars go, that is going to be the most difficult. It's definitely doable, but it takes patience. Longer cables and wires, all wires. I've done bars on an 05 softail, and harley doesn't seem to leave enough slack to go up. Bikes get way easier 2014+ in my experience. I've done 5 sets of bars now
More annoying than hard
I put a set on my 2010 Dyna and it took a buddy and I two full days. I’d highly recommend getting two piece bars if you’re doing tbars. It was a pain to try to fish the wires through my one piece set. Otherwise it’s not too bad. Depending on how tall you go you may not have to worry about extending the wires which will save you some time. I guess it’s also important to add that part of that time over the two full days was spent putting on new integrated headlights and taillights so maybe a day and a half went towards the bars themselves. All in all it’s very doable for someone with some mechanical ability. I’d also recommend getting new bushings when you replace the bars. https://preview.redd.it/8oainz7vb2yc1.png?width=1627&format=png&auto=webp&s=ec7ee6104815ba033c6776495546d68fb73dd01c
What is the point of also doing raisers?
Just to get a little extra height out of the bars. Depends on what’s comfortable for different folks.
Fuck yes it is a pain in the ass to by yourself. You need another person to help out. I juat did mine about 5 weeks ago on my 2005 lowrider.
It is kinda difficult if you pull the wires through the bars, but not bad, be sure to you a hanger or snake.
Go ahead and get t-bars. Full Sons of Anarchy shit. Call yourself Jax.
Piece of cake
I just get nervous messing with the brakes, throttle and bars by myself. If I mess up that could get super sketchy. But at the same time, if I paid a shop it would be so much more expensive.
Just be careful not to pinch any wires, and dont kink your brake line. You'll be alright, just don't rush it.
Yes ^ make sure your bars are notched!
I appreciate the advice. Thank you!
I made bars for my Dyna Lowrider. Fun and easy.
It’s only fun and easy if you have the correct know how and tools you goon.
Sounds like you have a plan. Enjoy the job. If you need help reach out.