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[Hoist!]

Holy crap Tim, that's a mouthful for 5 questions!

But let's have at it.

1) Totally agree on buckhorns. Stupid bars. Like my arms straight out-slightly bent, hands slightly below my shoulders, knuckles facing forward. I like the look of risers with the bars. That Flanders setup w/the 6" risers do that for me on other bikes. I'm hoping the same for this. That would make that decision easy.

2) Rear shocks, hmmm, where do I start. The 93 Super Glides and Low Rider suspensions were the same. The SEFXR use a lowered HD Profile shock in the rear, with a 1"lower fork setup. If I'm not mistaken, the Performance Suspension bike's suspension were even taller than the SG/LR. Might even have the frame deraked a little too, like the Dyna Convertibles were. I believe the earlier FXR models you referenced were with the 35mm forks back then. They look like big ole dirt bikes though. I'd go 1" taller on the rear shocks than stock CVOFXR. I assume they come with 12" and I'd be using 13"? bitubos are the only shock I'll run now if I have my choice. Leads to .........

3) Front forks. Yeap, absolutely correct. According to Traxxion, you never raise the rear without the front. It's acceptable, but not preferred, to lower the rear without the front, but not visa-versa. Traxxion builds a racing style cartridge assembly to replace the dampener/spring arrangement inside the fork tubes. And these things WORK! They're unlike the FXDX adjustable forks, as these are performance modifications, not HD/Showa's idea of looking like performance. Showas have adjustability, but not the responsiveness of the Traxxion. These guys are racing suspension experts. And you know how I feel about race quality parts! But only if they perform of course. Like you noted, the front end stays stock looking this way too, and I'd have to change NOTHING but the guts of the fork tubes to get a great front end!

4) Brakes. HD brakes never really cut it for me. I've no intention of converting to dual discs. So a good single stopper will do. A 6-piston, direct bolt on, differential bore PM chrome caliper performs great and looks great at the same time! That'll be up front, with a 4 piston DB chrome one in back. The Thunderstar floating rotors will work fine as well as the HD masters.

5) And tires. Until you try the Lasertech, you can't understand how much difference a good front tire makes. Best handling front for an HD street bike I've ridden on. So I stay with it. The Avon's coming off the FXWG (it was all I could get at the time in oversized 21") and a new Lasertech's going back on it. It's on the Pro Street too, and it will be one of the first changes I make to the Blue3, 3.25 V-19.  But I've a question............

How large a rear will fit inside the fender, and on the wheel? What size is stock on the Blue3, 130 or 140-16? Will a 150 fit? I don't think so, but the 140 might, if it's not stock already. Then I can pick a rear to go with the front.



So you see, I put great importance in putting on the best suspension and brakes I can, and still compliment the bike at the same time. But performance first! Function before form, but form does get a say! And we haven't even started talking motor yet (but I know you can see a Super E in my future!)

Hoist!

[Twolanerider]

Uh... Howie?  Is it home yet ?

[Hoist!]

Uh... Howie?  Is it home yet ?

I heard you were going out to CA to help those boys "break it in" for me like I been reading, then you were riding it back here for me!, No?

Hoist!

[110tHunDer]

 

. . . SEFXR . . .

Hey, Howie!  Ya can't call 'em Dynas and ya can't call 'em "SEs" either!   Not until the '00 SERG did they start to use the SE designation.

[110tHunDer]

 
Oh, yeah . . . stock rear tire is a 130/90-16.  You might be able to squeeze a 140 in there, but don't think a 150's gonna go.  Not much room between the belt and the tire sidewall the way it is.

[Hoist!]

Hey, Howie!  Ya can't call 'em Dynas and ya can't call 'em "SEs" either!   Not until the '00 SERG did they start to use the SE designation.

I never called em Dynas! When I referenced the Dyna before, I was referring to a DYNA! I know the difference unlike most EBay ads!

Didn't know they weren't referred to as SE's though. CVOFXR3 then, or as I'll refer to mine..................The Blue3!

Oh, yeah . . . stock rear tire is a 130/90-16.  You might be able to squeeze a 140 in there, but don't think a 150's gonna go.  Not much room between the belt and the tire sidewall the way it is.

