Paul Yaffe’s 12-inch Pre-Wired Monkey Bars take aim at one of the least enjoyable parts of a handlebar swap: dealing with the wiring. In this Cycle Source Product Spotlight, Chris Callen takes a quick look at a set with the internal switch wiring and connectors already in place, saving you from having to start that part of the job from scratch.
Anyone who has spent an evening in the garage fighting handlebar wiring knows why that matters. You pick out the bars, get ready to change the look and feel of the bike, and then find yourself spending your time on the wires instead of getting the bike back together.
What Comes Pre-Wired on These Monkey Bars?
The set featured in the video is Paul Yaffe’s 12-inch Monkey Bars with internal switch wiring and connectors installed. Chris points out the connectors during the spotlight, showing the part of the swap that has already been handled before the bars reach your workbench.
That is the draw here. Instead of looking at the bars alone, you are looking at a product that takes some of the wiring work out of the installation. For a rider doing the work at home, that can mean less time dealing with one of the more frustrating parts of the project.
Wiring Time Counts at the Shop, Too
Chris also makes a point that matters if you are paying someone else to handle the swap: wiring takes labor. Extending handlebar wiring can add time to a shop’s bill, so having that work addressed in the bars is worth considering when you plan the whole job.
The video does not put a dollar figure on the savings, and every installation is different. The practical benefit is having the internal switch wiring and connectors ready rather than leaving all of that work for the installer.
Check the Rest of Your Handlebar Setup
Pre-wired switch connections are one part of a handlebar swap. Depending on your motorcycle and the bars you are replacing, throttle wiring, brake lines, and clutch cables may still need attention. Confirm the correct application and what your particular bike requires before ordering parts or taking it apart.
Watch the embedded spotlight for Chris’s look at the featured set. For more information and application details, visit Dennis Kirk, and browse our product coverage for more parts from the Cycle Source garage.
Product Spotlight is brought to you by Drag Specialties.