The Everything 2018+ Heritage Thread
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,303
Likes: 2,404
From: Florida
Going to put this here but maybe could be its own thread. I'm struggling to get a good balance of things to get the bike comfortable to me. I realize every bike is a compromise and that one change will affect another area. I also realize that many factors such as rider weight and height, helmet worn, etc, impact things. On my 2019 Heritage 114 I'm mainly trying to address three complaints - the wind comping up from the tank hitting under my helmet, heat off the engine, and noise from exhaust. The fogging speedo is independent and will be addressed. 
. I had Rinehart slip-ons that were just too loud for me while cruising at over 50 mph. I went back to the stock pipes and am happy with the volume and sound. To deal with the updraft from under the tank (if you place your arm across your chest, it does away so definitely coming up from below), I installed the HD fangs. Updraft gone. But, engine heat seems to go way up.
So, two reasons the heat is up - reduced airflow from the fangs. And, maybe the reduced flow of the stock pipes adds some heat. Not sure about this.
If I remove the fangs, heat goes down but back to the irritating updraft. Return to the more open Rineharts and maybe the heat goes down but noise back up. Not sure if it will actually help. Easy to try I guess.
Trying to figure out the right mix of things and I don't want to waste a bunch of money trying things out. So, I would love to hear others' experiences addressing these issues. I've watched videos and read the articles on the DK Customs site and it makes good sense. I did install the mid-frame deflectors which maybe helps a little. DK suggests removing the one on the left to let the air flow out. May try that.
The heritage does not support the DK Tank Lift mod.
I like the Cooling Deflector Wings they have. Seems to be a mixed bag in the reviews on if they address the buffeting though.
I could maybe go with the DK Thunder Torque Inserts which *might* take the edge off the Rineharts. Not sure this will really cool down the bike.
I was thinking of getting some fork deflectors for a metric bike along with some 1 3/8" clamps so I can attach them to the frame and do basically the same the DK wings do but with a bit more surface area. I'm thinking that might just be the ticket. Mount them from the top end,
Fork wings on Amazon
Two other thoughts or questions:
. I had Rinehart slip-ons that were just too loud for me while cruising at over 50 mph. I went back to the stock pipes and am happy with the volume and sound. To deal with the updraft from under the tank (if you place your arm across your chest, it does away so definitely coming up from below), I installed the HD fangs. Updraft gone. But, engine heat seems to go way up.So, two reasons the heat is up - reduced airflow from the fangs. And, maybe the reduced flow of the stock pipes adds some heat. Not sure about this.
If I remove the fangs, heat goes down but back to the irritating updraft. Return to the more open Rineharts and maybe the heat goes down but noise back up. Not sure if it will actually help. Easy to try I guess.
Trying to figure out the right mix of things and I don't want to waste a bunch of money trying things out. So, I would love to hear others' experiences addressing these issues. I've watched videos and read the articles on the DK Customs site and it makes good sense. I did install the mid-frame deflectors which maybe helps a little. DK suggests removing the one on the left to let the air flow out. May try that.
The heritage does not support the DK Tank Lift mod.
I like the Cooling Deflector Wings they have. Seems to be a mixed bag in the reviews on if they address the buffeting though.
I could maybe go with the DK Thunder Torque Inserts which *might* take the edge off the Rineharts. Not sure this will really cool down the bike.
I was thinking of getting some fork deflectors for a metric bike along with some 1 3/8" clamps so I can attach them to the frame and do basically the same the DK wings do but with a bit more surface area. I'm thinking that might just be the ticket. Mount them from the top end,
Fork wings on Amazon
Two other thoughts or questions:
- Does an oil cooler really help this engine? It's already got an external oil cooler. Maybe the higher airflow and the additional oil volume will help.
- Is it possible it has a tune or map that's making it run hotter? I don't have a tuner but maybe it needs to go back to factory settings. Or maybe it needs an adjustment to run more rich.
I also did a test with Love Jugs on my old Fatboy - I now have a 2020 Heritage 114. The Love Jugs are ugly, but they made a big difference. Just an idea you might want to consider.
As far as the buffeting, I sort of solved that with a mustache engine guard. Put your feet up on the guards and your legs block 50-70 percent of the wind. Seriously. It really works. I don't do it usually until I'm at cruising speed, then again that's when the buffeting is at its worst. If it's hot and you want the wind, just put your feet back on the pegs. Cheap solution and makes cruising much more enjoyable.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 103
Likes: 54
From: Minnesota
I've been through your same troubles with the buffeting. Riding with the windshield would cause and updraft around the tank that would turn me into a bobblehead. I tried multiple heights of windshield, and as it got shorter (more head in direct wind), buffeting was less but still kind of annoying, so I usually rode with no windshield. I then got a Reckless fairing, which was better than the windshield, but still had some buffeting. I tried fangs, which further reduced buffeting, but at the cost of intolerable heat, so those came off. Then played around with various windshields on the fairing, settling on a lower recurve style. Finally I tried the DK Cooling Deflector Wings, which further reduced buffeting a bit more. After all that, the air flow is relatively clean, and I'm no longer a bobblehead. There's still an updraft, but it's tolerable.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 545
From: MN
@HarleyHoo
I bought a 2021 Heritage new, my 1st Harley. I looked at this Forum to solve some of the same things you've noted.
The M8 is cooler to the rider than the Twin Cam, cause they put the exhaust catalyst in the slip ons rather than in the headers. I kept the catalyst cause I can't stand uncatalyzed exhaust anymore after too many years inhaling it. I went with S&S Grand National Mufflers with cats as a compromise for sound level, along with a big cam in a Stage III build. It's just about right. Not obnoxiously loud, not whisper quiet like the factory mufflers.
