New to this site - very glad I found it - tons of helpful folk and info. I finally got my 2005 Fatboy last year after many years of riding Hondas, Yamahas and a Norton that looked good but running....not so much! Anyway, I have the stock bike with electronic fuel and want to make a few changes - some for looks, some for comfort but would appreciate any suggestions etc.

1. Ok, I'm short, but I love the look of the bars and seat but for comfort, would like to bring the bars back about an inch or two. Not sure the extension they sell would do enough. Any suggestions on a set of new bars - same general shape.

2. Just got back from Daytona - awesome again!! Coming over a bridge near home with the wind blowing snot, I caught a couple of guests that I thought would blow me off the bridge, slowed down a bunch but still seems to be affecting me a great deal more than I would have guessed with a bike of this weight - how much do you think the solid wheels are a factor?

3. Rode to Bike Week with a friend with a new Screaming Eagle Heritage 2006. I loved the sound of the pipes. Any suggestions on what I can do to get that type of sound out of my pipes and what do I need to look out for with regard to changing back-pressure/bike performance?

4. On the ride I noticed at times a bothersome noise from I'm guessing the engine area - hard to describe - higher piitch humm. Didn't always do it but enough to bug be a bit. Bike ran fine. Any ideas?

Again, I love reading the posts and the pics are great - looking for advice on some custom paint as well but that is "down the road a bit".

Thanks!
BillP.

 

Sorry dude but a solid wheel on the front was H-D's worse idea. It catches too much side wind as you found out. Replace it with a mag or wire wheel. Plus, the constant battling of the front end by you (side winds, etc.) has a tendency to wear you out faster.
Solid rear wheels don't have that much effect on the handling as there's so much more stuff covering it back there anyway.

If you like the sound of your buddies bike, just run the same pipes/mufflers. Remember to re-map your EFI. Your dealer should be able to recommend pipes and do the re-mapping for you. Replace the air cleaner as well. No since in opening up the exhaust without opening up the intake. The EFI needs to be re-mapped when you change the air cleaner as well, so kill two birds with one stone. Replace the pipes and air cleaner at the same time.

Don't know about the high pitch sound but sometimes the rear belt will sing to you. Are you sure it's coming from the engine area? Your FatBoy has the internal balancers as well. When I first got my '02 Night Train, it took me a long time to get used to the sound that made.

BTW, my name is Bill P. as well. It kind of surprised me when I saw your screen name.

 

I've done a lot of stuff to the bike so far, but the very next major mod will definitely 100% sure be a new front wheet. Hate the solid disc. Fighting the front end constantly.
BA

 

oops, not wheet, wheel. sorry.

 

Order the free J&P Cycles catalog on line have your credit card ready once you get it and go to town.

BTW - Welcome to the Forums!

 

Paul,

Where did you get your awesome paint job done? It looks fantastic!!

Bill

 

Huge factor IMHO. I just replaced the stock wheels on my Fatboy with a set of PM Villains. What a huge difference in the wind. Some folks will tell you that above a certain speed, it doesn't make any difference what wheels you have. I don't believe it. I've been riding on a couple of extremely windy days since putting the new wheels on my bike and I'm convinced that I could have never ridden on those days with the stock Fatboy wheels. The bike is much more stable in the wind now. If you love the stock wheels (and a lot of people do), it's just something you're going to have to deal with.

 

I kept my handlebars but put 4" risers on. I love them. It brings the bars back far enough so that you can sit straighter - a major factor if your back is as old as mine is. You also have the added benefit of not having to change any wiring or hoses like you would if you changed to some handlebars.

I also chose to go with wire rims because of the wind shear problem. I've heard that the heavier you are the less of a factor wind becomes. Don't know if that's true but at 170 lbs soaking wet and living in the windy mountains of southwestern Virginia I wasn't going to take any chances.

 

I put stock Heritage Bars on my Fatboy. They bring the handles back and raise them as well. You should be able to use the stock Fatboy wiring, only message it a little to shape it to the Heritage bars.

Mark

 

Thanks for the comments Bill. I actually won it off eBay for $900 brand new. It retails for $2,400 so I guess that I did pretty good. Just do a search for "Harley Paint Sets" an you will be suprised as to how many people are selling custom tins.