My New Bars

**rustyford** · 01-01-2012, 08:44 PM

After all the talk, I decided to pull the trigger and get some new bars. I went with some 12" apes that were actually for HD springers (whatever that means

)

All the cables were good except the front brake line. I ended up ordering a Galfer braided stainless kit from www.motorcycleparts2u.com. Good people and got the goodies in 4 days.

Here's a few pics of the before and after.

Before

During:

After:

mweaver · 01-01-2012, 09:17 PM

What is the difference in the width at the end of grips?

Thinking about doing the same with my 1700 Nomad. I just don't need

the steering to be any harder on my bad neck and shoulders.

Old age is taking it's toll. Those look great. You may be costing

me $$$$$

Mike

wheelie · 01-01-2012, 09:18 PM

Looks good. I've thought about apes but will probably just put some taller risers on someday.

**rustyford** · 01-01-2012, 09:22 PM

mweaver, I'm not sure of the actual measurements but can get them tomorrow. I do know the apes are more narrow. I like the feel of them so far.

wheelie, I did the bars because my stock risers are just under the fairing. I'm a little tall so had to do something.

**ringadingh** · 01-01-2012, 10:05 PM

They do look good on there, nice job.

Monkeyman · 01-02-2012, 02:51 AM

The main difference between the Springer bars (made for the HD Springers) and non-Springer bars is the spacing of the knurling (the bumpy area where they meet the risers). Springer spacing is something like 6 1/2" whereas the non-Springer spacing is more like 3 5/8". Look at yours and you'll see part of the knurling sticking out the sides of your spacers. No big deal imo as long as part of the knurling is under the risers. Those look good. I'm still trying to choose between 12", 13" and 14" apes. I need to sit on a Nomad with each (or at least with one) before I choose but I'm not sure that's possible as I'd like to get them (and install) before spring.

AlabamaNomadRider · 01-02-2012, 04:40 AM

Looks sharp.

Pitchinguy · 01-02-2012, 07:27 AM

Look'n good!! Do you have driver backrest & highway pegs?

Pitchinguy · 01-02-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweaver

What is the difference in the width at the end of grips?

Thinking about doing the same with my 1700 Nomad. I just don't need

the steering to be any harder on my bad neck and shoulders.

Old age is taking it's toll. Those look great. You may be costing

me $$$$$

Mike

If anything, the apes will make steering easier, kinda like power steering. Apes that place your hands slightly lower than your shoulders will prolly help your back & shoulders. The 14's w/driver backrest & highway pegs have done wonders for mine. With OEM bars, 2-3 hrs & my back, neck & shoulders were killing me. A full day ride took 2-3 days to recover. After the mods, 12 hrs, no problem!

**rustyford** · 01-02-2012, 10:19 AM

Part of the knurling does stick out, but I had a buddy with a nmachine shop knurl them a little more to better fit the risers. They feel solid.

I do have highway pegs and a driver's back rest. I just took the backrest off for awhile for the solo look, which i love. My wife doesn't ride when it gets cold.

Here's a few pics of me on it. Keep in mind I'm 6'6" so your results may vary

And one more.

**rustyford** · 01-02-2012, 10:22 AM

The bars were $60 and the brake line kit was $100 to my door. Not a bad investment for a big change in comfortable all day riding.

Monkeyman · 01-02-2012, 11:17 AM

Where did you find them for $60? I've seen a few that I might want but either they've been more expensive or all they had were "stock" photos. I'd drop $60 on a set tomorrow especially if they came in 14s. Only difference is I want mine powdercoated black and non-Springer (although I supposed I could find someone who could knurl a bit more for me).

**rustyford** · 01-02-2012, 11:55 AM

I found these in an indy store called Freedom Cycle (http://www.freedomcycles.com/home.html) in OKC, Oklahoma. Great little store packed full of bike goodness.

They seem to favor HD, but have been good to me everytime I've been in tehre. You just need to know your measurements because they don't.

Karol Trup · 01-06-2012, 10:38 PM

That's an excellent job you did there. I have never thought I would ever like anything like that on my nomad but man, you got me a bug in my head! I am 5' 10". Any advice what size would fit me? I was thinking 10 to 12" max... I like that fairing as well. What brand and what the price was? Any idea if the fairing painting can be done DIY or it must be in the shop? Sorry for so many questions at once. I just like it so much I will most likely do that, too... Thanks.

danimal2 · 01-06-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyford

I'm a little tall so had to do something.

