Do the "Fork baffles" work?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
My 06 and my 11 street glide have the holes drilled and tapped in the lower tree from the MOCO but neither came with the dog bowl from the factory. I added one to each bike as I have found them to be very helpful with the wind buffeting.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 882
From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
The dog bowl was standard equipment on pre 08 bikes and was removed as the engine size increased. The Manufacture became worried about airflow change around the engine so they removed it. I had one in my hand and was ready to purchase it when the guy behind the counter cautioned me about installing it on my 110ci.
That guy behind the counter is full of ****.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
Leftcoaster said
That guy behind the counter is full of ****.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
Nope. Fork baffles were installed well after the evos. Mostly, if not all they were on the Road Glides. Up until at least 2008 the upper trees were still drilled and tapped for them.
That guy behind the counter is full of ****.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
Nope. Fork baffles were installed well after the evos. Mostly, if not all they were on the Road Glides. Up until at least 2008 the upper trees were still drilled and tapped for them.
That might have been the case for standard bikes but not sure. As my 2009 CVO, it came stock.
But, not chrome. Thank god, one less piece to clean!
As for the parts guy.... That's another story.
YB
That guy behind the counter is full of ****.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
My '06 had no baffle right from the factory. And I don't recall ever seeing any twin cams with the baffle either. The last bikes I recall seeing with a factory baffle were EVOs.
I see a new parts man in your future - hope you do too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
I stand corrected. Looks like Road Glides come with that baffle. My mistake, I'm not a fan of Road Glides and rarely ever look them over.
As I said, my experience is with Electra Glides and I found the baffle to be ineffective on those models. What really works well for me is the combo of elephant ears, fork deflectors, and an 8" recurve windshield - no baffle.
As I said, my experience is with Electra Glides and I found the baffle to be ineffective on those models. What really works well for me is the combo of elephant ears, fork deflectors, and an 8" recurve windshield - no baffle.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Keeping the baffle and the fangs on year round is not a big deal in regard to the heat, and here in Alabama that would be a big deal to me.
With Road Kings, some wind still comes thru the windshield opening gap around the nacelle.
Also, the inverted bowl shape of the HD Baffle redirects the air down toward the front jug of the twin. As for the DK I do not know the shape of that one, hopefully, it will be similar.
Ride safe!
With Road Kings, some wind still comes thru the windshield opening gap around the nacelle.
Also, the inverted bowl shape of the HD Baffle redirects the air down toward the front jug of the twin. As for the DK I do not know the shape of that one, hopefully, it will be similar.
Ride safe!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
The dog bowl was standard equipment on pre 08 bikes and was removed as the engine size increased. The Manufacture became worried about airflow change around the engine so they removed it. I had one in my hand and was ready to purchase it when the guy behind the counter cautioned me about installing it on my 110ci.
Last edited by Deuuuce; Aug 26, 2014 at 01:59 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
[QUOTE=Deuuuce;13144054]Wrong
Guess it's all just a figment of my imagination. Glad you pointed that out to me and also that you're so very close to the heartbeat of the Moco engineers.
Guess it's all just a figment of my imagination. Glad you pointed that out to me and also that you're so very close to the heartbeat of the Moco engineers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,462
Likes: 57,017
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
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
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Hey, no one more than me wants to end this debate. But the filthy bastiges whom I bought it from, didn't even ship it out till yesterday. So I will be lucky to see it this week. Rest assured, I will post before and after results. If it does nothing, I'll tell you. If it works great, I will say so. I am just bummed they farted around so long. I even orderd from Amazon instead of ebay hoping to get it quicker. I will leave crappy feedback, but that doesn't get it here any quicker.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Just an update:
I installed the baffle, and have a solid 100 miles on the bike. The fork baffle in my case did NOTHING. That being said, I think the minor buffeting that was created by adding lower fairings, is what caused the issue, the fork baffle was not meant to address this wind on a Road King. I think they are to help fairing buffeting more than anything, and since I have a windshield and not a fairing, it was of little or no help. OR..... it just doesn't do very much anyways???? I just don't know. That being said, its chrome, I like chrome, and its staying on the bike for now. Remember, these are just my impressions. I could be entirely wrong about why they work or don't work in my case. So there's no need to flame me with aerodynamic explanations. I'm just reporting my impressions.
I installed the baffle, and have a solid 100 miles on the bike. The fork baffle in my case did NOTHING. That being said, I think the minor buffeting that was created by adding lower fairings, is what caused the issue, the fork baffle was not meant to address this wind on a Road King. I think they are to help fairing buffeting more than anything, and since I have a windshield and not a fairing, it was of little or no help. OR..... it just doesn't do very much anyways???? I just don't know. That being said, its chrome, I like chrome, and its staying on the bike for now. Remember, these are just my impressions. I could be entirely wrong about why they work or don't work in my case. So there's no need to flame me with aerodynamic explanations. I'm just reporting my impressions.