Cooling a 2003 Elctra Glide
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: La Paz
Cooling a 2003 Elctra Glide
Hello I have a 2003 Electra glide and battle with the heat that it emits. Especially in traffic as I am in hot climate. Any suggestions? Does removing lower part of the fairing help at all making it look more like a road king? Thanks in advance for all your help!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 1,187
I also have a 2003 Electra Glide; removing the lower fairings is definitely a good idea. It's one f the first things I did. Don't worry; no one will confuse your bike with a Road King.
If that's not enough, add a tuner, any tuner. Power Commander, Fuel Pak, or the in-line fuel enrichment device.
The 2003 is a great bike; anniversary addition with its great logos. I have almost 90,000 miles on mine, and it still runs great.
If that's not enough, add a tuner, any tuner. Power Commander, Fuel Pak, or the in-line fuel enrichment device.
The 2003 is a great bike; anniversary addition with its great logos. I have almost 90,000 miles on mine, and it still runs great.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
If I had kept my 03 the exhaust was going to have to go. That Y pipe could burn you through your jeans on a hot day in heavy traffic.
I was looking at the S&S or Khrome Werks pipes (same pipe). They have a crossover so they're supposed to perform better than true duals and they give you bike a more modern look with the rear IPE going under the bike
I was looking at the S&S or Khrome Werks pipes (same pipe). They have a crossover so they're supposed to perform better than true duals and they give you bike a more modern look with the rear IPE going under the bike
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: La Paz
Thanks for the kind advice. Uncle Peepers great idea thanks.
with regards to the exhaust if you have any link or picture of the suggested set up would love to see it.
with regards to Crotch saver, most of the heat is coming up my legs not really from under seat.
would love to see any pictures that you have of adapted bikes.
thanks again for all your help
with regards to the exhaust if you have any link or picture of the suggested set up would love to see it.
with regards to Crotch saver, most of the heat is coming up my legs not really from under seat.
would love to see any pictures that you have of adapted bikes.
thanks again for all your help
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,559
Likes: 7,907
From: Long Island, New York
I have a 2005 Road Glide, very similar bike, but no lower fairings. Things I have done to cool her down, HD Syn3 oil, HD oil cooler, Vanes & Hines true dual headers, a real good tune so she does not run lean which equals hot. The dual exhaust is a game changer, the stock pipe just cooks your right leg.
My bike was bored out to 95 when new, was real hot back then. With all the upgrades listed she is now just fine and I have zero issues. You get stuck in some in town traffic on a hot day, no matter what you do you are going to know you are sitting on an air cooled motorcycle. But cruising down the road with some mods you should be more than comfortable, good luck.
My bike was bored out to 95 when new, was real hot back then. With all the upgrades listed she is now just fine and I have zero issues. You get stuck in some in town traffic on a hot day, no matter what you do you are going to know you are sitting on an air cooled motorcycle. But cruising down the road with some mods you should be more than comfortable, good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,247
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From: backwoods
2007 they got worse with emmision changes. What were you riding before? Will it ever get cool enough for you? Cams and heads and tune, and cooler. Some cyliners will have bigger cooler fins. You could be chasing your tail. But I would plan it out, so not spending a lot of time redoing. If you really want to try I would do it all at once, so not re tuning or opening the eninge back up 5 times.
My 01 still has stock Y for exhuast. Never added any kind of crotch cooler. When it gets 90-100 degrees, I tend to wuss out and not ride anymore, would rather ride 40s. But its not the heat of the bike that bothers me so much as just the heat.
My 01 still has stock Y for exhuast. Never added any kind of crotch cooler. When it gets 90-100 degrees, I tend to wuss out and not ride anymore, would rather ride 40s. But its not the heat of the bike that bothers me so much as just the heat.
Last edited by Rounders; Mar 1, 2023 at 07:13 AM.
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If your bike doesnt have an oil cooler, Id highly suggest adding one as well. Wont do a ton to help with heat you feel while riding but starting at the heat source and cooling it down even 10-20°F will help other cooling modifications be more effective. Also keeping your oil a bit cooler will slow performance loss due to heat on hot days as well.
DK Customs has some great ideas and mods for cooling all Harleys. https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/coo...e-c660-222.htm
DK Customs has some great ideas and mods for cooling all Harleys. https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/coo...e-c660-222.htm
Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Mar 1, 2023 at 09:19 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 158
From: Alberta
As others have posted, removing the lowers will definitely help. That will do more than any other changes, when it comes to making the bike cooler to ride. Stuck idling in traffic the bike is still going to get pretty warm. Going down the highway the lowers help direct a lot of air at the engine so the bike isn't bad for heat, just when you come to a stop.
I find the Electra Glide much cooler ( temperature ) to ride than my 08 softail was on a hot day. On the softail you basically sat on the oil ank and rear cylinder.
I find the Electra Glide much cooler ( temperature ) to ride than my 08 softail was on a hot day. On the softail you basically sat on the oil ank and rear cylinder.