![]() Loosen and remove the Torx bolts that secure the levers and control pods on your handlebars. ![]() Step 1: Cover your gas tank with an old t-shirt to avoid scratching the paint or denting the tank when you drop a tool. For the sake of this how-to, let’s assume your new bars are a direct swap with all current hand controls and associated components-no longer cables or wiring required. Do these parts look like they will mount properly to the new handlebar, or is the new bar too tall and/or too wide for a simple swap? If the latter is the case, you may have to install new clutch and/or throttle cable(s), longer hand control wiring, etc. Look at the lever(s), cables, wires and stock hand controls, if applicable. Before picking up a wrench, sit on your bike and hold your new handlebar behind the current bar assembly. ![]() Your bike and bar choice might be different, but the tips and tricks are the same. We’re illustrating this how-to with the Keystone/H-D XL combo because it shows several of the stumbling blocks home customizers will encounter during the bar swap process, including cable length, mirror location, bar dimples, etc. Five years later you couldn’t swing a dead cat at a SoCal roadhouse without hitting a Sportster with a set of our top-seller, and for good reason-the look is tough, the swap is trouble-free and the ergonomics are spot-on. When we introduced it a dozen years ago, our Keystone handlebar quickly rocketed to the top of the Biltwell charts. If you’re determined to tackle the job solo, the tips and tricks in this month’s DIY 101 should make life easier. Bottom line: if you haven’t installed handlebars on a motorcycle at least once in your life, peeking over the shoulder of someone who has is the smart play first time around. Throw in a riser or throttle swap and the headaches multiply exponentially. Depending on what bike brand you’re working on, these variables alone can cause a minor meltdown if you don’t know what you’re doing. Consider just the basics like cable, wires and hand controls. The complexities surrounding this seemingly simple mod might surprise you.
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