What upgrades are you making to your bike?

[VonGruff]

And only US$134 and they came in a package from my agent with a whole lot of other stuff of more weight for about $90. I believe it is about $10 /lb to ship via Parcel Monky )a US premium tracked courier co and usually takes about two weeks to arrive.

[VonGruff]

A grand day today with a couple of hours at an old riding friends place in town where we had good conversation and a little fettling on the bike. He had often said he dosent have a lot to fill in his retirement days so I rode down with the new number plate bracket which we fitted while we yarned. Very pleased with how low it sits and will allow a new back rack to be fitted that is almost level with the top of the guard instead of the 100mm clearance the present one has. After we got the new bracket fitted he decided to ride back with me so by the time he gets home again we will both have put 236km under our wheels.


This is the rack I will replace the present rack with. I will have to remake  the front bracket and I can secure it to the seat mounting screw and can make a bracket from the top of the number plate bracket to fix the rear of the rack to. The rack is a  much neater unit that the one on the bike now.

[VonGruff]

Another piece of the new look is on the way. This lay down tail light with smoked lenses has it all in the one unit including indicaters but I may also add the mini bullet units through the top right corner of the number plate. Much neater and will match in with the lay back number plate bracket.
 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005 ... uU3T2YydI0

[VonGruff]

A couple of changes ticked of yesterday with the tail light and indicators changed out for neater and smaller tail light and mini indicators.


Much cleaner look to the rear end now with the much smaller tail light

and with the mini indicators under the tail light the visual is much improved to my eyes.


the front indicators are tucked in under the lever housings and are hardly visible but work well when operating, and yes I know she is dirty but you cant ride anywhere without the bugs and road grime and there will be a cleaning session tomorrow or friday when I do the oil changes. 

[HDNZ]

Looking good Gruff. Is that a reflector under the taillight? Or some sort of LED light?

[VonGruff]

Looking good Gruff. Is that a reflector under the taillight? Or some sort of LED light?

A reflector. Needed for a warrant.

[VonGruff]

Have just ordered a set of  3 Degree Raked Neck Cups Stem Bearings Cup Set Kit Harley Dyna FXD 91-05 and a set of 3 inch over fork extensions. Should be here sometime in august.
Had been researching a bit on the subject of getting a bit of rake added and initially was looking at the tripple trees but in the research found a lot of threads on the raked neck cups with some good conversations on how the raked neck cups dont alter the handling as the raked tt's can do. 
Some good reading here on the subject here       https://www.google.com/search?q=how+goo ... e&ie=UTF-8

 

[VonGruff]

Hope to get this new 04-05 Lowrider  Saddleman King seat  on sunday. The guy bought it for his 03 Fatboy but the dyna seats are specific up to 03 then 04-05 and then 06-17. The 04-05 is just what I need for my bike so it will be another part that will add  rider comfort to upgraded looks for me. I would like to get a spoked front wheel and relpace the standard pattern spokes with heavy guage spokes to add that little extra look to my ride. I am still a bit old school where I refer spokes over mag wheel but like the heavy spokes in standard spoke pattern.




 

[bronx]

Nice looking seat, looks comfy too.

Also love the fat spoked Harley wheels. Are you meaning this kind of style?

fat spoke harley wheels - Google Search 2023-08-06 at 3.35.07 PM.jpg

[VonGruff]

Nice looking seat, looks comfy too.

Also love the fat spoked Harley wheels. Are you meaning this kind of style?

fat spoke harley wheels - Google Search 2023-08-06 at 3.35.07 PM.jpg

Well today was a bust. Put the bike in the trailer and drove up to Alexandra to meet the guy half way and while the seat fit, unfortunately there was no difference in height. I had read on the US HD forums that the lowrider seat took an inch and a half from seat height but this one was exactly the same as my OEM unit. I wonder if Saddleman add in layers to aid in comfort but in reality my standard seat is more comfortable so will stay with it now. I have lowered the shocks to their lowest position and that has taken a 1/2 inch from seat height so may have to be content with that unless I can get a set of shocks that take another 1/2 inch as that was where the lowering blocks had taken the height to but the main wiring loom was near the center of the guard and I was starting to wear on the outer cable cover so have shifted that to the outer corner and that should give me the extra 1/2 inch lower but still with cable and guard clearance. 

