Hi Mat, I would like to chip in my 2 cents worth here! What you have just described is two upgrades for your bike. One is installing twin discs, the other is upgrading to Ohlins cartridges. You may want to do them both at the same time, but I suggest you isolate the suspension upgrade from the brakes upgrade. The brakes upgrade won't affect the performance of your suspension upgrade.

I am following the same route as you are, but with my Glide. I already have a set of Howard's Ohlins shocks on it, also twin 13" front discs and 6-pot calipers from an earlier upgrade. Like you I would like Ohlins cartridges up front, but intend keeping my current brakes.

 

Graham,
Thanks for jumping in. I kinda lumped the upgrade together because, while Howard is installing the cartridges I would like for him to rebuild the forks and while at it I would use the opportunity to throw on dual disc fork lowers, etc.
Just trying to approach this as economically as possible.......any suggestions on how I could change my approach?

 

Mat, I only chipped in because you lumped both things together! Doing everything at the same time means spending a lot more in one hit, although you get a lot for your money. Now I see how you are going about this I wouldn't suggest doing it any other way. When you ride your bike after it's finished there will be a lot of change to take in!

My own Dyna is one of Harley's finest, with twin discs and decent suspension both ends. It may not be the best there is, but is good enough for solo use, which is all I use it for. My Glide is quite another thing altogether, which is where my effort and spare cash goes! Riding 2-up is another experience, which is why I have ace brakes on it, Ohlins shocks and am looking forward to improved forks.

I am on the other side of the Atlantic, so the closest I can get to Howard is on the phone!

 

Well Graham, you have been providing lots of good info on suspensions and brakes for a while, I get over to the UK quite often and know the roads and traffic you have to deal with, I would invest in the best also if I were you. Ride safe and thanks for the info.

The suspension I tested was unbelievable, I will be ready for the new touring suspension before next summer for sure.

 

Hey Mat,

This is actually the 2nd front end on the bike. I changed it years ago when I switched to CCE's triple trees and progressive springs. The FXDL's back in 2000 came stock with a dual disk setup but I upgraded the stock HD brakes to PM brakes a couple of years later. I haven't used Ricor or Racetech, so no firsthand experience to comment on.

I made the switch to the Ohlins rear shocks this spring from the Progressive 440's and was totally impressed with the performance. So much so, it became clear that the front end was lacking in comparison. After doing a bunch of research I concluded that changing the front end to the new Ohlins FGK 30mm adjustable cartridges to match the rear Ohlins was the way to go.

Your situation is a bit different than mine, as I had to convert from 39mm to 49mm, while you are starting out with a 49mm front end but would want to convert from a single disk to dual disk. I already had the brake components, but needed all the front end parts as well as a new hub, axle, and custom fender brackets to do the job. Your job would require a different set of parts to do the conversion.

I considered the expense (as we all do before doing our mods) and decided it was worth it for me to get the performance and ride I was looking for. As to your question "was the Ohlins upgrade commensurate to the expense?" I can only give you my opinion, and that is, absolutely! It took the ride to a whole new level, and that was the goal.

Good luck with your decision.





Great write up. Couple questions to put your review into perspective....was this your first upgrade to your front end (i.e. have you try ricors, progressive springs, racetech, etc.)? Were your running dual discs up front prior to this latest upgrade?

I am seriously considering upgrading my front suspension and converting to the dual disc, but no matter which avenue I pursue it will be a costly expense.

I am partial to Ohlins because I upgraded my rear to Ohlins shocks this past summer and have been very happy.
Although Howard's labor charges are very minimal, the overall conversion(parts alone) is pretty expensive, considering I would need a new front wheel that accepts dual disc, new rotors, brake calipers and dual brake line. Currently my lowrider has a single disc cast wheel.

I guess what I am trying to determine is, was the Ohlins upgrade commensurate to the expense?

Thanks

Mat[/quote]

 

We're only a short hop from Europe and the roads further East, behind the old Iron Curtain, are even more challenging! We're planning a trip to Slovenia next May, so even more distant adventures. Suspension that doesn't bottom out is truly essential. I really envy you being so close to Howard and his workshop. As for riding one of his bikes, that is something else!

 

Its interesting that we have come to this from different directions, although I am talking here of my Glide, not my Dyna. I installed a True-Track Trackula kit, which dramatically improved the ride and handling (I also fitted a kit to my Dyna, with equally good results).

That highlighted problems with the forks, but I was still concerned about bottoming out at the rear, when my wife and I were touring. I tried a set of brand X shocks, which were an improvement, but they still didn't cure the problem. A lot of research here on HDF persuaded me to skip all the other options and go to Howard. With my Ohlins installed the bottoming is cured, the ride is truly wonderful, but it is even more obvious the front end needs sorting out! That is next on the agenda.

 

Mat, Howard fabricated the mods needed to put Dual Brembo brakes, 300 mm rotors on my 06 Street Bob. A first rate job. I did several brake tests after the mod, and the results were very significant. From 50 to 0 mph:
With OEM single disk brake: 95 feet to stop
With 300mm dual disk Brembo brakes: 75 feet to stop
That's almost a car length and a half!!! Worth every penny it cost. Go for the dual brake set-up when you upgrade the Front End Suspension. You will not regret it- absolutely!
I'm putting the Ohlins drop-in cartridges on my bike this winter- to go with the dual brakes I've had on it for the last 2 riding seasons. Good luck. Jay

 

Jay,

Those are some very impressive #'s! I will definitely go with the dual brembo setup, but will have to do this in stages. I'm anxious to hear how you like the Ohlins drop in cartridges!

 

We have an annual bike show over here in the UK, which my wife and I visited at the weekend. The UK Ohlins importer had a big display of racing orientated stuff, including the 30mm cartridges. So I have actually seen these things in the metal at last, so know what they look like. One small step closer to a pair for my Harley!