Cool weather riding wind deflectors

[shobby dobby]

I have a 02 Rd King and was wondering  really   if the lower wind deflector on the triple tree really helps  the original black one that use to come on the bikes  Also what about the chrome one's you mount on the lower legs on each side    I bought a set of these used suppose to fit but they hit my engine guard on each side  I think they are not for rd king  and has anyone used the leather lowers that mount on the engine guard   Just Wondering   thanks  for all info


                                                                 Shobby Dobby

[mokeypoole]

I tried the triple tree defetor and I don't think it helped at all.

I bought a set of used ultra lowers from ebay and I put them on my road king every winter.  I touched up the scratches and painted them black to match my bike so I have about $100 in them.  I actually have another crashbar so I change out the crash bars without deflectors with the one with deflectors when the weather gets cold.  These things make a huge difference, I no longer have to break out the chaps until it gets about 40 degrees where before I was getting them out at about 55 degrees

[milemaker]

I have the chrome wind deflectors on my 02 Road King. They do deflect the wind but you still get a good stream of wind coming from under the gas tank. If you put your hand down on either side of the tank you can feel the wind coming up on the side rear of the tank.
I also have the Corinthian Leather (Vinyl) lowers that snap on the crashbar (oops, sorry) Engine Guard. These lowers work pretty well and keep alot of rain and wind off your lower legs and feet. They are not as good as the hard lowers but also a fraction of the cost.
I am glad I have them both but the thing that helps the most with the wind and rain is the aftermarket fairing and shield that is quick disconnect. It does a great job in the early spring and fall riding season.
All of those things make for comfortable riding in the cooler weather.
Good Luck,
Sam
milemaker@aol.com

[bagga]

i think the deflector under the lower tree helps but the chrome ones on the fork legs IMO don't do much. i had the chrome ones, i replaced them with a set of lowers i got at a swap meet. one was black the other was blue. a can of krylon gloss black fixed the "blue" problem.

[02roadcling]

I have 02 RK. I sold the fork wings.
I have the defector under the tree, vynil snapon lowers, and an Aerovest.

cling

[harleyjt]

Not sure about a RK, but on my Ultra, the chrome wind deflectors on the sides of the forks do a great job of keeping the cold air out of my face.  But, I'm using them with the lowers on the Ultra.  As for the baffle on the triple tree, it helps with the updraft coming up and buffetting your chest.  Years ago when I smoked, I noticed the difference because without the baffle, my cigarettes would get blown up out of my shirt pocket.  With the baffle in place, that usually wouldn't happen. 
jt

[shobby dobby]

Thanks for all the replys


                                                           Shobby Dobby

[Dennis The Menace]

Shobby, I agree that the triple tree deflector doesnt do much on a RGlide, mine anyway.  I use the plastic engine guard covers that HD sells for 40.00, they work pretty well to keep cold off my feet and lower legs.  Look funky and they do slow you down a bit, but who cares when its below freezing?

menace

[Eleft36]

Not sure about a RK, but on my Ultra, the chrome wind deflectors on the sides of the forks do a great job of keeping the cold air out of my face.  But, I'm using them with the lowers on the Ultra.  As for the baffle on the triple tree, it helps with the updraft coming up and buffetting your chest.  Years ago when I smoked, I noticed the difference because without the baffle, my cigarettes would get blown up out of my shirt pocket.  With the baffle in place, that usually wouldn't happen. 
jt

Correct on the fork baffle, it keeps my glasses from getting sucked off and helmet from dancing all over my head. Works great, even on my bike.

Al

[neale]

I have the centre wind deflector on my 08 FLHT, the difference was/is HUGE at speeds over 80 kmh- 50mph. I fitted the fork leg ones and again, HUGE difference. Maybe the reason it doesn't work for some bikes is that it's meant to work with the batwing fairing.   

[bericuda]

yeah i love my triple tree baffle on my batwing....keeps my beard from covering my eyes!

[Princess Butt]

I'm running a '97 Road King commuting most of the year, so I've a lot of experience with this.

The baffle which attaches to the back of the triple tree keeps wind from coming up the front of the tank, also keeps rain from blowing up into your face. I highly recommend them.

The "wings", or the fork wind deflectors which mount to the sides of the forks don't really do much, but I run them in the winter anyway. Makes a bigger difference in the summer when I remove them.

As far as lowers, I have the HD ballistic nylon ones. I swear they're the best investment I've made. Just a few seconds to remove them and put them on, do a great job of keeping legs warm.

[Eleft36]

I have the centre wind deflector on my 08 FLHT, the difference was/is HUGE at speeds over 80 kmh- 50mph. I fitted the fork leg ones and again, HUGE difference. Maybe the reason it doesn't work for some bikes is that it's meant to work with the batwing fairing.

