The Rocker Gap
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 19
From: Oz
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Bronx, New York
Interesting thread. I just chopped the rear and front (aftermarket front). Im going to go raise the rear fender at it mounting point thus closing the gap between the fender and wheel and giving it that true hard tail look.. I didnt realize how much wider it is then the tire creating a very noticable gap on the sides.. I will be going with LED lights mounted under the fender... Back to research...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
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From: Carrollton, Tx
I was making an observation of all the Rocker pics, and noticed that only a couple have eliminated the gap completely, by lowering and or seat change. Regardless of what route we choose the bike remains the stand up and shout bike of the Harley stable. So as far as the rear end of the bikes, I like speedsnice and Alains the best. The heartlands are nice, but it really just swaps the location of the gap, and creates a huge gap between the rear tire and fender. Especially those that cut the fender short. I favor what Harley created more than heartland. Just a observation, and to each their own.
I think the coolest thing about a Rocker is that it can take on many different looks and it not just a cookie cutter looking bike no matter what you do to it. I don't know how many times I've had people come up to me and ask, "what brand of Harley is that" and I tell them it's a Rocker and they either say, "that's what I thought but wasn't sure" or they say, "really that's a Rocker, very cool". And these are people that own Harley's and hang out at biker places, not soccer mom's
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Last edited by rubiconMike; May 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,024
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From: East Tenn.
My observation on the Rocker rear gap is that there are pro's and con's (side effects) to each approach in solving the problem. There are things I like and dislike about every approach that has been taken (heartland kit, lowing, different seat, etc.) to fix it but with every approach I like it better than the stock look.
I think the coolest thing about a Rocker is that it can take on many different looks and it not just a cookie cutter looking bike no matter what you do to it. I don't know how many times I've had people come up to me and ask, "what brand of Harley is that" and I tell them it's a Rocker and they either say, "that's what I thought but wasn't sure" or they say, "really that's a Rocker, very cool". And these are people that own Harley's and hang out at biker places, not soccer mom's.
I think the coolest thing about a Rocker is that it can take on many different looks and it not just a cookie cutter looking bike no matter what you do to it. I don't know how many times I've had people come up to me and ask, "what brand of Harley is that" and I tell them it's a Rocker and they either say, "that's what I thought but wasn't sure" or they say, "really that's a Rocker, very cool". And these are people that own Harley's and hang out at biker places, not soccer mom's
.Last edited by rockerheadsteve; May 26, 2009 at 01:26 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, Tx
I'm not sure what your referring to when you say stock look. As not lowered and no seat change? To me as long as you leave the rear fender mounted to the swing arm, regardless if you cut the fender, lower it, change the seat or do all three, it still has the stock look.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,024
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From: East Tenn.
However when reduced a little I have no problem with it. If you want it totally eliminated, I think what you've done with the bobber look and what others have done with the heartland is a great fix.
Last edited by rockerheadsteve; May 26, 2009 at 01:43 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 614
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From: Carrollton, Tx
Ok, sorry for being redundant then.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 142
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From: Willis Tx.
Thank's Tom!!..Your Rocker is one azmazing machine also!,as is the stock Rocker to the most customized Rocker on this Forum. like everyone who bought a Rocker or Rocker C I saw the potential in it and wanted to be diffrent!. I absolutly love the wicked ideas yall come up with for your bikes. everytime I log on I can't wait to see what someone has done next!!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Eugene, OR
I am grateful for all your ideas and attempts at addressing the gap. I think the spring seat and bobbed fender looks awesome on Mike's bike, while keeping the gap. I hope to change from the Rocker seat to a spring seat eventually. However, the Heartland Kit that several members have used give it a real muscle bike edge. The FCW is a great bike to own because with a few bolt-on mods you can look old school or modern muscle bike.