Suspension/Brakes upgrade!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Sasser, GA
You got a good deal on the shocks. I would also raise the front an inch or so if I were you. I did basically what you are talking about: aftermarket shocks (Ted Tine), fork springs (Progressive), and brake pads (Lyndal). The fork springs are not great but they are better than stock, especially regarding dive. Still, I would go with another brand if I had it to do over. I am also planning a braided brake line on front, a fork brace, and maybe Sputhe mounts (if business gets better that is).
As for why Harley stopped with the good suspension parts, as others have said, there was not enough demand, and the slammed look is a lot more popular than performance upgrades. A lot of H-D riders say if you want performance, get a sport bike, but many of us want more performance along with the Harley sound and feel. You can get a lot better than stock without spending a fortune.
As for why Harley stopped with the good suspension parts, as others have said, there was not enough demand, and the slammed look is a lot more popular than performance upgrades. A lot of H-D riders say if you want performance, get a sport bike, but many of us want more performance along with the Harley sound and feel. You can get a lot better than stock without spending a fortune.
Last edited by Dawg Rider; Jan 3, 2009 at 11:05 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
the works spring kit is $125 for the 41mm wideglide so same price or less for your 39mm... the caps are loaded by the springs so be careful opening them and Keep some pressure on em or they will fly off and can damage what they hit.
So here's what I've got coming:
FXDX-T rear shocks, got them on Ebay for $160. I've ridden a T-Sport and although I didn't really flog it, I did like the higher seat and ground clearance. For that price, I don't think I'll get more shock for the money anywhere else. Why did HD quit using the good suspension components they used to use anyway?!
Progressive fork springs and 10w fork oil. I've found I can bottom out the stock forks without really trying (I weigh 215). Hopefully this will stop.
Superbrace. Had one on my V-Strom, amazing upgrade for the price.
Two sets of HBC HH Sintered brake pads. Supposed to be a good upgrade, I'll combine those with stainless lines at some point.
I got the Dyna factory service manual for Christmas, and I ordered the fork cap socket from Ebay this morning. I've already got a jack and an assortment of tools. I think I've got everything I need.
Any tips? Thoughts on this upgrade? Comments? I'm looking forward to the UPS guy showing up next week
FXDX-T rear shocks, got them on Ebay for $160. I've ridden a T-Sport and although I didn't really flog it, I did like the higher seat and ground clearance. For that price, I don't think I'll get more shock for the money anywhere else. Why did HD quit using the good suspension components they used to use anyway?!
Progressive fork springs and 10w fork oil. I've found I can bottom out the stock forks without really trying (I weigh 215). Hopefully this will stop.
Superbrace. Had one on my V-Strom, amazing upgrade for the price.
Two sets of HBC HH Sintered brake pads. Supposed to be a good upgrade, I'll combine those with stainless lines at some point.
I got the Dyna factory service manual for Christmas, and I ordered the fork cap socket from Ebay this morning. I've already got a jack and an assortment of tools. I think I've got everything I need.
Any tips? Thoughts on this upgrade? Comments? I'm looking forward to the UPS guy showing up next week
Probably go to Progressive 440s in the back, haven't decided on what to slide in the forks.
buckeye,
You're headed in the right direction. The only change I would make is to stay away from the progressive kit for the front end. Go with Works or Race tech in the front end. As for needing a longer kickstand and such...not true. Here's a pic of a streetbob a friend did with FXDX shocks in the rear. Ofcourse there's a 21 on the front which levels it a bit, but you should be alright.
You're headed in the right direction. The only change I would make is to stay away from the progressive kit for the front end. Go with Works or Race tech in the front end. As for needing a longer kickstand and such...not true. Here's a pic of a streetbob a friend did with FXDX shocks in the rear. Ofcourse there's a 21 on the front which levels it a bit, but you should be alright.
