Chopper Bars Install on Ridgeback

bdmridgeback · 11-04-2007, 02:29 AM

As some of you have done, and as I have, installed the shorter 2004 & 2005 Chopper Bars on our Ridgebacks, I just wanted to post the basics of the differences for the change.

The main thing that is changed is the stretch to the bars. The Chopper bars 04 & 05 only, when installed on the Ridgeback, will be about 1.5" farther forward and about 1/2" higher. This will give a more agressive "Custom Chopper" feel to the bike and if you are over about 5' 10", should not be a reach issue. You will need to Get the Chopper bars off a 2005 or older bike because the 2006 and newer Choppers come with the same bars as the Ridgeback and K-9.

Here is a picture of the Chopper Bars on top and the Ridgeback bars on the bottom:

Here is the stock Ridgeback bars with a measurement for comparison:

Here is the Chopper Bars with a measurement:

Chopper bars installed on the Ridgeback:

Gas Man · 11-04-2007, 02:51 PM

Yeah and alot of the chopper guys want the ridgeback bars for less stretch/more pull back.

however, one thing to note... the 2006+ choppers came with the ridgeback bars.

alhall88 · 11-04-2007, 11:48 PM

Yep,bought the ridgeback handlebar harness as well when I put Jakes ridgeback bars on my 04 chopper. It was worth the extra 50 bucks not worrying about stretching the wires.

ga chopper · 02-03-2010, 07:46 PM

what year was the ridgeback,for the harness?(Jakes ridgeback)

bdmridgeback · 02-03-2010, 08:52 PM

Use a 2005, 06, 07 Ridgeback harness to put the Ridgeback bars on the Chopper.

Also a note for the other way, no harness change is needed to put the Chopper bars on the Ridgeback.

Splitlog · 02-08-2010, 07:23 PM

What year ridgeback is in the picture...06 or older...The 08 + look like they have even a further pullback? I am 6'7" so I think I will go with the chopper bars myself...Thanks.

bdmridgeback · 02-09-2010, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitlog

What year ridgeback is in the picture...06 or older...The 08 + look like they have even a further pullback? I am 6'7" so I think I will go with the chopper bars myself...Thanks.

That one pictured is my 2005. The 05, 06, and 07 Ridgebacks are the same. The 09 and 2010 have real long bars.

Roaddawg · 02-09-2010, 12:55 PM

Those are some sweet fork tube covers. Where did you get those? They would match the gas cap nicely.

bdmridgeback · 02-09-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roaddawg

Those are some sweet fork tube covers. Where did you get those? They would match the gas cap nicely.

I had those about 4 years ago or longer. I no longer have them, I got them from Choppers Inc. but after I started making my own I sold them.

Splitlog · 02-15-2010, 01:36 PM

Just put on some 04 chopper bars on my 08 Ridgeback..Awsome..The 08 has a lot more pullback...I love the new look..I am going to have to replace my clutch cable and front brake line...Just a little to long. Thanks for the idea.

TheCleaner · 02-15-2010, 08:52 PM

I first put the chopper bars on my 08 ridgeback along with an 05 seat(got rid of the ugly push seat). I found it that I was reaching too much so I then put some 05 Ridgeback bars and it was just perfect. No issues with replacing cables or anything. Now I totally went a different direction and threw some custom redneck bars on and springer seat setup! Just couldn't make up my damn mind!
But being 6'3" I think the 05 ridgeback bars were most comfortable along with the 05 seat and oh yeah the 2.5 extentions in the foot controls!

Splitlog · 02-15-2010, 10:12 PM

at 6'7" the 05 chopper bars are perfect for me...I am going to have to change the clutch cable and brake line...way to long with the 08 Ridgeback bars..I actually fiberglassed my own seat to push be up against the rear fender for as much leg room as possible along with extensions on my for controls...

TheCleaner · 02-15-2010, 10:48 PM

Damn Splitdog, did you used to play ball?

beagle man · 02-16-2010, 12:24 AM

Can a 280 back tire fit on a 250 rim and will it work on a 2009 coyote with out changeing any thing.

bdmridgeback · 02-16-2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beagle man

Can a 280 back tire fit on a 250 rim and will it work on a 2009 coyote with out changeing any thing.

I'd say nope, but post up a new thread, you won't find answers for a tire fitment in a handlebar thread!