Thank you. I'll wanna see it before stuffing the 140 in there first! Didn't think the 150 would fit at all!

Hoist!

[110tHunDer]

I never called em Dynas! When I referenced the Dyna before, I was referring to a DYNA! I know the difference unlike most EBay ads! . . .

I saw you giving some others chit for the Dyna faux pas, so I knew you knew that, I just wanted to set you straight on the SE part!

[gflvette2]

Hey guys, Gee, Am I glad your getting a Blue 3 Hoist. Now I can get all your used parts, lol. Hoist, I still didn't get a tire and haven't really done anything with the bike yet. I went to my friends auto shop and he checked it out for me. I do know I have to do all the fluids, air cleaner, ft. tire. As I read what you said earlier, you definitely would go with the lasertech right Hoist? The rear Dunlop is still good so I won't be changing it until it gets a little worn. I wonder how it will look when we meet with the two FXR3's?  I wonder if there were two FXR3's parked at the same place at the same time? Very Interesting.  Sooner or later we'll catch up Howie. Its only a matter of time. Between Tim and You, you guys have my mind spinning with those posts. But, Keep up the good work, we are learning alot. Good Luck with the Blue 3.

Best,
George

P.S. Hey Brian....

[Hoist!]

I still like ..........THE NYCTWOCOOLBLUECREW   

HeHe!

But it might come close to patent infringement on ..................TwoLaneBluesRider!!!

Hoist!

[Twolanerider]

HeHe!

But it might come close to patent infringement on ..................TwoLaneBluesRider!!!

Hoist!

Nah, Twolane is all about public domain.  If I write it in public I assume it is way public.

[gflvette2]

LOL Blaine, I like it!!!!


I have a question for the experts. Is it OK to change to full synthetic oil? A buddy of mine said first he changed to semi-synthetic then he checked to see if there were any leaks. He didn't get any and eventually changed to full synthetic. I have 12,000mi. and I would like to use full syn. Also, my buddy recommends SPECTRO because it contains the best ingredients for our bikes. I used Mobil one full synthetic in my Ultra and I thought it was good. So what do you think?

Thanks, George 

[FXR2evo99]

Holy crap Tim, that's a mouthful for 5 questions!    
 
Hoist~~~

Yes indeed you should have been on this side of the computer.....typing all of that out....and making sure the facts were half way accurate....lol     lol   

2) Rear shocks, hmmm, where do I start. The 93 Super Glides and Low Rider suspensions were the same. The SEFXR use a lowered HD Profile shock in the rear, with a 1"lower fork setup. If I'm not mistaken, the Performance Suspension bike's suspension were even taller than the SG/LR. Might even have the frame deraked a little too, like the Dyna Convertibles were. I believe the earlier FXR models you referenced were with the 35mm forks back then. They look like big ole dirt bikes though. I'd go 1" taller on the rear shocks than stock CVOFXR.  I assume they come with 12" and I'd be using 13"? bitubos are the only shock I'll run now if I have my choice. Leads to .........

Ok 103tHunDer is correct.....we don't get to say "SE"FXR....lol but we do get to say FXR2 or FXR3 or FXR4 lol....

Seriously however, if you decide that you will raise up the shocks by 1" as you mention above, where does that leave you with the "OEM" FXR3 forks?  Won't they need to be changed out and modified ie: purchasing longer ones, as you mention below that Traxxion states that one should never raise the rear "without" the raising of the front?  

I am fairly sure, however not enough to make a blanket statement, but I "believe" the FXR frame has never been modified throughout the life of the FXR from 1981 - 1994 inclusive of course of 1999 and 2000.  But of course perhaps I am a bit lost int the understanding of "rake" and "trail" that if bikes specify having different numbers in these catagories that INDEED such means that the frame has been "ALTERED"....if this is not the case then I would stand firmer on my statement that these frames have not been modified throughout the life of the FXR production.

The models I referenced previously were all 1993 models.  In 1987 The FXRS Low Rider Sport Edition and the FXLR Low Rider Custom each had 39mm forks the others had 35mm forks.  By 1988 ALL FXR's were "sporting" the 39mm front forks.
I believe you are correct that the "OEM" shocks for the "CVO" FXR's are indeed 12", but I am not absolutely positive of that....

