I was of the opinion that the only difference between the two was fuel injection. I keep getting a will not fit your bike when I plug in my FXDLI when looking for saddle bag supports. Is there any difference other than FI?

 

Are you putting in the right year? '06 and later was the redesign. I believe '06 were designated FXDLI and there after FXDL's. Pre '06 were available as both FXDL and FXDLI. Hope this helps.

 

edteach,


I have always thought as you do: that the only difference between FXDLI and FXDL in a given year is the fuel injection. Also, I believe that only in 2004 and 2005 were both carb and f.I. available. I've never run into the problem you are experiencing.

 

The "I" designated fuel injection.

I know they split 2005 and you could get a bike with carb or injection.

As far as saddlebag supports, it shouldn't make a difference.

 

It is my understanding that the FXDL is normally aspirated (carburetor) and the FXDLI is fuel injected, as designated by the 'I' . The FXDLI came out with the 2004 models for sure...there is one sitting in my garage. While there are many differences, a surprising number of the frame and engine/tranny parts are directly interchangeable with my 2001 FXD.

 

That's probably because the sellers system doesn't recognize the "I" in the model as there isn't a need for it with those kind of parts.
Get it(?), their system is telling you it doesn't fit because it can't find that model, it's simply an inventory matching program, nothing matches FXDLI so it doesn't fit,, just go with FXDL

 

I'm saying an '06 FXDLI is different from an '04 FXDLI. An '07 FXDL is different from an '04 FXDL. That may be the problem. As I stated they were redesigned in 2006. Maybe the manufacture knows they'll fit an '06 FXDLI but not pre '06's. See where I'm going with this? Just thought maybe it was because of the year.

 

If you use one of the many on-line parts breakdown catalogs you can easily see that there are differences with some parts for some year models. Sometimes the differences are negligible and will cross over, and sometimes they are not. If I have a question and do not want to ride down to the local dealer, there is an old indy biker down the street from me who will either know off-hand, or will let me rummage through his old take off parts and see for myself. He is strictly old school and not into Dynas and mostly sticks to vintage and baggers. I recently got a pair of exhaust mounting flanges from him for a 2007 Dyna for $10 that worked on my 2001 SG but were thicker and a royal pita to get on so I will not put them back on when I reinstall my SE new pipes...but, they worked.

I was looking for some parts at another now out of business indy who swore that there was no such Harley as a FXD and got defensive when I pulled out my insurance card and showed him...he insisted that it had to have another letter designation...he never worked on my bike and it is no wonder that he is out of business today.

 

The part calculator will ask for model, maker, year ect. so if I put in HD, Dyna, 2005 Low Rider in the letters, FXDLI for a saddle bag hanger it will say it is not compatible with your bike, Then I put in HD, Dyna, 2005, FXDL and it says for the same exact part it is compatible with your bike. So is there a difference between the two bikes of the same year on the frame or fender or shock placement? My guess is no, but knowing how HD has a million small variations I don't know that for a fact.

 

I think JohnMn hit it on the head. The system you are using simply doesn't recognize the existence of the FXDLI so you get the "not compatible" message. There is no difference between the fender stays of the fuel injected and carb versions of the 2005 Low Rider.