What were the first upgrades you performed on your touring model?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
This is an often overlooked item. For the money it's one of the best upgrades you can due. Upgrade adds reliability and much smoother shift action. I change trans fluid to synthetic gear lube at the same time. Shift is improved drastically.
I installed fangs on my RK. They work very well from the standpoint of buffeting. I take them off from June through September. They trap too much heat and shows worse after interstate run.
I installed fangs on my RK. They work very well from the standpoint of buffeting. I take them off from June through September. They trap too much heat and shows worse after interstate run.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jul 7, 2017 at 09:16 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Performance, aesthetics, comfort, aftermarket goodies or necessities?
Because, I like everyone, focused on the first 4 and now I'm having to deal with the expense of the last. I already put in a set of Sta Bo bushings I got cheap. Now I'm dealing with the major design flaw of the early Twin Cams, tensioners. I already installed a Hayden Primary tensioner. Big difference and no more adjustments. Now, I picked up all the parts to go to hydraulic cam tensioners at the end of the season. I decided to go with a later model cam plate for the inner roller chain and in going to use Cyco tensioner shoes for long life,
Because, I like everyone, focused on the first 4 and now I'm having to deal with the expense of the last. I already put in a set of Sta Bo bushings I got cheap. Now I'm dealing with the major design flaw of the early Twin Cams, tensioners. I already installed a Hayden Primary tensioner. Big difference and no more adjustments. Now, I picked up all the parts to go to hydraulic cam tensioners at the end of the season. I decided to go with a later model cam plate for the inner roller chain and in going to use Cyco tensioner shoes for long life,
__
do those just screw on/off the shift linkage?
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jul 7, 2017 at 09:16 AM.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis
For me it's all about fitment... Make sure you're comfortable. The previous owner of my '12 Limited was about 8" shorter. So I started with a new seat, windshield and foot controls. After about 6K miles... changed bars to 10" twin peaks.
The bike already had a stage 1 and lots of shiny additions so that kept me pretty happy for another year. I swapped those dreadful air shocks fora set HD adjustable. By then It was time to consider performance.
I Finished up the last few thousand miles of the season with the PCV. It was a nice bump HP/Tq but by then I was ready for decat and cam swap. Now it's pretty dialed in. The Woods 222 were just what I needed for a little sporty solo riding and two up touring. Plus it adds a nice little lope at a slower idle.
Now i just fill it up and ride.
The only thing else I will probably do is invest in a dyno tune next year after testing a few different canned maps. The only other I would consider is revisiting the suspension. But only if I find some cash burning a hole in my pocket because at that point there is no point in cutting corners. That's my list... looking forward to reading your replies.
The bike already had a stage 1 and lots of shiny additions so that kept me pretty happy for another year. I swapped those dreadful air shocks fora set HD adjustable. By then It was time to consider performance.
I Finished up the last few thousand miles of the season with the PCV. It was a nice bump HP/Tq but by then I was ready for decat and cam swap. Now it's pretty dialed in. The Woods 222 were just what I needed for a little sporty solo riding and two up touring. Plus it adds a nice little lope at a slower idle.
Now i just fill it up and ride.
The only thing else I will probably do is invest in a dyno tune next year after testing a few different canned maps. The only other I would consider is revisiting the suspension. But only if I find some cash burning a hole in my pocket because at that point there is no point in cutting corners. That's my list... looking forward to reading your replies.
Last edited by FLHBK; Jul 7, 2017 at 09:11 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
First: bars, seat and windscreen
second: suspendtion
Third: the options are endless... ride and look at it, change what ya don't like...
There is very little still stock on my bike...
second: suspendtion
Third: the options are endless... ride and look at it, change what ya don't like...
There is very little still stock on my bike...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,175
Likes: 683
From: Forest Hill, Md
yes or you can also replace the whole boring bar with something nicer, lots of options out there.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 592
Likes: 46
From: Connecticut
At 6' 3", bars, extended shift & brake, and footboard relocation were mandatory. Stock police seat is great for us tall guys.
Aside from that, which I did over about the first 4 months of owing it, the first thing I did was an FP3
For the $ its a no-brainer in my book. Even the improved stock tune is way better than stock, and, for TBW bikes, you can alter the throttle sensitivity, getting rid of the annoying nature of starting from a stop with the stock settings.
Its flexible for stage 1 mods and cams now.
Its like a different bike, all for about $300.
Aside from that, which I did over about the first 4 months of owing it, the first thing I did was an FP3
For the $ its a no-brainer in my book. Even the improved stock tune is way better than stock, and, for TBW bikes, you can alter the throttle sensitivity, getting rid of the annoying nature of starting from a stop with the stock settings.
Its flexible for stage 1 mods and cams now.
Its like a different bike, all for about $300.