Harley Davidson V-Rod Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Hello and input appreciated

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
D

Doc8402

· Registered
Joined
·
22 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
All going to try to keep this short. About to pull the trigger on a 2016 muscle w/ 9k on the ODO. All stock except a lowering link and bars I'll post a pic.
Vin is clean, local HD shop got me the service records all looks good to me. New rubber front and back and fresh 10k service done. Bike sounds good. Weather in western wa has not been great to test ride over the last 2 weeks so thats pending should be good this Wednesday and that's my last step before the purchase.

What are some things I should be looking for that I might or would not notice?
How hard are parts to source both aftermarket and stock (headlight is going to be the first thing to go, then maybe bars).
Any muscle quirks I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance!
Doc


Image
 
#4 ·
The Muscle has unique factory handlebars that have obviously been changed for the ape hangers in your pic. Looks like they changed the factory headlight too. Would definitely require some rewiring, brake/clutch lines, and throttle cables depending on what style of bar you change to.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doc8402
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #5 ·
bproulxvrod said:
The Muscle has unique factory handlebars that have obviously been changed for the ape hangers in your pic. Looks like they changed the factory headlight too. Would definitely require some rewiring, brake/clutch lines, and throttle cables depending on what style of bar you change to.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input, weather went sideways today so a test ride is out the door again.... I think the headlight is stock if not it was not much of an upgrade.

Those bars have got to go! Any suggestions on bars, or leads on stock bars?
 
#6 ·
You may find stock bars on ebay or post a Wanted To Buy Ad here after you've been here 10 days & 10 posts - most Muscle owners like the Budman risers that move the stock bars up and back for better rider ergo's - but I don't think the Budman risers are being sold anymore so you may need to come up with a better solution, maybe some Muscle guys here might offer some more advise -
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
streetrodracer said:
You may find stock bars on ebay or post a Wanted To Buy Ad here after you've been here 10 days & 10 posts - most Muscle owners like the Budman risers that move the stock bars up and back for better rider ergo's - but I don't think the Budman risers are being sold anymore so you may need to come up with a better solution, maybe some Muscle guys here might offer some more advise -
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, I looked very quickly on ebay and the stock ones were a lot more than I thought and there is the whole Budman's not being made anymore that I can find. It's not that I'm exclusively looking for stock but something more comfortable and steerable than those damn ape's LOL
 
#8 ·
Doc8402 said:
I looked very quickly on ebay and the stock ones were a lot more than I thought and there is the whole Budman's not being made anymore that I can find.
Click to expand...
Ditch the stock bars - too low and too far forward anyway. There are a number of different risers available you can buy, that fit the F and allow regular 1" bars to be installed, from drag to pullback bends, and you could fit the Fat Bars as well with the correct oversize bar riser. I would recommend the one piece units ( not the separate L & R risers ) for strength and rigidity that results in better steering which the F needs.
Remember you still have to mount the clamshell instrument cluster so see how they did that on the ape hangers and copy that and/or find a riser that will allow you to mount it. You may even be able to use the riser from the ape's with flatter bars as well -
All in you'll have many hundreds in the setup but you can sell the apes, longer wires and control hoses, cables etc. and recover most of your money. Best of Luck hope you buy the bike it looks nice ! (y):cool:
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Streetrodraser thanks again all the things you said made so much sense. Looks like today is the day for the test ride.
Question for you and the group at large I looked at the Trask V line bars and they caught my eye. Any experience with them?
 
#10 ·
Just looked at them, I like the Trask 1 1/4" Moto handlebars that are lower in height - they might work with your ape risers too but measure the center bar clamp area width when you're there for the test ride and be sure the cluster has room to fit -
Also if you buy the bike you can ask them as a final part of the sale to jack it up level where you can sit on it and put your hands about where you would like them to be and have them measure height, outer bar curve & pullback and see which ones out there will come close for you -
Don't just buy an arbitrary set of bars online - they have to work with your risers, or other risers and end up in the right position where you feel comfortable. Ask me how I know - I'm on my third set of handlebars and three clutch hoses for my R Model but finally I got it just about perfect - lots of $ later :cry: (y):cool:
 
#12 ·
Yea that's the one - I like the fat look bars but also be sure there's enough 1" bar inboard of the hand grips with clutch and brake lever mounts ( before it steps up to 1 1/4" ) to mount the assy's with switch control housings -
I think those bars are like 35" wide so there should be enough room but it's about 8" on each side that needs to be 1" diameter to mount everything up -
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Took me a few says to get back on here but I am officially the owner of the Muscle and she rides like a dream!

Already have a new headlight in the garage, new bars on the way... Only other thing I'm doing in the immidate future is going to take the lowering links off and get her back to stock height. Only my youngest can get on the back without the rear fender being up against the tire, could also be the fact that it's got bagger shocks on it (I think). Her feet did not stay on the pipes, she knewto put them on the pegs....LOL

In non V-Rod news my son just picked up an XS650....so there will be plenty of wrenching happening.

Image
 
#14 ·
According to the picture, it looks like your bike has installed air shock absorbers. There should be a switch for activation fitted. As you mention, disassemble the bracket/s between the shock absorbers and swingarm as they are not favorable in suspension.
Good to see that it is ridden with ff helmets and gloves. Smart.
Congratulations on a new bike, pretty color there too.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Thanks Knut Ive been over those shocks and the bike everywhere there is no switch for a compressor nor are there any fittings/lines/or connections to those shocks for air to be put in them.

I might rife occasion without all the gear but never infront of my kids and never when my kids are on a bike, they need to know and learn the right way before they are old enough to make their own questionable choices. 😁
 
#16 ·
Doc8402 said:
Thanks Knut Ive been over those shocks and the bike everywhere there is no switch for a compressor nor are there any fittings/lines/or connections to those shocks for air to be put in them.

I might rife occasion without all the gear but never infront of my kids and never when my kids are on a bike, they need to know and learn the right way before they are old enough to make their own questionable choices. 😁
Click to expand...
I’ve had 3 vrods including a 2009 muscle. Put everything back to stock for best ride/handling. If you change the bars I’d keep it below 140mph……hard to tell what sort of turbulence will occur. If you don’t have it I’d add a MotoHooligans air filter kit and have a dealer tune the map.
 
#17 ·
Doc8402 said:
Took me a few says to get back on here but I am officially the owner of the Muscle and she rides like a dream!

Already have a new headlight in the garage, new bars on the way... Only other thing I'm doing in the immidate future is going to take the lowering links off and get her back to stock height. Only my youngest can get on the back without the rear fender being up against the tire, could also be the fact that it's got bagger shocks on it (I think). Her feet did not stay on the pipes, she knewto put them on the pegs....LOL

In non V-Rod news my son just picked up an XS650....so there will be plenty of wrenching happening.

View attachment 618192
Click to expand...
👌Awesomeness, congratulations. Taking the kiddos for a ride! That's why I got mine!!! ❤ Pass on the LOVE 4 2 wheels.
 
#18 ·
CONGRATS on your new Pride & Joy!

Here's my nearly stock '16 as I rode from Augusta, Georgia to Tucson, Arizona this past summer... An absolutely beautiful adrenaline filled ride!
I have the budman risers and just replaced the head light with a Hogworz couple weeks ago (not pictured).

-MIG
Image
 
#20 ·
mindglove1 said:
Wow crazy far ride!!! What do you like most about the risers? How tall are you? Ive been really curious about risers.
Click to expand...
It was crazy FUN!... yes. I rode between 400-600 miles per day stopping at family and friends along the way. They bring the bars back about .75" and raise them 2.5". I'm 5'10" and for me personally, it is a more comfortable riding position and easier on my bad back for longer rides.

-MIG
 
  • Like
Reactions: mindglove1 and streetrodracer
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
About this Discussion
27 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
MIG
Harley Davidson V-Rod Forum
posts
2.7M
members
71K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Harley Davidson V-Rod Motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, performance, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
V-ROD General Parts For Sale VRSCDX V-ROD Mechanical VRSCF