air fork baffle
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
My 2000 came with it stock. I leave it there year round....In 2001, they left them off alledgely to help with engine cooling. Makes no sense to me because it looks like it directs air toward the engine. I'd guess they left them off, so they could sell them to owners later down the road...LOL.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
Interesting, I removed mine last summer, since Im running lowers year round, but with its removal, the bike was much hotter to ride, so I re-installed it. It would be interesting to see the affect in a wind tunnel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I pretty sure the installation instructions that come with Road Glide lower fairings say to remove it.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: New York
The way I read the info on removing it during the summer was that you needed to remove it to keep the rider cooler due to the increased air flow up. I've left it on for a year and didn't notice any negative effects to the motor.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
I installed the baffle on my RKC. I did this because I replaced the signal lights with the SG style lights and when you remove the light bar it looks kinda ugly under the tripple trees (Also installed the chrome break line cover thingy). I didn't install it because I wanted to control the airflow.
Because I have no fairing I can see quite clearly how air would flow between the forks. The RKC crash bar would stop or deflect more air away from the motor than the baffle would. In fact the baffle appears to guide the air towards the head. I agree with Artt, if you remove it in summer the rider should be cooler.
I don't own a wind tunnel - Just my observation.
Because I have no fairing I can see quite clearly how air would flow between the forks. The RKC crash bar would stop or deflect more air away from the motor than the baffle would. In fact the baffle appears to guide the air towards the head. I agree with Artt, if you remove it in summer the rider should be cooler.
I don't own a wind tunnel - Just my observation.