Looking to make my softail handle better. i don't want to hear buy a dyna or fxr. It's not in the cards right now. I own this bike, have some personal ties to the bike, have lots invested into the bike, and have skills and can do these mods one by one, over time. I don't care how you justify it, it is much more affordable than just buying another bike. It would be cheaper in the long run to get another bike, but I'm not worried about it.

With that said, I'm looking to get the rake down. It's an 04 fxst, and I've already switched to flst trees and lost the 3* from the trees, but it wasn't enough. As of now, I'm looking into cutting the neck, deraked trees, or raked neck cups installed reverse. I know cutting the neck is best, and have plenty of ways to do that cheap. But at $50-$75 the neck cups are a legitimate option. It's easily reversible, and will achieve the same affect. 3* would put me 29* rake, which is enough to really make the bike handle. Anybody tried this before? Any negative opinions?

Also looking to convert the rear to a standard swingarm with shocks up to the frame, like a dyna/touring bike has. There's a kit available, it's already been done, and it's reasonably priced. Planning on 12-14" performance shocks, to raise ride height, as I scrape every part possible on every corner imaginable.

Overall hoping to make a bike that normally gets a bad wrap in the handling department handle reasonably well. It's what I have to work with, and I'd like to hear ideas or opinions!! Thanks

 

Hmmm...your idea of reasonably priced and mine are different...the only kits I have seen are for looks...really doubt they would improve the handling...probably make it worse, due to frame flex..that frame was not designed to have shocks mounted that way.

 

I don't see how the frame would flex that much, considering the engine and trans are solid mounted throughout, and the entire rear section is cast. The only kit I've seen is from dirty bird, and they mostly use it for looks(they did do a performance build on a fatboy) but with a longer performance shock could improve on the terrible handling of the stock softail design. 1k invested is much much cheaper than buying another bike, so that's where my reasonable pricing came in. In theory, it should handle better than a dyna, you eliminate all side load on rubber mounts, since the swingarm would be solid mounted on bearings in the frame.And you have the engine and trans acting as a "crossmember" if you will.

 

The shocks wind up mounted to the struts...which were only designed to hold the fender..not be load bearing...I think you are in for a big disappointment.

 

I can see that. Makes sense. I don't think they would fail under the load, but can see why there is cause for concern.

Ive built quite a few bikes, and I don't think these struts are any less structural than the ones on the sportys or dynas I've seen. Granted I'm going from memory, never compared them side by side. And there is always room for reinforcement.

I want to make the best of what I have, and believe it can be done. I'm not looking to win races, or have the best handling bike on the road. But the original softail leaves a lot to be desired, even for an intermediate rider like me(at best). I would love a dyna, fxr, or even a touring. My biggest issue at this point is ground clearance. What I want to do may have faults. I just think it would be an improvement over what I have now. But I may be 100% wrong. That why I'm looking for opinions, and I appreciate your input

 

Why not just look for a Dyna frame and mod accordingly?

 

Trying to keep numbers matching, California is no fun for registration. I would have to have necks cut and swapped, which isn't impossible. May be an option. But I feel like the hassle may be less efficient than the mods I'm looking at

ive tried to sell the bike, but haven't had any takers. Has a salvage title. I know the accident it went through, it's safe. I ride it daily, low mileage, and have many extra parts. But even with a very low price(4K) with all extra parts and less than 25k original miles, I've not had a single call in months. Dynas run 6k and up locally. MINIMUM. In my current situation, a dyna just isn't going to happen. But I can afford to save a few hundred here and there and build the bike I currently own.

 

Ah...forgot all about the #'s

 

You have already removed some of the stock rake by changing out the front end. Your next step should be the neck. If you decrease the rake with the cups, in conjunction with the reduced rake in the trees, you are potentially looking at really screwing up your trail numbers. Calculate your trail numbers with your possible options. I wouldn't go any less than 4" of trail.

 

Freaking drastic are the forks overs, say 2" or 4" or 6" you can buy shorter tubes ,from reading you've got rake in the trees or overs .
Maybe a picture but yea if it's tube overs buy shorter ones if the rake is in the trees buy stockers ,you can lift the back with most shocks too there's a wind in wind out thing on them ,well most of them.
HTH it's late here.