Spacers to lengthen handlebars...

ChopperJeff

ChopperJeff

Active Member
I know this has been discussed before, but for the life of me I can't find the thread about installing spacers on your handlebars in order to bring then back a bit.

I have an '05 Chopper and would like to decrease the required reach to the grips. Guess I could probably get a set of Ridgeback or K-9 bars and stick them on, but thought that the spacers would be a lot cheaper.

Could someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks.... ride safe.
 
skully

skully

Active Member
Calendar Participant
i've used one inch billet spacers on my k-9 since 06. requires no cable changes, just make sure to use harden bolts. any fastner shop will have them. most bike shops will have wheel spacers that can be used for the bars.
 
T.Byrd

T.Byrd

Well-Known Member
Scully you said one inch billet spacers are you saying one inch long and if
you are is that as long as you can go with out changing cables.
 
G

gooddoggie

Member
Chopper Jeff;
I also have a 05 BD chopper that I replaced the bars with a set of ridgeback bars and although I absolutely love the handling now (no more stretching) I did run into a major problem which you would probably experience if you decide to take this route. My tank became scratched by the speedometer/tach bracket because it was now too close to the tank with the ridgeback bars and although it didn't scratch when I originally put it on (but it was close, way too close, DUH!) it did eventually rub the paint off from road bumps or the handlebar bushings wearing slightly or the handlebars flexing going over bumps etc. So this past week I just completed paint touch up surgery and also had to modify the speedo bracket and build some rubber gasket to act as spacers. What a PITA!!! I think it may actuall work out good now because the rubber spacers I made will reduce the vibration transmitted to the speedo. So if you switch to the ridgeback bars, chances are you will need the handlebar spacer/bushings anyway in order to get the speedo bracket far enough from your tank so that you don't need to go through all the nonsense that I did.
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
I too put the longer bars on my 05 Chopper but I ordered the speedo mount also from my dealer and had it chromed so didn't experience the problem of hitting the tank.

I wiring loom is very tight though and had to remove the frame restrainers to get some more slack in the wires.

Only thing negative I notice is more shaking in the longer bars especially at a stop light which should be expected I guess!

:flag:
 
G

gooddoggie

Member
Raywood, I too had to take some tie wraps off the wiring loom and pull the loom tight under the tank to get the extra I needed to get the connectors to mate. I thought I read in one of these posts that you thought the new heavy duty speedo bracket put it still too close to the tank?????? Please clarify. Would it be worth me buying the new bracket and how much did it run you?
 
skully

skully

Active Member
Calendar Participant
yes, one inch long spacers work perfect on the k-9. this gives you NO cable problems at all. if you go 1 1/4 then i would losen up the cables under the tank as the guys have talk about. remember most of them went from chopper bars to ridgeback or k-9 bars. the spacers are the easyest way to change over, and are very cheap compaired to new bars and cables, plus the labor to change them over if you can not do it yourself. remember every bike is a little differant, you may be able to get more length, or less in the spacers, than someone else. we found this out on two k-9s we were working on.
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
gooddoggie said:
Raywood, I too had to take some tie wraps off the wiring loom and pull the loom tight under the tank to get the extra I needed to get the connectors to mate. I thought I read in one of these posts that you thought the new heavy duty speedo bracket put it still too close to the tank?????? Please clarify. Would it be worth me buying the new bracket and how much did it run you?
Click to expand...
Ahhhh, good point. I did get receive the new wider bracket and it put my speedo back near the tank again but not close enough to touch.
My last dealer gave me the longer bracket as they had one laying around so I had them send it out for chrome.
If you want it let me know and I will see if I can find it.

:flag:
 
V

Vegas

Well-Known Member
skully said:
i've used one inch billet spacers on my k-9 since 06. requires no cable changes, just make sure to use harden bolts. any fastner shop will have them. most bike shops will have wheel spacers that can be used for the bars.
Click to expand...
Skully....great idea. I was just thinking of having some aluminum spacers cut custom but this idea is much better.
 
alhall88

alhall88

UAW
I have some 1 inch chrome steel spacers under my bars but when I put the ridgeback bars on my 04 chop I also ordered the ridgeback handlebar wiring harness for both sides. This gives you plenty of wire and worth the $40 investment IMO
 
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alhall88

alhall88

UAW
got them vickie when she worked at the other place. One of the guys that worked there had a small shop and made different lengths of these. Give her a shout I'm not sure she stays in contact with any of them anymore but its worth a shot.
 
skully

skully

Active Member
Calendar Participant
i'm not a dealer but, i can help in getting spacers. they are billet polished spacers and any length you want. they are custom made to the same dia of the db bars. i have to double check, but, i think they were $20.00 for the pair.

if anyone is interested, i'll get the exact price.
david
 
Bulldog03

Bulldog03

POIDOG
skully said:
i'm not a dealer but, i can help in getting spacers. they are billet polished spacers and any length you want. they are custom made to the same dia of the db bars. i have to double check, but, i think they were $20.00 for the pair.

if anyone is interested, i'll get the exact price.
david
Click to expand...
Hey skully, can you get them with the correct length and type/grade of bolts too?
 
skully

skully

Active Member
Calendar Participant
No, but; look up Fastners, bolts, nuts. note; you can allways go to Lowes or Home depot with your orginal bolt and find the thread pitch and bolt size, if you need to send off for the bolts.
 
Bulldog03

Bulldog03

POIDOG
skully said:
No, but; look up Fastners, bolts, nuts. note; you can allways go to Lowes or Home depot with your orginal bolt and find the thread pitch and bolt size, if you need to send off for the bolts.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I thought I could get it as a bolt on kit :D now I gotta get the tape measure, measure the bolt, find the bolt , get the right pitch, gonna burn some brain cells now:lol:

so what would the 1 1/2 inch lenght cost?
 
G

gooddoggie

Member
Raywood said:
Ahhhh, good point. I did get receive the new wider bracket and it put my speedo back near the tank again but not close enough to touch.
My last dealer gave me the longer bracket as they had one laying around so I had them send it out for chrome.
If you want it let me know and I will see if I can find it.

:flag:
Click to expand...
Raywood;
I might be able to use it especially if the rubber spacers I made decide to go south. I have shortened my bracket so much that without the spacers my bracket will never fit now and I can't add material so if you can spare that bracket and you are sure you won't need it in the future, I will take you up on your offer. Don't spin your wheels forever though trying to find it. Thank you. Please check your pm.
 
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