Hello everyone, I just want to get a new thread started to help folks who are contemplating installing apes... I fought every aspect of adding apes (16") to my 800. I am, by no means an expert when it comes to installing apes. That being said, I will help in any way I can and I promise to never give you answers that I am not 100% sure of. For the record, I was hesitant to put apes on my bike. I was told the bike would be much harder to control and the ride would be very uncomfortable.... For me, i will never go back to standard bars again. I'm going ape from here on out!
Hello everyone, I just want to get a new thread started to help folks who are contemplating installing apes... I fought every aspect of adding apes (16") to my 800. I am, by no means an expert when it comes to installing apes. That being said, I will help in any way I can and I promise to never give you answers that I am not 100% sure of. For the record, I was hesitant to put apes on my bike. I was told the bike would be much harder to control and the ride would be very uncomfortable.... For me, i will never go back to standard bars again. I'm going ape from here on out!
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Just bought a 97 800 Classic with 16-18" Apes. I do not like the feel and I agree control can be an issue. This is exacerbated if you have a shoulder joint issue. I bought a used Stock Bar and new shorter cables. I plan to sell the a Apes and the longer cables. To be fair the Apes, my son thought he would not like them either but he loves them.
I hear you.... Apes aren't for everyone. It was just my opinion that they are more comfortable for riding and as for myself, I have no control issues.... Btw, could you share a picture of your bike on this thread? If you can't, no big deal..
I've ridden with Apes once, on a 1700 Yamaha. Sharp bike! They were right at shoulder level for me which was nice, but I think any higher and they wouldn't be very comfortable. Plus, in many states, above the shoulder apes can get you a ticket.
Thanks bud... Wow, the funny thing is that I've seen that pic before but didn't know he was local... Seeing that pic, I've never even noticed the modot sign in the background... That is a little over the top as far as apes go, Hahahaha
Thanks! I put the Turn Signals back on it and added Slant Bags. My wife made me change the baffleless pipe back to stock. She, the dog and the neighbors did not like the noise but the kids loved it. Her major complaint was she could not hear her bike (Rebel 250) or anything else when she rode with me.
Yes, thank you! I should have mentioned that... Btw, if you get pulled over and they ask to check, by law you can sit s's straight as you want as long as your bottom is on the seat.
Thanks man. Instead of adding a bunch of stuff to it like most people, I took a bunch off, slammed it on the ground in the back and put my apes on there.
I bought the progressive shocks that were 2" shorter. I ride it like a sport bike, so I really like the low center of gravity. My floorboards hit alittle sooner, but I was dragging them all the time before I lowered it.
okay i'm looking at adding 12" apes to my motorcycle. i have the stock drag bars. do i need to buy new risers as well? if so does anyone have a link show what i should get?
If you already have separate risers, not part of the bars, then get your apes the same diameter. If your bars and risers are 1pc, then find the shortest risers in the bar size you want, usually 1".
Stock handlebar risers on the classics is 1". If you go to SAE sized risers, plan on drilling out the bolt holes on the upper tree to accommodate the larger bolt size. There are tons of different combinations you can do with SAE. (IE Harley) This bike has had the upper tree drilled to accept the SAE risers. Your custom will need risers as the stock bars on the custom a directly bolted on.
You'll see there are a ton of options for risers here:
so i was in at one of my local fix em up's today buying some honda spray. I asked him if he did handle bar replacements, and his reply was centered around the electrical not reaching. he said the cables may be fine, but the electrical probably won't reach. has anyone had any issues with electrical wires not reaching on 11-12" bars?
Typically the handlebar wiring will reach for 10" bars with stock risers, but with some spare wire and some heat shrink, you would be able to extend them rather easily (also gives you the opportunity to run them internal!)
These are 12" bars on my 05 800. Everything reaches, with some rerouting except the clutch cable, you will need a longer one. These are on stock risers, and if you bars are any taller or wider, everything will need to be longer.
Hello everyone, I just want to get a new thread started to help folks who are contemplating installing apes... I fought every aspect of adding apes (16") to my 800. I am, by no means an expert when it comes to installing apes. That being said, I will help in any way I can and I promise to never give you answers that I am not 100% sure of. For the record, I was hesitant to put apes on my bike. I was told the bike would be much harder to control and the ride would be very uncomfortable.... For me, i will never go back to standard bars again. I'm going ape from here on out!
View attachment 23882
What brand apes are did you get and where did you get them from?
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