Dropping a Deuce
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 1
From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
Sounds like I'm not the only onle that feels the heaviness. I think I'll try some wider bars soon.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Where I lay my head is home.
Do you live in Linda Vista (or used to)? I could swear I know that neighborhood!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
The tall narrow tire and raked front end give these bikes their classic "chopper" look and handling. They aren't as nimble as a Super Glide or Sportster. The "floppy" front is normal at slow speeds and may be made more controllable by the addition of wider bars such as drag bars or T-bars and practice. I don't have an issue with it.
@JoeBye: Take a look at the bottom of your lower exhaust pipe. My guess is that after lowering your bike and then taking a hard turn, maybe with a bump in the middle, that is what dragged. This is also normal for a lowered bike with long, low pipes. Happens to me on occasion when I get into a corner too hot.
Hope this helps.
@JoeBye: Take a look at the bottom of your lower exhaust pipe. My guess is that after lowering your bike and then taking a hard turn, maybe with a bump in the middle, that is what dragged. This is also normal for a lowered bike with long, low pipes. Happens to me on occasion when I get into a corner too hot.
Hope this helps.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
When I gave my wife a Superglide, we lowered it with the rear 9" progessive shocks. She kept complaining that it didn't feel turning at slow speed, so I rode it. It felt as if the tire was square when you turned with it. so after lots of inquiries with friends we determined that we had messed up the geometry of the bike. I ended up lowering the front by loosening the triple trees and lowering them a 1 3/4". After that it rode perfect again. If your bike is completely stock might not help, could just be characteristics of the deuce, IDK.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 2
From: Greenwood, IN
I felt that way at first. I picked up a 2001 in June as a project or second bike. The other day I scraped while making a left turn. I guess I am getting adjusted to the feel of it. Now I am more concerned with what scraped it wasn't the pegs so is this going to be a problem? I am use to scrapping floor boards on my other bike. I just dont want to be scrapping the hard stuff. I did lower the rear - may be too much. I find it fun for the short rides its not a comfortable cross country bike by any means.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Replace the stock bars with some with more rise and pullback, Ness Lo Flys as an example. Rework the front suspension with R/T springs and emulators and overfill the oil just a bit. Replace the rear shocks with some Works shocks. Keep the suspension at stock height, do not lower it as a Deuce will handle much better at stock height. Make those changes and learn to trail brake effectively and you should be able to push the Deuce harder than you can your Road King.
I have friend that has modified his Deuce similarly and he rides it like a Moto GP bike; he give knee draggers fits in the twisties.
I have friend that has modified his Deuce similarly and he rides it like a Moto GP bike; he give knee draggers fits in the twisties.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
I expect and anticipate I could scrape the exhaust in a right turn but did not expect scrapping in a left turn. I could not find where it scraped it must have been the kickstand. Of course its so scraped from normal use I couldn't tell for sure anyway. I just ordered from Vulcan 3 degree bearing cups and from J&P 4 inch over tubes. This should give me a slight (about 3/4 inch) lift on the front. I plan to bring the rear back up about another ˝ inch. I am not an overly aggressive rider so hopefully this will do the trick.
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Stage IV
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: kansas city. mo
First time on here. Second bime of mine first being a yahama vstar 650 custom. Now i got a 2001 deuce. have many questions. Guess it smacked into a trailer during a parade and scratched fork , slight twist of risers (i think), and bent handlebar. Rode it 100 miles home. Low speed,70-75 cool. 80-85 wobble like behind a big truck.ant to replace entire front except rim and fender with a rake. Still want to be safe though.many questions
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