Weight reduction ideas?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 164
From: Ontario, Canada
I recently saw on an IG post someone is making a carbon outer primary cover. That would be another big weight savings and help to balance out the weight of the bike. I notice when taking my hands off the bars I do need to put a little weight bias on the right foot peg to keep the bike tracking straight
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,418
Likes: 3,823
From: Florida
Im not a lot of help. 30 years ago I knew a machinist who raced vintage motocross. He had a bunch made. He wound up giving me a bunch because they were sae and all his stuff was metric. I had enough to do my motor mounts, brake hardware, bolts to the passenger foot pegs, and a few other odds n ends. Some of it is not titanium nut hollow chromoly.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 689
Likes: 339
From: Dayton OH
Please see if you can find info on this carbon fiber primary cover.
I do dig the Buell Super Cruiser. But I cant see having both or getting fair money from my Sport Glide for what it is partly due to 48k miles. Then again the Super Cruiser is light powerful and cool. The softails will never be light. I might have to break the piggy bank. Ive been considering building 180hp short stroke 139. In the end the Super Cruiser would probably be a better plan.
I do dig the Buell Super Cruiser. But I cant see having both or getting fair money from my Sport Glide for what it is partly due to 48k miles. Then again the Super Cruiser is light powerful and cool. The softails will never be light. I might have to break the piggy bank. Ive been considering building 180hp short stroke 139. In the end the Super Cruiser would probably be a better plan.
Last edited by VernDiesel; Sep 30, 2024 at 08:10 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 164
From: Ontario, Canada
It was v-twin visionary who posted the carbon primary and on their site it also looks like sawicki speed is offering a line of carbon parts as well. Recently blockhead moto announced their bagger carbon parts for the newest generation and seeing as how they are pretty invested in the softail platform I wouldn't be surprised if they start to offer carbon parts to replace softail tins.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 972
Likes: 1,016
From: Knoxville
Preorders on the Buell for 24k, not crazy. Buell is a genius and the bike is very cool but… it’s basically a Rotax with a 10k redline.
Not my cup.
Not my cup.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,418
Likes: 3,823
From: Florida
Eat less. Not kidding.
I weigh 131lbs on a "Fat" day. Bike basically behaves like I'm not even there.
My gf who is 135~140 gets on the bike and the difference is WILD.
People were mentioning carbon fiber, and I would LOVE to see Forged Carbon Fiber replacement parts for:
Floorboard Mounts and Pans
Brake Levers
Clutch Lever
Shift Lever and Peg,
Shifter Linkage
Rear Fender Struts
Exhaust Hanger
Rear Crash Bar peg assembly
Under Seat Frame cross member and caddy assembly
Rear Turn signal mounts
Front and Rear turn signal Bullet housings
Exhaust End Caps
Transmission Side Cover
WindSplitter windshield Mounts(FLFBS)
Coil Cover (M8 Softail)
Control Switch Housings
Belt Guard
Derby Cover
And all of this can be painted Satin Chrome too. Except the exhaust hanger, that's hidden.
And then I would like a straight up Carbon Fiber version of my front crash bar, or the steel cage holding up carbon fiber rod. Something to make that crashbar up front much lighter.
I'd also like a proper carbon fiber drive pully, and kickstand capable of a lifetime of handling a bagger.
Then top it off with a Trac Dynamics billet Swing Arm with Racer Cut.
I think that's where you can realistically and safely save weight and make a difference.
I bet you could drop a fair amount off a Fat Boy that way.
Thrashin Supply posted their Lowrider ST weight reduction stuff on their youtube channel.
I think this is the playlist.
They dropped quite a lot of weight.
I weigh 131lbs on a "Fat" day. Bike basically behaves like I'm not even there.
My gf who is 135~140 gets on the bike and the difference is WILD.
People were mentioning carbon fiber, and I would LOVE to see Forged Carbon Fiber replacement parts for:
Floorboard Mounts and Pans
Brake Levers
Clutch Lever
Shift Lever and Peg,
Shifter Linkage
Rear Fender Struts
Exhaust Hanger
Rear Crash Bar peg assembly
Under Seat Frame cross member and caddy assembly
Rear Turn signal mounts
Front and Rear turn signal Bullet housings
Exhaust End Caps
Transmission Side Cover
WindSplitter windshield Mounts(FLFBS)
Coil Cover (M8 Softail)
Control Switch Housings
Belt Guard
Derby Cover
And all of this can be painted Satin Chrome too. Except the exhaust hanger, that's hidden.
And then I would like a straight up Carbon Fiber version of my front crash bar, or the steel cage holding up carbon fiber rod. Something to make that crashbar up front much lighter.
I'd also like a proper carbon fiber drive pully, and kickstand capable of a lifetime of handling a bagger.
Then top it off with a Trac Dynamics billet Swing Arm with Racer Cut.
I think that's where you can realistically and safely save weight and make a difference.
I bet you could drop a fair amount off a Fat Boy that way.
Thrashin Supply posted their Lowrider ST weight reduction stuff on their youtube channel.
I think this is the playlist.
They dropped quite a lot of weight.
Shifter Linkage
Rear Fender Struts
Exhaust Hanger
Rear Crash Bar peg assembly
Under Seat Frame cross member and caddy assembly
Exhaust End Caps
WindSplitter windshield Mounts(FLFBS)
I wouldnt personally trust carbon fiber for these items. Either too much heat for the paint on them, of too much movement/flex for it to not crack or elongate any fastner whole.