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Custom Vehicle Discussions => Screamin' Eagle® Road Glide® => Topic started by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:18:27 PM

Title: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:18:27 PM
As the title of this board says, our Road Glides are "Screamin' Eagles."   I've seen lots of new CVO's and like the '15 Road Glide Ultra but I'm not moved to trade.  My bike was in both the HD 2010 Calendar and the 2011 book, "Art of The Harley-Davidson" with photography by David Blattel and text by Dan Gingerelli, both of whom work regularly with HD.  Still with many in love with their new rides, what to do?   

I've done a fair amount of mods but nothing significant of late.  Here is my list:  SERG at 2.75 Yrs. Enhancements Continue?? Still in Love!? (http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=64515.0)  That thread refers to my original SERG AND CVO: VERY GOOD TO ME! NEXT? (http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=31097.0)

So,  here's the bike a couple of weeks ago in Sonora Pass on the way to Street Vibrations:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:25:05 PM
Some of the S. CA crew have seen my friend Fred Brooks and his outrageous Orange / Black SERG with a 23" front and custom bars from a fabricator in Montebello,  CA, Jose.  I began to exhibit symptoms of bar envy so I paid a visit to Jose last month.  With help from another Road Glider who had swapped out his bars and who had a spare eight hours, here's the bike now:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:29:23 PM
It was not a difficult project but certainly tedious.  Disassembly of the molex connectors, threading the new bars and reassembly of the connectors (after triple checking the individual wires)  was a mother bear! 

The bars are "flat" rather than round.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:34:38 PM
I used the shop manual mostly but there are some great instructions on RoadGlide.org and videos on YouTube which were very helpful.  We threaded the bars using a shoe string and nut.  Also used silicone spray to lubricate the wires through the new bars.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 05:42:38 PM
After a couple rides I'm happy!  Was not sure I would be.  Amusing aside:  The bike feels faster!    :huepfenlol2:   It's because I'm not leaning forward to reach the bars.  Since I'm riding more upright, the acceleration pitches me back more.   The bars are thick enough to fill the gap in the side of the nacelle so they look very clean.   They also have a 1" curve.   
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: OBB on October 05, 2014, 06:19:29 PM
Came our really nice Greg. Love the looks of them. How tall are they? Stock lines?


Looks like another fun ride in the garage too :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 06:27:24 PM
Thanks!  9.5" rise with 1" curve  measured from center of bar; 10.5" back; 35" wide.  It would have taken me at least two full days without help.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: BUCKNUT GREG on October 05, 2014, 06:37:56 PM
One of the best looking Sharks ... period   :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: OBB on October 05, 2014, 06:42:02 PM
Thanks!  9.5" rise with 1" curve  measured from center of bar; 10.5" back; 35" wide.  It would have taken me at least two full days without help.
I hear ya. I've got about 13 hours wrapped up in mine including a trip to the dealer for some new pins. I had never done internally wired bars before and mine also has that Garmin to contend with. Makes a helluva difference though.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 06:52:08 PM
One of the best looking Sharks ... period   :2vrolijk_21:

Thanks Greg!  That's very kind. 

Ohio, the $50 molex tool was worth every penny!  I may sell it though.   I don't have gps.  Considered but did not install heat demons.  Not much need in So. CA and it was 90* Friday when we did the work. 

Chapter 2 is coming in about 3 weeks. 
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: OBB on October 05, 2014, 08:19:34 PM
Thanks Greg!  That's very kind. 

Ohio, the $50 molex tool was worth every penny!  I may sell it though.   I don't have gps.  Considered but did not install heat demons.  Not much need in So. CA and it was 90* Friday when we did the work. 

Chapter 2 is coming in about 3 weeks. 
Bought a complete set off ebay a while back with the crimpers and fittings to make my own plugs. :2vrolijk_21: Had stock heated grips to deal with also.


