So, I am looking at doing a 23" setup on my 2016 SGS and after looking at all the rake kits I came across the Battistini Leading Axle. Very interesting concept, less work and I can run my stock fender. Not to mention it's sharp and not common. So, I had some questions on my configuration and reached out to them to get some answers before pulling the trigger.

So, I just got a call from a nice gentleman who answered all my questions and talked to me about my configuration and addressed my concerns. That man was Rikki Battistini himself. I was pretty surprised he would take the time to reach out, on a Friday night no less to talk to me. He spent 20 minutes telling me about his product. To me, it says a lot.

Now I never post, just lurk, but I thought I would share this. I will have them on order tomorrow morning. Feeling confident that I am dealing with a company that cares.

 

Subscribed

Can't wait to hear about them

 

Very interesting. I have never seen such a product. Keep us posted!

 

Well its on order....here is hoping for some trouble free installing.

I went with the blacked out set. Matching it up with Legend Axeo -1 and a 23 PM Revel with dual disks.

 

Look interesting, but, dude is proud of those! wow, hope they are worth the dough.

 

Very interesting for sure.

Good luck and keep us posted on the results.

 

Will surely update. I may even start a build thread.

I am hoping the Battistini forks are worth it. He was nice as could be and really is proud of them. It will be a few weeks out for delivery still and I will be taking my time and doing some powder coating once I get everything ripped down. I am a novice on motorcycle work, but pretty geeky and patient. Patience and triple checking has always worked for me.

My handlebars came in today and not really sure I like them. They are 13" Road 6 Holy Rollers. Been looking at alternatives and may go another direction. Actually its probably that I have seen the fatter Malo bars and are now in love with those. Somebody should have warned me these things are money pits. I have heat demons, grips, levers, master cylinder covers all ready to go on with it. I plan to tear it all down and get the powder coating done at the same time.

I am also looking at the electrical distribution now with the heat demons and the INNOV K1 system I have on the bench. I imagine a future air ride rear end, mobile phone power solution and sound upgrades will necessitate better power management.

 

It was flawless, easy to install and looks awesome. Had a buddy lend some extra hands, highly recommended. Did not take the time to do a build thread, but here are some pictures and the build list.

- 23" PM Revel, matching rotors, Metzler tire
- Battistini Leading Axle All Black, Hidden Axle
- Replaced brake pads to bed in with the new rotors, added the Battistini brake line extension at the calipers. Probably could have done without the extension and did not need the supplied alignment shims. Everything matched up perfectly. Bled the front brakes.
- Legend Axeo -1"
- Harley black cowbells
- Harley Burst grips
- Harley Illuminated Bar controls
- Road 6 Customs Holey Roller Bagger bars, 13"
- Kuryakyn Trigger Levers
- Kuryakyn Scythe Mirrors
- Heat Demon Grip Warmers

Only things left on the bench are Kuryakyn Mesh Master Cylinder covers and INNOV K1 system. Still need to powder coat. Weather has been good so I didn't want to miss another riding day.

minor challenges -
- Legend Axeo. Alignment cups would not go through the fork to the bottom on my 2016. Had to separate the forks again and put the alignment cups in, then reassemble again. Instructions said it was not needed to separate them, but apparently you do.
- Mounting the fender took some patience and extra hands to get it mounted.
- Made two support calls during the installation. Rikki Battistini called back after an hour, but I had figured it out myself 5 minutes after the call. The other was to Legend for that cup issue. Never heard back.

The ride is awesome, all clearances are perfect. The bars provide so much more control at low speeds and the big wheel adds a bit of weight when turning into corners. Took a minute to fall in love with the handling. Legend felt nice on some patchy pot holed asphalt areas. Everyone loves the look, as do I. Not a single issue or DTC code. This was well worth it and I feel much better having done everything myself. I know everything has loctite and is torqued proper. The angle on the jiffy stand needs to be addressed and I had to loose my center stand.

Before

 

Can you comment on the ride now that you have some miles on the 23" front? How is it at highway speed etc.

Your new setup looks good!

 

Very nice! With this being one of the first I wish you had taken some pics along the way. But I totally get why you did not, I always want to do pics but becomes to much trouble for me.