Does the 1.5" tank lift really help?
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: PERTH
With wind buffeting?
Anybody had this done? What kind of softail?
How much did it help with the wind coming up from under the tank?
And how much, in real word terms, does it help cool the engine?
And did you like the way your bike looked after you had it done?
Can't make up my mind...
Thanks
Anybody had this done? What kind of softail?
How much did it help with the wind coming up from under the tank?
And how much, in real word terms, does it help cool the engine?
And did you like the way your bike looked after you had it done?
Can't make up my mind...
Thanks
Cosmetically I think it is a vast improvement. The lines of the bike are much better and it gives you a higher tank chopper look.
I bought a DK Custom kit. I used the crossover piping and everything including all the wiring etc looks factory stock.
As for wind, I'm 6'4 so I cop wind no matter what. Personally I love it, especially with an open face helmet, but that's personal preference.
I also have a SHOEI full face XR1100 (that I rarely wear) which with the visor down negates most of the buffeting.
As for temp, the bike feels cooler, but I have no evidence to prove it is, just a gut feeling.
I also find it much easier to read the speedo. I can glance at it without having to actually look down.
As for fuel I have lost some, but as a rule I always refill when it hits red on the gauge.
The guys at my local HOG chapter reckon to set the odometer and run it almost to empty to get any accuracy as to range/mileage.
I purely went for looks & any advantages/disadvantages aren't really important to me.
Check the forum for before and after pics to get an idea. The advantage is you can always return your tank to stock at any time with this mod.
Good luck!
Last edited by newjack66; Nov 25, 2013 at 07:20 AM.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Good to know...
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Central Cali
I have an 05 standard and put the 2 inch lift on mine.
Cosmetically I think it is a vast improvement. The lines of the bike are much better and it gives you a higher tank chopper look.
I bought a DK Custom kit. I used the crossover piping and everything including all the wiring etc looks factory stock.
As for wind, I'm 6'4 so I cop wind no matter what. Personally I love it, especially with an open face helmet, but that's personal preference.
I also have a SHOEI full face XR1100 (that I rarely wear) which with the visor down negates most of the buffeting.
As for temp, the bike feels cooler, but I have no evidence to prove it is, just a gut feeling.
I also find it much easier to read the speedo. I can glance at it without having to actually look down.
As for fuel I have lost some, but as a rule I always refill when it hits red on the gauge.
The guys at my local HOG chapter reckon to set the odometer and run it almost to empty to get any accuracy as to range/mileage.
I purely went for looks & any advantages/disadvantages aren't really important to me.
Check the forum for before and after pics to get an idea. The advantage is you can always return your tank to stock at any time with this mod.
Good luck!
Cosmetically I think it is a vast improvement. The lines of the bike are much better and it gives you a higher tank chopper look.
I bought a DK Custom kit. I used the crossover piping and everything including all the wiring etc looks factory stock.
As for wind, I'm 6'4 so I cop wind no matter what. Personally I love it, especially with an open face helmet, but that's personal preference.
I also have a SHOEI full face XR1100 (that I rarely wear) which with the visor down negates most of the buffeting.
As for temp, the bike feels cooler, but I have no evidence to prove it is, just a gut feeling.
I also find it much easier to read the speedo. I can glance at it without having to actually look down.
As for fuel I have lost some, but as a rule I always refill when it hits red on the gauge.
The guys at my local HOG chapter reckon to set the odometer and run it almost to empty to get any accuracy as to range/mileage.
I purely went for looks & any advantages/disadvantages aren't really important to me.
Check the forum for before and after pics to get an idea. The advantage is you can always return your tank to stock at any time with this mod.
Good luck!
My experience with it tells me differently. When I roll in to a gas station with the engine sputtering because it's about out of fuel, and I only put in 4.6 gallons, I'd say I lost more than 1/4 of a gallon.... keeping in mind of course that at the time the rear of my bike was also lowered, so whether that made a difference or not, i dont know
The test is, without the tank lift, how much gas can you put in it when you roll into a gas station sputtering? (With the rear lowered the same as when you had the tank lift on)
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From: Illinois
OK, what am I missing here? Why is it that when a lift kit is put on the fuel tank you lose fuel space? Is it because it changes the angle of the tank somehow and it doesn't drain properly? Last year I was dead set against a lift kit on my bike. I have allot of time and $$$$ spent on my bike giving it a lowered and longer look to it even if it's an illusion. I have slightly changed my thought process but only because I can't stand the way the top of my rocker boxes look from not being able to clean them properly. Yes, I know they can't be seen but I know it's there. If I am going to lose fuel space and availability I'm back to square one and not interested again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
DK Customs has an additional "Deluxe" option (for $10) that will raise the rear of the tank up an additional 1/2". So, it minimizes the loss in usable fuel capacity.
Think of it this way... you take a plastic bottle and draw a circle on the side of the bottle about 1/2" up from the bottom. Then, tilt the bottle on it's side at about a 20* angle. This is your tank and the circle you drew is the outlet for the fuel line. Now, raise the angle of the bottle. This puts the circle higher up, resulting in more fluid left in the bottom of the bottle. Same, same with one of these kits. In my opinion, you'd lose maybe 10 miles range at best. Not enough to worry about if you want the extra clearance. HTH.
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From: Detroit
I like "stretch" on a custom frame, but not "rise", so I'm with you on that part.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Nov 25, 2013 at 03:50 PM.
OK, what am I missing here? Why is it that when a lift kit is put on the fuel tank you lose fuel space? Is it because it changes the angle of the tank somehow and it doesn't drain properly? Last year I was dead set against a lift kit on my bike. I have allot of time and $$$$ spent on my bike giving it a lowered and longer look to it even if it's an illusion. I have slightly changed my thought process but only because I can't stand the way the top of my rocker boxes look from not being able to clean them properly. Yes, I know they can't be seen but I know it's there. If I am going to lose fuel space and availability I'm back to square one and not interested again.
I have an entire write up on the subject, plus lots more information at this LINK...
Feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have.
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www.DKCustom.com
662-252-8828 Voice
662-420-4891 Text & Voice
Support@DKCustomProducts.com