11-04-2007, 02:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
bdmridgeback Get Your Big Spike Here!! Name: Jake Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 3,737 My Bike(s): EHC'less '05 Ridgeback, 05 Buell CityX, 04 VTX1300C My Biker Photos Rep Power: 5	Chopper Bars Install on Ridgeback As some of you have done, and as I have, installed the shorter 2004 & 2005 Chopper Bars on our Ridgebacks, I just wanted to post the basics of the differences for the change. The main thing that is changed is the stretch to the bars. The Chopper bars 04 & 05 only, when installed on the Ridgeback, will be about 1.5" farther forward and about 1/2" higher. This will give a more agressive "Custom Chopper" feel to the bike and if you are over about 5' 10", should not be a reach issue. You will need to Get the Chopper bars off a 2005 or older bike because the 2006 and newer Choppers come with the same bars as the Ridgeback and K-9. Here is a picture of the Chopper Bars on top and the Ridgeback bars on the bottom: Here is the stock Ridgeback bars with a measurement for comparison: Here is the Chopper Bars with a measurement: Chopper bars installed on the Ridgeback: __________________ - CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE: *WWW.LOWDOWNCHOPSHOP.COM* Last edited by bdmridgeback; 02-03-2010 at 08:51 PM.

11-04-2007, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gas Man Cool isn't cheap Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detoilet Posts: 13,917 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 14	Yeah and alot of the chopper guys want the ridgeback bars for less stretch/more pull back. however, one thing to note... the 2006+ choppers came with the ridgeback bars. __________________ ^^My $0.02 not yours^^ -Chris aka Gas Man "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?"

11-04-2007, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
alhall88 UAW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Petersburg, Michigan Posts: 1,910 My Bike(s): 2004 Chopper DT My Biker Photos Rep Power: 4	Yep,bought the ridgeback handlebar harness as well when I put Jakes ridgeback bars on my 04 chopper. It was worth the extra 50 bucks not worrying about stretching the wires. __________________ Be polite to everyone you meet, but have a plan of how to kill them. -Brad Thor, The Last Patriot

02-03-2010, 08:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
bdmridgeback Get Your Big Spike Here!! Name: Jake Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 3,737 My Bike(s): EHC'less '05 Ridgeback, 05 Buell CityX, 04 VTX1300C My Biker Photos Rep Power: 5	Use a 2005, 06, 07 Ridgeback harness to put the Ridgeback bars on the Chopper. Also a note for the other way, no harness change is needed to put the Chopper bars on the Ridgeback. __________________ - CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE: *WWW.LOWDOWNCHOPSHOP.COM*

02-16-2010, 12:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
beagle man Beagle Man Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 42 My Bike(s): Big Dog Coyote 2009 My Biker Photos Rep Power: 0	Rear wheel Can a 280 back tire fit on a 250 rim and will it work on a 2009 coyote with out changeing any thing.

02-03-2010, 07:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
ga chopper Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7 My Bike(s): 2004 db chopper My Biker Photos Rep Power: 0	what year was the ridgeback,for the harness?(Jakes ridgeback)

02-08-2010, 07:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Splitlog Junior Member Name: AL Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Posts: 14 My Bike(s): 2008 RIDGEBACK My Biker Photos Rep Power: 0	What year ridgeback is in the picture...06 or older...The 08 + look like they have even a further pullback? I am 6'7" so I think I will go with the chopper bars myself...Thanks.

02-09-2010, 12:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Roaddawg Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 396 My Bike(s): 2005 BDM Chopper My Biker Photos Rep Power: 3	Those are some sweet fork tube covers. Where did you get those? They would match the gas cap nicely.

02-15-2010, 01:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Splitlog Junior Member Name: AL Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Posts: 14 My Bike(s): 2008 RIDGEBACK My Biker Photos Rep Power: 0	Just put on some 04 chopper bars on my 08 Ridgeback..Awsome..The 08 has a lot more pullback...I love the new look..I am going to have to replace my clutch cable and front brake line...Just a little to long. Thanks for the idea.

02-15-2010, 08:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
TheCleaner Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 135 My Bike(s): Bad Ass Ridged My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	I first put the chopper bars on my 08 ridgeback along with an 05 seat(got rid of the ugly push seat). I found it that I was reaching too much so I then put some 05 Ridgeback bars and it was just perfect. No issues with replacing cables or anything. Now I totally went a different direction and threw some custom redneck bars on and springer seat setup! Just couldn't make up my damn mind! But being 6'3" I think the 05 ridgeback bars were most comfortable along with the 05 seat and oh yeah the 2.5 extentions in the foot controls!

02-15-2010, 10:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Splitlog Junior Member Name: AL Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Posts: 14 My Bike(s): 2008 RIDGEBACK My Biker Photos Rep Power: 0	at 6'7" the 05 chopper bars are perfect for me...I am going to have to change the clutch cable and brake line...way to long with the 08 Ridgeback bars..I actually fiberglassed my own seat to push be up against the rear fender for as much leg room as possible along with extensions on my for controls...

02-15-2010, 10:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
TheCleaner Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 135 My Bike(s): Bad Ass Ridged My Biker Photos Rep Power: 2	Damn Splitdog, did you used to play ball?

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