Can't wait for the next chapter  :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: aclass on October 05, 2014, 08:47:22 PM
Good thread Greg.  Bars look great and I hope the wire pull was easier than mine was.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: DesertHOG on October 05, 2014, 08:55:26 PM
Nice job Greg. Who makes the bars? Do they have a website?

DH
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 08:59:56 PM
Good thread Greg.  Bars look great and I hope the wire pull was easier than mine was.
Thanks!  The pull was very easy even with two 90* bends.  Like I mentioned above, we used shoe strings and a nut to thread the bars a used same strings to pull wires through.  I think the trick was that I used silicone spray (rather than window cleaner or WD-40) to lubricate the bars and the wires as well as heat shrink. The wires then slipped right through.  No bad smell and the silicon evaporates away cleanly.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 05, 2014, 09:02:20 PM
Nice job Greg. Who makes the bars? Do they have a website?

DH
Thanks, Simon!  No website.  Send me a pm if you'd like a phone number. 
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: DesertHOG on October 05, 2014, 09:09:26 PM
Thanks, Simon!  No website.  Send me a pm if you'd like a phone number.

Well, I'll see how I like the new bars on the '15. I think they will be fine but I might end up asking you for that phone number.

Simon
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: YELLOWBIRD on October 06, 2014, 08:56:00 AM
Greg,

Thanks for posting, bars look GREAT on your bike!


Bring new life to your awesome ride!


 :2vrolijk_21:



YB
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: dooinit2u on October 06, 2014, 05:15:31 PM
Looks Great Greg... What's in store for the second phase?
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Chapter 1: Bars
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 06, 2014, 05:51:05 PM
Looks Great Greg... What's in store for the second phase?
JoeZ is helping me with something. ;-)
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 27, 2014, 03:32:35 PM
 :drummer:    :drummer:    :drummer:   

I said three weeks and here is Chapter 2,  an FBI Low-Profile Dash.  Had it shipped directly to JoeZ at Xtreme Dimension for paint.  It's in transit to me now.  Thanks Joe! 
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 27, 2014, 03:33:17 PM
Side view.  Gas cap will be chrome, flush mount.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: aclass on October 27, 2014, 05:41:37 PM
looking forward to final results! :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: dooinit2u on October 27, 2014, 05:58:34 PM
Looks great Greg, Rock on !!! post some pics soon...
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: FlaHeatWave on October 27, 2014, 06:43:49 PM
Lookin' good Greg! 'Can't wait to see pics of it on the bike!
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: Jock on October 27, 2014, 09:15:37 PM
I'm diggin' it Greg!  Mod on Brother!

 :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 01, 2014, 01:39:49 PM
Okay, here it is.  Arrived last evening.  It took far longer to clean under the old dash and polish the tank than to install the new dash.  Gray matches perfectly.  One of the things I've always liked about that color is that it changes depending upon the lighting. You can see from the pictures below.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 01, 2014, 01:41:13 PM
Two.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 01, 2014, 01:42:51 PM
Last.

Thank you, Joe at Xtreme Dimension.    :2vrolijk_21:    :2vrolijk_21:    The paint looks great!    :huepfenjump3:  :coolblue: 
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: aclass on November 01, 2014, 02:32:00 PM
A nice touch indeed!  Looks great Greg.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: YELLOWBIRD on November 01, 2014, 03:24:59 PM
Greg,

Nice touch with the dash! Love the bars too!

Okay, did I miss something else? Looks like you painted your lower forks to gray too.


Please do tell, and show. Or my ole eyes are playing games with me.


YB
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 01, 2014, 03:41:20 PM
No, my forks are still Chrome. Don't know what that is in the one photo.    :nixweiss:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: OBB on November 01, 2014, 04:53:00 PM
Greg,

Nice touch with the dash! Love the bars too!

Okay, did I miss something else? Looks like you painted your lower forks to gray too.


Please do tell, and show. Or my ole eyes are playing games with me.


YB
I had to go back and look. If you click on the pix it will supersize it. Sure looks like it's painted to me too. Looks damn good :2vrolijk_21:
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: Xtreme Dimension on November 03, 2014, 08:46:54 PM
Last.

