OK, I had a bud give me a "Chrome Front Fork Air Baffle" as a birthday gift. Now, I'm very grateful but I have some reservations.

You see, I had been complaining about my beard slapping me in the face especially when my lowers were off (ā€™05 Ultra). He had always talked about the baffle on his ā€™00. Iā€™m not so sure I want the baffle partly due to looks (minimal) and partly because of added heat with the reduction in air.

Can anyone tell my why Harley stopped including the black baffles stock? Who has ridden without one then added or with then removed?

Any feedback on the part and suggestions of how to handle a good friend if I decide not to install his gift would be appreciated.

 

Harley removed them (as near as I can tell) for money reasons. I have one on my 2000 RK. I took it off shortly after buying the bike becauseI thought it looked better without it, and that it was one of those useless things Harley puts on it's bikes becausethey always did it that way. I think I went three days without it and put it back on because (surprise) it actually does work at deflecting a really annoying updraft behind the windshield.

Put it on and try riding with it.

 

I put one on after my buddy got his, It works great on stopping the updraft. I could tell the difference right away.

 

I installed one on my 06 Ultra and could really tell a difference in the lack of air coming upward, no heat problems.

 

Harley left them off for the 2001 model year. The claimed in the propaganda for the 2001 model year improvements that leaving it off was for better cooling. Personally, I don't believe it. I figure they left it off so they could save 2 bucks on the cost of each bike.

My 2000 has always had a baffle on it. The engine has melted yet.

 

I installed one and it stopped my beard from flappin'

 

I put one on my Standard and it ain't coming off. Give it a whirl, you may be suprised at what it does, plus, I never even see mine unless I make a point of looking at it.

 

If I am not mistaken, they still come on the Road Glides (in Black not Chrome)..... so they can't be causing too many heatissues or you would think that the MOCwould remove them from all their bikes.

 

Just ordered the black version (58520-79a) from Zanotti's....10.16, of course it cost $12 to ship but I get what I want

 

It does work and it doesnt change a thing as far as heat goes.