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In May 2024, I received news I was selected for a motorcycle from Hogs 4 Heroes. They give you a budget and some parameters for the selection: must be at a dealership in Wisconsin, they are looking to move in a timely manner, and it needs to be a rideable bike (not a collector, but a reliable bike to ride). Armed with this information I was off to make a decision, hopefully within a couple days. My list of dream bikes at that time: a 1947 UL custom for sale in Georgia, several different Japanese style shovelheads for sale in CA were not on the list. At the first dealership, I found a brand new 2022 Heritage in Reef Blue/Vivid Black with cast wheels, it jumped out at me immediately. Being at the MKE dealership, it had a 120 year logo painted on from the 2023 Harley homecoming where it was for sale on the floor. I test rode it that day and it rode amazingly nice compare to my 1999 FLHPI that I rode 25 years ago. I had it narrowed down to a Heritage or a Road King, but sitting on the Road King it was just too wide for me and my limitations. Several dealers later and I had decided on the first bike I rode. Not to mention there would be plenty of budget rolled over for the next recipient as I was well under budget.
The next two mods were ones that cannot be seen. I drilled the exhaust to let it breath a bit more (American Custom Exhaust sells these on exchange) while I decided what the ultimate exhaust would be, I wanted fishtails but wanted to make sure i "really wanted fishtails." It is slightly louder on acceleration, possibly a little deeper on idle. A very moderate change...
The next mod was flashing the computer so the passing lamps remain on when on high beam, simple but a great thing to do and was free at the dealership.
(edit: when gifted I was able to get a detachable passenger back rest and docking hardware, bad memory is why I am documenting these things)
Last edited by scottyairborne; Jul 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM.
I bought the HD travel pak bags for packing inside the hard leather bags. I actually think they may have gave me ones to it a dyna or something, they do not fit and I don't use them. That is horrible as the ones I had for Road King hard bags were a dream. Oh well, sometimes you have to pivot and I would really like to take the bags off some day. Got the Hogs 4 Heroes logo on at least. That is the mods for the first summer along with 4900 miles of riding.
Samson fishtails in Sinister Black ordered with a ThunderMax tuner. I hope to get those in early 2026 (being realistic, this is just under a year wait time) to have on for 2026 season after warranty is expired.
Kraus EZ-shift INSTALLED. A must install for M8s and fantastic change to the bike, not sure about the knock-offs but the Kraus is high quality even though it is a small part.
Laid the handle bars back, I was having trouble deciding if I would go for beach bars or not. I decided to lay the bars back, and it took away the pain I was feeling in my shoulder (I am a 100% disabled bet after all). This may be the permanent fix, TBD.
Hogworkz bag liners installed: they are great and worth the money if you are running bags.
Viking tour pak for long trips purchased or grocery store runs. This think holds way more than the 2 bags combined, and can hold larger items.
Last edited by scottyairborne; Jul 10, 2025 at 11:27 AM.
The lowered bike gives the look and feel I want but is very rough, NO SURPRISE, Probably an aftermarket shock in my future, this was bought off Marketplace place and I know I can sell it. I don't want air ride, so need a short rear shock that shill has some actual travel. I will probably run this way until winter or I come across a better solution.
Asked the question of what seat I should get and got a resounding response for Mustang. Found a great deal on one used only one season, pictures to follow... but what a difference from stock.
The lowered bike gives the look and feel I want but is very rough, NO SURPRISE, Probably an aftermarket shock in my future, this was bought off Marketplace place and I know I can sell it. I don't want air ride, so need a short rear shock that shill has some actual travel. I will probably run this way until winter or I come across a better solution.
Asked the question of what seat I should get and got a resounding response for Mustang. Found a great deal on one used only one season, pictures to follow... but what a difference from stock.
I have my eye on the Burly brand lowering shock. You can find it for about $400 on some sites.
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.
My Hogs 4 Heroes 2022 Heritage and Build
