Ok.. I've owned my 2012 FXDC for a little over a year and have done quite a few mods including stage 1, (pythons, K&N snorkle style intake, Powervision V2 programmer..etc etc.. for now) I have always been a Lowrider guy.. but had to go to the FXDC as I didnt feel like going to Japan and trying to pick up a 12 Lowrider there..

The bike runs like a scalded ape.. BUT..

When I first bought it.. I would go to start it and it would be dead as a door nail.. a quick swat from my right hand to the battery cover gave me the clue as to what I suspected..
( the battery contacts were not making proper contact..( they were connected and tight), but the angle at which the positive and negative attached at the batteries "hot surfaces" was off.. and they were thus making a poor connection... fix: 1 steel washer each.. under the contact wire connectors which leveled out the contact surface of the battery cable connection.. no more problems.

The stock single phase rear shocks were in a word.. junk.. fix: I replaced them with a set of 11 inch screamin eagle dyna shocks.. rides great in the rear now.. the stock head light was also another source of angst. I have seen better lighting on christmas trees than this thing.. fix: replaced with an Arlen ness aftermarket unit that works like a charm even though the bike speedo flips me the red light when I flip on the high beams.. (I could jack light deer by that thing on high) due to the electrical draw I'd imagine.. oh well..

I have had to replace both O2 sensors on it front and back. Kept getting the codes for the O2 sensor heaters.. and a constant check engine light.. Talked to a tech at my local dealership and he said in his best and very thick New England, back east accent..

"Haw-lee- Da-fit-son" (No offense to our Northern brethern.. heh) is trying to "defeat" the aftermarket companies that provide tuners (powervision anyone?) by somehow engineering?? (he didnt go into details) the O2 sensors to flop after awhile and go bad because (guessing here??) that the aftermarket companies dont have the software to prevent them from doing so uhm.. sure..and that I should only use an SE unit.. or software.. (uhm .. NO..)

Anyways.. after making them (My dealer) give me the O2 sensors, the fix: I installed them myself (as they had a 2 week wait time just to get my bike in to their service center... and I live over 2 hours away... no thanks I'll do it) I told them I would give them the old sensors back and they could bill the MoCo however the damn well pleased..

Reconnected new sensors.. a little diaelectric grease.. some electrical tape coverage.. proper stowing and routing of sensor wires and sensors themselves.. and checking the nuts on the header pipes (front and back) and viola' YES they were loose.. (now a new service must check from now on..)

No more issues.. back to running like a beast

Ive also noticed a slight whine from the left front wheel bearing in moderate to hard left hand curves since owning it.. (its ok though.. all of that stuff.. front wheel bearings.. axle fork lowers.. triple trees.. etc will be going into the **** can or flea bay) after I completely rebuild the front end and trees with a set of DWG trees and mount a 21 inch revolver wheel front AND 17 inch revolver rear.

The paint also seems kinda soft too.. (I wonder if HD used any hardner at all?) si I gotta keep her waxed well.. no problems there..

Anyways just some random thoughts on new ownership.. thanks for listening..

The dude that had the problems in europe with the loose exhaust, exposed/eroded electrical wiring and a back firing squirilley acting bike gave me the idea for this post..

Cheers..

 

I've had my FXDC a year this month. So far, the thing runs like a clock, however it has had a rear shock replaced from peeling chrome, a front fork leg replaced from under clear coat pitting, a headlight assembly caused from the bracket breaking and a CAN electrical part that caused it to simply just not go. I do miss the old carby and magneto bikes, ya could always get out of trouble, but these new ones are a trip back on the truck when something electrical happens..I like the 96" motors too. Had a streetglide 103 and got rid of it from too much heat. Apart from drilling out the rear baffles in each muffler and adding Vieds, it's stock and still goes very well. If I wanted a faster bike I'da got an MV Augusta or Ducati.

 

I too like the look and feel of the FXDC. Mine is an 09. The only performance changes are V&H Slipons that the previous owner installed. I have been thinking about changing the rear shocks as they seem to bottom out on the smallest of bumps. Haven't modded anything else for perfromance as it seems to perform pretty well in the present state.

I would like to mod the never ending cleaning spoke wheels for some non-spoke wheels.

 

Couldn't be happier with my '09 FXDC. Bought it March of '12 with about 4500 miles on it, has just under 13,000 on it now. I've done a lot of mechanical work to it (cams, 103", exhaust, etc.) and plenty of cosmetic stuff too, but haven't had a single issue with it. Sooner or later I want to do some suspension upgrades, but stock it isn't too bad (of course, my previous bike is a '75 CB750 hardtail bobber).

 

Had my 12 fxdc for about 15 months...after 7000 miles and about 3000 in upgrades..rides great with no issues...this winter will await 17in apes...blacked out front end...pm wheels...love this platform

 

Heres my only other gaff.. guess its a bit of rant really more than a rave..and its not with the bike.. itself.. as I have stated from above.. it pretty well runs like a clock..

I guess its with the MoCo.. I tried to order or purchase additional paint so I could do the side covers under the seat and a spoiler I'm installing to match the rest of the bike. But unfortunately I have a custom color (deep purple/flames.. AND the flippin reason I bought the bike to begin with as I like the color) and they only sell my color in "touch up" sized bottle amounts.. I cant even get a reasonable size container of paint to finish off the rest of the bike.. and the only "code" I could get from the parts counter guy was a paint code of 518.. WTF?

I have talked to 2 custom paint guys and the second said he can do the pieces (with the flames) for around 450.00 - 600.00 -ish.. may just switch to chromed covers and say **** on it..


aggravating to say the least

 

Have you tried a Dupont or BASF automotive paint dealer? Someone has to supply the paint to the Moco. I've always had good luck with my Dupont dealer