The air baffle makes the engine run richer, because it's running... cooler ...

 

I got the chrome one from my local stealer.. it was 20 bucks .. best piece of chrome I've bought so far.

 

The black one is cooler, lighter and adds 5mph on the top end......

 

Personally, I think HD took the baffle off for the same reason that they stopped installing passenger grab rails, saddlebag guard rails ('08 RK Standard), etc. and that is simply to reduce the cost of manufacturing the bike and improve profit.

 

I put one on last winter and it sure helped with the cold air on me but I thought the engine had major issues due to the increase in sound I hear bouncing off the deflector and reduced wind noise around my head, freaked me out for a couple minutes. Same thing happened when I went to a half helmet and uncovered the ears. I took it off for the summer though as I thought it would interfere with colling on a hot day, now that I have oil temp gaugI will monitor to see actual temp change with and without.

 

Found that one Mike and thanks too, but on-line HD says "This stylish chrome air baffle replaces the Original Equipment black baffle on '00-earlier models" and I bet the stealer will tell me the same thing.

Does anyone know the P/N for a plain old black one?

 

It's because we are the cool kids.

 

Had mine for awhile noticed the air deflection only.

[IMG]local://upfiles/22213/E224C10F6B0E472FA8F061FC426C7BE6.jpg[/IMG]

 

Would not be without a fork baffle, sucks riding a bike without it.

 

I think the part number for black was 58520-79A.
Got one a month ago andthe dealerdidn't have Chrome in stock.