Got a quote recently from Harley approx $2,500.00 to supply & install Ape style handlebars on a Dyna. Sound reasonable ?

(Approx $1000 for parts and 1.5 days labour $1500 to install properly. Is it a difficult job to do yourself with basic tools. 

 

1.5 days to install handlebars and cables? It'd take me that long to do a job like that but a qualified shop should be much quicker

At those prices I'm sure glad I do my own work.
Seem ridiculous price to me, I'd be trying other bike shops but I guess they'll all be dear

So 12hrs labour to change bars? That is rediculous. Go to another shop, it's a fair job on ya own if you have the time and know how to research etc

I got a similar quote at Robbos HD in Canberra. I found a good Indy for about $750 including new cables...I do know a lot of blokes that have done their own. They reckon it's a long Saturday, saving heaps of coin would be worth it...

its hard to quote without knowing what parts you are using! $2500 is a little excessive if you ask me. For something that is internal wiring and not all that hard to run the wiring in, i'd charge anywhere from 300-500 for labour. Remember in some cases the exhaust may have to come off to change the clutch cable as well. Some bikes are so over chromed and pollished extra time is needed to wrap parts to ensure no damage. This almost reminds me of how some people go "my car service cost me $1500!" but fail to explain it included a cam belt kit, and brakes.....


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I do mine all the time...I'm a Plumber and the first bar change took me 3 hrs...When I put my apes on it took me longer as I had to extend the wires...The hardest part I found the first time around was getting the pins out of the connectors...I am about to do it all again with another set of Chubby bars and am expecting to be around 4 hrs...The job is not hard but it is a bit fiddley...Oh yeah...My bike is a 2010 Wide Glide...

2010 model.

yes shop mentioned the exhaust needs to come off.

thanks for replies.

Make sure they supply a jar of vasoline with that quote!

Did mine recently but with a tourer I had to fit in the throttle by wire plus additional wiring for cruise control, 60 odd solder connections! I was supplied some wrong parts but all up I reckon it would've taken me around 5 - 6 hours.

It's not hard to do, plenty of YouTube clips on installing apes plus every second thread on the seppo forum is about installing apes. I'd try it yourself, you'll be surprised with how easy it is.

What are they chargin $500 a cable tie.

they will have quoted to remove and replace seat, remove and replace tank, supply new clip for cross over hose, remove and replace pipes. supply new exhaust gaskets, drain gear oil, remove and replace clutch side cover, supply new gasket and gear oil. on top of doing the actual bar work.

Every nut, bolt, screw, clip and cable tie they charge for supply, removal and fitting. It soon adds up at $110/hr which is why most that can do it them selves.

Well its his money to throw around.... That price would be enough motivation for me to go off and buy a workshop manual and a FULL set of tools and toolchests and just do it myself. Heck you could even build yourself a new shed and include that in the costs!

I would expect at least $2000.00

tell em their dreaming

Recently took the Apes off my FXDB...even with two of us bumbling around, it only took 3 hours...

Admittedly, I kept all cables / wires... and went to Tracker bars, and the cables are a bit too long, but I saved 2500.00

thats not the same comparison Underground, i changed a set yesterday without changing cables, internal wiring (de-pining connectors) and i timed it, 1 Hour but thats moving. To be fair its worth 2 1/2 hours.



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Every business is going to charge differently, depending on their location and business size will determine their hourly rate etc. Stew51, was the $1600 including bars and cables? or labour on its own?

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I bought apes and grips from jp cycles $200
Cables I had (but what's a burly worth $300?)
Fitted at Indy workshop for $550

2010 street bob

That labour charge is fair in my book.

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