Softail Custom Thread - Page 3 : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Citoriplus · 09-19-2006, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softail07

I just bought my 07 last Wednesday. Installed the SE slip ons Friday night for a ride I was going on Saturday. I was hoping for more sound since I've been riding a Gold Wing for the last year!! I called the dealership to see if it was OK to remove the baffles and it sounded like he was reading a disclaimer. I couldn't read between the lines.......still wondering if it's safe to remove them without hurting the bike......not the ears or the laws. Other than that I am absolutely ecstatic over this bike. It handles better than anything I've ever ridden, including a sport bike or two (in my opinion). I can lean into a turn with confidence and roll on the throttle to set the bike upright with no problem. I've only got 480 miles so far but it's already seen interstate and 75-80 mph....6th gear makes it chug right down the road effortlessly. All I need is a little more noise and I'll be a 100% happy Harley owner!

I would leave the baffles in for the time being, at least until it breaks in properly. Taking them out may make it go a little leaner then the ECM can handle. Once the engine's broken in and has some miles on it it will loosen up and it won't require as much fuel and the computer "should" be able to handle it.
I know what you mean about the handleing, I was pleasently suprised how easy my 07 Custom can get around. For a bike that weighs as much as it does, it is mush easier than any other I have ridden to toss around.
The majority of the weight feels like its much lower down so it doesn't feel as a top heavy as a Dyna or older softail, not to mention a lot of the so called sport style bikes.
One thing I found out yesterday is to be careful in turns on asphault that has those tar strips they use to fill cracks in with. I was going through a turn at a traffic light, and started to get a little frisky with the gas. With the bike leaned over and a lot of power to it, the tire kind of sidestepped a couple of inches sidewise over every strip it hit. It was a little disconcerting leaning over with the pegs nearly on the ground and having the rear step out unexpectedly on you like that.
I don't mind a little slipping, and sliding, and I normally anticipate/plan for that kind of problem on wet or dirt/sand covered roads and ride accordingly. But I haven't had it happen before on a dry road with the sun out. So either the engine has a LOT more torque than I'm used to or the tire's rubber compound is a bit harder than I believe it should be.
Just a word to the wise, watch out for that nice fat tire we all love.
It may not be quite as good at "traction" as it is at looks.

bobdar · 09-20-2006, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qu@s@r

Can you tell me the manufacturer and part number for the turn signal relocation kit? I talked to a dealer today who said I would need a Dyna-like clamp system to do that since there are no outside pinchbolts on the triple tree. From your pics it looks like you found a bracket that fastens on the bolt at the rear and wraps around somehow. I would also like to hear about wiring issues; did you cut and splice ar did you re-run back to the plug under the tank.

Thanks (seriously looking at getting either the Custom or the Heritage Classic).

They're genuine HD part #58742-05.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
I just tied the wires to the lower tree for now. Will take off the tank and reroute them properly over the winter. Still waiting for my '07 service manual to come in.

bobdar · 09-20-2006, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citoriplus

I know what you mean about the handleing, I was pleasently surprised how easy my 07 Custom can get around. For a bike that weighs as much as it does, it is mush easier than any other I have ridden to toss around.

Thats for sure. I had an '01 XL1200C before this, and it was a very good handling bike. Thought I was going to give that up with the bigger softail, but it handles every bit as well as the sportster ever did. Never thought I'd be scraping the pegs with this one, but I have a couple of times now.

Citoriplus · 09-20-2006, 02:10 AM

bobfar,

I don't think the part number that you, and I used to relocate the turn signals will work on his bike, its a sportster. So I don't know if it has the same bolt setup in the bottom tripple tree.
The part number I gave him was for a sportster. The HD accessories book also lists another relocation bracket/clamp assembly that might work for him.
I think they fit 41mm tubes, but I would double check that its listed as fitting 84 and up FXST, and 93-05 FXDWG, its part number is 68952-98. These don't use the tripple tree, but are clamps that fit round the tube itself. Down side is that they list for $59.95 in the book.

bobdar · 09-20-2006, 11:01 PM

Ya sorry, I missed the fact that he had a sportster. Here is another part # to check out tho. I had these on my '01 XL1200C. They bolt to the lower tree. Part #68517-94A.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Says '88 up so should work.

