Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Looks like a psychologist's solution to a sticky problem.

But the shrink cleared the issue ;-).

 

Timber bikes can be a rip.

 

Loaded question for the peanut gallery….

Better suspension for the ‘20 Sporty.

Progressive? Legends? Ohlins?


I realize this question is along the lines of politics/religion, but I’m sure if I filter thru the responses, there’s some legit info in there.

 

Insufficient information given for anyone to really give a proper answer.

What are you looking for? Sportbike like handling? Lowering the bike? Touring 2-up with increased load carrying ability? Making it into a pseudo dual sport? Solo ride or do you haul a passenger?

Not trying to be a smart ass but "better suspension" means different things to different people and without knowing your end goal you could be wading through a whole slew of crap that doesn't answer your question.

 

This just came up in my posts. My old 74 CB350 with 2x4 seat. (And my old 1st gen)

 

Nice and you weren’t kidding when you said 2x4 lol

 

If you were welding up a little handlebar bag holder/wind deflector bracket for the front of a cruiser do you think it’d be better to mount it to the shocks like a larger windshield would be or to the stem/handlebars (or it honestly doesn’t matter)? I may be overthinking but was thinking shock mounted would be more stable but handlebar/stem easier to mount up.

 

You're on a Chief, right? Not a lot of handlebar real estate available, is there? i don't think it matters much, you've got lots of room on the upper forks, I'd just go there.

 

Not the best angle/close-up, but basically red vs. yellow. I’m going to start fabbing things up once this riding season is over, replacement side covers, some way to attach a bag in the back, and a handlebar bracket for another bag, etc. so the wife and I can do longer trips next riding season. Mocking things up from cardboard and in SketchUp for now.

 

that rear shock angle poses challenges for sure. those two bolts heads on the rear fender indicate structure to grab onto. If you come up with a cool solution you may have a cottage industry on your hands. Indian seems to be behind on that part of the market....shit to bolt to your bike!

Have you checked out Hepco & Becker?

 

2x4s should do it

 

Good point! I knew that question was not sufficient.

Better suspension than stock is what I’m wanting. Trying not to absorb every damn bump in the road with my arse and back. Maybe a gain in some lean angle. Have read that a 13in shock could provide a hair more lean.

I don’t ride 2-up. Although maybe at some point we’d give it a spin.

I cruise around town and like getting lost on country roads away from traffic.

 

What 2020 sporty do you have? I recommend looking at Fox motorcycle shocks. I have a set of piggybacks on my Dyna. I have spinal stenosis and I can ride all day with these shocks.

 

I have a set of Yamaha accessory shocks on my bike that are made by Progressive. They added ~1" of ride height and are preload/rebound adjustable. Nice improvement over stock and got them on a blow out price.

 

That's better.....

Improved over stock Sportster isn't that hard to accomplish. LOL. Mid to late '90s they offered a Sportster Sport and that had Fox made piggyback style shocks that worked really well. You almost can't go wrong with them. A friend of mine and 4x Iron Butt Rally finisher does that on a Sporty. He uses a set of take off air shocks from an Ultra and they work great for him. Watch if you go significantly longer than stock you'll need to do something with your forks to keep it balanced and might find it leans too much on the jiffy stand. I've had Progressive shocks on one bike I owned and they did really well. Look for something with adjustable preload preferably with more than just 3 or 4 steps so you can get it set right for your weight. Consider upgrading front fork springs as well or you'll likely notice just how harsh the front end can be as well. You might be able to get away with just changing the fork oil to a different weight.

 

Anyone have experience with the 2021 sportster s or have seen it in real life?

 

@LocoLocal has that bike.. but hes removed those shocks

 

Its liquid cooled

 

Evo FTMFW!