HarleyTechTalk

Social and Events => Members On The Track => Topic started by: SOCS on July 01, 2016, 06:10:59 PM

Title: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 01, 2016, 06:10:59 PM
Bike is a 2013 Slim, 103" now making 116 squared and it will roast the tire. Planning a 124" this winter and wondered what upgrades would help traction. Currently run a Dunlop 200/55VR-17 D401, progressive monotubes in front and 422 shocks in rear. A stickier tire is obvious, thinking about the shinko hook up. Any suspension upgrades worth trying? This will be a bar hopper, cruise the strip and drag bike only.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Tynker on July 01, 2016, 06:22:00 PM
I run a Perilli P7 205/55/17  Car tire, and love it. Great traction, wet or dry,and 30K miles, for half the price of a bike tire. Looks bad ass too.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 01, 2016, 07:26:13 PM
Quote from: Tynker on July 01, 2016, 06:22:00 PM
I run a Perilli P7 205/55/17  Car tire, and love it. Great traction, wet or dry,and 30K miles, for half the price of a bike tire. Looks bad ass too.
Just going by what I read on the DOT tire thread I am actually thinking about going back to the stock rear fender, struts and wheel so I can run a 140mm for the weight reduction. If Stroker can hook his up with a 140 I should not have a problem. Thinking the car tire would be heavier than a bike tire and more rotating mass is not a good thing for ET
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Tynker on July 01, 2016, 07:35:51 PM
"Thinking the car tire would be heavier than a bike tire and more rotating mass is not a good thing for ET"

Your bike won't know the difference, but the gained traction will make a big difference.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Jonny Cash on July 01, 2016, 08:14:02 PM
I run the Shinko Stealth D, 150/80-16, it hooks really well.  You might also look at strapping the front end, it takes a few adjustments but can really help get off the line.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Jonny Cash on July 02, 2016, 12:59:20 PM
You can actually get the Shinko Stealth drag tire in the 190/50-17 about $50 cheaper than the 150/80-16.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: 2006FXDCI on July 02, 2016, 01:12:53 PM
I run a 170/60/17 shinko stealth on my dyna . Great tire
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 01:14:18 PM
Quote from: Jonny Cash on July 02, 2016, 12:59:20 PM
You can actually get the Shinko Stealth drag tire in the 190/50-17 about $50 cheaper than the 150/80-16.
This is good to know
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 01:15:16 PM
Quote from: Jonny Cash on July 01, 2016, 08:14:02 PM
I run the Shinko Stealth D, 150/80-16, it hooks really well.  You might also look at strapping the front end, it takes a few adjustments but can really help get off the line.
Strapping to limit fork travel?
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Jonny Cash on July 02, 2016, 01:56:00 PM
Quote from: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 01:15:16 PM
Quote from: Jonny Cash on July 01, 2016, 08:14:02 PM
I run the Shinko Stealth D, 150/80-16, it hooks really well.  You might also look at strapping the front end, it takes a few adjustments but can really help get off the line.
Strapping to limit fork travel?

:up:   Have to find the sweet spot, and that can vary depending on the track, but I have found a sweet spot on mine and it has made a big difference.  I have the monotubes also.  Getting the bike down also helps lower the center of gravity.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 03:32:09 PM
Shinko Hook Up-190/17
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag)


No bar-
Daily driven FXR street bike-


60' is the only thing that matters when talkin" hooking up. forget going smaller tire to save weight. that bike has plenty of fat on it to trim...I don't care how much HP you got-
gotta get a soft sticky tire, find the air pressure and burn out that works, and clutch, chassis, rider, horsepower, suspension all come into play. Stiffen the hell out of those softail rear shocks, and put in alot of seat time.
60' ft dont matter where you start, no matter how crappy you launch, its the work you put in. 1.8', 1.7, 1.6, keep hammerin' it and you will find consistency out of the hole-no free lunch on the internet. gotta put in the work-

(http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/paulmorris8/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg) (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/paulmorris8/media/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 04:08:18 PM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 03:32:09 PM
Shinko Hook Up-190/17
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag)


No bar-
Daily driven FXR street bike-


60' is the only thing that matters when talkin" hooking up. forget going smaller tire to save weight. that bike has plenty of fat on it to trim...I don't care how much HP you got-
gotta get a soft sticky tire, find the air pressure and burn out that works, and clutch, chassis, rider, horsepower, suspension all come into play. Stiffen the hell out of those softail rear shocks, and put in alot of seat time.
60' ft dont matter where you start, no matter how crappy you launch, its the work you put in. 1.8', 1.7, 1.6, keep hammerin' it and you will find consistency out of the hole-no free lunch on the internet. gotta put in the work-

