Throw Your Hands Up! | 20-inch Ape Hanger Install

Here's everything that was ordered for the install: the 20-inch bars, a set of Avon Air Cushioned Chrome Grips ($59.99), a Goodrige Platinum series 10-inch-over-stock brake line and dual-disc brake setup (contact for pricing), and some 10-inch-over Platinum series Barnett throttle, idle, and clutch cables. The Platinum series cables feature a bright silver-plated braid with a clearcoat finish. Also to go along with the install, one buddy brought over some wiring to extend the hand control lines and another brought over a one-piece top clamp to replace the stock two-piece setup.

Here's everything that was ordered for the install: the 20-inch bars, a set of Avon Air Cu

A friend of ours, JD, had been complaining about the stock bars on his '06 Road King. The low-slung bars just didn't fit his preferred riding style and definitely didn't go with his large 6-foot-2-inch stature. Aside from comfort, looks were a problem too. Even on a Road King, JD's big size made the bike look small. He was interested in going up in height (20 inch apes) but also wanted to even out the proportion of the bike when he was on it. We suggested that a set of Trask Performance Bro Bars might fit his needs. The bars are not only thicker, 1 1/4-inch O.D., but with thier unique style and shape (appx 13 inches wide across the bottom, 20 inches tall, and just over 41 inches wide from grip to grip) they could help even out the look of the bike. Even though Trask doesn't offer them in 20-inch sizes (12, 14, 16, and 18-inch heights in chrome or black powdercoat for $400) the company made him a set of 20s-for special sizing, call about availability and price.

Longer throttle/idle and clutch lines from Barnett were also ordered. After doing some research and asking around, it was determined that 10-inch-over-stock-length throttle/idle and clutch lines would fit with the style and dimensions of the Trask Bars. Goodridge was contacted to get a matching-length brake line and since he was going to be swapping bars, a new set of Avon Air Cushioned Grips were ordered as well. The design of the grips allows pockets of air to fill the rubber grip area and helps reduce vibration and fatigue.

This is one of those projects that takes a few hours and is best spent in the company of friends, so once all the parts arrived, some friends were invited over to hang out and help out.

01. With the bike secured in a wheel chock, everyone grabbed some tools and gang-tackled the bike. Up front the headlight was disassembled as per the manual to gain access to the hand control deutsch connectors (arrows). The connectors were disconnected so that the wire leads could be extended and then fed internally into the new bars. It's smart to make a quick diagram identifying which wire bunch goes to each connector and in which numbered slot on the connectors.
01. With the bike secured in a wheel chock, everyone grabbed some tools and gang-tackled
02. The throttle and idle cable were loosened and the ferrules were removed from the throttle housing (making sure not to lose them). Once out of the throttle, the cables were popped out of the bottom of the cable housing.
02. The throttle and idle cable were loosened and the ferrules were removed from the thro
03. The stock clutch cable was then loosened, the circlip was removed from the clutch lever pivot pin, and the cable was removed from the clutch perch.
03. The stock clutch cable was then loosened, the circlip was removed from the clutch lev

04. The front brake was then bled so that the entire stock brake line assembly could be removed.
04. The front brake was then bled so that the entire stock brake line assembly could be r
05. Once the stock bars, brake line, and cables were removed, the task of extending the hand control wiring began. Your local shop should have wiring extensions that match the H-D wires, but if not pick up some 18-gauge wire. It's best to make a diagram identifying your new wiring setup for reference down the road.
05. Once the stock bars, brake line, and cables were removed, the task of extending the h
06. While the wires were being extended, the stock riser bushings (left) were removed and replaced with these riser bushings (right) someone had lying around in their garage. These new bushings are made out of rubber just like stock but they're a little stiffer which will help reduce vibration and add a more positive feel to the bars and reduce slop. When going to taller bars (especially this tall) it's a smart idea to upgrade the bushings.
06. While the wires were being extended, the stock riser bushings (left) were removed and