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I'll be posting series of mini-reviews about stuff I've done to my bike. I'll try to be concise. Feel free to comment or ask any questions.
My bike is kind of a sleeper, looks pretty much stock but it's not. A fun and enjoyable to ride bike that is the best I've owned.
I like tubeless tires and when I saw how much runout my spoked wheels had during a tire change I decided to order new wheels from: Southern Machine
These are fully machined forged aluminum wheels, not castings. The finish is black anodized, not powder coat. For the Heritage I selected 16 x 3.5 wheels. Stock wheels are 16 x 3 which is OK for the front but a little too narrow for the rear in my opinion. I had them shipped mounted with Bridgestone H50 tires in the stock size and ABS bearings installed.
I like the good grip and improved ride that taller profile tires can provide on real-world uneven road surfaces so I did not upsize the wheel diameter. I ride a lot of back roads.
Almost everybody changes the exhaust. Me too. I had the stock mufflers modified by: American Custom Exhaust
I sent them my mufflers in packaging they provided.
The bike now sounds perfect to me, not too loud - not too quiet. A bit quieter than the S&S slip-ons I was using.
The bike runs great and I like the stock look.
Looking up the tail end on the bench after modification, they are a lot more open than stock. The inside diameter is the same as stock.
These arms allow you set the lash perfect for both valves. The hydraulic lifter can only adjust to the valve with the least lash on each rocker arm. My valvetrain is very quiet.
I had the rocker covers and arms off because I was putting in a cam and I do not like adjustable push rods.
These arms allow you set the lash perfect for both valves. The hydraulic lifter can only adjust to the valve with the least lash on each rocker arm. My valvetrain is very quiet.
I had the rocker covers and arms off because I was putting in a cam and I do not like adjustable push rods.
When using a stock pushrods, the cam you use has to be stock base circle diameter, correct?
What about using other than stock lifters, for instance I adjusted the wood lifters I have to .138 (.120-.140 range), how can you be sure about the adjustment with non-adjustable pushrods?
Thanks for the writeup, waiting for the wheel part.
When using a stock pushrods, the cam you use has to be stock base circle diameter, correct?
What about using other than stock lifters, for instance I adjusted the wood lifters I have to .138 (.120-.140 range), how can you be sure about the adjustment with non-adjustable pushrods?
Thanks for the writeup, waiting for the wheel part.
Yes, the cam I am using has a stock base circle and I am using SE lifters. If not using stock dimension components, you have to buy fixed pushrods of a different length to compensate (usually longer for smaller base circles) or buy adjustable pushrods. If you are not sure about the build dimensions (aftermarket lifters, cylinders, gaskets, heads, cam etc), you need to assemble the engine and then use an adjustable pushrod as a gauge to determine the fixed lengths to buy for each position.
I like tubeless tires and when I saw how much runout my spoked wheels had during a tire change I decided to order new wheels from: Southern Machine
These are fully machined forged aluminum wheels, not castings. The finish is black anodized, not powder coat. For the Heritage I selected 16 x 3.5 wheels. Stock wheels are 16 x 3 which is OK for the front but a little too narrow for the rear in my opinion. I had them shipped mounted with Bridgestone H50 tires in the stock size and ABS bearings installed.
I like the good grip and improved ride that taller profile tires can provide on real-world uneven road surfaces so I did not upsize the wheel diameter. I ride a lot of back roads.
I like tubeless tires and when I saw how much runout my spoked wheels had during a tire change I decided to order new wheels from: Southern Machine
These are fully machined forged aluminum wheels, not castings. The finish is black anodized, not powder coat. For the Heritage I selected 16 x 3.5 wheels. Stock wheels are 16 x 3 which is OK for the front but a little too narrow for the rear in my opinion. I had them shipped mounted with Bridgestone H50 tires in the stock size and ABS bearings installed.
I like the good grip and improved ride that taller profile tires can provide on real-world uneven road surfaces so I did not upsize the wheel diameter. I ride a lot of back roads.
No more spokes. Now I carry a plug kit from Dynaplug.
Very nice, tape adds a nice touch! I'm not seeing a choice for my 2020 Low Rider (S) with 19" front. Will have to give them a call, start saving my pennies, I like these wheels.
I don't like the stock wheel design/construction and a ton of wheel weights. They seem cheap. A new machined wheel and good tire like this will probably smooth out the ride too.
The wheels look great ! What did you do and what's the difficulty level/parts needed to set up the brakes, rotors, etc. on the new wheels?
The wheels are super easy if you order them with bearings and tires installed. Just transfer the stock brake rotors and the rear drive pulley. They go on exactly like the factory wheels.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Heritage Mod/Accessory Mini-Reviews
