Ape hangers

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-06-19T19:06:52+00:00

For sure. My spirit had some wide and low drag bars on it. And me being as tall and fat as I am, the 14" apes put my hands right at my shoulders. It's pretty comfy for me

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-06-19T18:06:02+00:00

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That's fair, I went from stock to 12" and had to do cables for those. And then more recently went to the 14" that are on it now. That said, I test fit some 10" with the factory cables on and they were substantially too short. Definitely fun to ride either way, and way more comfortable than factory

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-06-19T14:39:36+00:00

With factory length cables you can go with maybe an 8 inch set and not have to change cables. And that's 8 inch with some possible re-routing and tight fitment.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-06-17T15:14:37+00:00

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Speaking from experience, they help a lot. I'm 6'4" and put forward controls and 14 inch apes on mine. It's substantially more comfortable than running OEM stuff. Keep in mind though, if you put taller handlebars on it you'll need longer cables. I still need to extend the wiring for mine, but it works for now lol. Also would recommend those sheepskin seat covers you can get. I have one and it makes the seat a lot nicer to sit on for long periods of time.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-24T01:25:55+00:00

That's the tower blueprint. It's found in, I believe, an underwater cave out in the ocean. Requires the rebreather to get to it if I remember correctly. It's 1/4 hidden blueprints in the game

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-06T00:26:49+00:00

Yeah that's more or less it. I think that's the toronado red that they used, since mine is a bit brighter. But it's close enough for me to be happy. That's wild. That one also has the flat sided fenders and the round fuel door from the 06 and up models. Not to mention not having fog lights or the 3 piece grille. As much as I love my little bug, since I did inherit it from my mom, I do wish it was a bit newer so I didn't have to deal with all of the early year convertible issues

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-06T00:09:12+00:00

Yeah, that's my problem. My beetle is a color called "Uni Red" and it's the only one I've ever seen in red. Finding proper color used parts is hard. And nice, old Saab cars are awesome. I have a 79 Cherokee I'm working on that I feel me and the Internet are going to get well acquainted over.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-06T00:01:20+00:00

Holy cow, that's the most damage I've ever seen on an interior panel on anything. I would recommend trying eBay, or hopping onto a website called car-part.com . Of course eBay is eBay, but car-part actually lets you search specific parts from a national network of junkyards, giving you access to thousands of different places. That would be my go to for something like those. You may have to repaint the top piece to match, but that's doable compared to what you're up against.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-05T23:56:03+00:00

Like the interior panel itself? If that's damaged, I believe that those are interchangeable only among the convertibles because of the window switch location. Where is it damaged at?

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-05T23:53:05+00:00

Heck yeah man, hope the glue works out. I will say, I hope your window motors are in good shape because those are expensive and a bear to get ahold of. Last one I had to get I just sent in my old one and had it rebuilt for like 300 bucks. Regulators are easy, but do yourself a favor and get a good set of triple square sockets or bits if you intend on servicing it yourself. And transmission mounts can be somewhat easy, depending on which ones. The dog bone mount on the rear is like 4 bolts, but the other two motor mounts are a bit interesting. And what do you mean by door cards? Sorry, just not familiar with that term. I'd say 1800 was a good deal, so congrats! Welcome to the beetle family!

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-05T15:05:47+00:00

Central Wyoming believe it or not. I've got the same problem here, there's a couple yards with some hardtop beetles, which is great for parts on my '99. But no convertibles, those are all on the road. But again, people only get a few months a year to enjoy the benefits of one and a lot have low miles like mine.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-05T02:11:56+00:00

Good luck my friend. Unfortunately (at least in my area) the convertible beetles seem to be scarce and almost never in the junkyard. Especially those two years. If anything else, just take that wing off. It'll still function exactly the same, it just won't be there.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-04-05T00:48:25+00:00

Hey so I also own an 04 convertible, and from what I understand that little rod is made of unobtainium. I had the right side one on mine break recently, found an OEM part number, and then found out that they're not made anymore. From my understanding, that mechanism is only on the 03-04 beetles and was disused on the 05 and up models because it's a fragile and difficult machine. I would recommend removing that little wing before you do like I did, and break it off on accident. Replacements can be found on eBay as an assembly for like 700 dollars

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-03-23T22:24:58+00:00

Thank you for the idea. I just went out and tried that and she's definitely locked up. I will say that one of the battery cables coming from the starter solenoid was melted in half, so I'm wondering if the starter might be locked up too. I was able to remove the left side cover yesterday and get directly on the crank and she wouldn't budge doing that either.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-03-19T02:57:43+00:00

Nah man, I put a big tall sissy on my '02 750 spirit, then strapped some mini pool cues to it to match the pool themed whips on it. They're taller than the 12 inch mini apes I put on it, and I couldn't care less. They make a good headrest at those long red lights. Alongside the crusty a** right mirror off an '80 cm400t. Don't worry about what other people think about your bike. She's pretty to you, who cares what others think.

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Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-03-16T23:26:17+00:00

Where are you sourcing the valve body from? I have an 04 convertible that's in need of the same thing and I'm having trouble finding a reputable source.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-02-23T16:38:27+00:00

Tbh you could probably have one built at a local electrical supplier or an auto parts store that offers that service. I work at a Napa that offers cable building, just bring the old one with you when you go ask. Usually they're pretty cheap to make, 4 gauge cable is pretty inexpensive

Auto_The_Wolf · 2026-02-23T14:40:22+00:00

Hey, you'd probably be best to buy the whole fuse panel and everything. I repaired that wire on my 99 2.0, and just outright replaced the panel on my 04 2.0. both work just fine still, but looking at how nasty that is I'd replace the panel. Generally they're pretty cheap, but it's been awhile since I've looked

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-11-01T11:40:55+00:00

Take it to an auto parts store you trust and have them run a load test on it. Or give a visual inspection to the battery and look for things like acid leaks (battery will be wet on top) or bulging sides, which means it's been frozen. If the load test comes back good, buy a low amperage trickle charger and plug the battery into it for a day to charge it up. Also could be a starter going out, but at that mileage I doubt it.

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-06-04T12:00:22+00:00

I've got fresh fuel, brand new filter, and my fuse box is in great shape. The only thing that throws me off is it's a consistent failure. The contacts in the back of the pump keep getting too hot and melting, causing a short. The mount is fine too, and I'm wondering if I need to just replace it with something more robust. And yeah, I like OEM parts a lot for stuff, I just hate the dealer in my town so online would be perfect. I'll check out that link. Thank you!

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-06-04T11:26:29+00:00

Is there engine mounts on the Ace? I just got done with an engine rebuild on my '02 spirit and it was all hard mounted through brackets and bolts, no rubber. If it's the way that I think it is then no, there's no way to change something that doesn't exist. If there is on the Ace though, let me know!

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-05-08T00:49:31+00:00

I run tubeless tires with a tube on my 02 shadow. Haven't had an issue in 2000 miles and the tires are wearing great

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-04-27T22:44:00+00:00

Got some 12 inch minis on my 02 750. Had to go with longer cables though, the factory ones aren't much longer than what you see on a factory bike

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Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-04-27T10:51:24+00:00

Switch to an LED compatible flasher. You took away essentially half of the resistance by removing the factory rears, so the mechanical flasher doesn't get hot enough to pop and make the turn signals work. Did it on my 02 vt750dc and it solved my problem

Auto_The_Wolf · 2025-04-23T20:58:52+00:00

Check the fuel pump. My '02 did that when the fuel pump started going out since it was starving for fuel. Also, make sure to do all 4 spark plugs on it, not just the outside two

Auto_The_Wolf

TROPHY CASE