Switching to mini apes from stock

[lumpy38]

It's not that bad if you have patience and take your time. A few more tips are, like nowhereman said, stagger your solder joints so they don't end up all in the same spot. Add a few more inches of wire wire, you would rather have extra than come up short. I went from stock to 12" mini apes and added a total of 18" of wire just in case I decide to go taller in the future. Roll up and tie wrap the extra under the fairing. Also, dump the 2-piece handlebar clamps and get the HD 1-piece solid clamp. Toss the original rubber handlebar bushings and replace them with polyurethane bushings, they need to be stiffer because you will be putting more torque on the bars, now that they are higher. Good Luck!

[B1gfun]

Thanks again for the tips! I am getting close to doing this! I am still nervous.
Going to by the two manuals I need this weekend. The standard electra glide and the police edition add on(had to be ordered). Should be a good reference.

Any other points of interest or tricks to make this go as smooth as possible.

I am so grateful to everyone for the help!

[hdrider82]

Originally Posted by nowhereman

A couple quick obvious tips.
Stagger your solder joints so they aren't all in the same spot when extending wires. When heating the shrink tubing, do so until a bit of the sealant goo beads out each end. Best of luck.

I put 12" chubs on my bike. It went well. I got everything I needed from Home Depot. That would be wire and a pack of different color elect tape. If you don't get the made to order wires it would be good to have a soldering iron and a VOM. Good luck!!

[RichardDragon]

The advice given in this post is solid. Newer bikes like yours with their throttle by wire setup are not that difficult to do. If you are patient and take your time you can do it, if you have any concerns just go down to your local stealership and talk to the mechanics there for a few minutes then ask yourself if the guy you are trusting your bike to is any smarter than you are.

[Linerider]

Good posts on the install. I'd really like to know how the ride compares to stock with the mini apes on an Ultra Classic. I feel like I'm always stretching for the grips with the stock handlebars. Anyone that's done 300+ miles in a day with the mini apes, let's hear your feedback.

[jccash]

I just installed Yaffe Monkey Bagger Bars (12") on my 2011 Street Glide. I have not taken the bike on a 300 mile ride but later today I'll ride for about 150 miles. I'll let you know how it goes.

[gunnysgt]

I've done three of them, including just did my 2013 FLHR with 14" WO572 bars. Not a big deal doing the wires if you take your time and mark where they go. Snap on makes a great little tool to pop the wires out of the Molex connectors.

[Roundboy]

Would love to do this someday but I've gotta decide how high I would go ... mini apes or more? Also I love my fairing mirrors so I'm not sure I'm willing to give them up.

[Roundboy]

Forgot to add ... I just got a service manual and after watching that youtube video I would definitely need to use it ... clutch adjustment, disassembly, etc.

[B1gfun]

Originally Posted by Roundboy

Forgot to add ... I just got a service manual and after watching that youtube video I would definitely need to use it ... clutch adjustment, disassembly, etc.

Thats what has me the most nervous. Need to get my manuals!

[gpp]

There is a plastic clip on the throttle wiring connector that is VERY easy to brake.if it does you will probably have to buy another throttle assembly.this is from someone who knows first hand.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by gpp

There is a plastic clip on the throttle wiring connector that is VERY easy to brake.if it does you will probably have to buy another throttle assembly.this is from someone who knows first hand.

I think you are talking about the green plug located inside the bars. The plug is there so you can easily change the throttle assembly without having to cut wires. However, it makes changing/wiring new bars a huge pain. The first time i pulled the wires through the plug got disconnected. I had to pull everything out and start over again. The problem is the plug is too big to get through the bend in the bars with all the other wires in there. You have to figure out a way to stuff in the end before the bend. If i had it to do over again, i would order the SE throttle that eliminates the plug. It's about $80 but will save you a lot of headaches.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by Linerider

Good posts on the install. I'd really like to know how the ride compares to stock with the mini apes on an Ultra Classic. I feel like I'm always stretching for the grips with the stock handlebars. Anyone that's done 300+ miles in a day with the mini apes, let's hear your feedback.

I've got 12in apes on my Street Glide. No comparison to stock. I've put about 7000 miles on my new bars, including a trip to Sturgis. Have had many 2-300 mile days. Probably the best mod i've done to this bike...extremely comfortable. The only down side is my hands catch more wind since they are above the fairing now. If you ride a lot in cold weather this could be a factor.