Yes that is the fat spokes I mean but more like the standard 40 spoke patten. I am meaning a standard early dyna spoked front wheel and change out the spokes for the fat stainless ones so it gives it a look of substance without the crowded look.  https://www.wheelandspoke.co.nz/
still have a couple of things to chase up to get the bike looking as I picture it in my sleepless nights.

[bronx]

Nice looking seat, looks comfy too.

Also love the fat spoked Harley wheels. Are you meaning this kind of style?

fat spoke harley wheels - Google Search 2023-08-06 at 3.35.07 PM.jpg

Well today was a bust. Put the bike in the trailer and drove up to Alexandra to meet the guy half way and while the seat fit, unfortunately there was no difference in height. I had read on the US HD forums that the lowrider seat took an inch and a half from seat height but this one was exactly the same as my OEM unit. I wonder if Saddleman add in layers to aid in comfort but in reality my standard seat is more comfortable so will stay with it now. I have lowered the shocks to their lowest position and that has taken a 1/2 inch from seat height so may have to be content with that unless I can get a set of shocks that take another 1/2 inch as that was where the lowering blocks had taken the height to but the main wiring loom was near the center of the guard and I was starting to wear on the outer cable cover so have shifted that to the outer corner and that should give me the extra 1/2 inch lower but still with cable and guard clearance. 

Yes that is the fat spokes I mean but more like the standard 40 spoke patten. I am meaning a standard early dyna spoked front wheel and change out the spokes for the fat stainless ones so it gives it a look of substance without the crowded look.  https://www.wheelandspoke.co.nz/
still have a couple of things to chase up to get the bike looking as I picture it in my sleepless nights.

Oh damn that's a pitty about the seat!

[VonGruff]

Nice looking seat, looks comfy too.

Also love the fat spoked Harley wheels. Are you meaning this kind of style?

fat spoke harley wheels - Google Search 2023-08-06 at 3.35.07 PM.jpg

I sent an email to Bruce at the wheel and spoke company
Giday Bruce.
I have an 05 Dyna (FXD)and what I am looking for is a heavy spoke wheel with the same disc brake set up as my present mag wheel and was looking to you for advise, availability and cost of a wheel like this 

I received this reply 

We don’t make or have those atm, but I am currently in talks with a wheel company as regards stocking wheels you are looking for but not sure when that will be finalised. 

Will chase them up again and get back to you.



I will update this when Bruce gets back to me.

[bronx]

Nice work @VonGruff. I managed to sell my Dyna and am currently negotiating picking up a Street Glide CVO - so hopefully I'll nab that next week. Has a full stage 3 and converted to 117ci, comes on fat spoked wheels too 👌

[VonGruff]

Nice work @VonGruff. I managed to sell my Dyna and am currently negotiating picking up a Street Glide CVO - so hopefully I'll nab that next week. Has a full stage 3 and converted to 117ci, comes on fat spoked wheels too 👌

That sounds like a nice upgrade from the FXD so looking for pics when you get it away from present owner. First few rides you are going to notice the extra grunt. You will have to change your signiture spec 😁

[bronx]

Nice work @VonGruff. I managed to sell my Dyna and am currently negotiating picking up a Street Glide CVO - so hopefully I'll nab that next week. Has a full stage 3 and converted to 117ci, comes on fat spoked wheels too 👌

That sounds like a nice upgrade from the FXD so looking for pics when you get it away from present owner. First few rides you are going to notice the extra grunt. You will have to change your signiture spec 😁

