On Friday...

[SilverGrin]

...I take possession of my brand spanking new Streetbob and the wife gets the Sportster, so I am indulging in a rare smilie :woohoo:
It's matte maroon and a little ugly, but like that red-headed stepchild, it has an appeal only a mother can love - I'll post photos when it arrives.

I intended on buying a Superglide, and ended up with the 'Bob, but I'll have to spend a few more bucks on the Sportster so that she can flat-foot the ground.
Any boffins able to advise on the best way to do this? I know an upholsterer that can shave some foam from the seat, but should I set it up with progressive shockies or a genuine HD set or should I just go with an after market set?

Also is lowering the triple tree down through the forks recommended? I have been told by some that it's fine, yet others say it can affect handling.

Oh, if the weathers good on saturday, I'll probably be doing the Middlemarch/Dunback loop if anyone wants to join us.

[1200custom]

...I take possession of my brand spanking new Streetbob and the wife gets the Sportster, so I am indulging in a rare smilie :woohoo:
It's matte maroon and a little ugly, but like that red-headed stepchild, it has an appeal only a mother can love - I'll post photos when it arrives.

I intended on buying a Superglide, and ended up with the 'Bob, but I'll have to spend a few more bucks on the Sportster so that she can flat-foot the ground.
Any boffins able to advise on the best way to do this? I know an upholsterer that can shave some foam from the seat, but should I set it up with progressive shockies or a genuine HD set or should I just go with an after market set?

Also is lowering the triple tree down through the forks recommended? I have been told by some that it's fine, yet others say it can affect handling.

Oh, if the weathers good on saturday, I'll probably be doing the Middlemarch/Dunback loop if anyone wants to join us.


sweet, it will be afew sleepless nights for you , should be a big change from your 883

[nallac]

congrats on you new toy.

what lenght are the shocks on the sporty now?.
mine had 14" ones but i have changed to ones off a 06 custom they're
11 3/4" not much travel in them, but look heaps better.
I would try progressives or the like and probably not shave the seat as they aren't exactly that comfy to start with.

The most you should drop the forks would be 1".

[SilverGrin]

Cheers for that, guys.

You're right of course nallac, I should at least try the suspension adjustments before butchering the seat.

[SilverGrin]

Picked it up today, woot!
Just got off it reluctantly, as it got dark, but I have to say i love it so far.
Great torque, nice and smooth, and surprisingly agile. Although I went for a scoot down to Portobello where the road is cornering utopia and I managed to scrape the pipes a couple times.
Luckily a strategicly placed jubilee clip took the grind.

Only thing I haven't yet done is some long distance, but I'm sure it'll be sweet.
Happy chappy.

[Virago]

Good stuff...! :drool:

Gonna bring it out for the BRONZ Easter Egg run on Saturday?

[SilverGrin]

Love to.
Where and when? Or where can I read about it?

[Virago]

Sorry, you obviously haven't been pointed in the direction of the Dunedin Rides thread yet:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=43466

Pop in there and say gidday...! :sunny:

[ajturbo]

...

I intended on buying a Superglide, and ended up with the 'Bob, but I'll have to spend a few more bucks on the Sportster so that she can flat-foot the ground.
Any boffins able to advise on the best way to do this? .

let the tyres down..

[SilverGrin]

let the tyres down..

You clearly haven't met my wife.
This would seriously jeapordise my welfare.

[Bruiser]

This thread is useless without pics ;-)

[Bonez]

Cheers for that, guys.

You're right of course nallac, I should at least try the suspension adjustments before butchering the seat.I think HD have two or three different size of rear shocks for the sporty range. Noticed this when looking at the them a month or so ago on the HD site.

[SilverGrin]

This thread is useless without pics ;-)

True. I've been too busy riding it.
I'll get on it after work tomorrow.
Unless it's a warm night like tonight.
In which case I'll probably be riding it.

[helenoftroy]

Great news new friend

New bikes are just the best buzz.......enjoy your new beast,and great to hear your wife will be cruising too:banana:

I love my duc more each time I ride her:love::love:

[ratusratus]

i have a shiny black one and its bloody fanatstic!!!

