American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 238 May 2019 | Page 44
Magnum Shielding's Easy
Install Viking Handlebars -
"Patent Perfection"
ver recent years, a new, updated
handlebar style has taken the
stage and become quite popular.
Pointy or peaked style handlebars
are "Hot" and are now offered by many
handlebar manufacturers.
O
But, as with most things in life, there are usually
trade-offs. In this case, we'll call it "The Beauty and
the Beast." They may look terrific, but they're a beast
to run internal wiring through and can take hours, if
not an entire afternoon. Not only is this inefficient for
the dealer who has springtime jobs piling up, but the
cost of installation for the customer can come close
to the cost of the bars themselves.
Some of the handlebar manufacturers have put
substantial efforts into insuring the inside of the
peaked horn is smooth and without rough edges and
welding slag to help with harness installation. But,
unfortunately, the routing issue is as much the lack
of pivot radius room in the horn for the harness
bundle to be able to pass through, as it is the rough
sharp edges that can sometimes cut into and chaff
or break the wiring.
One solution installers use is to run the wires through
individually, but that is very time-consuming.
Impatience often leads to scrapped harnesses or
extra time to repair damaged or severed wires.
Magnum Shielding Corporation (Rochester, New
York) has found a solution to this dilemma. You may
already know Magnum as the premier supplier of
braided brake lines and control cables to the Harley-
Davidson aftermarket, as well as being a Tier-1
supplier to Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Parts
and Accessories.
What you may not know is that Magnum is now
offering the H-D market high quality handlebars.
Their high-tech version of this popular style is called
Viking handlebars.
If you're considering using Magnum's new Viking
bars, you'll hit the installation Trifecta. It's a great
looking design, an absolute breeze to wire, and, of
course, it has the quality Magnum Shielding is known
for.
Magnum has provided a solution to avoid the
internal wiring problem altogether, and the design
concept is novel enough to have applied for a U.S.
patent.
Ease of installing the internal wiring harnesses has
been a top design priority. The design is not only
engineered to provide a clean, chamfered and burr-
44
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - MAY 2019
By Scott Hurwitz,
CEO, Magnum Shielding
free internal radius, but one that also creates 50%
of additional clearance within that troublesome
peak of the handlebar.
The pocket has enough room to allow the complete
wiring harness with the factory vinyl covering and
the terminal connections (where wiring extensions
were added) to easily be passed through and
installed without any hang-ups or damage - even
with their respective shrink sleeves.
So exactly what are Magnum's patent claims?
Simply put, the peak of the handlebar is comprised
of two diagonally angle cut bars, whereas at least
one of them, and preferably both, is flared at the
bottom of the oval cut.
This method significantly increases the pivot radius
of the internal space and provides for an open and
smooth path for the wiring harness to follow.
Alternatively, a notch can be cut out for a radius
insert to bridge the gap. Magnum knew that a
smooth internal surface alone wasn't enough if the
goal is to be able to run the vinyl covered harness (as
is) through the handlebar, which is why Magnum's
patented design is so effective.
To make the job even easier, Magnum includes its EZ
pull-thru sleeving, which is pre-loaded into every
Viking handlebar. Just insert the wiring harness into
the sleeve (Chinese fingers webbing) and pull the
wires through the bars.
Viking handlebars are made with a premium, high-
quality construction that includes machined control
mounts (not swaged), and machined holes for
internal wiring and slots for electronic throttle
control that are burr-free.
The handlebars are 1 1/4" diameter, CNC mandrel
bent for a great looking, accurate fit; they work with
standard controls including hydraulic clutch and
incorporate wrist angles engineered for riding
comfort.
These aggressive looking handlebars are available in
10, 12, 14 and 16-inch Bagger and 12, 14 and 16-
inch ape-hanger styles. Both are available with high
luster chrome or gloss black powder-coat finishes.
MAGNUM SHIELDING
Pittsford, New York, USA
Tel: 585 381 8380
[email protected]
www.magnumshielding.com
www.AMDchampionship.com