Hi and a Question
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Stage I
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
Hi and a Question
Hi all. Am coming back to the fold. Had a Fat Bob, sold it, after 9,000 fun miles and miss it. This time, a year later I've gone for something slightly different, am getting a Slim, which is on the boat to the UK! Enjoyed reading the softail topics on here.
I will put on V&H 3" slash cut slip ons, no air filter or tuner mod at this stage. Hopefully not too much popping on decel. They're in my garage, waiting! I've still got my HD swingarm bag from the fat Bob. They just take my waterproofs, essential for UK riding! So that will go on.
There are a couple of mods I'm thinking about:
I would like to put white wall tyres on it. Would like a nice tread pattern for stock wheels. Any suggestions? Anyone done similar / pics;
I'm not impressed with the height of the rear fender and huge distance from the back wheel. Has anyone managed to sort that out? I guess the seat attachment makes it tricky?
I'll keep a solo seat, but probably a mustang std, see how I get on with the stock seat first.
Thanks,
Mart
I will put on V&H 3" slash cut slip ons, no air filter or tuner mod at this stage. Hopefully not too much popping on decel. They're in my garage, waiting! I've still got my HD swingarm bag from the fat Bob. They just take my waterproofs, essential for UK riding! So that will go on.
There are a couple of mods I'm thinking about:
I would like to put white wall tyres on it. Would like a nice tread pattern for stock wheels. Any suggestions? Anyone done similar / pics;
I'm not impressed with the height of the rear fender and huge distance from the back wheel. Has anyone managed to sort that out? I guess the seat attachment makes it tricky?
I'll keep a solo seat, but probably a mustang std, see how I get on with the stock seat first.
Thanks,
Mart
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 617
Likes: 369
From: Long Island New York
Hi all. Am coming back to the fold. Had a Fat Bob, sold it, after 9,000 fun miles and miss it. This time, a year later I've gone for something slightly different, am getting a Slim, which is on the boat to the UK! Enjoyed reading the softail topics on here.
I will put on V&H 3" slash cut slip ons, no air filter or tuner mod at this stage. Hopefully not too much popping on decel. They're in my garage, waiting! I've still got my HD swingarm bag from the fat Bob. They just take my waterproofs, essential for UK riding! So that will go on.
There are a couple of mods I'm thinking about:
I would like to put white wall tyres on it. Would like a nice tread pattern for stock wheels. Any suggestions? Anyone done similar / pics;
I'm not impressed with the height of the rear fender and huge distance from the back wheel. Has anyone managed to sort that out? I guess the seat attachment makes it tricky?
I'll keep a solo seat, but probably a mustang std, see how I get on with the stock seat first.
Thanks,
Mart
I will put on V&H 3" slash cut slip ons, no air filter or tuner mod at this stage. Hopefully not too much popping on decel. They're in my garage, waiting! I've still got my HD swingarm bag from the fat Bob. They just take my waterproofs, essential for UK riding! So that will go on.
There are a couple of mods I'm thinking about:
I would like to put white wall tyres on it. Would like a nice tread pattern for stock wheels. Any suggestions? Anyone done similar / pics;
I'm not impressed with the height of the rear fender and huge distance from the back wheel. Has anyone managed to sort that out? I guess the seat attachment makes it tricky?
I'll keep a solo seat, but probably a mustang std, see how I get on with the stock seat first.
Thanks,
Mart
I have lowered my 2018 slim with the progressive 465 shock. It dropped the bike around 2in. I also changed out the rear fender to the Ricks that dropped it closer to the rear wheel without effecting the ground clearance. Bike still handles great!! I hope this helps with one of your questions.
This is the bike with just the progressive shock installed
This is the bike with shock and Ricks fender
Last edited by LIMike; Mar 5, 2020 at 05:32 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 617
Likes: 369
From: Long Island New York
I didn't lower the front end only the rear. Im running 12in Hell Bent bars 2in diameter.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 9
From: Missouri
It looks/rides ok with just the rear lowered? It looks level in the photos.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 617
Likes: 369
From: Long Island New York
I was running same 12in bars but 1 1/4in diameter before the 2in. I just didn't think they looked right on the thick front end of the slim. The bike handles/rides great!! The bike has really only lost 2in of ground clearance from the progressive shock. The design of the Ricks fender drops the fender lower to the rear tire without effecting the ground clearance giving that slammed look wile still being able to corner.
Bike with 1 1/4 bars
The day I purchased the bike, Stock before progressive shock and fender. The rear fender was almost lever with the tank
Last edited by LIMike; Mar 5, 2020 at 07:19 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 200
Likes: 83
From: Los Angeles
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 617
Likes: 369
From: Long Island New York
Thank you so much Rorin, I really appreciate such kind words!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 382
Likes: 178
From: Florida
in case you are looking for info on front ends, I used progressives monotube fork cartridge kit to lower my wifes deluxe in the front by two inches. They worked great. And the overall performance of the forks is infinitely better than stock. Ill probably put some in my flsb eventually (stock height). They pretty much eliminate the front end dive (shes working on aggressive front brake tendencies) and they absorb road imperfections a lot better too.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
in case you are looking for info on front ends, I used progressives monotube fork cartridge kit to lower my wifes deluxe in the front by two inches. They worked great. And the overall performance of the forks is infinitely better than stock. Ill probably put some in my flsb eventually (stock height). They pretty much eliminate the front end dive (shes working on aggressive front brake tendencies) and they absorb road imperfections a lot better too.
Thanks for all your replies. I'm not looking to lower the bike. I'm keen to keep as much clearance room as possible for the UK's twisty roads. I just find the positioning of the stock rear fender a bit odd, visually. It looks like the factory are expecting an off road suspension set up! I like the look, but not the cost of the Rick's fender. Nearly Ł1,000 in the UK. But, good to know there is so little suspension travel that it will take a fender that close to the tyre. Will think about whether I can relocate the existing fender an inch or two lower, without it looking odd.
anyone got any suggestions on white walls?
Thanks,
Mart