What did you do to Your Sportster Today?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Finally got my air suspension setup completed. First pic is of extended travel second is air'd out:
I didn't get this done today.. Been about two weeks, but I wanted to ride for a bit before I posted so I could accurately attest to the comfort of the ride. After riding around with this setup I am absolutely astounded that HD has let the sub-par comfort (that is the factory shocks) escape their factory. The factory shocks are terrible. No other way to describe it. With this air setup, I feel like I can enjoy riding again. It is like riding around on a pillow. Plus it just looks bad *** pulling up to a spot and airing out
I didn't get this done today.. Been about two weeks, but I wanted to ride for a bit before I posted so I could accurately attest to the comfort of the ride. After riding around with this setup I am absolutely astounded that HD has let the sub-par comfort (that is the factory shocks) escape their factory. The factory shocks are terrible. No other way to describe it. With this air setup, I feel like I can enjoy riding again. It is like riding around on a pillow. Plus it just looks bad *** pulling up to a spot and airing out
What kind of travel do the shocks have?...same with or without air? what is the length of the shocks eye-to-eye? How is the rebound...i.e. ability of the shocks to keep the wheels on the ground? What kind of front suspension do your have? I run Bitubos which have excellent travel and rebound with little sag, but I am always looking for mods to better my ride. Thanks.
Last edited by hscic; Sep 24, 2017 at 12:55 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
This is what happens when we mod our bikes so much that understandably it is difficult to recognize its true identity.....
Thank you!
I'll have to measure the travel. No, without air it is like bottoming out every time a bump is rode over haha I try to keep a little air in them when riding. There is a small leak somewhere (probably at a fitting) that I need to seek out so I'm not adding air every 15 miles. As far as riding over bumps with air, they are much more responsive than the factory shocks. I felt like the factory ones would let my tire fly in the air while these air shocks keep it on the ground. I feel much safer with these.
My fronts are just a hack job I did to the internals of my factory forks (preload spacer, cut spring and added oil) and I really need to do something about them. The way they are right now, every time I hit even the smallest of bumps they make a terrible clunking sound. This was my first attempt at modding forks and something didn't go the way I wanted it. I love how low they are, but the noise is killing me. Hoping to find time in the next week to play around with them a bit.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
My fronts are just a hack job I did to the internals of my factory forks (preload spacer, cut spring and added oil) and I really need to do something about them. The way they are right now, every time I hit even the smallest of bumps they make a terrible clunking sound. This was my first attempt at modding forks and something didn't go the way I wanted it. I love how low they are, but the noise is killing me. Hoping to find time in the next week to play around with them a bit.
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/dk-c...s-tst-rp-i.htm
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/dk-c...tst-rpt-ii.htm
I was running Burly slammer front suspension to lower my front but when hitting pot holes, it was still harsh/head jarring so based on the report I kept my burly springs/spacers (instead of changing it to progressives) and installed the ricor fork valve and changed the fork oil weight. It helped soften the ride over pot holes and provided better rebound.
Last edited by hscic; Sep 24, 2017 at 02:14 PM.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Houston, tx
Installed dk high flow filter with catch can and Dino jet from fuelmoto!
Question tho, when I install and load tune into bike what do I do next? Just drive it around or do I have to do anything with auto tune?
Question tho, when I install and load tune into bike what do I do next? Just drive it around or do I have to do anything with auto tune?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Did you get the PowerVision tuner? If your custom tune that was flashed to yoru ECM is working fine, you don't need to do anything else....just ride. But if you feel lagging in the power band or something that does not feel right, then run autotune. There are several good how to video on using PV autotune. There is also a stick thread on Powervision (assuming you have a PV)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...-by-admin.html
If you have a PV, you can take advantage of the gauge features...to monitor engine temp, battery voltage, rpm....or anything data available in your ECM.
Have fun with it....good luck.
Last edited by hscic; Sep 24, 2017 at 02:29 PM.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: Houston, tx
Share some pics of your ride...
Did you get the PowerVision tuner? If your custom tune that was flashed to yoru ECM is working fine, you don't need to do anything else....just ride. But if you feel lagging in the power band or something that does not feel right, then run autotune. There are several good how to video on using PV autotune. There is also a stick thread on Powervision (assuming you have a PV)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...-by-admin.html
If you have a PV, you can take advantage of the gauge features...to monitor engine temp, battery voltage, rpm....or anything data available in your ECM.
Have fun with it....good luck.
Did you get the PowerVision tuner? If your custom tune that was flashed to yoru ECM is working fine, you don't need to do anything else....just ride. But if you feel lagging in the power band or something that does not feel right, then run autotune. There are several good how to video on using PV autotune. There is also a stick thread on Powervision (assuming you have a PV)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/ignit...-by-admin.html
If you have a PV, you can take advantage of the gauge features...to monitor engine temp, battery voltage, rpm....or anything data available in your ECM.
Have fun with it....good luck.
Thanks again!
And here are are some pics!
Finally got my air suspension setup completed. First pic is of extended travel second is air'd out:
I didn't get this done today.. Been about two weeks, but I wanted to ride for a bit before I posted so I could accurately attest to the comfort of the ride. After riding around with this setup I am absolutely astounded that HD has let the sub-par comfort (that is the factory shocks) escape their factory. The factory shocks are terrible. No other way to describe it. With this air setup, I feel like I can enjoy riding again. It is like riding around on a pillow. Plus it just looks bad *** pulling up to a spot and airing out
I didn't get this done today.. Been about two weeks, but I wanted to ride for a bit before I posted so I could accurately attest to the comfort of the ride. After riding around with this setup I am absolutely astounded that HD has let the sub-par comfort (that is the factory shocks) escape their factory. The factory shocks are terrible. No other way to describe it. With this air setup, I feel like I can enjoy riding again. It is like riding around on a pillow. Plus it just looks bad *** pulling up to a spot and airing out
Yep, Stock. Bikes. Suck. Especially the stock suspension on Sportys.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 445
Likes: 19
From: Lynden, Washington, USA
Shakedown ride #1 revealed that my speedometer is malfunctioning with the needle bouncing all over the place and I have an oil leak from the rocker box on the #2 cylinder. Still having some starting issues, but I think that may be resolved with some seat time to charge the battery.
Also watched a bike burst into flames after parking.
http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/moto...-bbb/817211836
http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/moto...-bbb/817211836
woah.. that had to suck to walk up on after it was put out. poor owner.