Depends on the bike doesn't it? I thought the FXDB/F/L had 12" and the FXD/C had 12.5"
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
My next step will probably be to upgrade the brakes and shocks...probably brakes first. A lot of interest is shown around here with going to a dual-rotor setup, but I'm not really interested in that...seems like a lot of effort swapping lowers and such when the singled rotor setup can be sufficiently improved, IMO. I'll most likely just upgrade the rotors and pads first.
Probably go to Progressive 440s in the back, haven't decided on what to slide in the forks.
Are the Works or RaceTech kits noticeably better than the Progressive kits?
Depends on the bike doesn't it? I thought the FXDB/F/L had 12" and the FXD/C had 12.5"
Probably go to Progressive 440s in the back, haven't decided on what to slide in the forks.
Are the Works or RaceTech kits noticeably better than the Progressive kits?
Depends on the bike doesn't it? I thought the FXDB/F/L had 12" and the FXD/C had 12.5"
Harley makes a dual caliper kit for my 05. But, I recently read an interesting thread on another owners forum about dual vs single calipers and what exactly is the difference/advantage/marketing, and now I'm not so sure I really want to spend the $$$.
I would also like to know the difference between the Prog's and the Racetech's.
I have a FXDCi, and the stock shock lengths are 12.5. I just can see one inch difference being significant. Hell, if a 100 lb rider rode my bike, I bet it would sag around an inch less than with my *** in the seat!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
You got a good deal on the shocks. I would also raise the front an inch or so if I were you. I did basically what you are talking about: aftermarket shocks (Ted Tine), fork springs (Progressive), and brake pads (Lyndal). The fork springs are not great but they are better than stock, especially regarding dive. Still, I would go with another brand if I had it to do over. I am also planning a braided brake line on front, a fork brace, and maybe Sputhe (if business gets better that is).
As for why Harley stopped with the good suspension parts, as others have said, there was not enough demand, and the slammed look is a lot more popular than performance upgrades. A lot of H-D riders say if you want performance, get a sport bike, but many of us want more performance along with the Harley sound and feel. You can get a lot better than stock without spending a fortune.
As for why Harley stopped with the good suspension parts, as others have said, there was not enough demand, and the slammed look is a lot more popular than performance upgrades. A lot of H-D riders say if you want performance, get a sport bike, but many of us want more performance along with the Harley sound and feel. You can get a lot better than stock without spending a fortune.
I will gladly raise the front an inch as well, if it makes any difference. How would one go about doing that?
For me, it has nothing to do with wanting a ton of performance, necessarily. I just want to not bottom out when riding two up, and I don't want to rip my footpegs off when riding the Dragon this spring!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Sasser, GA
My thinking was that raising the front will help the ground clearance even more and keep your trail around the same as stock. I also think the suspension parts will help with the scraping even if you weren't gaining the ground clearance, so I bet you'll be a lot happier with it.
I'm in the same boat as you and rockon re: the dual front discs. I feel like I can improve them enough without going to that trouble (and without adding the unsprung weight).
I'm in the same boat as you and rockon re: the dual front discs. I feel like I can improve them enough without going to that trouble (and without adding the unsprung weight).
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
My thinking was that raising the front will help the ground clearance even more and keep your trail around the same as stock. I also think the suspension parts will help with the scraping even if you weren't gaining the ground clearance, so I bet you'll be a lot happier with it.
I'm in the same boat as you and rockon re: the dual front discs. I feel like I can improve them enough without going to that trouble (and without adding the unsprung weight).
I'm in the same boat as you and rockon re: the dual front discs. I feel like I can improve them enough without going to that trouble (and without adding the unsprung weight).
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Sasser, GA
If Works doesn't offer springs to raise it, you can do it with the size of the spacer. I had mine raised about an inch without changing the springs (just the spacer) after not liking the height after changing the springs.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 499
From: Alberta
The emulators are just cartridges to give improved dampening; they drop into the tubes with the springs, from the top. Only trick is they are not "externally" adjustable, so must be set before you button 'er back together...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
Okay, cool. I'll take a look at 'em on Monday. Here's a picture of the difference between my stock shock and the FXDX-T shock.
Last edited by MZBuckeye; Jan 4, 2009 at 09:46 AM.