It is pretty much safe to say that every motorcycle enthusiast spends a great deal of time behind bars-handlebars that is, and in this segment of Corbin's Ride On , Brian Jackson talks with John Parham, owner of J & P Cycles, about some of the types of handlebars and accessories that are available from J & P Cycles for Harley-Davison and metric bikes.

One of the first pieces of advice that John gives riders is for the rider to think about what he or she is trying to achieve. If riders wish for more comfort they may want one type of handlebar, or if they want to achieve a more radical or nostalgic look they might opt for something dramatically different. Consequently, one of the first steps to determine is what you want. Next, shoot for the right parts. The best way to accomplish this task is to get a manual and research just what type of bars will fit your bike. John points out that that the diameter for stock handlebars on a Harley-Davidson is one inch; however, a person can go to bars of one and one-half inches and still use the stock risers and controls. At this point in the conversation, Brian inquires about installing a set of "Ape Hangers" on a bike. John points out that these bars require extra modifications for installation and that the rule of thumb is that if a person installs bars that are more than four inches in height then he or she will also need to change cables and other parts. So, while functionality of the bars is important to the rider, guidelines must be followed to insure a proper installation. Once again, look to a manual to see just what types of bars will fit your bike, and then see if there are any additional modifications that need to be made. So whether it is a set of "Ape Hangers" or a low and lean look, check out the wide selection of bars that J & P Cycles has for a variety of bikes.

While changing the handlebars not only affects the handling of the bike and the comfort of the ride, we also know that it can greatly affect the style of the motorcycle, and so can the items and accessories that are attached. J & P Cycles carries more than 75 styles of mirrors to give your bike the look that you want and the visibility that you desire. They also carry a full line of custom grips and accessories from Baron's Custom, and they feature custom parts from Kuryakyn including the "Throttle Boss," a grip that relieves arm and wrist fatigue. In fact, there are more than 40 sets of grips in the J & P Cycles catalog and many of the styles have matching foot pegs that also enhance the appearance of the bike and the comfort of the rider.

Finally, John showed Brian some of the other great accessories that can be mounted on those new handlebars such as custom tachometers and speedometers. Outfitted in themes from flames to skulls, these accessories can give the personalized and custom edge to your bike. In addition, J & P Cycles also has a new line of tachometers that features backlighting in a variety of colors, including one model in which you can change the color of the lights! So, if you are considering changing the handlebars, grips, speedometer, or tachometer for your bike, see the great selection of these parts and accessories that J & P Cycles has to offer. Just give them a call at 800-305-4923, or visit them on the web at www.jpcycles.com .

Back to Episode CRN9007