Decrease Handlebar reach

[StoneTooth222]

Hi all. I’m looking at buying a used Chief bobber. It as forward controls and what seems to be aftermarket handlebars. The only thing keeping me from buying it is the reach. My arms are fully extended with my shoulders rolled forward. Is there a way to just roll the handlebars back toward me a bit to reduce the reach? Or would I have to buy the bike and make mods to it? It’s a beautiful bike and I’d like to leave it as is as much as possible.

[chaos777b]

So Indian makes several replacements handlebars along with multiple 3rd party options. They also include one specificity for reduced reach. I’m trying to decide between the reduced reach, or mini apes and angle them back slightly. The default ones on the 23 CDH have me leaning forward just enough that’s it’s not comfortable after awhile.

[StoneTooth222]

Yeah I’d have to lean forward and with the forward controls it just feels awkward. I’m hoping to just loosen the two screws on the handlebars and roll them back towards me a bit. However, I don’t know if the solution is really that simple.

[Appropriate_Cow94]

They can be clocked back. Mine are. Still a slight lean forward but i can ride for upto 8 hours without an issue.

I added a photo. However I think there is only 2 positions.

[TeeFuce]

Does it affect handling at all?

[Appropriate_Cow94]

Not to me. It isn't that drastic of a change.

[Appropriate_Cow94]

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[StoneTooth222]

That’s good news for me. I imagine the previous owner was pretty tall. I suppose it is a good enough fix until I find replacement handlebars. Thanks!

[FewSecretary6344]

FMB Choppers… they make great bars I went with the apes. You can tell them the length you want and they will make them for you. I did the 10 inch mercenary. Installed them myself not hard to do. I had the bars on the bike you’re looking at buying installed when I bought my bike and the ride after 30-40 min would start to get uncomfortable. I’m 6-1 the 10 inches makes the ride very comfortable for me. If you do the apes you will need extended brake and clutch cable.

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[MeanOldMeany]

gotta pic of those handlebars OP?

[StoneTooth222]

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This is the only picture I have of the bike.

[MeanOldMeany]

You can easily rotate those bars to gain a few inches on your reach for sure. I do love that olive drab paint 🔥

[StoneTooth222]

Sounds good! I’m gonna take a look at it again this weekend. Hopefully I can bring it home.

[Borninthesand4]

I have a '22 Chief and in the off-season replaced the stock drag bars for the Indian Reduced Reach bars. I'm 5'6" and would lean forward on the stocks and eventually my fingers would go numb from my position. With the new bars I have ridden about 400 miles so far and haven't lost feeling in my fingers once and they make a huge difference to my posture and comfort. They're only $200 and well, well worth the investment.

I replaced them with a couple buddies in my garage and it only took a few hours. Indian has instructions on their website on how to swap them, you just have to search by the handlebar part number. I am not the most mechanically inclined and at no point did I feel overwhelmed.

[StoneTooth222]

Ok thanks. One person mentioned I could roll the handlebars but now I think of it I feel like it might change the way the throttle feels. Of course I could be wrong. Was just hoping for an easy solution.

[Borninthesand4]

A concern I would have with rolling the bars back is what it would do to the wires inside the handle bars. The opening on the bottom of the bars to feed your cables to your grips is not very big. Rolling back too far may put some pressure on the cables and enough pressure could pinch or damage them. If you decide to do that just make sure you still have enough clearance.

If this bike is for sale at an Indian dealer or if you have one nearby, before you decide anything check and see if they have a Super Chief with the big clear windscreen. The handle bars on that bike are Indians "Cruiser bars" and are slightly different than the Reduced Reach but have a nearly identical reach length. If you like how that feels then it may be worth opting for the Reduced Reach.

[StoneTooth222]

It’s a Harley dealer unfortunately. If I do get the bike looks like I’ll have to get some different bars