It didn’t take long to know I was going to need new handlebars on the bike. We took a couple rides and the stock bars were so low that I had to reach downwards to get a grip on them. Soon after my shoulders and back began to hurt from the awkward reach. Something had to be done.
I went with the Paul Yaffe monkeybars again because the pullback and width fit me well when they were on my 2012 Street Glide. This time I put the 10″ bars on instead of the 12″ though. Doing this kept the hand grips behind the fairing which keeps my hands from being exposed to rocks and wind. This will help in winter riding for the cold too. They are still high enough to allow enough pull back to keep from having to reach downwards like the stock bars. And they still look nice too.
The process of installation was much easier on the 2015. Harley made marked design improvements that affected many areas of the new bikes. Fortunately some of those improvements also affected modifications to the bikes making the task easier. Installing the handlebars is an example. They put longer brake lines and hydraulic clutch lines from the master cylinder so you don’t have to replace those as long as your only putting 12″ or lower bars on the bike. They also made a wiring junction on a plate that is mounted under the radio. The wires in this junction are able to be removed from the zip ties that hold them and re-routed back towards the handlebars which allows you to put up to 12″ bars on the bike without having to cut and solder extensions. Even the removal of the inner fairing was made easier with the new style of fork mount that allows you to simply lift upwards then back after removing the turn signals, turn signal bolts, and accessory console. That also makes adjusting them later much easier and quicker without hardly any tear down.
I did a video on the process and as mentioned for the 2012 model you need to have some mechanical and electrical aptitude to successfully accomplish the install. Even though its easier to install bars on the 2014 and 2015 models, its still not going to be for everyone. Safety is the first goal when doing something like this and not performing even one task correctly could put your life at risk on the road. If there is any hesitation about doing the installation yourself, then you probably should let your dealership do it for you.
Stock Handle Bars
Paul Yaffe 10″ Monkey Apes
where did you get ur grips
Had a few simple questions
1. How tall are you?(helps me decide which length of bars to use)
2. Are your bars pushed all the way forward or did you pull them back towards you a little?(hard to tell in the pics and video)
3.Are the 2014 Specials any different from the 2015 in regards to installing 10″ Paul Yaffe Bars?
Thx for your help.
Very good how to videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for making my project a breeze. I just put 10″ wild 1 burly bars on a 2015 ultra limited. Your video was all I needed. I went ahead and put progressive springs and shocks and a little black paint.Keep up the good work.
I own a 2015 Street glide and followed your video on how to do it. Made it so easy to do and saved me a ton of money. Thank you for posting such helpful videos. Also removed pins from Molex connector with a paper clip from the front of plug. I saw one of your videos you said you haven’t had much luck doing this. The secret is pull white insulator out just about halfway from the pushed in position and the wire uou want to remove just push it in as far as you can to the front of plug and then stick paper clip in the hole next to the pin hole while holding pin forward and just pull pin out it will release clip. But wow the entire job was so easy with your direction and tips of doing it. Thanks a million Newnan Ga.
I am planning on installing 12″ Yaffe monkey bars on my 2016 street glide.
Do you think I will need to extend anything?
Thanks.
Hey how’s it going I’m planning on doing 12″ Paul yaffe on my 2017 streetglide special should it be pretty much the same process as your video?
Pretty much the same, minor differences that you should have no issues working through. The twist grip sensor is easier on the 2017 as Harley changed it to a small connector that you can pull through the handle bars without having to re-pin it.