Sportster Handlebars

[mckinleyma]

I am new to the H-D community; I recently got a XL883 Sportster Hugger it has buckhorn handlebars which I do not like. I have purchased the stock bars for the bike, is this something I can swap out myself or should I take it to the $110/hr H-D shop?

[EZE RIDER]

Welcome to the forum! I just finished swapping out my handle bars on my 2007 Night Rod Special. I am probably like you because I am no mechanic but started doing my own work on the bike. I couldn't be happier. Because my life depends on it, I take my time and it really is pretty easy. First if you didn't already then get the service manual for your bike. With that as your guide you can do it better then the tech because you have more time to spend on it then he does. There are only a few items to replace when swapping out handle bars, Throttle and idle(or return) cables,Front brake line and clutch cable. Because you are getting shorter handle bars you don't need to change any cables or lines but you might have too much slack in them and it could be sloppy. Good luck!

[Kainam]

I second picking up the service manual. I prefer the Harley one, though there may be others for your model such as Haynes and Clymer. Hell, if it saves you just one trip to the shop at those prices, it will have paid for itself!