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Recommended upgrades?

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Old Jan 14, 2023 | 08:07 AM
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Default Recommended upgrades?

So I'm curious to see what kind of upgrades people have done with their bikes, and hopefully figure out some other stuff that I would want to do to mine. I have a 2013 FXDBP and I've done a handful of things to it already. 13.5 Fox in the rear, heavy duty progressive front springs, fork brace, put the OEM rear fender back on and wired up the lights for that since someone had installed a switchback rear end and I wasn't feeling it, I also installed Galfer rotors, 7in hardcase risers w/4in ODI handlebar, seat, thunderheader and high flow air cleaner ( should I keep the thunderheader installed or go with something different? From a performance perspective? )and thats about it. I work at a harley dealership and was told when they test rode the bike after changing the rear tire that it may have cams installed but I honestly have no idea. It is setup like most generic dyna bro dyna's. I'm more interested in what everyone recommends or has for handling and performance upgrades though? I want to keep the bike reliable since it is a daily rider and I have to work around California's BS carb laws somewhat, but definitely want a little more power and a little better handling. Any recommendations? Thanks!




? I want to keep the bike reliable since it is a daily rider and I have to work around California's BS carb laws somewhat, but definitely want a little more power and a little better handling. Any recommendations? Thanks!
 
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Old Jan 14, 2023 | 11:48 AM
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It looks like you never had the bike tuned. With that exhaust and intake, a tuner is a must if you want more power and cooler running temps. Get it dynoed it will be much happier. Of course, cams and headwork will make a whole lot more power.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2023 | 09:40 AM
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Aftermarket front motor mount.

Vibra-technics (what I have,) trutrak, or Kinetic Structures. Better handling/ stop potential wobble when riding aggressively.

Otherwise it looks like you’ve got the usual bases covered. Only big thing I would add is wind protection.
 

Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Jan 15, 2023 at 10:51 AM.
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Old Jan 16, 2023 | 09:01 AM
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Predator front mount, cams, big bore, headwork, go to a 65-70 rear belt sprocket
 

Last edited by Jay Guild; Jan 16, 2023 at 09:14 AM.
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Old Jan 16, 2023 | 01:24 PM
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For handling I would revisit your suspension changes. Up front you could go to a cartridge setup. It is much more tunable then just putting in a different spring which is only a bandaid for poor dampening. There are a few companies that make kits such as Ohlins and GP suspension. I would also try riding without that fork brace. We have found they cause more problems then they solve especially if the forks aren't perfectly aligned.

Also consider solid bushing for the bars if you still have the stock rubber ones. You'll feel more vibration but you'll have better feel for what the front is doing. I went aluminium ones but they make poly ones that are kind of in between the stock rubber and the solid metal ones.

You can upgrade the brake master cylinder to something nicer then the stock one. Will generally give you a more firm feel at the lever. I chose a brembo RCS but that in itself had some complications because of the canbus system Harley is using. There is a not so difficult work around but it is still a small issue. Also can upgrade the caliper to a radial caliper off a sport bike and buy a mount for it.

There is a ton of small things you can do that upgrade the package in some very big ways as a whole.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2023 | 08:01 PM
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A good dyno tune; then ride it and figure out what’s obvious to YOU and your riding style. Nice bike! Reminds me of my last Dyna…
 
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 05:05 AM
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It has cams already, obviously the exhaust and air cleaner too, but as for a tune I'm not sure. I work at a dealership and we have a tuner come in to buy parts every other day so I've been talking to him about it. Any recommendations for which tuner i should run? I've been told to run a power commander which i had on my last dyna, or a dynojet. Issue is i live in california where its hard to come across some of this stuff
 
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by 2500hdon37s
Aftermarket front motor mount.

Vibra-technics (what I have,) trutrak, or Kinetic Structures. Better handling/ stop potential wobble when riding aggressively.

Otherwise it looks like you’ve got the usual bases covered. Only big thing I would add is wind protection.
How do you like the Vibra-technics compared to like the trutrak? I've heard a lot about the trutrak but neither of the other 2
 
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 05:16 AM
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Originally Posted by union53
For handling I would revisit your suspension changes. Up front you could go to a cartridge setup. It is much more tunable then just putting in a different spring which is only a bandaid for poor dampening. There are a few companies that make kits such as Ohlins and GP suspension. I would also try riding without that fork brace. We have found they cause more problems then they solve especially if the forks aren't perfectly aligned.

Also consider solid bushing for the bars if you still have the stock rubber ones. You'll feel more vibration but you'll have better feel for what the front is doing. I went aluminium ones but they make poly ones that are kind of in between the stock rubber and the solid metal ones.

You can upgrade the brake master cylinder to something nicer then the stock one. Will generally give you a more firm feel at the lever. I chose a brembo RCS but that in itself had some complications because of the canbus system Harley is using. There is a not so difficult work around but it is still a small issue. Also can upgrade the caliper to a radial caliper off a sport bike and buy a mount for it.

There is a ton of small things you can do that upgrade the package in some very big ways as a whole.
I am absolutely going with a cartridge kit as soon as i can, have a few other things i need to handle first but what are your thoughts on the GP cartridges vs Ohlins or something like legends or fox? I work at a dealership and sell a lot of Ohlins and legends but GP seems to be getting popular.

I'll definitely ride without the fork brace again, compare how it feels with and without it.

I have NEVER ever kept the OEM riser bushings haha I have the poly ones right now that are working just fine, might consider going with the kraus solid bushings but it isn't at the top of my list.

As for the brake caliper though, going with a radial caliper, this also pertains to the front forks setup too, but i've been thinking about doing an inverted front end setup from like a gsxr or something, what are your thoughts on something like that? I mean its a lot of changing things up, but inverted front ends seem like the way to go
 
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by jmattl98
So I'm curious to see what kind of upgrades people have done with their bikes, and hopefully figure out some other stuff that I would want to do to mine. I have a 2013 FXDBP and I've done a handful of things to it already. 13.5 Fox in the rear, heavy duty progressive front springs, fork brace, put the OEM rear fender back on and wired up the lights for that since someone had installed a switchback rear end and I wasn't feeling it, I also installed Galfer rotors, 7in hardcase risers w/4in ODI handlebar, seat, thunderheader and high flow air cleaner ( should I keep the thunderheader installed or go with something different? From a performance perspective? )and thats about it. I work at a harley dealership and was told when they test rode the bike after changing the rear tire that it may have cams installed but I honestly have no idea. It is setup like most generic dyna bro dyna's. I'm more interested in what everyone recommends or has for handling and performance upgrades though? I want to keep the bike reliable since it is a daily rider and I have to work around California's BS carb laws somewhat, but definitely want a little more power and a little better handling. Any recommendations? Thanks!




? I want to keep the bike reliable since it is a daily rider and I have to work around California's BS carb laws somewhat, but definitely want a little more power and a little better handling. Any recommendations? Thanks!
A cam and a tune will make it feel like a different bike.
 
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