Boards are killin' me!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
My Deuce has forward controls and those bitches are high. It has a surprisingly good lean angle compared to what I was expecting coming off of nothing but sport bikes for the last 10 years.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
My thoughts are this (and I am in a similar boat).
Final thought, I used to ride my old R1 on some ramps at 60 MPH and the bike is always looking at you saying "is that all ?", on my Softie now I am dragging with the bike at 55 MPH at the same corner, and it is just much more fun
, and slightly safer, I think it is more fun to ride a tough bike as hard as it can, than to ride an easy bike at one tenth of its ability.
- is your bike lowered ? if it is, make sure you take it to stock height.
- You can easily scrape the boards and bend them, mine are ground down at least 1/2" without problems, it is like my knee in racing it lets me know how far I am going, I prefer the boards than the tranny or pipes.
- On that previous note, I replaced forwards with boards as I leaned too much and sometimes I hit a pump while leaned, the bike hits hard (before I put the progressives), the bike pivoted on the pipes/frame, really scary stuff, not my idea of enjoyment.
- If your roads are smooth and/or you know where the pumps are, just put progressives and put forward controls.
- True Duals or some sort of two into 1 like 'lo cat' will give you more clearance on the right side.
Final thought, I used to ride my old R1 on some ramps at 60 MPH and the bike is always looking at you saying "is that all ?", on my Softie now I am dragging with the bike at 55 MPH at the same corner, and it is just much more fun
, and slightly safer, I think it is more fun to ride a tough bike as hard as it can, than to ride an easy bike at one tenth of its ability.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Because the bike was lowered 
and it took somebody who made a useful post here to point me in that direction.
Yes, there are lots of options now that I know what was foundationally wrong! Should be a fun winter full of HD projects!
and it took somebody who made a useful post here to point me in that direction.
Last edited by BrianG; Nov 8, 2011 at 06:39 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 1
From: 415/707
sad thing is,, with this this reverse engineered softail frame,, you can only go so high, till you're into the bump stops,, & the stock shocks will get you there, or progressive shocks,, much cheaper than an air ride
to go higher,, you're looking at taller profile tires / wheels, or a combo of both
to go higher,, you're looking at taller profile tires / wheels, or a combo of both
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
sad thing is,, with this this reverse engineered softail frame,, you can only go so high, till you're into the bump stops,, & the stock shocks will get you there, or progressive shocks,, much cheaper than an air ride
to go higher,, you're looking at taller profile tires / wheels, or a combo of both
to go higher,, you're looking at taller profile tires / wheels, or a combo of both
I have a 17" tire for the front and will use progressive springs with the cartridge emulator together with a tight ride-height.
The back end seems to be more of a challenge. This early softail came with a 3" wide wheel so the CT options are extremely limited, and fitting a wider wheel requires surgical intervention that I am not willing to undertake.
I have air-shocks coming so I guess that's going to have to do, unless someone here has another idea......
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 2
From: Pacific NorthWest Territory
Final thought, I used to ride my old R1 on some ramps at 60 MPH and the bike is always looking at you saying "is that all ?", on my Softie now I am dragging with the bike at 55 MPH at the same corner, and it is just much more fun , and slightly safer, I think it is more fun to ride a tough bike as hard as it can, than to ride an easy bike at one tenth of its ability.
, and slightly safer, I think it is more fun to ride a tough bike as hard as it can, than to ride an easy bike at one tenth of its ability.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Up here, in BC, 25 mph over the limit gets you a 1 week vehicle impound (that will cost you about $1000.00 in towing and storage fees) plus a $2000.00 fine, automatically.
I got nabbed at 24 over on the Kaslo-New Denver road on the Duc. That was only $200.00 and a stern talking-to, by some 25 yr old kid in a uniform.
I'm out!!
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Yep, riding superbikes the past number of years, I'd always be VERY glad if/when I made it through the year w/o a ticket! My brother just got a $500 ticket out on the highway on his Ducati 748 shortly before the season ended. 
Then when I got my KLR650 that's only putting out about 37hp I found myself saying "who knew giving up 100hp would be so much fun!"
Nice relaxed ride.
And now with the Softail I'm saying it's the funnest way to go the speed limit.
Mellow Moto Marko
Then when I got my KLR650 that's only putting out about 37hp I found myself saying "who knew giving up 100hp would be so much fun!"
Nice relaxed ride.And now with the Softail I'm saying it's the funnest way to go the speed limit.
Mellow Moto Marko
