Astrid I recently purchased a 2008 Softail Springer CVO (FXSTSSE2) in black/gold. The bike was well loved, well maintained, and in absolute mint condition. One day ... I'd like to meet the previous owner and thank them for taking such loving care of (now) my beautiful bike.
Originally purchased the bike in November 2014 in Portland, OR. The weather was nasty. But I rode anyways. Rain, snow, freezing cold. Rode every single day. Washing that bike 3 or 4 times a week ... that is a chore! Especially when it's 34 degrees out and raining.
In Jan 2015 - moved to sunny California. Man - what a nice change. My bike only needs to be washed once a week - even though I put around 250 to 400 miles a week on her!! I commute in the SF Bay Area every day, and weekends range out in the hills all weekend long with the GF on back (thank you Progressive RAP 422!)...
I have a lot of friends that own boats, and they all say ... owning a boat is like digging a big hole and just pouring money in to it. I'm thinking that this applies to Harley's, too! Too much customization and cool individualization you can do to them ... None of it cheap!!
Pictures of her:
https://carousel.dropbox.com/photos/cc/MbLFaRc1HDRE6AV Flikr Photo Album (sorry for the flikr adds ... :-( ):
https://flic.kr/s/aHska6w9pLHere's the run down of the changes since stock on the bike ...
PREVIOUS changes:
* Vance & Hines Big Radius 2-into-1 exhaust (this ... is the biggest reason I fell in love with the bike "at first site")
http://products.vanceandhines.com/store/28001/ * Vance & Hines FuelPak
* Springer Riser from '09 installed, lowering bars by 1" (this is going back !!)
* Added Quick Detach hardware and passenger seat back and luggage rack
* Turn signals relocated from bars to Springer tree (already moved back to bars)
My changes:
* Progressive RAP 422 suspension (remote adjust) for two-up riding adjustability
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1416/422-series-shocks-wrap * Cobra ProTuner installed
http://www.fi2000r.com/html/pwrpro.php * Corbin customized Dual Touring saddle installed w/ rider and passenger backrest - customized to both of our hind ends!!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c54cze4ce9hmt8e/FXSTSSE2%20-%20Corbin%20Saddle%20-%204%20-%20on%20bike%20-%202015-04-22%2018.27.13.jpg?dl=0 http://www.corbin.com/ * Daymaker 5 3/4" LED headlight installed (yay! can actually SEE the road at night)
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/daymaker-led-headlamp-pa-11-67700144--1 * Daymaker Reflector LED Fog Lamp - 2" spots installed on Springer tree
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/daymaker-reflector-led-fog-lamps * Turn signals relocated back to bars
* WindVest wind shield installed (wish I could attach a Quick Disconnect ... :-( )
http://windvest.com/products/products.html * Center display stand installed
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/center-stand-pa-17-9895908--1 * LeatherWorks 120 Saddlebags with locking Easy Brackets, locking hardware
http://www.leatherworksinc.com/leather-motorcycle-products/leather-motorcycle-saddlebags/120 http://www.easybrackets.com * Leader Hydra Phone Mount (with USB accessory charger)
http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/hydra-waterproof-gps-phone-mount-round-bar-chrome/ http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/weatherproof-mini-usb-power-port-for-harley/ * H-D Mid Frame Air Deflector
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/mid-frame-air-deflector-pa-20-29200008a--1 AND!!! Believe it or not ... I'm not done. This, dear reader, is where you may have the opportunity to help shape this project. I'll be looking for feedback on specific products, product options, component model numbers, and direct feedback on usage of specific products. Note that the below ramblings are vague ideas, and I will mention specific ideas on products, which I have NOT YET fully researched - I may scrap a product based on feedback, reviews, applicability ... cost ... etc! The projects I have lined up and in mind for the bike:
* replace the Springer front shock absorber with something that handles braking forces more elegantly, and isn't as "soft"
* replace front and rear brake calipers with something that won't be deadly when they're truly needed ... I ride two-up, and am operating at the vehicles maximum weight rating two-up, gear, and fully loaded - stopping with the anemic MoCo 1 piston/2 piston set up ... is scary ... especially from 120 mph ...
http://www.performancemachine.com http://hawghalters.com http://www.rolandsands.com/categories/calipers * replace the transmission with a Baker Drivetrain DD7
http://bakerdrivetrain.com/dd7 * Add a trunk bag for long distance cruising ... maybe:
S3200E:
http://www.saddlemen.com/s3200de-expandable-sissy-bar-bag-universal S2200E:
http://www.saddlemen.com/s2200e-expandable-sissy-bar-bag-universal * add bicycle rack to go to bicycle races on my motorcycle:
premade:
http://2x2cycles.com/product/harley-quick-disconnect-bicycle-rack/ customize somehow:
http://1upusa.com/product-rooftray.htmlLast ... sadly ... I have one demon to slay in this bike ... I need to figure out start failures. She sometimes (usually after sitting for around 24 hours without any love, and "chilly" outside - below 50), won't start, back fires, and puffs smoke out the heavy breather. So far, two H-D shops couldn't figure out what's wrong with her. On the second start attempt, she always fires up without any hesitation...
~~shane
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Topic: New FXSTSSE2 owner in sunny California ... (Read 10888 times)