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On my stock 08 Heritage classic with the factory windshield I found that installing the fork lowers eliminated any of the buffetting issues I had. So if you are having problems with that, that's what I would recommend.
The reason they work is that they direct air up behind the windshield which lowers the vacuum being created by the windshield.
On my stock 08 Heritage classic with the factory windshield I found that installing the fork lowers eliminated any of the buffetting issues I had. So if you are having problems with that, that's what I would recommend.
The reason they work is that they direct air up behind the windshield which lowers the vacuum being created by the windshield.
Actually just the opposite. They don't direct air up, they slow it. The windshield creates a negative pressure area, causing air to rush up from below. This creates the buffetting. The fangs slow that air rushing to fill the negative pressure area. There is just enough air to fill the void, which creates a nice bubble. The vents on the bikes with fairings attempt to alleviate some of the negative pressure, but in my opinion don't eliminate it all. The best windshield design is the RoadKing windsplitter with the vent. But it still is made better with the use of fangs.
Last edited by Jed Clampett; Jan 21, 2023 at 12:25 PM.
A simple test if you have buffetting issues. Going down the highway, use one hand, bend your arm at the elbow ( about 90 degrees ) and then move it around the cockpit, up, down and side to side. If you do that you'll figure out where the bad air is coming from. Often it is from below not above the windshield. Even mirrors or hand protectors can upset the airflow. If you do this before and after you put on fangs, you will notice the difference in air flow. With the fangs you can actually tailor the angle the top sits at to direct more or less air into the cockpit.
The goal no matter what you employ is to lower the pressure behind the windshield. Another good option on a lot of bikes with windshields is anything with a laminar lip at the top. I think some of the wave windshields operate on that principle. I'm going to try one, but can't comment yet. Often what works for one doesn't work for another too many variables. But the fangs do work, not always pretty but for the money about the cheapest fix on a HD for buffetting. They don't work with lowers, so you have to search something else out.
A little off topic, but I have a pair of HD road glide lowers that I've fit on my bike. The upper portion of these is not rounded off like the conventional lowers for batwing fairings, but has a built in 90 degree deflector that is designed to put air up behind the road glide fairing. Similar in design to the fang top. With them on the bike ( you have to remove the fangs if you have them on ) it really directs a lot of air into the cockpit area. On a cold day its actually too much air. They create their own problems. I am going to modify the angle of the top portion so it allows a smoother airflow into the cockpit. A good winter project.
Agreed on the fangs. I don't like the looks that much. I don't like the looks of the tall shield.
I've had to run em since I started wearing scrip sunglasses. This set up absolutely does the trick.
I do remove the fangs during the hot months due to the heat. My own comfort, and I do believe
they block some air coming to the motor. I do get some air from underneath w/o em, but for me,
it's a fair trade. The other 9 mo's of the yr, I keep the fangs on. It takes 5 or 10 min to remove
or install them.
Last edited by byersmtrco; Jan 24, 2023 at 10:47 AM.
Back in 2018, several mentioned this problem and the solution was the Harley brand fangs with new holes drilled to make them fit. JES at the time had not put out their fangs for the new models. I have a new Heritage on the way but I don't like the angular look of the JES. Was it a simple drill job to fit the Harley fangs ? I had them on my 2016 and they worked well so I would like to install them on my new bike when it comes in. Anyone install them ?
I have 2021 Street Glide and had buffeting. Installed the fangs and no buffeting. However I experienced a lot of heat from right side so I chased other options.
One thing I found was deflector wings from DK Products. I removed the fangs and installed the deflectors and that worked on the air coming up from under the fairing/tank, which eliminated buffeting. I have other things for air flow to the engine, but the wings are less obtrusive and did help with buffeting. Could be something to look into. And yes, I did not care for the looks of the fangs, but I'm a function over looks guy.
Shouldn't have any problem finding fangs for it. Harley makes them for this vintage. High probability they will work, but there is always the exception. In my mind, the fangs would be the solution of last resort for the reasons I mentioned before. I might try the vented shield before resorting to the fangs. In the end though, one has to to do what one has to do.
In my case, the cost of experimentation (different shields, fangs etc.) to get this right was unavoidable. Unfortunately, sometimes the only way to tell if a solution is going to work is to try it out - which cost $. I just chocked it up as part of the cost of ownership. I considered a solution a must though. So it was what it was.
Nice looking bike by the way.
Thanks.
So what did you end up doing with your fangs?
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