No fairing, it works great.
Al

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[Snuff™]

...The "wings", or the fork wind deflectors which mount to the sides of the forks don't really do much, but I run them in the winter anyway. Makes a bigger difference in the summer when I remove them...

Sorry BnEUltra, I got to disagree big time!  My Ultra would funnel the air over the lowers, up under my sunglasses, drying my eyes out.  After installing wind deflectors down the sides of the forks, very little air is directed up to my face.  So how can they don't really do much?  JMHO

-Snuffâ,,¢

[harleyjt]

...The "wings", or the fork wind deflectors which mount to the sides of the forks don't really do much, but I run them in the winter anyway. Makes a bigger difference in the summer when I remove them...

Sorry BnEUltra, I got to disagree big time!  My Ultra would funnel the air over the lowers, up under my sunglasses, drying my eyes out.  After installing wind deflectors down the sides of the forks, very little air is directed up to my face.  So how can they don't really do much?  JMHO

-Snuffâ,,¢

 
Big, big difference on an Ultra.   But, it may not be as great a change on a bike without lowers or on a non-fairing bike such as a Road King.
jt

[Princess Butt]

I'm not running the hard lowers like on the Ultra. The soft lowers are shaped flat, so they're like having planks of plywood fastened to the crash bar.

I've never tried the deflectors on the Ultra. Do you have any clearance problems using them with hard lowers?

[Snuff™]

Do you have any clearance problems using them with hard lowers?

HD parts catalog says they don't fit, but someone (Harleyjt) here told my how to install them on my Ultra.  Loosen the lower fairings and pull them outward and tighten them down.  Then when installing the chrome fork wind deflectors, pull them forward and tighten them up.  With the forks fully turned, the deflectors will hit the lowers, but its the back side that hits.  I also took a strip (1/4" x 1") of Velcro (soft half) and stuck it on the back side of the deflector just to be sure it wouldn't scuff the paint.  ...and yes everyone, I know my bike needs to be cleaned!

-Snuffâ,,¢

[Dennis The Menace]

Snuff, I dont know....if you ride lock to lock down the highway, could be a potential problem. lol  Like on our Colorado twisties? lol

Looks like a good fit to me.

Dennsi

[harleyjt]

Snuff is right.  They are tight but will work without damage to the lowers if installed very carefully.  The velcro idea is good - I need to do that with mine.   I pulled the lowers outboard as far as possible, and installed the deflectors as far forward as possible.  To further increase clearance, I put the deflectors in a vise and tweaked them open (bent forward) just a bit.  With all that accomplished, I have a good .020" clearance.  LOL!!  Its close, but it doesn't hit!  And the best part is the fact I no longer get the cold blast of air in my face.  Then in the spring, when I pull the lowers off, I also pull the  fork deflectors.  But I leave the lower triple tree baffle on year round. 

One other thing I do before mounting the deflectors is to put a layer of electric tape on the mounting surface of the deflectors.  This keeps from having a metal to metal contact area on  the passing lamp bracket on the side of the forks.  That way, the bracket doesn't get scratched or scarred up.  I do the same thing anytime I mount something to a chrome piece - just gives a bit of a cushion to protect the surface - such as when I mount my highway pegs to the engine guard and so forth.
jt

[RK101]

I have the soft lowers on my RK. They do and OK job with keeping my lower legs and feet warmer.,but do grab allot of wind that can make riding interesting at times when the cross winds are strong. They also get very heavy if they get covered in wet snow. They will get covered before the road surface does. I also use the clam shell between the forks year around. One other thing I do in cold weather is cut a piece of foam pipe insulation and tuck it between the head light Nacelle and under and down the sides of the windshield. That seems to help quite a bit. It will stay there by itself. I do not care for the fork wind deflectors at all at speeds over 35 MPH. JMHO.

[serider]

Anybody got a part # for the chrome clam shell under the triple tree? TIA

[-JC-1]

58520-79tc

[serider]

Thanks JC. I'll have to try one of those.

[Eleft36]

...The "wings", or the fork wind deflectors which mount to the sides of the forks don't really do much, but I run them in the winter anyway. Makes a bigger difference in the summer when I remove them...

Sorry BnEUltra, I got to disagree big time!  My Ultra would funnel the air over the lowers, up under my sunglasses, drying my eyes out.  After installing wind deflectors down the sides of the forks, very little air is directed up to my face.  So how can they don't really do much?  JMHO

-Snuffâ,,¢

I also disagree with BnEUltra. As shown in my previous photo I have deflector lowers and they deflect the wind from following the top of my legs up to my chest and face.

AL




[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[shobby dobby]

Well guy's  went to Harley stealer today to get black triple tree wind baffle or deflector  what ever you want to call it  didn't have one  but the original black 1 is 41.95 or get the chrome 1 for 22.95  unbelievable  so I order the chrome 1  will paint it black    thanks for all the info

                                                          Shobby Dobby