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1989 Harley-Davidson FLHS Project Bike - Gaining Control

Back From the Dead Part Three

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When it came time for handlebars and hand controls on our project '89 FLHS, we wanted something fat, sky-high, and dripping with chrome. After searching for the right size and bend of bars, we chose a set of LA Choppers Hefty 16-inch apehangers. The reason these bars have the hefty moniker is that they are 1 1/2 inches in diameter including the center section. We didn't want the big bars to move around, so we went with a Carlini Design Road King Riser. This substantial unit has eight clamp bolts and two set screws, making sure even the tallest apes will not move when clamped.

Once the bars and riser were chosen, we ordered a Harley-Davidson Chrome Hand Control kit. This kit will upgrade the bike from the pre-1995 switches and levers to the '96-06 controls. We also ordered a chrome pre-wired switch kit from Biker's Choice. These shiny switches made the upgrade a rather easy install due to the wires being the correct OEM colors.

  • (1.)A stout set of 16-inch LA Choppers Hefty bars was chosen for their looks and neutral bend.
    (1.)A stout set of 16-inch LA Choppers Hefty bars was chosen for their looks and neutral b
  • (2.)To add to the bling theme, an H-D chrome hand control kit was selected.
  • (3.)The chrome switch kit from Biker's Choice was installed into the H-D hand controls.

To top off the control setup we went with a set of chrome plated 50's Boy Throttler grips. The reason we chose these grips was the fact that they are designed with a ratcheting cruise control system built into the grip. To operate the cruise control, once the desired speed is attained, one flip of the activation lever is all it takes to sustain it. If more or less speed is desired, the grip indexes like a ratchet wrench. Every click is good for plus or minus 3mph.

(4.)An 8-inch wire extension kit from NAMZ was used to increase the Biker's Choice switch wire length.
(4.)An 8-inch wire extension kit from NAMZ was used to increase the Biker's Choice switch

While measuring the switch wires for the bars, we noticed that we needed to extend the control wires, so a Handlebar Extension wire kit from NAMZ was ordered. These OEM color-coded extensions just slide onto the existing wires with pre-installed pins. To secure the extension to the switch wires, heat shrink tubing is slid over and heated up.

With the large diameter of the bars, the internal wiring was just about as simple as could be and the hand controls bolted up like they were the original parts.

With this part of the job done, both the foot and hand controls have been completed. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Back From the Dead when we will be rewiring the rest of the bike. B

  • (5.)50's Boy makes a non-electric cruise control grip known as the Throttler, which can be outfitted onto any H-D bagger.
    (5.)50's Boy makes a non-electric cruise control grip known as the Throttler, which can be
  • (6.)With using such a big handlebar, a massive clamp had to be used as well, so we went with a Carlini Design Road King riser.
    (6.)With using such a big handlebar, a massive clamp had to be used as well, so we went wi
  • (7.)The Duetsch connecter pins were installed onto the switch wires with the proper crimping tool.
    (7.)The Duetsch connecter pins were installed onto the switch wires with the proper crimpi
  • (8.)The NAMZ extension wires were plugged into the control wires. Heat shrink tubing was then installed over each wire to secure them.
    (8.)The NAMZ extension wires were plugged into the control wires. Heat shrink tubing was t
  • (9.)The wires were then internally installed into the handlebar and slid through the porthole in the bottom of the bars.
    (9.)The wires were then internally installed into the handlebar and slid through the porth
  • (10.)The Carlini riser was installed onto the frontend of the bike.
  • (11.)We then put the LA Choppers bars on the bike and secured them.
  • (12.)The hand controls, clutch and brake lever were installed using a dab of thread locking compound on all of the fasteners.
    (12.)The hand controls, clutch and brake lever were installed using a dab of thread lockin
  • (13.)The 50's Boy Throttler grips were clamped on the bars with the supplied setscrews.
  • (14.)The chrome levers and controls add massive amounts of the shiny stuff to the handlebars of our '89 FLHS.
    (14.)The chrome levers and controls add massive amounts of the shiny stuff to the handleba

PARTS
Chrome Hand Control Kit
PN 56862-07 $519.95

Handlebar Extension Kit
PN NHCX-D08 $32.99

Handlebar Switch Kit
PN 48-2654 $59.95

Hefty Bar
PN 0601-0620 $165

Road King Risers
PN HHR-3 $175

Throttler Grips
PN 3874 $249

SOURCES
Biker's Choice
bikerschoice.com
NAMZ Custom Cycle Products
namzccp.com
Carlini Design
carlinidesign.com
Harley-Davidson
LA Choppers
lachoppers.com
50's Boy
50sboy.com
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