[SilverGrin]

i have a shiny black one and its bloody fanatstic!!!

Sweet. Do you have any pics?

I'll have pics soon. The weather was in the high 20's after tea tonight, so I was off!
helenoftroy, you are right on the money the new bike being a buzz.

I just fitted the highway pegs off the Sporty. They're a bit manky, but they'll do for now, especially since the budget's recent hit.

I got the Sporty lowered for the wife, but I can't get my head around the lowering in the forks, it looks too low to me, and the stand now needs shortened.
She's loving it though.

[Toaster]

Nice bike, I hope you get many years of enjoyable riding out of it!

[SilverGrin]

Some photos I took today.

[SilverGrin]

Thumbnails are too small to view clearly, and I haven't worked out yet how to make them linkable to a more viewable size. :blink:

So here are the links to the original jpg's.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/medium/P1010003.JPG

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/medium/P1010004.JPG

Wow, that was unneccessarily complicated and it made me spend much more time than I intended, doing it.

[1200custom]

Thumbnails are too small to view clearly, and I haven't worked out yet how to make them linkable to a more viewable size. :blink:

So here are the links to the original jpg's.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/medium/P1010003.JPG

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/photopost/data/500/medium/P1010004.JPG

Wow, that was unneccessarily complicated and it made me spend much more time than I intended, doing it.

very nice, how many km you done so far

[SilverGrin]

very nice, how many km you done so far

About 850, of which I got in about 300 today ;)

Beauty day for riding.

[1200custom]

About 850, of which I got in about 300 today ;)

Beauty day for riding.

may aswell get as much riding in as you can, when the snow comes your way in winter you wont get as much riding in if any

[SilverGrin]

Actually, it usually only snows here once or twice a year - if at all.
Apart from some frosty days where it can be icy all day in the odd shaded spot, we can often ride all winter.

Breed 'em rugged down here mate :whistle:

[240]

Nice new bike mate,looks good.

[P38]

...
I intended on buying a Superglide, and ended up with the 'Bob, but I'll have to spend a few more bucks on the Sportster so that she can flat-foot the ground.
Any boffins able to advise on the best way to do this? .


Well it is a Sportster

Probally eaiser to get a new wife:whistle:

She might handle better too....if your lucky.:msn-wink:

[SilverGrin]

Well it is a Sportster

Probally eaiser to get a new wife:whistle:

She might handle better too....if your lucky.:msn-wink:

I looked, but most had either too much mileage, were too loud, were asking too much, cost too much to maintain or were just the wrong colour.

[popelli]

I looked, but most had either too much mileage, were too loud, were asking too much, cost too much to maintain or were just the wrong colour.

sounds like a racist talking

[P38]

I looked, but most had either too much mileage, were too loud, were asking too much, cost too much to maintain or were just the wrong colour.

I hear that mate.

Best stick with the Devil ya know then.

Good luck with the lowering project.

Have ya thought about gluing a 4'' sole on her boots?:msn-wink:

[SilverGrin]

sounds like a racist talking


Not at all, some of my best friends are bright orange.
Just not my missus.

[SilverGrin]

Have ya thought about gluing a 4'' sole on her boots?:msn-wink:


Actually, aready did that.
Well, not 4 inches, that would be skiting.

I didn't realise there was so much to it. Now we're looking at replacing the stand with a shorter one, as the lean angle on it is far too high, and should I replace her handlebars with a wee set of buckhorns, there's the possible cost of cables and lines that won't reach.
Jeez.
The only good thing about it, is that I'm able to do all this myself and not have to pay exorbitant sums of coin to get it done.

Now, I'll just check that my post doesn't offend any more humourless gits like the bloke callin' me a racist.

[popelli]

Now, I'll just check that my post doesn't offend any more humourless gits like the bloke callin' me a racist.

Sorry I did not realise that you consider racist comments as being humourous

[Headbanger]

Sorry I did not realise that you consider racist comments as being humourous

I only bang white chicks.









