So after debating with myself for a couple of weeks now and finally re-enlisting for another 4 years I figured why not buy something for the bike that I want and would actually enjoy. Don't get me wrong I love performance mods but there's no way my bike would even be close to as fast as my car is without some serious horsepower to the wheel (along the lines of 145whp just to keep up) and the top end on the car is still way better than I could get out of the bike. So that being said I figured why not go for better looks and comfort.

So I finally made almost all the purchases I will need to make my bike fairly unique and great looking I think. I went with a batwing front fairing, drop in front suspension lowering kit, air ride rear shocks, 21" 52 fat spoke front wheel and a new lower seat.

I still need to paint the fairing (still need to figure out how I want to have it painted as well) and I need a tire for the wheel but that's only about $100 plus install. I plan on doing all the work besides installing the wheel. The spokes are sealed so I wont need a tube which is nice I guess. The bike should ride about .5" taller in the front but I can raise and lower the suspension with my thumb while riding if I need too. I'll probably raise it up a tad while on a long ride and keep it close to stock around town. Otherwise it will be dropped nice and low.

Anyways I'm pretty happy with what I went with. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. I'll be sure to update this thread with some pictures of the parts when they come in and the install. Eventually down the road I want a full radio system with fairing speakers and probably saddlebag speakers as well. I guess I'll start with the front fairing paint ideas. Bike is luxury teal but I'm open to some ideas for a nice custom paint.

 

Sounds nice. Update the thread with some pictures of your progress as you go!

 

Be sure to add the matching rear wheel.

Shakey

 

sounds good and i'm with Shakeydeal, don't forget the rear one. You always see it!!

 

I'm not too concerned about the rear wheel. As is I can barely see it and it doesnt bug me if I did. I figured with the rear slammed down it wont stick out too much. No shipping updates on the fairing. Shocks will be in tomorrow and seat will be in Friday.

Might try to install the shocks this weekend.

 

Decided to go for looks and not performance
I agree ...................................

 

Congrats on re-upping and thanks for your service. Good luck with the updates. Keep us posted with how it's going. I understand about the car, my 1985 euro 930 is my speed fix. There's no way I'd ever get my HD to close to that level of performance.

 

What bike did you get? I just see SOLD and HURRICANEd.

 

If you are using the H-D front end drop in lowering kit, when I did mine I had a major bitch getting the fork tube top plugs back in. I ended up making a fork tube clamp from metal bar stock, bolts and nuts and glued on rubber pads. I copied what is in the service manual. I clamped the tube and set it in a press then pushed the plug down to be able to get the threads started. The lowered fork springs are much stiffer than stock and require a tremendous amount of pressure to get the plug to engage the threads. Mine is an '07 so I don't know if the kit is different for an '04.

Also, make sure you get a seal driver to install the fork seals. I got one off ebay that looked exactly like the one in the manual. It works by sliding it over the tube and "slide hammering" the seal in. Works great if you have the right tool.

 

It's the 04 Road King. She's luxury teal so her name is Jasmine. The car is Katrina because she's supercharged and sounds like a hurricane.

I went with the progressive drop in kit. It looks like it's pretty easy to install compared to most springs. The 2nd shorter spring is very soft and once the weight of the bike is on it, it compresses and lowers the front end. I think the worst part is going to be getting to the fork tubes.







I can't wait to see all the parts. No word on the wheel or fairing yet but hopefully they ship out pretty soon. I still need to get a quote on paint.