(http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/paulmorris8/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg) (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/paulmorris8/media/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg.html)

I have the rear shock preload as stiff as it will go, grew up on a hardtail and the first thing I noticed about the Softail was that the rear suspension felt like a sponge...very mushy.
I am going to start hitting T&T at Union Hill and Beech Bend to tweak the bike and get used to a tree again.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 06:55:27 PM
Quote from: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 04:08:18 PM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 03:32:09 PM
Shinko Hook Up-190/17
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag)


No bar-
Daily driven FXR street bike-


60' is the only thing that matters when talkin" hooking up. forget going smaller tire to save weight. that bike has plenty of fat on it to trim...I don't care how much HP you got-
gotta get a soft sticky tire, find the air pressure and burn out that works, and clutch, chassis, rider, horsepower, suspension all come into play. Stiffen the hell out of those softail rear shocks, and put in alot of seat time.
60' ft dont matter where you start, no matter how crappy you launch, its the work you put in. 1.8', 1.7, 1.6, keep hammerin' it and you will find consistency out of the hole-no free lunch on the internet. gotta put in the work-

(http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/paulmorris8/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg) (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/paulmorris8/media/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg.html)

I have the rear shock preload as stiff as it will go
, grew up on a hardtail and the first thing I noticed about the Softail was that the rear suspension felt like a sponge...very mushy.
I am going to start hitting T&T at Union Hill and Beech Bend to tweak the bike and get used to a tree again.

Call Works Performance and get some better rear shocks-
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html (http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html)
Glad you are willing to put in the work to get where you want to go....
Most love to talk HP, bar talk, laminated sheets, and fantasy predictions without putting in the work. You makin' 116 square? Wow- Street Harleys are making 170 plus and sport bikes are over 200-this ain't 2000, where 116 was a big deal-
You have to find out how bad you want it. The Internet is false hope...read the posts of guys who never have even sacrificed to get to the track, make a hundred excuses, yet brag about  "dyno" numbers.
Post up your recent times slip with 60' -good or bad-and it will remind you where you need to be. Respect.
Put in the work and you will get where you need and want to be.
There is nothing more satisfying than that.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on July 03, 2016, 09:39:56 AM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 06:55:27 PM
Quote from: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 04:08:18 PM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 03:32:09 PM
Shinko Hook Up-190/17
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag)


No bar-
Daily driven FXR street bike-


60' is the only thing that matters when talkin" hooking up. forget going smaller tire to save weight. that bike has plenty of fat on it to trim...I don't care how much HP you got-
gotta get a soft sticky tire, find the air pressure and burn out that works, and clutch, chassis, rider, horsepower, suspension all come into play. Stiffen the hell out of those softail rear shocks, and put in alot of seat time.
60' ft dont matter where you start, no matter how crappy you launch, its the work you put in. 1.8', 1.7, 1.6, keep hammerin' it and you will find consistency out of the hole-no free lunch on the internet. gotta put in the work-

(http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/paulmorris8/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg) (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/paulmorris8/media/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg.html)

I have the rear shock preload as stiff as it will go
, grew up on a hardtail and the first thing I noticed about the Softail was that the rear suspension felt like a sponge...very mushy.
I am going to start hitting T&T at Union Hill and Beech Bend to tweak the bike and get used to a tree again.

Call Works Performance and get some better rear shocks-
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html (http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html)
Glad you are willing to put in the work to get where you want to go....
Most love to talk HP, bar talk, laminated sheets, and fantasy predictions without putting in the work. You makin' 116 square? Wow- Street Harleys are making 170 plus and sport bikes are over 200-this ain't 2000, where 116 was a big deal-
You have to find out how bad you want it. The Internet is false hope...read the posts of guys who never have even sacrificed to get to the track, make a hundred excuses, yet brag about  "dyno" numbers.
Post up your recent times slip with 60' -good or bad-and it will remind you where you need to be. Respect.
Put in the work and you will get where you need and want to be.
There is nothing more satisfying than that.
I wasn't saying the bike has 116/116 to brag. I said it has that power , won't hook and I intend to build further so I know it needs work. I don't mind putting the time in, just wondered if it was as simple as a good tire.
Most of my racing is and always has been on the street , conditions aren't as optimal as the track and you don't have a time slip to break down your times. Kinda why I intend to hit a few T&T nights.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: pwmorris on July 03, 2016, 08:24:39 PM
Quote from: SOCS on July 03, 2016, 09:39:56 AM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 06:55:27 PM
Quote from: SOCS on July 02, 2016, 04:08:18 PM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 02, 2016, 03:32:09 PM
Shinko Hook Up-190/17
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/hook-drag)


