Hello,

I have received some PM's about the WG I was working and wanted to post some pics so you can see where I am in this project.

All in all it was an easy job and I really like the HHI kit. I received the trees and install kit in the mail, inspected everything and all looked good.

I tore down the front end, checked the steering head bearings, the one was pressed on the lower tree and it only made sense to replace them both while everything was apart anyway so I replaced them both. I decided that while it was apart I would replace the lower tubes with chrome ones so I had a local shop do that, I brought them the tubes and they swapped out the lowers for $90 labor. Is this a good price? I didn't do much shopping around but it sounded reasonable.

I installed the new bearings, trees and forks I was ready to put the wheel on when I noticed that HHI had sent me the wrong size axle spacers. I called them to confirm the sizes and they agreed they had made a mistake. HHI said they would overnight me a package of new spacers. The next day (last Friday) the package arrived... EMPTY. They sent the spacers to me in a UPS envelope, it arrived all mangled and with a tear in the top. I called HHI a bit frustrated, not at them just at the situation because now I am left with a torn down bike for the weekend since they aren't open on the weekends to do shipping. I offered to buy them or spend the extra money for a box this time and they said they would UPS overnight more spacers to me in a box on Monday at no charge.

Since I had some time over the weekend I figured that the front end would really benefit now from some new cables so I bought a stainless braided clutch and brake line, as you can see in the pics below the clutch is the only one I installed so far.

I received the spacers from HHI Tuesday as promised and was very happy to see the correct sizes. A couple mistakes along the way but I must say that I am very happy so far with HHI and their kit. I put the wheel on and rechecked every bolt again (for the third time) just to be sure of myself and went on a chilly test ride.

I am very happy with the result but am still working a few things to finish it up... I still need to install the brake line but am waiting on my speed bleeders to arrive first. I am also waiting on my 11" Progressive 412's for the rear to arrive so I can install them and get the back end a bit lower. I'm not so sure about the handlebars at this height, they are lower now with these trees, I will wait until I get the rear shocks on and see how it rides and sits then before I change anything there but I think I am going to have to. I also need to figure the best way to route the cables under the tank, I removed the tank and routed them straight back except for the headlight, that wraps around from the light to the left side and then directly under the tank also. If anyone has any ideas about routing them with aftermarket trees and the stock tank like I have please let me know and any pictures would be greatly appreciated also :)

So enough with the babbling, here are a few pics:

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/wg01.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/wg02.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/wg03.jpg


Thanks,
James

Nice Job!!!! I'll be home all week-end. Come and do the same thing to mine. :smoke
Congrats....loves very cool :clap

Thanks Bikerdude! I'll tell you what, you pay the the travel costs, parts and the beer http://images5.theimagehosting.com/Drinking.gif and I would be happy to help you with your conversion.

Here is the side by side view of the rake...

Stock...
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/copy_of_dsc01924.jpg

Rake...
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/wg03.jpg


http://images5.theimagehosting.com/pimp.2.gif

Very nice!
If you don't mind me asking, how much $$$?
I've been thinking of doing a similar wideglide...been looking at the Seeger kit.

The 1200 kit is first, but definitely like the look of the raked wideglide.

Hey BigJim, my kit was $700. They have it split into 2 costs, one is which ever tree you go with (mid, wide and if you want chrome or not), mine were 4-something almost 500 and then the install kit that includes the new fork tube caps, axle, brake rotor mount and the hardware for that, new wider axle spacers, fender spacers and hardware for that so you can use your stock fender and I think that's about it. As a note the HHI trees I got require you to remove your stock forks tube caps and replace with their dual threaded ones. This allows your tubes to thread into the top tree. I'm sure you probably already knew this already but just wanted to be clear. I can post close ups of the top of the trees in a day or so if you want or can e-mail you any you may need also, e-mail is easier until the gallery is up. I did have the lower fork tubes changed, I didn't do that part myself but I did have to change the caps once I got them back (bad timing there) but that was very easy too I guess since the tubes weren't on the bike... I just pulled the top tube up as much as I could when changed the caps for the threaded ones.

Talk soon http://images5.theimagehosting.com/ThumbsUp.gif

Howdy James,

I've got a question for you since you've already done most of the homework. Did you notice if they have top trees that will accept the headlight eyebrow?

Gary

Thanks for the info. I really like how yours turned out. Let me know how the handling is after you've had a chance to get used to it.
Can you post a link to their website?

Hey Gary, I'm not too sure about the headlight eyebrow. http://images5.theimagehosting.com/dunno.gif

You can call HHI at 1-877-442-5837, the guy I spoke with there is named Mark.

HHI's site is: http://www.hawghalters.com

I rode it for about 30 minutes or so the other night, steering was different, I know I need the rear springs and all but it seemed to kinda pivit at the steering head, if that makes sense. It was nice just a little different and not so rough, I hit a few bumps in the road and it seemed to be a bit smoother. So far so good for a short test run. Once I get the rear springs in I'm going to take it for a bit of a ride and give my complete opinion then.

