Hi guys,

Recently picked up a drag bar for my iron 883 and ended up installing it today. This is the first project I've done on this bike and I wanted to get some more knowledgeable eyes to check over my work, in particular the clearance for the brakeline using stock cables. I think it turned out pretty well (apart from a few minor scratches to the bar- whoops!)

Also, I wanted to see what you guys would do with the clutch cable given it has quite a bit of extra length and if any of you have some creative ways of routing it. I will be buying a headlight cover (either very similar to the one HD make (from Ryca Motors) or one from Dead Centre Motorcycles (https://www.deadcentercycles.com/fairings-speed-freak.php) once I work out if it will work with drag bars (anyone know? - I have emailed them and I'm awaiting a response) and so will need to reroute the clutch cable anyway I guess.

Here are the pics, let me know if you see anything I need to fix. 

Thanks,

Woz

That brake line looks okay...the bars and forks are all fixed on the same plane so you should be fine. Only thing I would watch out for is handlebar movement (via the mounting bushes where the risers connect to the trees); make sure that after a ride nothing is rubbing (put some 'blue' on the brake line and see if it rubs off anywhere).

You could almost put a full loop in the line and hide it under the tank or somewhere, but that would not be the preferred solution.

Thanks for the reply Tussuck,

I have noticed that the brake line rests against the bolt securing the forks to the top of the triple tree but it doesn't appear to be doing any damage.

I'll be sure to keep an eye on the bars themselves, but so far looks to be holding fine. Do you mean the actual risers moving (the part connected to the top of the trees?)? What would cause that if stock bars wouldn't move them?

Cheers,
Woz

Correct, where the risers bolt into the trees is a bushing that provides vibration isolation. You get a small amount of bar movement by this. It should not be a problem though.

It's hard to tell how much slack is in the clutch cable from that pic. You could shorten it, but that's a bitch. Maybe just live with it or get a pro to sort it out. Get some tinted lenses on those indicators though. Small change, BIG difference.

Thanks guys. I can live with the clutch cable as it is. I will probably undo the top part and reroute it if I manage to find some fairing I like.

I didn't use some blue on the brake line, but it does not move at all during normal running. It is however pressing on the bolt securing the triple tree and from what I can see it leaves a small indentation on the line. I have undone the bolt to see how it looks then and it is better (no s bend) but the problem is it will foul against the key column (always rubbing against that). So I've done the bolt back up similarly to how it is shown in the pictures above. I will eventually get the brake line redone (when I've figured out what I'm doing with my bars etc) I think.

Is the brake line reinforced?

I wish the brake line didn't bend away with the metal top at that angle so I could manipulate it into a more agreeable position, but as it is there is almost no flexibility in the top portion of the line.

Just an opinion, but I'd replace the brake hose with a braided one, length to suit. It'll take some of the squishy feel out of the lever too.

As for the clutch cable, I think it'd look and sit better if you took it over the forks, or perhaps in between, like the throttle cable....

+ 1 on the clutch cable through the forks around and behind headlight

Wozza12, good job.  The standard H-D brake lines are fabric braided and they have a pvc coating. The flash ones Have stainless wire braiding with clear covering, and a teflon inner liner.
You can get coloured aftermarket ones too if you so desire.

Although the line can handle that bend, can you handle looking at the bend? A  smoother, more laminar route is always desirable with any brake lines if possible.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies. The brake isn't squishy at all, in fact I find the feel quite good actually, similar to my previous Japanese and BMW bikes.

I'll get the brake line changed when I'm finished messing around with fairing and bars. Thanks for the feedback regarding it. I mainly wanted to be sure it could survive like that for a little while yet (probably do it at a service).

Thanks for the suggestion for the clutch cable, that sounds like a good route to take it. I'll do it.

Cheers again for all the feedback, it really helps,

Woz