3) Front forks. Yeap, absolutely correct. According to Traxxion, you never raise the rear without the front. It's acceptable, but not preferred, to lower the rear without the front, but not visa-versa. Traxxion builds a racing style cartridge assembly to replace the dampener/spring arrangement inside the fork tubes. And these things WORK! They're unlike the FXDX adjustable forks, as these are performance modifications, not HD/Showa's idea of looking like performance. Showas have adjustability, but not the responsiveness of the Traxxion. These guys are racing suspension experts. And you know how I feel about race quality parts! But only if they perform of course. Like you noted, the front end stays stock looking this way too, and I'd have to change NOTHING but the guts of the fork tubes to get a great front end!

How large a rear will fit inside the fender, and on the wheel? What size is stock on the Blue3, 130 or 140-16? Will a 150 fit? I don't think so, but the 140 might, if it's not stock already. Then I can pick a rear to go with the front.
If everyone would notice the difference between a 130 and 140 tire is like what a couple of milmeters....I mean it's so small it's not worth all of the effort to worry about it, @ least in my opinion....as for a 150 mm tire there would BE NO way it would fit.....heck the 2003 FXDL comes with a 150mm tire and it has a completely widened fender....<~~~use to own one, there is absolutely positively no way a 150mm tire would fit without modifications to fenders and everything else back there.

I heard you were going out to CA to help those boys "break it in" for me

So Hoistee is going to be going COAST TO COAST FOR THIS selection.....sounds like the bike is coming from California......if that's true....Hoist, why purchase a bike from CA when they have all the other issues with the EPA for the engine....maybe it's no big deal but....hmmmmm there are 49 other states right???  Perhaps everyone knows it's no big deal....and everyone knows eactly what to take off....
       <~~~this one gets 3 for real unsureness....  

103tHunDer~~~Oh, yeah . . . stock rear tire is a 130/90-16.  You might be able to squeeze a 140 in there, but don't think a 150's gonna go.  Not much room between the belt and the tire sidewall the way it is.

I totally agree with 103tHunDer......well said!!!!

George…. Between Tim and You, you guys have my mind spinning with those posts.

George like I said above you should be on this side of the computer....having to keep up with all of this "data" to keep these posts half way accurate....YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!  

   

Regards,

Tim

[FXR2evo99]

Hey Everyone.....

103tHunDer [not pickin on yah, it was just a reflection I noticed over there] states over in the "History" Thread....[I thought I might as well bring this reflection over here and keep it all in context or we will have so many conversations going we won't know where to keep up....lol] You won't know just HOW BAD it needs the Traxxion/Bitubo treatment until you ride one.   The amount of dive in the front forks is incredible.  It'll be the first one of my bikes that I do . . . hopefully, sometime next spring.

Listen you guys....lol has anyone simply changed their fork oil on these "CVO" FXR's yet....this spring I changed my FXR2 front fork oil and put in 10 oz of Bel~Ray 20w Fork Oil.  I am also running a fork brace as well.  I really have had reasons to understand what a "diving" bike feels like ie: 2003 FXDL even with a fork brace until I changed fork oil in that bike as well ALONG with Progressive Springs, and changing my RKC front fork oil, springs, and putting emulators in.....my point is not to get into a discussion about these other bikes, but merely to suggest personally I would love the debate for "learning" purposes about why spending nearly what $1,100 for Traxxion AK-20 front fork cartridges will improve what I feel is excellent handling ability already in my FXR2.  I bring this up not to 'squash" the debate or blow smoke....but to bring up a position that says I am not EXPERIENCING any "negative" reactions from my current fork situation....and I am not saying I am absolutely right here.....I am just sayin....per say.  103tHunDer, have you changed fork oil in your FXR and you significantly still feel a lack of responsiveness from your forks?  I am quite curious about this....I am thinking $17.00 for fork oil, $220.00 for the fork brace of course, vs what $1,100.00 +++ for the Traxxion AK-20 fork cartridges....I need a quantative discussion.....lol besides the proverbial.....but I just like the way the bike handles....something that is "significant" here would be quite helpful.....oh and I am really not trying to "challenge' or "offend" anyone here merely trying to "LEARN".....  hopefully I have posted enough that no one would be offended by a "direct" opposing view here....lol....as I would never say anything "harsh" here at all....but sometimes it's "fun" and "interesting" to challenge other's thoughts and why they have them....but ONLY in a positive way....ok enough said....lol

