How do I get the best handling and ride from a 2005 FXDL

[turboprop]

Having good bushings in the swing arm, correct motor mounts, tight stabilizer links and proper alignment is a given.

The fork emulators are a good low dollar upgrade, but the fork is still an antique design, heavy, and has adequete brakes at best. For a little bit more money, some work and some smart shopping, you can easily adapt a modern inverted fork to your bike.

Here is a pic of my FXR with an inverted Showa fork from a a tube frame Buell. I have some money in this with custom rotors, caliper adapters, Brembo calipers and a hub, but I didn't need to do all this. If one kept to all oem stuff from whatever donor bike you use, it could be done really inexpensively. In my case the only thing I really needed to have made were the trees. The oem trees from the Buell and most sport bikes would have excessively shortened the trail. The are several companies that will make custom trees for maybe $500. A set of proper trees and a fork from a newer crotch rocket and you will have better front suspension (and brakes) than most any other Harley you will ever encounter on the road.

For the rear suspension, you could have a set made for the rear axle weight of your bike with you on it. Having shocks made does not cost much more than buying good off-the-rack shocks, you just have to wait a little while longer for them.

Max and others are very right about lower profile tires. I think all things being equal, 18" tires will handle better than 17" tires, but there are more tire choices in 17" as thats what most crotch rockets run. I also am a big fan of radial tires. Metz makes some good radials in in sizes appropriate for an un modified Harley frame with 18" wheels.

Finally, there is a good rake and trail calculator on the RB racing website. If you have a digital protractor, a plum bob, and a measuring tape you could take some measurements of your bike and plug them into the calculator and them play around with different shock and fork lengths.  Do some poking around on the crotch rocket websites for insight as to where rake and trail should be for quick steering.

Ed

[HogBag]

Ikon fork springs and shocks with a gearbox stabilizer brace. Maybe a fork brace to help with the high speed WA open speed limits. I found when my dyna's tyres got to 40% tread the rear started to wonder around on high speed sweepers.

[OZNOG]

In 2007 they went to a lower profile wider rear tire and the new frame that has one degree more rake. Chassis got the 43 mm forks.

Max


In 2006 didn't the FXD go to 49mm forks and 29* rake?

[Admiral Akbar]

I'm off a year and a few mm ..    Max

[sharkoilfield]

On a budget? Assuming mounts are good and chassis is all straight, you have the same fork tubes as a standard FXD, so no changing up there but how much do you weigh??? There are plenty of optional springs and a few different internal valves for your forks, as well as a few hundred fork braces. In back, I think you want about a 13" shock with rebound dampening; Progressive 418's are too stiff unless you're about 250 lbs...I've got radials on my FXDXT in addition to a few other items and the weave in a bumpy corner is all but gone; I don't think it could be gotten rid of completely when the whole rear wheel/swingarm/transmission/engine assembly floats around inside the frame on rubber biscuts...my Sputhe stuff helps but it's not gonna be a FXR in the handling department.

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[speedzter]

...I've got radials on my FXDXT in addition to a few other items and the weave in a bumpy corner is all but gone;

What size and brand of radials are you using ?

[dynaglide44]

re speedzter,
I tried ikon489 springs first, but they were much too hard, topping out everywhere. Then put on the triple rate 235mm  26/34/43 kg/cm then adjusted the damping to suit. Just about perfect on the centre preload solo, and the max preload two up. I can still get a weave at 90-odd on a sweeper, but the suspension it aint! Pity nobody does the mounts in a harder compound or with tighter lateral location....

[Admiral Akbar]

Clearly you have all confused me for a wealthy man! Perhaps I should have added best improvements for smallest financial outlay!

Not sure what rear shocks to use.. but find some 12.5 - 13 inchers... I'd probably go with Works as you can occasionally find them cheaper from Works..  Race tech emulators and springs.. Stay away from progressive springs..   Set the spring for the riders weight and  about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch sag.. You'll have the work the bike in the corners because of the rake but you'll have the ground clearance..

Here are the emulator kits.. Find a discount web guy that will get you one of these based on your weight..

Racetech kit with springs..
FLEKS3590 W/ .90 kg/mm spring 259.95
0416-0045 W/ .95 kg/mm spring 259.95

Works
FOR 94-05 FXD-CONV.
1310-0577 13” L (stock length) dual-rate 519.95

You'll need fork oil and seals.. Depending on mileage you may want bushings..

The only thing I'm not certain of is that you may want to try shorter rear shocks as the increased rake of the frame will make the front end lower..

re speedzter,
Then put on the triple rate 235mm  26/34/43 kg/cm then adjusted the damping to suit.

Are you sure those aren't pounds / inch?   They should be in the 8 to 9 kg/cm.. What you list are pretty stiff.. 

Max

[sharkoilfield]

...I've got radials on my FXDXT in addition to a few other items and the weave in a bumpy corner is all but gone;

What size and brand of radials are you using ?

The front is a 110/80 19inch and the rear a 160/60 18 Metzler Roadtec's...I was using Bridgestones but they no longer make a matching pair and the fronts cupped real quick if you didn't watch the pressure closely...

[sharkoilfield]

Turbobprop...that FXR is F'n wicked! Friend here has an aftermarket framed TC FXR I've gotta go have a close look at; I origionally wanted an FXR but ended up with an FXDXT...

[turboprop]

Turbobprop...that FXR is F'n wicked! Friend here has an aftermarket framed TC FXR I've gotta go have a close look at; I origionally wanted an FXR but ended up with an FXDXT...

Thanks for the kind words, what's funny is I wanted an FXDXT real bad and couldn't find one in good shape, ended up buying a used bagger last summer.