Citoriplus · 09-21-2006, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdar

Ya sorry, I missed the fact that he had a sportster. Here is another part # to check out tho. I had these on my '01 XL1200C. They bolt to the lower tree. Part #68517-94A.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Says '88 up so should work.

Ya, that's the other one I found for Sporties. In the book they look a lot like the ones we have for the Customs, but are sized to fit the Sportster forks.
Only problem is the book picture is really poor for seeing anything like real detail.

bobdar · 09-22-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citoriplus

Ya, that's the other one I found for Sporties. In the book they look a lot like the ones we have for the Customs, but are sized to fit the Sportster forks.
Only problem is the book picture is really poor for seeing anything like real detail.

Here's a couple of pics of the ones on my old sporty. Had mine on the top tree, but they can go top or bottom.

bobdar · 09-22-2006, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softail07

I just bought my 07 last Wednesday. Installed the SE slip ons Friday night for a ride I was going on Saturday. I was hoping for more sound since I've been riding a Gold Wing for the last year!! I called the dealership to see if it was OK to remove the baffles and it sounded like he was reading a disclaimer. I couldn't read between the lines.......still wondering if it's safe to remove them without hurting the bike......not the ears or the laws.

I'd leave the baffles alone for awhile and let them break in. They should get a little louder over a couple of hundred miles as some of the packing burns out. You really don't want to remove them altogether unless you are planning on moving soon.

Lou_64 · 09-22-2006, 01:38 PM

Hi,

I picked up a new fxstc about 7 weeks ago and put about 1200 miles on it.
Excellent bike and very comfortable. But I have one issue, the neck bearing grease keeps leaking out and spraying the downtubs and left side of the tank (and my leg).
I have taken it back to the dealer and he said that the bearing cup was cocked and they fixed it - NOT!
Is anyone else having this issue??

Lou

Lou_64 · 09-22-2006, 01:42 PM

About the pipes.
Since nothing is available yet for the 2007 softail due to the o2 sensor, I bought a set of Vance and Hines for the '06 model year and welded in bungs for the o2 sensor (18mm threads). Then used the high flow air cleaner kit and the download for the ecm. It really woke the bike up!!!
I'll post some picks later if anyone wants to see.

Lou

Citoriplus · 09-22-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou_64

About the pipes.
Since nothing is available yet for the 2007 softail due to the o2 sensor, I bought a set of Vance and Hines for the '06 model year and welded in bungs for the o2 sensor (18mm threads). Then used the high flow air cleaner kit and the download for the ecm. It really woke the bike up!!!
I'll post some picks later if anyone wants to see.

Lou

Lou_64 · 09-22-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citoriplus

I'll post them tonight.

dswansbiker · 09-30-2006, 09:27 PM

Got to admit I am really taken with the new Custom. Many reviewers are saying it is the most comfortoble Harley made, including touring bikes. Is it really that good? Thanks Dave

Citoriplus · 09-30-2006, 11:08 PM

I can't compare a touring model to my Custom, never rode one before, but I'm happy with mine. The seat has a LOT to do with it. Its comfortable and puts my feet exactly where they have to be. I can even stretch my legs if I like and put my ankles up on top of the pegs, and I'm a short sucker.
If I have any complaints about it, its that the bars are a little too high and far forward for ME. Most people won't have a problem with them.

skips69 · 10-01-2006, 01:28 AM

I've had mine for about 5 weeks - 825 miles. It is comfy and has alot to do with the seat probably. I had an 05' Softail standard prior to this for two years and rode with a LePera Bare Bones solo and T-Bars. My butt hurt much more on the Standard after 100 miles, but the riding position was much more comfortable for me (I'm 5' 11"). As soon as I can get the same solo for this bike, it's going on there and I can really compare the two bikes. This stock seat is an excellent 2 up seat though. Very soft and comfy - the missus really likes it. It puts me too far foward and up on the tank too much though, for my "every day" liking. The solo will take care of that (along with the planned T-Bars). But, the stock seat is going to be used for all long trips and passenger riding - it's a keeper. Maybe some Ness extensions would make the stock seat a little better though for taller rider's. I know that I like to be stretched out more than I am right now.......