PROJECT "FXDBF"

Started out as my 2010 FXDB Street Bob. I knew immediately I didn't like the Mini-Apes, so I started with some Loner Industry risers, a set of drag bars, a used two-up seat from a FXDC, and a HD "short" sissy bar and pad. And it was good... for a while.

I then ventured into the dash -- the genesis of that effort was that I wanted to move the ignition switch from the dreadful fork neck location to the tank where God intended it to be, so I took that same opportunity to have some fun and attempt to adapt a used FXDC console with a 5" speedo to my Street Bob (I also posted that conversion here on the forum). A fairly simple adaptation, and it worked great. And it was good... for a while.

Finally, due to my unnatural fear of flat tires, I decided she really needed a set of cast wheels instead of the spoked FXDB wheels (allowing me to carry a simple plug kit). After considering a set of FXD wheels and considering it far too easy, I came across a great deal on some FXDF wheels and tires. The rear was a straight bolt-on, but the front wheel wouldn't fit the stock mid-glide trees without fabbing a set of axle spacers, which I wasn't prepared to do, so it was time to go Wide. After finding a deal on a nice used set of FXDF trees, the next challenge was the front brake. The sliders on an FXDB don't quite line up with the position of a brake disc on the FXDF wheel. The obvious option was to swap out the FXDB sliders for a set of FXDF sliders, but then that would also mean fitting a set of dual discs, which would mean purchasing not only a second disc, but also a second caliper, a different brake line, and new master cylinder. Yikes. Too much for my limited budget, so I took the "economy" route, and just used 3 SS washers to space the caliper the tiny bit needed to properly align it with the rotor on the FXDF wheel. This allowed me to reuse my FXDB brake line and master cylinder, and keep the project on a low-budget. Problem solved! Bolted up the front wheel with OEM FXDF axle and spacers, reused the FXDB single disc, re-used my FXDB front fender with some washer spacers and re-shaped mouting tabs, and it was done! And it was good... for a while.

Anyway, I've got it all together now; the pics below show the final result, which I've called my "FXDBF". The obvious first reaction is "you should have just bought a FXDF in the first place and changed the rear fender". Maybe so, but an FXDF wasn't my plan initially, and its been a fun project for me to take this route. Added a few other misc bits along the way, too (FXDF exhaust, HD Speedo/Tach combo, relo'd front signals, SE A/c, sportster XR handlebars). And now it's good... for a while!

Cheers,
Kent