Mainly cause the wife is white.

[scumdog]

Cheers for that, guys.

You're right of course nallac, I should at least try the suspension adjustments before butchering the seat.


The single-seats tend to be lowerer than the double-seat set-up.

[scumdog]

sounds like a racist talking

A motorcycle racist - you know, somebody wot races bikes!!

[oldrider]

Sorry I did not realise that you consider racist comments as being humourous

Get over yourself, (FFS) the guy is just enjoying his new bikes! :ride:

As you were Silvergrin, more of your excitment please! :blip: John.

[grogan]

i have a shiny black one and its bloody fanatstic!!!
Haha bet you say that to all the girls Rastus

[SilverGrin]

He's just fishing. The race card is the lazy trolls failsafe.

Priced a stand for a low today and while I was in the shop I priced a fork brace for my bike (it's a wonderful stock-standard bike, but I just need to make a few adjustments to suit the way I ride :devil2:).

Now I'm well aware of the Harley brand hype, this was just a chunk of machined steel after all. How much can they charge for that?
When he told me the price I thought he was talking about my street address.
My John McEnroe impression made no difference either.

It would be fair to say the HD logo actually stands for Hundred Dollar.
Needless to say, I will be going after market for that item.

[scumdog]

He's just fishing. The race card is the lazy trolls failsafe.

Priced a stand for a low today and while I was in the shop I priced a fork brace for my bike (it's a wonderful stock-standard bike, but I just need to make a few adjustments to suit the way I ride :devil2:).

Now I'm well aware of the Harley brand hype, this was just a chunk of machined steel after all. How much can they charge for that?
When he told me the price I thought he was talking about my street address.
My John McEnroe impression made no difference either.

It would be fair to say the HD logo actually stands for Hundred Dollar.
Needless to say, I will be going after market for that item.

And ya won't notice eff-all difference with it on your bike - except your tool-pouch hanging off the triple-tree won't rub on the front fender.

[SilverGrin]

And ya won't notice eff-all difference with it on your bike - except your tool-pouch hanging off the triple-tree won't rub on the front fender.

Occasionally, while pushing it into corners, I've felt a little flex. Not much, but enough for me to want to get rid of it.
I think the Septics built these things to go in straight lines mostly. Handling is adequate, but front and rear suspension could also be better.

But I'd be a little pissed off if I forked out (weak I know) over 400 bucks for no result. Why d'ya reckon it'll make so little difference?

[Headbanger]

They do exactly what they are designed to do, remove the flex you have noticed.

But as you have noticed prices are mental, but that goes for after-market gear as well.

I sold my wanky air-cleaner and got so much for it I bought a brand new Mikuni carb......


Cheapst non-shit looking fork brace I could find in the last 6 minutes, Though it may not fit for all I know.

They sell for $125-150 USD

http://www.customchrome.com/catalogs/ccp2007/ViewProduct.asp?Sku=09957

http://www.speedsupplies.com/accessorylistingdetailcust.asp?item=2329

http://www.chopperscycle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=12561&Category_Code=

Fork Braces
GMA Polished Fork Braces One-piece designs machined from aircraft-quality high-strength aluminum. Each brace is given a polished finish after machining. They eliminate fork flex by improving torsional rigidity of the fork assembly, providing improved steering response and better overall handling.

[SilverGrin]

Thanks for those links mate.

[Motig]

Theres the Sportster 883L with a low single seat, might fit your sport but as you say Harley prices would probably make it too expensive. Might pay to see if theres one you can look at and compare the differnce with yours like if the factory one has anything else done to lower it.

[SilverGrin]

I did compare an 883L, and you're right, its seat does have a lower profile.
I made a few adjustments on it today, and with a shorter stand she'll be right.

