Handlebars that is, not my local watering hole. I hate the mini ape hanger bars on my Road King. So sitting on various years and versions of Road Kings I found the ones on a 2013 CVO seemed pretty nice unfortunately they are over $400 just for the bars and since they are 1 1/4" I'd need new risers and top clamp! Low and behold I find take-off bars in a classified for $150 shipped so I buy them. Next back to the dealer to order the risers and top clamp. Although they look like they should cost $50 it comes to $175.
No matter I do need them so they come in in a few days.
Next it's taking the old bars off which naturally involves removing the controls along with wiring through the bars for heated grips and TBW. I struggle along and finally get the CVO bars on along with the controls. Interesting that 1 1/4" bars reduce down to 1" on the ends so the standard controls and grips fit. The next snag is the top clamp cover, that shiny chrome thing, won't fit now. Comparing the parts diagram of my RK to a 2013 CVO shows the cover is indeed different and also the long thin chrome piece that attaches to the front of said cover which covers the top headlight nacelle joint is a different part number too. What the hell I'm already into this thing what's another $75 or so? Of course these two little parts turn out to be almost $200! I need them nevertheless so out comes the credit card again and a few days later they arrive. I then discover that while the new cover does fit nicely over the risers it is 3/8" short of reaching the nacelle! Good God how than that be? Back to the parts fiche and wouldn't you know it the two nacelle halves themselves are different part numbers than my 15 RK. I didn't even bother pricing those damn things plus even if I bought them lord knows what else wouldn't fit. Sometimes it's just best to walk away so I leave the thing and go into the house where "precious" confronts me. "It's about all the Harley parts charges I'm seeing on our credit card statement...." I just glare at her and walk past and pour a glass of bourbon, she gets the hint I'm in a very pissy mood and scurries off. I just sit there thinking about how the bars on the previous Electra Glide were perfect, they may not look the greatest on a RK but they're probably only $75 and I know I'll like the position.
So Monday it's back to the dealer to order stock bars for a 2009 EG and low and behold they're only $90 but they have to be paid for when ordering and I only have $80 in my wallet. With the wifey being the family accountant no way I'm putting them on my card so I tell him I'll be back next time I'm in the area. Here's where Clifton's luck takes a change, yesterday I get a call from one of the cuties at said Harley dealer inviting me to their "customer appreciation party" Saturday evening where they serve food and spirits and offer 20% off on parts and accessories. So my friends, tomorrow evening I will order the bars and attempt to eat and drink an amount of how much I spent on trying to mount those stupid CVO bars.
No matter I do need them so they come in in a few days.Next it's taking the old bars off which naturally involves removing the controls along with wiring through the bars for heated grips and TBW. I struggle along and finally get the CVO bars on along with the controls. Interesting that 1 1/4" bars reduce down to 1" on the ends so the standard controls and grips fit. The next snag is the top clamp cover, that shiny chrome thing, won't fit now. Comparing the parts diagram of my RK to a 2013 CVO shows the cover is indeed different and also the long thin chrome piece that attaches to the front of said cover which covers the top headlight nacelle joint is a different part number too. What the hell I'm already into this thing what's another $75 or so? Of course these two little parts turn out to be almost $200! I need them nevertheless so out comes the credit card again and a few days later they arrive. I then discover that while the new cover does fit nicely over the risers it is 3/8" short of reaching the nacelle! Good God how than that be? Back to the parts fiche and wouldn't you know it the two nacelle halves themselves are different part numbers than my 15 RK. I didn't even bother pricing those damn things plus even if I bought them lord knows what else wouldn't fit. Sometimes it's just best to walk away so I leave the thing and go into the house where "precious" confronts me. "It's about all the Harley parts charges I'm seeing on our credit card statement...." I just glare at her and walk past and pour a glass of bourbon, she gets the hint I'm in a very pissy mood and scurries off. I just sit there thinking about how the bars on the previous Electra Glide were perfect, they may not look the greatest on a RK but they're probably only $75 and I know I'll like the position.
So Monday it's back to the dealer to order stock bars for a 2009 EG and low and behold they're only $90 but they have to be paid for when ordering and I only have $80 in my wallet. With the wifey being the family accountant no way I'm putting them on my card so I tell him I'll be back next time I'm in the area. Here's where Clifton's luck takes a change, yesterday I get a call from one of the cuties at said Harley dealer inviting me to their "customer appreciation party" Saturday evening where they serve food and spirits and offer 20% off on parts and accessories. So my friends, tomorrow evening I will order the bars and attempt to eat and drink an amount of how much I spent on trying to mount those stupid CVO bars.
