New Member Intro

[djl]

Harley owner since 1976; first bike was an ironhead Sporster. Most recent rides have included an '02 FLHT, '05 FXSDT and a '15 BMW R9T. Not riding as much as I used to and the only one in the garage now is the '05FXSTD. I am an Army veteran and served from '70-'72.

I have recently, like this week, been thinking about selling/trading the Deuce for a 2015-2016 Freewheeler. The reason for the earlier model is that I am partial to the Twin Cam motor as I have built several performance configurations and at this point don't intend to start over with the M8.

So, I will be looking for information about aftermarket options like luggage, seating and wind protection. I look forward to learning about the early Freewheeler from the "experts" on this forum.

 

[RKplus10]

Welcome, from Waelder, Texas! Donald, you came to the right place. Lots of knowledgeable folks here that are always willing to help with your questions (and help you spend your money).

 

[pwhoever]

Welcome to TrikeTalk Donald! This is the right place to get answers you are looking for. You will find all kinds of stuff and mods to help you out.

 

[N8DC]

Welcome and thanks for your service on this memorial weekend.
I have a 2015 Freewheeler new to me in February.
Its a whole new thing and I am still getting used to it as far as comfort as the short rear axle with an extra wheel is a lot different.
As far as just riding its push or pull on the handle bars and no leaning. That learning experience was actually easy for me.
Mine came with the detachable windshield but I put a batwing fairing on it with aftermarket lowers and an engine guard also .
I added a 2 1/2 inch rear lift also . Makes it a bit easier to load in the toy hauler as we like to travel camp and ride. I liked the freewheeler as I am an ex hot rod builder and the FW seemed more hot rod to me .
Dave

 

[Sully]

Hello Donald,, Welcome to Trike Talk...

 

[geol]

Welcome neighbor. I live up near Medina Lake. Can't help with the FW as I ride a Goldwing trike but good luck and ride safe!

 

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard Donald. From Key Largo Fl we love pictures

 

[trike lady]

Hello & welcome to Trike Talk Donald.

 

[djl]

Thanks for the welcome; no pictures of a Freewheeler since I have just begun my education before going on the hunt but I do have pictures of my last two rides. My '02 FLHT, which I let go last year, and I still have seller's remorse as it was a project bike, and my '05 FXSTD. The Deuce normally doesn't have a windscreen, but my brother and I were about to head for Colorado in a couple of days. The Deuce doesn't look like that since I rebuilt the motor; license plate relocated to the swing arm, and Side Shots replaced with Bassani Prostreets, five speed replaced with Baker DD6, and Pingle shifter. Sorry, maybe an overshare.

STD which I still have but will probably part with if/when I acquire a Freewheeler. Please don't ban me if pictures other than Freewheelers are not allowed.

 

[djl]

Welcome and thanks for your service on this memorial weekend.
I have a 2015 Freewheeler new to me in February.
Its a whole new thing and I am still getting used to it as far as comfort as the short rear axle with an extra wheel is a lot different.
As far as just riding its push or pull on the handle bars and no leaning. That learning experience was actually easy for me.
Mine came with the detachable windshield but I put a batwing fairing on it with aftermarket lowers and an engine guard also .
I added a 2 1/2 inch rear lift also . Makes it a bit easier to load in the toy hauler as we like to travel camp and ride. I liked the freewheeler as I am an ex hot rod builder and the FW seemed more hot rod to me .
Dave

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I agree with the "hot rod" comment which is what attracted me to the Freewheeler. If/when I acquire a Freewheeler, a batwing fairing is probably the first "upgrade"; I just need to do the homework as it appears there are several different aftermarket options and I want the best; just have to figure out what that is. I am sure the no leaning part is a completely different riding style; on occasion, I would drag the floor boards when running through the Three Sisters which the other Texas members will know well. I am keen to learn.

 

[Marc H]

Welcome to Trike Talk Donald!!!

 

[hardwickbv]

Donald

Welcome from Indiana!!!

Bob

 

[nucseal]

Welcome from San Antonio, Tx

 

[ol' school]

Welcime to Trike Talk Donald!

 

[N8DC]

I agree with the "hot rod" comment which is what attracted me to the Freewheeler. If/when I acquire a Freewheeler, a batwing fairing is probably the first "upgrade"; I just need to do the homework as it appears there are several different aftermarket options and I want the best; just have to figure out what that is. I am sure the no leaning part is a completely different riding style; on occasion, I would drag the floor boards when running through the Three Sisters which the other Texas members will know well. I am keen to learn.

I looked at a lot of different Batwings. I went with the trailer store as it just seemed to look right on a FW. I changed out the short windshield to a 12 inch as I have some eye problems. The one thing I did not like was it seemed a drunk guy drilled the windshield holes . They were not even close . I bought a stainless trim piece and re drilled the holes to match. This winter I will fill the holes and make it right. Most wont notice the holes as they only show on the inside but I know they are there
Ride Safe
Dave Jackson,Michigan

 

[Ahrmadillo]

I agree with the "hot rod" comment which is what attracted me to the Freewheeler. If/when I acquire a Freewheeler, a batwing fairing is probably the first "upgrade"; I just need to do the homework as it appears there are several different aftermarket options and I want the best; just have to figure out what that is. I am sure the no leaning part is a completely different riding style; on occasion, I would drag the floor boards when running through the Three Sisters which the other Texas members will know well. I am keen to learn.

