i want to put apes. I have a few ?. One is what size to go with cause i know the laws keep changing and i am 5 ft 10 inchs tall. I also have street glide mirrors on my bike what problem will that be. Also what all do i have to change and is there a kit i can buy that has everything i need. If anyone has done this can you please post your pic of your bike.. thanks

When it comes to apes, my opinion is well known. Why would a biker destroy the ability to handle his own bike?

Additionally, the 1960s are over. I was there, celebrated January 1, 1970 and everything, making apes an anachronism. If you buy the goofy handlebars, then buy a goofy tie-dyed shirt to go with them.

More to the point, ape hangers do make a statement, but not the same statement as in the 1960s. Back then ape hangers said, "Peter Fonda has them and he's cool, so I must be cool, too."

Now they say, "Rookie who can't make an original bike."

There are entire catalogs coupled with knowledgeable custom builders who can take a client's idea and make a safe, fast and singular custom motorcycle. Then there are guys who put ridiculous apes on a box stock Electra-Glide and think they have a 'chopper.'

Do the right thing.

i ride a bagger and i can tell you it will be a lot of work. You will have to change all of your cables and all of the electric wires will have to be added to. seems like a lot of work for a bike that will loose handeling. But!! It is your ride and if you want to try it then go for it. You might as well throw on a 21inch front tire. I see those from time to time and they look pretty good as well...

Yes, it's his bike, that goes without saying.

However, I changed out the entire front end on my Dyna to one of a differing year. Yes, it's a bit of work. But the parts and wire loom are available.

All that work for a bike that handles worse...

Cost's aren't cheap for that conversion, and I'm with the other posters noting that the handling and comfort level are going to be far less than with a standard set of bars.
I have ridden bikes with the tall apes and gotta say "didn't like it".
If you can - try it out first before you commit to the project on your own bike.

Very good advice. I know a lot of us thought spool hubs looked neat until we found we had to balance a heavy bike on one foot when waiting uphill at a stoplight.

Youth is youth and the bike is his possession. The reason Softail Harleys were built is that a clean frame looks quite attractive, but not if your kidneys are bleeding. You have to live with the bike you created. In fact, I don't even know why apes were made and installed, at all, even in the old days.

Cause they looked so cool on my Schwinn Stingray!!

I had 18" apes on my old bike and never lost any handling actually it was very comfortable to ride.

Handling is only one of the issues. It's not healthy to keep your hands and arms higher than your heart for long periods of time. That "tingling" is nature's way of informing you that your extremities are not getting enough blood.

Peter Fonda's daughter once commented that her dad returned from shooting in agony on days requiring long periods on the Captain America bike.

I just read a new magazine showing that long front ends are coming back, so if blood loss doesn't help folks crash perhaps they can once again try bikes that don't handle.