When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Bought my third Harley. Did not have the money for a fatboy as my last one was 115/115 and I only had about 7K to spend. Rode a V-Rod last year and for the money the most fun on a bike in a long time. Power does not start until 4200 and shifts around 8500 when I am on the throttle. It is a blast! Only problem is I miss the comfort of my fatboy. At 69 I still have the need for speed and the rod will be fine for most but I am looking for a little more comfort. I now have around 16K to spend. Looking for a used 07-11 fatboy (around 10K) and a motor around 125/125. I can get this build for 6K with clutch and pipe and other upgrades by a speed shop in Cleveland Ohio. I am in Columbus. The 04 FB was fun but not as fun as the Rod. I could go to 8K if I had to and several speeds shops have recommended the 20 R Harley motor but I probably would be at 9K with all the extras. Will 125/125 be a screamer? I just dont know if that would be much difference in my 115/115 fatboy. (2004) Any other speed shops within 500 miles of Ohio?
Last edited by Levy1; Aug 17, 2017 at 06:53 PM.
Reason: better post
What a fun predicament to be in...the old question, how much power do I really need? Went thru a similar dilemma recently. Wanted more power for my 05 Fatboy with Harley dealer installed 95. She only made 70hp/85tq. Researched and read for awhile and decided to go with an S&S 124 hot setup kit. Found an excellent builder with many articles and magazine pics of his work and decided to head on in to have a talk with the guy. He specializes in Dyna/FXR builds and his engine of choice for his personal bike and most of his builds...a 106 stroker.
Even though he would have made more money installing the 124 kit, he steered me towards a 106 for practical power, engine longevity, and less cost. I love this engine and the instant power...in fact, I can't even use all that is there up in the twisties.
I ride with sport-bike guys often, Aprilia, Ducati, etc. It used to be I would just hammer the throttle coming out of a turn but I can't do this anymore...back tire spins lose like I am a flat-tracker. lol I spend about 90% of my time under 60mph...the nature of living and riding in Los Angeles, and this build is perfect for my needs.
Now, having said all this...go for as big and as powerful as you can afford.
My advice is this, if you plan for the power you want to make, it'll probably be a good decision to pull the motor and get the crank and lower end strengthened. For the price your looking to spend you could install a Jims 131" and make like 140 HP
from what I hear if you take a twin cam over 110 hp you will need to have the crank trued and welded...the 99-02's may not need it as they have the forged cranks....I had a v rod an loved the rush of the speed an taking it high into the rpm range but once I cammed my fatboy the low torque was so much fun I was riding the v rod less an less so I sold it. I had a heck of a time selling the V rod an took a hit but it was just sitting there. The V rods will out run me after about 70ish but I hang ok an I'm not into triple digit speed so the V rod wasn't the best choice.
as far as making a V rod more comfortable I put some offset peg mounts on which moved the pegs back half an inch an up a tad an replaced the pegs with mini foot boards which were much more comfortable an made my feet feel much more stable at 80+ mph. with pegs it felt like my feet wanted to blow off.
I also got rid of those crappy stock "A" model bars an got some "B" risers so I could choose what ever bars I wanted.
I suggest the opposite. leave it alone for awhile anyhow. A softail is never going to be a screamer, no matter what. Might as well save your money.
My little 103" Softie has hurt the feelings of more than one Dyna and quite a few Screamin Eagle 110's. It's pulled 118/118 on two different dynos, won a dyno shootout in the 103" class...and with the 30/70 gearing, it screams.
My little 103" Softie has hurt the feelings of more than one Dyna and quite a few Screamin Eagle 110's. It's pulled 118/118 on two different dynos, won a dyno shootout in the 103" class...and with the 30/70 gearing, it screams.
Lmao, my 124 softail may hurt some feelings too. Should be back on the road Thursday.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
How much HP for my Fatboy?