Yea it sounds like it's a bit of a beast that's for sure haha. Always wanted a big proper bagger after the Dyna so hopefully this one works out. 
It has a $10k+ custom paint job from Charlies but I'm not a fan of it at all, so I'm thinking I'll go a slightly darker nardo grey with gloss black accent pieces.
And good point, I should change my profile to "Currently bikeless" 😂

[VonGruff]

Yes the power increase is something I have floated for mine but I have enough trouble keeping to legal speeds as it is and there is no way known that having something like that under me that I would be able to "not use it" in the way it would encourage me to do so. Hope you have plenty of points on your licence 😁.
On another note the new steering head raked set arrived this morning so I have it all booked for thursday to get the changes made.and friday looks to be good riding weather with clear skys and 8 degrees so may get out for a short run to try it out.

[bronx]

Yes the power increase is something I have floated for mine but I have enough trouble keeping to legal speeds as it is and there is no way known that having something like that under me that I would be able to "not use it" in the way it would encourage me to do so. Hope you have plenty of points on your licence 😁.
On another note the new steering head raked set arrived this morning so I have it all booked for thursday to get the changes made.and friday looks to be good riding weather with clear skys and 8 degrees so may get out for a short run to try it out.

Haha I actually just got my licence back so she's fresh and full of points 😂

Nice keen to see some before and after pics of the rake once the kit is installed!

[VonGruff]

So home again with the raked trees and 3 inch over in place and the the new painted tins all looking very nice.

Raked steering head cups and bearing in place and you can see that they sit proud of the neck which necessitates the longer bolt.

3 inch overs has lengthened the wheelbase by an inch and a half with a 1/2 in of the 3 inch over slugs above the top tree which makes the frame under a 1/2 inch higher at the front over what it was as standard. I am loving the new look and the paint really adds to the visual for me. Will get a video walk around to note the upgrades when the weather is better.

[bronx]

Nice work! Looking great @VonGruff.
Keen to see that video walkaround when the weather plays ball.

[Tooly]

Looking good!!! 
Gives it a completely different look with that colour. I like it.

[harleyquin]

Big fan of the blue 💙

[VonGruff]

Big fan of the blue 💙

It is the Harley colour "Blue Streak" so got a decal made with that as a name to go on the battery cover. 😀

[VonGruff]

First decent ride yesterday after the upgrades and paint. Had a couple of short test rides early in the week with the first one causing a bit of cheek clenching as the new raked steering head set-up had a bit of a catch area and was a bit tight although it had felt right when originally put together. Was getting a bit of weave needing constant correction as it seemed a bit difficult to get it to center so back home it was up on the jack and adjusted with a lot of testing by working it side to side and it was nice and smooth with another test ride showing it greatly improved but not perfect as in low speed straight line riding. I am starting to wonder if the new bearing cups are not perfectly aligned. Rode the 186 km to town and back and it was nearly good on the highway but still inclined to want to wander from line at low speed. Will have to go back to the shop and see if they have a way of checking the alignment as if it is out even a little it would give the effect of counter steering while still trying to go straight ahead.

[bronx]

Not ideal! But glad you got the weather to get some test riding in. 

Keep us posted with how the shop gets on with getting the alignment sorted. Sounds a little hairy with what you've described 😀

[VonGruff]

Not ideal! But glad you got the weather to get some test riding in. 

Keep us posted with how the shop gets on with getting the alignment sorted. Sounds a little hairy with what you've described 😀

If 10-11 degrees is "got the weather" then yep that is what we have been having when it wasn't wind and rain. Looks like we may get to 16 on wed and that is starting to look a bit better in a "got the weather" type of thing. 😁
The first ride was really hairy but the wife on the back yesterday didn't notice it so it is almost not effecting anything except at very low speeds so will get it back to the shop and test with exact measureing rather than the eye that was used to set it when it was being assembled.