Thank you, Joe at Xtreme Dimension.    :2vrolijk_21:    :2vrolijk_21:    Thanks paint looks great!    :huepfenjump3:  :coolblue:
I just put the paint to your ideas Greg – You're welcome – thank you for the work!
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: BigLew on November 04, 2014, 06:28:49 PM
Hey Greg that really looks good. I think if you could get the seat guys to stitch the seat with that same color it would really flow great!

BigLew
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 05, 2014, 03:18:24 AM
Hey Greg that really looks good. I think if you could get the seat guys to stitch the seat with that same color it would really flow great!

BigLew

Thanks and good point.  I'll have to think about that! 
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: sblair on November 06, 2014, 06:24:17 PM
Dont want to upset you Greg but I traded the 11 FLTRUSE for a 15 FLTRUSE and kept my silver 09 SERG.  So I have the SERG and the 15 CVO keeping each other company in the garage at night.  I think getting rid of Silvia is divorce material!!!!  Yes the ole lady threatened.  LOL  Taking off tomorrow to Tombstone for a 4 day getaway so we will see how the 15 feels on a longer haul.
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: GregKhougaz on November 06, 2014, 06:41:55 PM
Dont want to upset you Greg but I traded the 11 FLTRUSE for a 15 FLTRUSE and kept my silver 09 SERG.  So I have the SERG and the 15 CVO keeping each other company in the garage at night.  I think getting rid of Silvia is divorce material!!!!  Yes the ole lady threatened.  LOL  Taking off tomorrow to Tombstone for a 4 day getaway so we will see how the 15 feels on a longer haul.

I've ridden the Limited but not the RGU.  I'm sure it's terrific!  No upset here.   8)
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: DesertHOG on November 06, 2014, 08:36:50 PM
Dont want to upset you Greg but I traded the 11 FLTRUSE for a 15 FLTRUSE and kept my silver 09 SERG.  So I have the SERG and the 15 CVO keeping each other company in the garage at night.  I think getting rid of Silvia is divorce material!!!!  Yes the ole lady threatened.  LOL  Taking off tomorrow to Tombstone for a 4 day getaway so we will see how the 15 feels on a longer haul.

That '15 is going to feel fantastic on a longer haul. I completed a 330 mile day and a 550 mile day with mine and it was dream under all conditions. Best riding bike I have ever ridden.

DH
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: SBB on November 06, 2014, 09:07:20 PM
That '15 is going to feel fantastic on a longer haul. I completed a 330 mile day and a 550 mile day with mine and it was dream under all conditions. Best riding bike I have ever ridden.

DH


Last time I'm going to mention this,
Best riding bike I have ever ridden.
DH

DO NOT change the paint!
Ride that puppy and enjoy it.
If you need more power, go see Steve.
Other than that, ride that puppy.

SBB





Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: DesertHOG on November 06, 2014, 10:11:51 PM

Last time I'm going to mention this,
DO NOT change the paint!
Ride that puppy and enjoy it.
If you need more power, go see Steve.
Other than that, ride that puppy.

SBB


The power is great. I will see Steve if the heat in the summer becomes unbearable. In that case I will look at the new Stainless DX he is contemplating for release.

DH

PS: I won't even consider a low profile console dash :D
Title: Re: New '15 RG? Heck no! Mod on! Ch. 1: Bars. Ch. 2: Painted Low Profile Dash.
Post by: donvito on December 02, 2014, 11:00:30 AM
That is one nice bike Greg, I love that yellow a lot. Great job and I will be sending my upcoming 2015 chopped tour pack to Joe as soon as I sell my 07 RG (per wifey lol), probably going with a flip flop paint for my 12 CVO.
Im trying to figure a 1-1/4" bars to replace my stock ones, Ill use your measurements to compare the difference between stock ones, any case they will have to be gloss black.
As far as wiring the bars, now folks that do their own will realize why dealers get $1000-$1500 to do that job lol.