I got my batwing from reckless motorcycle. Paint match was fantastic and they have a couple of configurations for speakers/amps/headunits. Paid about $2300 for paint match inside and out 4 speakers and a 400 watt amp all Rockford fosgate. Ordered early spring as they get busy. 6 weeks I think I waited. Also this is based off a 98-13 batwing so windshields/trim/windshield bags fit.

 

[N8DC]

I got my batwing from reckless motorcycle. Paint match was fantastic and they have a couple of configurations for speakers/amps/headunits. Paid about $2300 for paint match inside and out 4 speakers and a 400 watt amp all Rockford fosgate. Ordered early spring as they get busy. 6 weeks I think I waited. Also this is based off a 98-13 batwing so windshields/trim/windshield bags fit.

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I looked at the reckless and it just seemed to be tilted a bit forward on every pic I saw ? Must be their mounts. Since my FW is black I got off cheap.
Dave

 

[Ahrmadillo]

I looked at the reckless and it just seemed to be tilted a bit forward on every pic I saw ? Must be their mounts. Since my FW is black I got off cheap.
Dave

Possibly it’s really close to the bars. it does sit a little high off the headlight but I got used to it.

 

[Woody]

Welcome and thanks for your service on this memorial weekend.

 

[geol]

Sometimes an aftermarket fairing will sit a bit high off the headlight to decrease wind buffeting behind the fairing depending on the shape of the fairing.

 

[djl]

@Ahrmadillo Fairing looks good. If/when I pickup a Freewheeler it will be black and I am just looking for wind protection; no stereo or anything requiring any electrical work.

 

[Ahrmadillo]

@Ahrmadillo Fairing looks good. If/when I pickup a Freewheeler it will be black and I am just looking for wind protection; no stereo or anything requiring any electrical work.

They did all the wiring just had to run a harness to the battery and it has a quick disconnect under the fairing. Reckless has that style too. Looks the same has a little cubby hole instead of a radio and speakers

 

[djl]

Thanks for the welcomes. I have so many questions so I will start posting in the appropriate forums. Very curious about rear tire option if there are any; exhaust systems and comfort, specifically bars, seats and suspension; I have never found an OEM Harley seat that didn't give me monkey butt in the first 50 miles. I have read so many posts about how the OEM suspension just doesn't work well.

 

[geol]

Thanks for the welcomes. I have so many questions so I will start posting in the appropriate forums. Very curious about rear tire option if there are any; exhaust systems and comfort, specifically bars, seats and suspension; I have never found an OEM Harley seat that didn't give me monkey butt in the first 50 miles. I have read so many posts about how the OEM suspension just doesn't work well.

The Zook man is a premier installer of aftermarket trike kits and isn't that far away. Get a trike kit with IRS and forget the complaints FW and RD3 members make about solid axle harsh ride, wrong height, etc. After looking a Freewheelers, they ain't cheap and if you already have a Harley you are proud of, stick with it and get it triked. Just my 2cents but think about this as an option. Unfortunately, getting a bike triked will not be instant gratification as there is usually a lead time for the kit to be ordered/arrive and a work queue but if I personally were to have a Harley trike, it wouldn't be one that came from the motor company but a trike conversion. That is just me. Might save you a few bucks as well and will definitely have a superior ride.

 

[Papa Zook]

The Zook man is a premier installer of aftermarket trike kits and isn't that far away. Get a trike kit with IRS and forget the complaints FW and RD3 members make about solid axle harsh ride, wrong height, etc. After looking a Freewheelers, they ain't cheap and if you already have a Harley you are proud of, stick with it and get it triked. Just my 2cents but think about this as an option. Unfortunately, getting a bike triked will not be instant gratification as there is usually a lead time for the kit to be ordered/arrive and a work queue but if I personally were to have a Harley trike, it wouldn't be one that came from the motor company but a trike conversion. That is just me. Might save you a few bucks as well and will definitely have a superior ride.

Definitely an option worth looking into Don, whoever does the conversion for you. Check out the California Sidecar forum for pics of member's CSC Harley Trikes HERE.

 

[djl]

Definitely an option worth looking into Don, whoever does the conversion for you. Check out the California Sidecar forum for pics of member's CSC Harley Trikes HERE.

Without going into detail there are major upgrades to the Deuce motor, drive train and suspension that would not be recovered should I sell to buy a Freewheeler. I Having said that, I probably have more questions about a conversion than I would have about a Freewheeler. The main question I have is whether or not there is a conversion package for an '05 FXSTD. As you probably know, the Deuce is the red-headed step child of the softail line and many parts and pieces that fit all the other softails will not fit the Deuce which makes me wonder if conversions are any different. So, that's the first question, can my bike even be converted and, if so, what would the finished product look like. I have read about a "Volusion" conversion for softails but don't see anything like that on the CSC website.

I have looked at the website conversions and while they look great, I would want something a little "stripped down" from the ones I saw; I am very much a "less is more" kind of guy but a conversion is worth consideration

 

[Papa Zook]

Feel free to message me here, and we can explore options and pricing.

 

[djl]

Feel free to message me here, and we can explore options and pricing.

How about the "conversation" you opened? I have replied there with where to start the conversation.