[heyjoe]

Nice looking bike silvergrin. I like the maroon colour. A nice change from black (not that there is anything wrong with that either)

[scumdog]

Nice to see a KB thread with bikers all getting along for a change!:niceone:

But back to the fork-brace - despite my toungue-in-cheek comment I believe they ARE a good thing - and I'll probably end up getting one.:soon:

[SilverGrin]

I can see why you say I wouldn't notice much difference though scumdog.
I compared my forks with the Sportster and a mates softtail.
Not only are my forks closer together than the softy, they are a much thicker diameter too. Also the distance between the lower triple-tree to the axle is much less than his raked front (although his is braced - out of necessity I might add).

The sporty had the narrowest forks and the shortest distance between bracing and axle, but the fork diameter was thinner than both big blocks.

My forks were far more solid overall, but as mentioned, I can still notice a little flex there.
They're a bit too spongy at the moment too, but I reckon some thicker fork oil will fix that. Otherwise it's a dip into the wallet for some progressives.

Once that's sorted, I'll have to start looking at the rear :rolleyes:

Just as well I remembered our wedding anniversary this year, it'll count for brownie points when I mention I may need to spend a few more bucks.

[scumdog]

I can see why you say I wouldn't notice much difference though scumdog.
I compared my forks with the Sportster and a mates softtail.
Not only are my forks closer together than the softy, they are a much thicker diameter too. Also the distance between the lower triple-tree to the axle is much less than his raked front (although his is braced - out of necessity I might add).

The sporty had the narrowest forks and the shortest distance between bracing and axle, but the fork diameter was thinner than both big blocks.

Yeah, I mentioned earlier I was being tounge-in-cheek about it - my old iron sportster flexed that much that the rivets holding the front guard to the mounting bracket were always coming loose - I ended up welding the two together and whatyaknow, the bloody thing cracked!:argh:

Possibly the newer, thicker forks may flex less but if you punch the bikes through the twisty bits I guess they'll still flex.

(Often wondered about Wide-Glide front ends - I have a suspicion those front ends will flex more than the standard front ends - and on the subject of fork fleax, with single disc front ends - does anybody know if they put an uneven load on the forks??)

[Headbanger]

The Flex in a Wide-Glide front end is an adventure all of its own.

Best experienced with a large set of ape-hangers.

Then you get to do all sorts of funky riding around corners.

[SilverGrin]

The Bob went into shop for its first service the other day, and I had a hi-flow kit put in with a download.

Thing is, instead of improving acceleration, I think it has lost just the slightest amount. A good slap on the throttle used to kick the bikes arse, but now it seems to hang a tiny wee bit longer and sounds like an open-throated carby sucking air. And since it's EFI, I'm a little puzzled.

It could just be me, but I swear it feels slightly de-tuned, but I'd like to hear from anyone who's had these mods done.

Cheers.

[firecrab]

A few things that made the front end on my NT a lot better:

* fork brace - as discussed
* progressive fork springs - much nicer
* Metzler tire - biggest change! The stock Dunlops 21" are terrible.

[chubby]

Your not the first to make that comment (in various threads around the world). Just keeping it in mind for my first change of tyres, what are the differences that you noticed over the Dunlops and did you also change the back as well?

[scumdog]

Your not the first to make that comment (in various threads around the world). Just keeping it in mind for my first change of tyres, what are the differences that you noticed over the Dunlops and did you also change the back as well?


Likewise.

I'm sure that unless the old tyre was flat when I last rode on it I would struggle to REALLY notice a difference. (excluding the new-unworn-tyre-is-better-than-the-old-squared-away-one factor)

[firecrab]

Your not the first to make that comment (in various threads around the world). Just keeping it in mind for my first change of tyres, what are the differences that you noticed over the Dunlops and did you also change the back as well?

In my opinion the Metzelers make quite the difference - not only because of the make, but also because I switched from an 80 to a 90 wide front tire. Since you're riding a fatboy, you're dealing with different sizes, so it might not be as noticeable. But for me it does - the front leads much better.

I'm running a 210 Metzeler in the rear - also very happy with it. But I'm by no means an expert.

Now if we just could make all the roads in New Zealand silky smooth, so they wouldn't be such tire-eaters ;)