Head buffeting I mostly reduced with a right-sized aftermarket windshield. The stock windshield was way too short for me. I got a Clearview, properly sized per their instructions, with a recurved upper lip. Reduced buffetting ~ 80% I also wear a premium helmet by SHOEI. I'd read fangs reduce airflow to the engine too much. Being air-cooled, this is critical to engine longevity so I didn't install them. I added Love Jugs Mini-Mite cylinder fans. I don't give a **** about the looks, they're ok Any air cooled engine needs a forced draft fan. You're not always moving, and move slow a lot. DK Custom tests found their cylinders ran hottest at highway speeds and loads, so cross-cylinder airflow add on was important to me. btw, I always ride with full face helmet (modular) - it saved my life in my 20's.
I don't think an add on oil cooler is necessary on these engines. My dipstick oil thermometer doesn't read any higher than 200 degrees F, even during hot riding in summer (90 degrees here), and that's lower than my water-cooled truck engine! My truck oil EVIC temp reads between 220-230 degrees F in summer. Adding oil cooling to the heads really cooled down the overall engine. Still needs cylinder fan, though.
This bike looks like the tank is already lifted compared to older bike models. If you look at the DK video about this, you'll see what I mean. So I didn't fool around with tank height.
DK Thundertorque inserts are too big for S&S Grand National Muffler Pipes. The hi-flow catalyst really frees up exhaust velocity anyway. Much faster than stock - it really blasts outta these pipes.
Good luck and have fun.
I bought a 2021 Heritage new, my 1st Harley. I looked at this Forum to solve some of the same things you've noted.
The M8 is cooler to the rider than the Twin Cam, cause they put the exhaust catalyst in the slip ons rather than in the headers. I kept the catalyst cause I can't stand uncatalyzed exhaust anymore after too many years inhaling it. I went with S&S Grand National Mufflers with cats as a compromise for sound level, along with a big cam in a Stage III build. It's just about right. Not obnoxiously loud, not whisper quiet like the factory mufflers.
Head buffeting I mostly reduced with a right-sized aftermarket windshield. The stock windshield was way too short for me. I got a Clearview, properly sized per their instructions, with a recurved upper lip. Reduced buffetting ~ 80% I also wear a premium helmet by SHOEI. I'd read fangs reduce airflow to the engine too much. Being air-cooled, this is critical to engine longevity so I didn't install them. I added Love Jugs Mini-Mite cylinder fans. I don't give a **** about the looks, they're ok Any air cooled engine needs a forced draft fan. You're not always moving, and move slow a lot. DK Custom tests found their cylinders ran hottest at highway speeds and loads, so cross-cylinder airflow add on was important to me. btw, I always ride with full face helmet (modular) - it saved my life in my 20's.
I don't think an add on oil cooler is necessary on these engines. My dipstick oil thermometer doesn't read any higher than 200 degrees F, even during hot riding in summer (90 degrees here), and that's lower than my water-cooled truck engine! My truck oil EVIC temp reads between 220-230 degrees F in summer. Adding oil cooling to the heads really cooled down the overall engine. Still needs cylinder fan, though.
This bike looks like the tank is already lifted compared to older bike models. If you look at the DK video about this, you'll see what I mean. So I didn't fool around with tank height.
DK Thundertorque inserts are too big for S&S Grand National Muffler Pipes. The hi-flow catalyst really frees up exhaust velocity anyway. Much faster than stock - it really blasts outta these pipes.
Good luck and have fun.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 157
Likes: 65
From: Virginia
I did a test regarding the fangs - it's on this forum somewhere - and measured heat engine with and without fangs. I measured with Power Vision. The difference was negligible.
I also did a test with Love Jugs on my old Fatboy - I now have a 2020 Heritage 114. The Love Jugs are ugly, but they made a big difference. Just an idea you might want to consider.
As far as the buffeting, I sort of solved that with a mustache engine guard. Put your feet up on the guards and your legs block 50-70 percent of the wind. Seriously. It really works. I don't do it usually until I'm at cruising speed, then again that's when the buffeting is at its worst. If it's hot and you want the wind, just put your feet back on the pegs. Cheap solution and makes cruising much more enjoyable.
I also did a test with Love Jugs on my old Fatboy - I now have a 2020 Heritage 114. The Love Jugs are ugly, but they made a big difference. Just an idea you might want to consider.
As far as the buffeting, I sort of solved that with a mustache engine guard. Put your feet up on the guards and your legs block 50-70 percent of the wind. Seriously. It really works. I don't do it usually until I'm at cruising speed, then again that's when the buffeting is at its worst. If it's hot and you want the wind, just put your feet back on the pegs. Cheap solution and makes cruising much more enjoyable.
. My 29" inseam barely reaches the guard. Maybe platform clown shoes? But, seriously, thanks for the reply. Very helpful.Last edited by HarleyHoo; Oct 15, 2024 at 06:33 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
No remapping or dyno'ing required.
Because they're a universal fit, they're easy to fit universal baffles to, so you can play with the sound with different lengths/styles of baffle. I just had to make up some small brackets to fit them
I bought chrome exhausts and had then ceramic coated black. Months later, they still look brand new - silencers were about Ł90 each and ceramic coating was about Ł180.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 789
From: France
Very nice old school look, good job...
just one thing, if it was me I will paint the windshield brackets in black
just one thing, if it was me I will paint the windshield brackets in black
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