I hope this helps you guys http://images5.theimagehosting.com/ThumbsUp.gif

The steering felt kinda strange to me also when I first did mine. I also seemed to notice a slight slo wander on the highway. I dont have it now so maybe it was the wind . I did a wide glide rim on mine instead of the spacers. Maybe that contributed also??

How did the bars get lower? DO the trees sit lower on the frame? I don't get wht your bars would be lower.

I have had mine with a little more rake than yours for going on 7 years and the only real difference I feel is at high speeds. I can go faster in a straight line without worrying. In the twisties it rides almost the same as long as the mid pegs are on. With the forward controls I never feel as in control as I did with the pegs under me. I am never going to feel completely at ease with the foreward controls but the 1150 they cost make me use them. It is that simple. You will get used to them and in a few months you won't remember how it felt before. You are changing paradigms. Don't overanalyze this change or you might not truly enjoy it. Just speaking from the overanalysis of my forward controls.

slolane,

That Wide Glide Looks Righteous!!!!
:D

Hey HHahn001, Nice bike! I like the rim, that's very kewl. I am in the market for new wheels this next year so I may go that route. So you just bought a standard "wide glide" size wheel? Sorry if the question is silly, I'm kinda new to this :) If so then I could just buy the wide glide wheel and not have to use any spacers?

I just got my 11" Progressive 412's yesterday so I plan to put those on this weekend and see how that looks and rides... you guessed it, more pics coming soon :clap

barry1967, maybe it's just the angle that makes them feel lower. I know that they are angled back a bit and I do think they sit lower too. I will have to take some close pics of the bars, tank and speedo to show you. I will try to do that this weekend.

hey rottenralph, good advice, I plan to just install the new rear shocks and then ride it a bit before I do anything with the bars/riser. Coming from riding sport bikes I am still getting used to riding with my forward controls also, it's more and more comfy each time I ride. If you can, post up some pics of your bike.

thanks to all for the compliments and suggestions.

Thx for the compliment.. The rim is off a 2003..something and it is actually 1/4" off center to the right. I ordered the brake spacer with the trees but it doesnt fit the hub or something??. I could space the rotor but then it is almost off the hub and that can be a little nerve racking considering I use the front brake almost constantly. No problems with ride otherwise and it seems to track just fine.... I did have to play with the spacers a bit so if you need the sizes I can get em.

I did have to play with the spacers a bit so if you need the sizes I can get em.

Kewl thanks, I will PM you if I need some more specific info.

:)

Slolane,
Are those Vance & Hines pipes you have on there? Mine don't fit together nearly as well as those. The muffler just wouldn't slip on over the head pipe far enough for the heat shield to meet the muffler (Even with alot of force). Any modifications required to get them to fit like that?
Thanks,
Warren.

Hey Warren, Yes I have Vance & Hines pipes but I'm sorry to say that I didn't install them. They were already installed on the bike when I bought. If there are some pictures or anything else I can help you with just let me know.

Slolane, when you put install the 412s you will get back more of your stock handling. It will drop your rear just over an inch. At the approxime 62.2 inch wheel base you now have this will add about 1 degree of rake at the neck. thus giving you back some of your trail (about .8 inch).

I will not bore you guys with the math, but I have to put my math education to use somewhere.

I realize most all u guys have much newer bikes than mine..BUT...I put 412's on this past spring and eventually found out that the Bottom of my oil tank was NOW rubbing the TOP of my chain guard. It rubbed a small hole in the tank...I'm just thankful it didn't make a BIG hole and dump all my oil out!
I do love those 412's tho.

slolane--nice job---Im sure your use to the handling by now--How did the rear shocks make the bike ride??? IM thinking on getting them---Im in the middle of putting bars on my bike ,any advice which ones look better from my pathetic drawings??? You should put the 200 kit on the rear costs $999 and a wheel 5.5 inch,my kit is coming next week---I went with only 3 degree trees so my trail wouldnt be to bad,it was a good choice---100mph no wobble--DO all the work myself which saves some cash :clap Its a good experiance to do it yourself--cant open photobucket--post next

Hey eastcoastiron,

The bike rides better than stock with the new rear shocks. I highly recommend them. I can't view the bars you mentioned. Post em again if you will or e-mail em to me (jstyck@yahoo.com) so I can check em out. I went with Wild 1 Chubby's, they work well, fit nice and I get a lot of comments on em. Here is their site: Wild 1 (http://www.wild1inc.com/).

Here's a couple of pics of mine with the Chubby's:
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/5.jpg

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/2479/4.jpg

You gotta love the 120 tire-ride is more enjoyable for sure-----You need a WCC fender $99 for that tire they make thre sizes the middle one is one that fits the 21x3.5 rim think its 5.5" not the 6" Mines on order

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/eastcoastiron/done020.jpg

O-yeah, I love the 120, it's so much better. I was thinking about a WCC fender, I have to check em out again and see what they have to offer. Thanks!

I hear about people waiting 6 months (or more) for WCC parts. :frownthre

Eastcoastiron, I like the lower-legs on your bike, what are they off?