Yup. You definitely needed some taller bars. It almost looks like your hands/grips are still behind the fairing even with the taller bars (or close to it)?

01-01-2012, 08:44 PM	#1
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	My New Bars After all the talk, I decided to pull the trigger and get some new bars. I went with some 12" apes that were actually for HD springers (whatever that means ) All the cables were good except the front brake line. I ended up ordering a Galfer braided stainless kit from www.motorcycleparts2u.com. Good people and got the goodies in 4 days. Here's a few pics of the before and after. Before During: After: Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-01-2012, 09:17 PM	#2
mweaver Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 46	New bars What is the difference in the width at the end of grips? Thinking about doing the same with my 1700 Nomad. I just don't need the steering to be any harder on my bad neck and shoulders. Old age is taking it's toll. Those look great. You may be costing me $$$$$ Mike Last edited by mweaver; 01-01-2012 at 09:21 PM.
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01-01-2012, 09:18 PM	#3
wheelie Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Neoga, IL Posts: 433	Looks good. I've thought about apes but will probably just put some taller risers on someday. __________________ You never slow down you never grow old VBA #656 Black 2007 1600 Nomad
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01-01-2012, 10:05 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	They do look good on there, nice job. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-02-2012, 02:51 AM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	The main difference between the Springer bars (made for the HD Springers) and non-Springer bars is the spacing of the knurling (the bumpy area where they meet the risers). Springer spacing is something like 6 1/2" whereas the non-Springer spacing is more like 3 5/8". Look at yours and you'll see part of the knurling sticking out the sides of your spacers. No big deal imo as long as part of the knurling is under the risers. Those look good. I'm still trying to choose between 12", 13" and 14" apes. I need to sit on a Nomad with each (or at least with one) before I choose but I'm not sure that's possible as I'd like to get them (and install) before spring. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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01-01-2012, 09:22 PM	#4
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	mweaver, I'm not sure of the actual measurements but can get them tomorrow. I do know the apes are more narrow. I like the feel of them so far. wheelie, I did the bars because my stock risers are just under the fairing. I'm a little tall so had to do something.
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01-02-2012, 04:40 AM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Looks sharp. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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01-02-2012, 07:27 AM	#8
Pitchinguy Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Farmville, Va Posts: 424	Look'n good!! Do you have driver backrest & highway pegs? __________________ *2011 Nomad* *VBA #01922*
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01-02-2012, 10:19 AM	#10
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	Part of the knurling does stick out, but I had a buddy with a nmachine shop knurl them a little more to better fit the risers. They feel solid. I do have highway pegs and a driver's back rest. I just took the backrest off for awhile for the solo look, which i love. My wife doesn't ride when it gets cold. Here's a few pics of me on it. Keep in mind I'm 6'6" so your results may vary And one more.
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01-02-2012, 10:22 AM	#11
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	The bars were $60 and the brake line kit was $100 to my door. Not a bad investment for a big change in comfortable all day riding.
	0

01-02-2012, 11:17 AM	#12
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Where did you find them for $60? I've seen a few that I might want but either they've been more expensive or all they had were "stock" photos. I'd drop $60 on a set tomorrow especially if they came in 14s. Only difference is I want mine powdercoated black and non-Springer (although I supposed I could find someone who could knurl a bit more for me). __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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01-02-2012, 11:55 AM	#13
rustyford Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NW Oklahoma Posts: 105	I found these in an indy store called Freedom Cycle (http://www.freedomcycles.com/home.html) in OKC, Oklahoma. Great little store packed full of bike goodness. They seem to favor HD, but have been good to me everytime I've been in tehre. You just need to know your measurements because they don't.
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01-06-2012, 10:38 PM	#14
Karol Trup Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 12	That's an excellent job you did there. I have never thought I would ever like anything like that on my nomad but man, you got me a bug in my head! I am 5' 10". Any advice what size would fit me? I was thinking 10 to 12" max... I like that fairing as well. What brand and what the price was? Any idea if the fairing painting can be done DIY or it must be in the shop? Sorry for so many questions at once. I just like it so much I will most likely do that, too... Thanks.
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