Assembly of chrome handlebars in Harley-Davidson

We like to customize our motorcycle, it is a fact. Normally customization implies modifying or replacing the serial elements, but the truth is that Custom models manufacturers are increasing I refer to extravagant showbikes, but to a strong sensitivity on the part of the brands to "copy" the essence of the street and take it to their standard models.
This that in principle is an advantage poses a greater effort when making changes in our mount, because they are almost perfect and finished, they do not have nothing left over.
However, in today's article we will be ahead of aesthetic trends, and if it is true that in the fashions everything is cyclical, after having gone from the trimmed and black bobbers and boardtrackers now we will surely live a resurgence of the '70s and' 80s with Flake paintings, choppers and chrome! Again, and if you don't believe it, look at HD's latest Hard Candy paintings, or his Seventy Two model.

Chroming the controls
In this case we will add a little chrome to the handlebar of a Sportster model completely changing the handlebar controls, fists and buttons.

We could have installed chrome tapas, but I do not recommend doing this on a custom motorcycle, since we break its minimalism and the motorcycle ends up becoming a “bright scrap” car, it is better to replace functional pieces with other aesthetically improved, and also in this case Chrome will protect better than paint of origin the pieces against corrosion of brake fluid, the impacts of insects and inclement weather.

Performing the installation
We will start with the accelerator cables, after wearing them and open the pineapple from the controls we will extract the bronze terminals, which will allow us to uninstall the cables of their accommodation.

With the cables it can already disassemble the supports of the electric buttons,

It is very important to take a photograph or consult the manual to again install it later exactly as it was, if not the cables can be trapped between the housing and the handlebar.

We will also disconnect the brake pump and clutch (eye with the brake fluid, stain all the surfaces it touches), and remove the left fist from the handlebar (sometimes it is attached and you have to cut it).
The last step is to remove the buttons housings, lever with a small screwdriver on its side.

Assembly of the kit
We will start the installation of the kit re -placing the buttons, exerting slight pressure until they enter its location.

We continue with the assembly of switch housings, accelerator cables, clutch and brake hose. We will do all this following the recommended procedures and tightening pairs in the User Manual:
-Hrog and brake clampingornillo ... 12.5 nm

-Tornillo of switch housings ... 2.5 nm
-Banjo Tornillo of the brake hose ... 25 Nm
After taking these steps we find the work practically finished.

It only remains to add brake fluid (Dot 4 or 5, according to the year and model) and purge the air of the hose, for which we can use a brake bleeding.

Final checks
We have to verify the operation of all switches, including braking light. The brake lever must be pressure firmly and in a progressive way, and the handles must be aligned in a natural position for the dolls.
After these checks we will clean the whole set, with alcohol or some soft degreaser and go out to take a test and check the buttons, brake, etc.

Frank Burguera

#mecanicaharley