Regards,

Tim

[FXR2evo99]

I have a question for the experts. Is it OK to change to full synthetic oil? A buddy of mine said first he changed to semi-synthetic then he checked to see if there were any leaks. He didn't get any and eventually changed to full synthetic. I have 12,000mi. and I would like to use full syn. Also, my buddy recommends SPECTRO because it contains the best ingredients for our bikes. I used Mobil one full synthetic in my Ultra and I thought it was good. So what do you think?

George....

I am in no way an expert on this matter......
 
I changed my oil to Redline 20-50w Synthetic immediately after getting my bike home....lol I will say this....if the bike doesn't leak when you put "synthetic" in lol you know your seals and gaskets are all working well and you have a "tight" bike....lol....

On a serious note.....you should of course use what you have confidence in and what your pocket book will allow, the biggest issues with "oil" are the detergents that break down over time based upon heat....thus the need to change one's oil which is always realitive to how hot you allow your engine to get...ie: parade riding as an example, or riding in traffic mostly vs traveling out on the open highway.....you get my point I am sure.....There is now talk about the TWIN CAMS only needing to have the transmission changed at 15,000 miles, and the engine oil at 10,000 miles...for the most part we probably all change our fluids too much....well hopefully this is the case.....

I say run what you want, change it once a year regardless of whether you reach your intended mileage or not....as my son-in-law states.....gas eventually can get mixed in with your oil so changing it is always a good thing....

My debate with myself is about changing oil at 3,000 miles or 5,000 miles and changing the transmission at 5,000 miles or 10,000 miles...or just say forget it and change everything at the same time....One thing is for certain, by the time you are done changing "gaskets" and "o~rings" changing all of your fluids ie: engine, primary, & transmission can cost approximately $80.00 [specifically ONLY FOR PARTS without labor at an indy or a dealership] each time given one's decision to use Redline products for example....so the question is, is it worth $80.00 a year if you don't go 5,000 miles or if you do 10,000 miles a year is it worth $160.00 per year, or if you do 15,000 miles a year is it worth $240.00 a year.  If you price the Redline products you will see my numbers aren't too far off....

Ok so I would love to settle this issue for all of us.....so let's see some more input.....we are too small a group to worry about another "oil" thread lol.....we can call it our "CVO FXR2, FXR3, FXR4 SUGGESTED FLUID MAINTENANCE PROGRAM"  lol

Regards,

Tim

[110tHunDer]

Hey Everyone.....

103tHunDer [not pickin on yah, it was just a reflection I noticed over there] states over in the "History" Thread....[I thought I might as well bring this reflection over here and keep it all in context or we will have so many conversations going we won't know where to keep up....lol] You won't know just HOW BAD it needs the Traxxion/Bitubo treatment until you ride one.   The amount of dive in the front forks is incredible.  It'll be the first one of my bikes that I do . . . hopefully, sometime next spring.

. . . 103tHunDer, have you changed fork oil in your FXR and you significantly still feel a lack of responsiveness from your forks?  I am quite curious about this....I am thinking $17.00 for fork oil, $220.00 for the fork brace of course, vs what $1,100.00 +++ for the Traxxion AK-20 fork cartridges....

Tim, you betcha, had the fork oil changed as soon as I got the bike.  The regular Harley Type "E" oil was used, so nothing of any heavier weight than stock, which admitedly might have helped, but I did not notice any difference whatsoever in the behavior of the front end afterwards.  I still get a severe amount of fork dive with my bike, much, much more than with either of the Touring bikes I have.  Rides OK going down the road, but braking and cornering behavior leaves a bit to be desired, at least for my tastes.  I'm thinkin', no weight or brand of fork oil is going to make a 30+ year old design perform like a state-of-the-art Traxxion front-end, so I am planning on doing the upgrade as soon as time allows.

Also, a fork brace will only help with the flexing and not as much with the way the front suspension reacts to the road surface.  I may still wanna do one of those even after the Traxxion upgrade!