No bar-
Daily driven FXR street bike-


60' is the only thing that matters when talkin" hooking up. forget going smaller tire to save weight. that bike has plenty of fat on it to trim...I don't care how much HP you got-
gotta get a soft sticky tire, find the air pressure and burn out that works, and clutch, chassis, rider, horsepower, suspension all come into play. Stiffen the hell out of those softail rear shocks, and put in alot of seat time.
60' ft dont matter where you start, no matter how crappy you launch, its the work you put in. 1.8', 1.7, 1.6, keep hammerin' it and you will find consistency out of the hole-no free lunch on the internet. gotta put in the work-

(http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/paulmorris8/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg) (http://s1340.photobucket.com/user/paulmorris8/media/FXR%209%20Second%20Pass_zps7ejhnnwd.jpg.html)

I have the rear shock preload as stiff as it will go
, grew up on a hardtail and the first thing I noticed about the Softail was that the rear suspension felt like a sponge...very mushy.
I am going to start hitting T&T at Union Hill and Beech Bend to tweak the bike and get used to a tree again.

Call Works Performance and get some better rear shocks-
http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html (http://www.worksperformance.com/html/softail.html)
Glad you are willing to put in the work to get where you want to go....
Most love to talk HP, bar talk, laminated sheets, and fantasy predictions without putting in the work. You makin' 116 square? Wow- Street Harleys are making 170 plus and sport bikes are over 200-this ain't 2000, where 116 was a big deal-
You have to find out how bad you want it. The Internet is false hope...read the posts of guys who never have even sacrificed to get to the track, make a hundred excuses, yet brag about  "dyno" numbers.
Post up your recent times slip with 60' -good or bad-and it will remind you where you need to be. Respect.
Put in the work and you will get where you need and want to be.
There is nothing more satisfying than that.
I wasn't saying the bike has 116/116 to brag. I said it has that power , won't hook and I intend to build further so I know it needs work. I don't mind putting the time in, just wondered if it was as simple as a good tire.
Most of my racing is and always has been on the street , conditions aren't as optimal as the track and you don't have a time slip to break down your times. Kinda why I intend to hit a few T&T nights.
I know-didn't think you were bragging...
Just saying don't focus on the HP-doesn't really mean much for what you are trying to accomplish. You can spin the tire with 100, 120, 150 or more.
Focus on everything else at this point. Tire, clutch, suspension, chassis, weight, launch rpm, and most of all-Seat time. Become a regular at T&T. Make changes one thing at a time and test again.
Fail, fail, fail, spin, and spin again till you start to hook and keep going till you start leaving with confidence and consistency.
You will find the set up your bike likes and launch that beast like a pro.
Best of luck.
:up:
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: pwmorris on July 06, 2016, 03:57:45 PM
Have you and this bike bike ever been to the track?

If so, post up a time slip and let's see where you are as a starting point...everyone, and I mean everyone starts somewhere...
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: strokerjlk on July 14, 2016, 07:19:00 AM
Quote from: SOCS on July 01, 2016, 07:26:13 PM
Quote from: Tynker on July 01, 2016, 06:22:00 PM
I run a Perilli P7 205/55/17  Car tire, and love it. Great traction, wet or dry,and 30K miles, for half the price of a bike tire. Looks bad ass too.
Just going by what I read on the DOT tire thread I am actually thinking about going back to the stock rear fender, struts and wheel so I can run a 140mm for the weight reduction. If Stroker can hook his up with a 140 I should not have a problem. Thinking the car tire would be heavier than a bike tire and more rotating mass is not a good thing for ET
the lighter tire will make more hp as well. i run the stealth 150/16 on the blower bike . i run the 140 mm shinko 777 on the 96 ci , 13.0 sec bagger.
you will have all the tire you will ever need with a hook up or stealth. play with pressure at the track. trying to dial a tire in on the street or a unprepped track is a waste of time.

Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: 1FSTRK on July 15, 2016, 09:08:45 PM
Quote from: strokerjlk on July 14, 2016, 07:19:00 AM
Quote from: SOCS on July 01, 2016, 07:26:13 PM
Quote from: Tynker on July 01, 2016, 06:22:00 PM
I run a Perilli P7 205/55/17  Car tire, and love it. Great traction, wet or dry,and 30K miles, for half the price of a bike tire. Looks bad ass too.
Just going by what I read on the DOT tire thread I am actually thinking about going back to the stock rear fender, struts and wheel so I can run a 140mm for the weight reduction. If Stroker can hook his up with a 140 I should not have a problem. Thinking the car tire would be heavier than a bike tire and more rotating mass is not a good thing for ET
the lighter tire will make more hp as well. i run the stealth 150/16 on the blower bike . i run the 140 mm shinko 777 on the 96 ci , 13.0 sec bagger.
you will have all the tire you will ever need with a hook up or stealth. play with pressure at the track. trying to dial a tire in on the street or a unprepped track is a waste of time.

:up: :up:
Constructive advice from an active racer.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Racepres on July 16, 2016, 05:58:40 AM
Quote from: pwmorris on July 06, 2016, 03:57:45 PM
Have you and this bike bike ever been to the track?

If so, post up a time slip and let's see where you are as a starting point...everyone, and I mean everyone starts somewhere...

I agree
Also...I rarely see Traction Problems with any street tire...See lots of Poor technique,and even more Bonzai Crazy stuff...
Not gonna be competitive like that!!!
Believe it or not, those guys standing at the Head of the Track [all day long] pretty much Know what the track is doing, and have a Clue where ya might have the best luck with your set-up....ASK
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: tommy g on July 18, 2016, 01:05:13 PM
My Heritage has about the same power, though I don't race (legally) I can attest to the Works shocks stiffening up the suspension as you would need.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Racepres on July 18, 2016, 07:27:44 PM
Quote from: tommy g on July 18, 2016, 01:05:13 PM
My Heritage has about the same power, though I don't race (legally) I can attest to the Works shocks stiffening up the suspension as you would need.

Be Carefull, If Stiffer shocks were an advantage, then Struts would be even better...Right??
Squatting at the start is a good thing, long as the shocks don't rebound so hard that they unload what you have established....
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: slodsm on August 17, 2016, 12:37:50 AM
Shinko stealth will give you all the traction you need. I've been 1.33 on a gsxr 1000 with a stealth and a good left hand. Bike was 65" wheelbase with a stock style clutch and mobile 1 car oil (don't buy the bs about friction modifiers for wet clutches blah blah blah, I staged at 9000 rpms and left WOT for more passes than I can count plus a lot of street miles on a stock clutch with heavy springs). I never once had a traction issue once I got the tire pressure and burnout ironed out to where the tire needed to be.

And as was stated before, don't make the bike too stiff, squatting equals weight transfer and that's a good thing. Just gotta keep the rebound under control as well.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: SOCS on August 30, 2016, 08:25:17 PM
Have not been on the forum in a while (2 months), been extremely busy. Thank you to all who replied
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Ape-Hanger on October 05, 2016, 10:01:12 AM
Lots of good advice!... Get a Shinko Hook up 200/55VR-17, start air pressure @ 20psi and go down from there....IT WILL HOOK! on a prepped track....wish I had known this before I went to a real track!!!...Looking at the sky instead of the end of the track ain't so fun!
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: westcomb on October 05, 2016, 11:31:08 AM
My Skinko hook up is lots of fun on the street as well! ........... 3 gear wheelies can be fun sometimes  :beer:
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: taz95dog on October 23, 2016, 07:52:48 AM
  I have a 2002 fatboy. bike is running a avon 150.  what is the biggest tire I can run with a stock swing arm ?  I know i'll need a wider rim. thanks...bill... :beer:
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: rigidthumper on October 24, 2016, 05:23:26 AM
We used to use an 18" x 5.5" wheel and an Avon 180 tire, after modifying the caliper and offsetting the pulley. Really filled the fender. Don't know if that tire is still available.
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: Ape-Hanger on October 24, 2016, 06:24:52 AM
Quote from: taz95dog on October 23, 2016, 07:52:48 AM
  I have a 2002 fatboy. bike is running a avon 150.  what is the biggest tire I can run with a stock swing arm ?  I know i'll need a wider rim. thanks...bill... :beer:
Shinko makes a soft compound 150 series tire, I put one on my ol ladys 2000 FX Springer, it does a good job hooking up!... Built 95" motor
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: westcomb on October 24, 2016, 09:24:26 AM
Any tire bigger than a 160 is going to take some work to fit ............ 160 is pretty tight!  :beer: a Shinko Hook up tire should do the job for you ........
Title: Re: Hooking up a Softail
Post by: taz95dog on October 24, 2016, 01:51:22 PM
    thanks for the info, i'll have to look at what is involved in modifying the brake caliper on getting the pulley lined up. maybe the 160 is the way to go. lots of good info here... :up: