Anyone Successfully Convert Street Glide to Road Glide?

Motorcycles
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Convert Your Street Glide to a Road Glide: A How-To Guide

Converting your Harley Davidson Street Glide into a Road Glide can be an intriguing project, especially if you love the Road Glide’s more aggressive look and performance features. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you through this process.

Understanding the Key Differences

Before diving into the conversion, it’s essential to grasp the main differences between the two models. Key aspects include:

  • Fairing Style: Road Glides have a fixed fairing, while Street Glides feature a batwing fairing.
  • Suspension and Frame: The two models have different suspension setups that affect handling and ride comfort.
  • Wind Protection: The Road Glide provides better wind protection and stability at higher speeds.

Steps for Conversion

Here’s a general list of steps you’ll need to follow for the conversion:

1. Assess Your Current Setup

  • Review your Street Glide’s current configuration. Are there any modifications already made?
  • Consider your budget for the conversion.

2. Required Parts

You may need to source several parts to complete the transformation:

  • Road Glide Fairing: This is the most critical component.
  • Wiring Harness: You may need to adapt the existing one.
  • Windshield: Optional, depending on your height preference.
  • Headlight and Indicators: Road Glide-specific options available.

3. Set Up a Workspace

  • Find a clean, well-lit area to work on your bike.
  • Gather your tools: a socket set, screwdrivers, and any specialty tools for Harley Davidson models.

4. Remove the Existing Fairing

  • Disconnect any wiring attached to the Street Glide’s fairing.
  • Carefully unscrew and remove the fairing from your bike, taking care not to damage any components.

5. Install the Road Glide Fairing

  • Follow the instructions to attach the new fairing securely. Make sure all bolts are tightened properly.
  • Connect the wiring harness according to the Road Glide setup. This step can be tricky, so take your time.

6. Final Touches

  • Install the new headlight and any other accessories.
  • Once everything is assembled, double-check for any loose parts and take a look at the overall design.

Performance Considerations

  • After your conversion, consider upgrading your suspension for improved handling.
  • It may be beneficial to enhance your braking system for better performance at higher speeds.

Share Your Experience

If you’ve gone through this process, your insights can be incredibly valuable to others considering the conversion. Share your personal experiences, tips, and any challenges you faced along the way. Photos of your progress can also be super helpful!

By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can create a community of Street Glide to Road Glide converters. Looking forward to hearing your stories!

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Great topic! The key difference lies in the front fairing design. The Road Glide has a fixed fairing, which offers better wind protection at higher speeds compared to the Street Glide’s batwing fairing.

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Absolutely! Also, consider the handling differences due to that fixed fairing on the Road Glide. It definitely changes the ride experience.

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Don’t forget about the electronics! The Road Glide might have different options for infotainment systems that need attention during the conversion process.

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Good point, Hansen! You might need to rewire some of the connections when handling the different infotainment setups. Definitely takes time and patience.

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That’s a big task! The brake lines also need to be addressed, as the geometry changes with the new fairing. Just think it through before diving in!

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Honestly, I love the fixed fairing look! And for touring, it’s such a game changer. Has anyone looked into aftermarket upgrades for comfort?

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I’ve been researching some seats for Road Glides. They can really enhance long rides. Let me know if you find any gems!

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Sales of the Road Glide show how popular it is becoming! Anyone actually had a successful conversion and can share their journey?

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I get that, but I believe the upgraded performance of a Road Glide is worth it. It’s all about personal preference!

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Just a thought: anyone else feel like the conversion could lose some of the Street Glide’s charm? It’s a classic design!

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I haven’t personally converted one, but I’m all ears for anyone sharing a successful process. The challenges seem tough but doable.

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I can totally see some folks being die-hard Street Glide fans. But the ride versatility of the Road Glide is so tempting! It’s fun to debate, right?

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When you think about it, the aesthetics and performance are what draws people in. A conversion that keeps that balance would certainly be impressive!

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Totally agree! If you could keep the Street Glide look with Road Glide features, that’s a win! Who wouldn’t want that?

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Just remember to enjoy the journey! Converting a ride is all about making it personal and fun!

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I’m excited to see this topic! I’ve been contemplating the conversion from Street Glide to Road Glide myself. Could we get a detailed parts list?

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Absolutely! You’ll need specific fairings, a Road Glide headlight, and the inner fairing assembly for starters. Wiring adjustments will also be necessary.

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It’s a big project, but definitely doable. Just ensure you’re ready for some frame modifications – it can get tricky!

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I’ve heard that before! What type of frame adjustments are we talking about?