Ape Hangin’ | Harley-Davidson Fat Mini Ape Install

As you can see, the Fat Mini Apes complete the cool package.

Riding a Harley outfitted with a set of ape hangers epitomizes cool. We’ve had a ’10 Wide Glide in the bike stable for quite some time, and we felt that the only thing missing was taller bars. Once we put our finger on it, we ordered Harley’s chrome 12-inch Fat Mini Ape Handlebar Kit with Riser ($299.95). The feeling of stretching out your arms while blazing down the road is something that can only be experienced while riding with apes. It just seemed like a natural step for the Wide Glide.

01. Here’s what was used for the installation: the chrome 12-inch Fat Mini Apes with included riser and top clamp, Diamond-Black throttle/idle cables, clutch cable, two-piece brake line, and the TS and hand control wiring extensions.

01. Here’s what was used for the installation: the chrome 12-inch Fat Mini Apes with incl

To go along with the taller bars, we outfitted the setup with Harley’s Diamond Black collection of longer clutch cable ($99.95), throttle/idle cables ($149.95), brake line (upper $69.99, lower $59.99), and extended the TS wiring ($14.99) and switch wiring ($62.99). The Diamond Black collection features a black, braided cable design that’s also outfitted with black chrome fittings to aid in sleekness. They’re available in multiple lengths for multiple bar dimensions so check with your dealer before you order to make sure you get the correct measurements.

To get the apes installed we headed over to the Harley-Davidson Fleet Center where Alan Barsi and Jon McDevitt performed the install in no time at all. HB

02. To start the install, Jon removed the control housing from the left and right sides of the stock handlebar. Everything attached to the bar would be removed and installed on the new Apes, except for the stock cables.
02. To start the install, Jon removed the control housing from the left and right sides o
03. Because the throttle/idle cables run underneath the gas tank along the frame, the tank was removed to swap the stock cables for the new cables.
03. Because the throttle/idle cables run underneath the gas tank along the frame, the tan
04. Also, to gain access to the transmission trap door in order to replace the stock clutch cable with the Diamond-Black clutch cable, the crossover heat shield was removed. After draining the transmission oil, Jon removed the trans cover to replace the factory clutch cable from the ball and ramp assembly with the new clutch cable.
04. Also, to gain access to the transmission trap door in order to replace the stock clut

05. Up top, Alan removed the connector from the switch wiring and taped the loose wires in order to pull them through the stock bars since they’d be reused along with the new extensions on the Fat Mini Apes.
05. Up top, Alan removed the connector from the switch wiring and taped the loose wires i
06. With the wiring removed, Alan loosened the riser bolts from underneath the top tree and removed the factory bar/riser all together.
06. With the wiring removed, Alan loosened the riser bolts from underneath the top tree a
07. Alan then fed the factory switch wiring through the top of the bars down to the bottom of the Fat Mini Apes.
07. Alan then fed the factory switch wiring through the top of the bars down to the botto

08. He then placed the Fat Mini Apes with new risers on top of the trees and tightened them down. He also loosely positioned the factory switch housings atop the bars.
08. He then placed the Fat Mini Apes with new risers on top of the trees and tightened th
09. Next, Alan hooked up the TS extensions and the switch wiring extensions and plugged them back into their respective ports.
09. Next, Alan hooked up the TS extensions and the switch wiring extensions and plugged t
10. A new factory rubber grip was installed to the left side then the mirror and turn signal were replaced to the switch housing and tightened down.
10. A new factory rubber grip was installed to the left side then the mirror and turn sig

11. On the right side the new throttle/idle cables were hooked up to a new factory rubber grip and the switch housing was tightened down.
11. On the right side the new throttle/idle cables were hooked up to a new factory rubber
12. Jon removed the air cleaner assembly in order to replace the factory throttle/idle cables with the Diamond Black throttle/idle cables to the throttle body. The new throttle/idle cables were routed to the throttle body and zip-tied along the backbone of the frame. With the cables hooked up, the air cleaner assembly was replaced.
12. Jon removed the air cleaner assembly in order to replace the factory throttle/idle ca
13. Alan hooked up the new clutch cable to the trans cover’s ball-and-ramp assembly and replaced the trans cover and filled the trans up with a quart of Formula lubricant. He then routed the cable up to the clutch lever on the bars.
13. Alan hooked up the new clutch cable to the trans cover’s ball-and-ramp assembly and

14. The clutch cable was attached to its lever and Alan made the proper clutch adjustments to finalize the clutch cable installation.
14. The clutch cable was attached to its lever and Alan made the proper clutch adjustment
15. Next, Alan hooked up the lower brake line to the caliper…
16. …And ran it up to the bottom of the tree to meet the upper line up to be connected, then the upper line was fished up to the master cylinder.
16. …And ran it up to the bottom of the tree to meet the upper line up to be connected, t

17. Alan attached the brake line to the master cylinder on the bars, then filled the master cylinder up with brake fluid. Last thing to be done was bleed the brakes, which Alan did in a matter of minutes with the brake line bleeder. With everything re-installed, installation was complete. Overall, this was a pretty easy install that can be done in a few hours with a few cold ones to keep you company.
17. Alan attached the brake line to the master cylinder on the bars, then filled the mast
18. As you can see from the stock riding position, Jon is hunched forward a tad.
18. As you can see from the stock riding position, Jon is hunched forward a tad.
18.5. With the Fat Mini Apes setup, he’s kicking back, ready to cruise down the road.
18.5. With the Fat Mini Apes setup, he’s kicking back, ready to cruise down the road.