On Friday...

[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

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!

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