Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[CVOpcb]

Hey good morning!

Does not appear that there is much documented about the design or the engineer(s) who dreamed up and created these wonderful bikes that we call FXSTSSE, FXSTSSE2, or FXSTSSE3s.  I get that the CVO program began in 2009 and that before that, they were just called "Screaming Eagles", but if any of you guys/gals have some insights into how this model came about to begin with, I would be ecstatic to learn more.

Thanks so much!  Looking forward to see how this topic goes.

[TrAnc]

2009 cvo springer is just modification from rocker model with springer front end .

[GregKhougaz]

Google is my friend. 

What's So Special About Springer Forks?

[CVOpcb]

Thanks for the response.

I already know about the Springer front ends as I grew up with a WLA that was my father's bike.

What I was asking about was info on who & what thoughts were going into the design of the FXSTSSE3 bikes.  Yes, the obvious is the Springer Front end, but there is much, much more of a mashup of parts that make up  the rest of the bike.  Clearly some of the parts are off other bikes like the Rocker C, etc, etc, etc.  I have just never seen documentation or videos on how they came to this departure from the FXSTSSE and FXSTSSE2 bikes which are more similar to each other than the FXSTSSE3 models.

I apologize if my original question was a bit vague and not clear on scope.

[Frank FX]

Design team looks to have thrown the accessory book at the production model. The CVO Springers you reference are in my opinion the best looking CVO's ever produced. Paint jobs that stand the test of time.

[DarkEagle]

Thanks for the response.
I already know about the Springer front ends as I grew up with a WLA that was my father's bike.
What I was asking about was info on who & what thoughts were going into the design of the FXSTSSE3 bikes.  Yes, the obvious is the Springer Front end, but there is much, much more of a mashup of parts that make up  the rest of the bike.  Clearly some of the parts are off other bikes like the Rocker C, etc, etc, etc.  I have just never seen documentation or videos on how they came to this departure from the FXSTSSE and FXSTSSE2 bikes which are more similar to each other than the FXSTSSE3 models.
I apologize if my original question was a bit vague and not clear on scope.

I don’t believe there ever was any articles with the design & build teams of any of the Screaming Eagle & CVO bikes. If you look at any of the series though, especially the CVO Screaming Eagle Softail Springer, the designs & features kind of evolve with trends.

Take the 2007 with its back in the day classic HD springer frame & modern parts & paint accented with tribal flames with the 21” tall skinny front tire & 17” 200mm rear tire.
2008 followed the biker build off craze of Russel Mitchel’s Exile Cycle’s old school bad ass ready to rumble bikes with the fat 18” front tire to the 17” 200mm rear tire.
2009 really made the transition from old school to modern custom springer, adding to the fat 18” front tire with the nice wide 18” 240 rear tire, basically like you said adding a springer front end to the Rocker frame with a special chrome tank, wide Bobtail fender, and metal grind flame paint scheme.

I came close to buying the 2007 but held back, then 2008, then finally ended up with the 2009 diamond black with emerald green flames that just blew me away, you have 3 different styles of the times for the springer, you can’t go wrong with either, and I don’t know there is another theme you can create keeping with just the basic springer without going all old school Heritage Springer.

Of course they could always go back to a modernized retro of the Bad Boy springer with a little of that non-springer FXB Sturgis Edition vibe, like the Crossbones it don’t have to be a CVO and maybe more affordable like a Sportster…

I really like how they stayed with basic springer look including the single headlight & rear bobtail fender and fairly similar dual shotgun exhaust, and left to each of our preferences if we wanted to add fat ape hangers or mini apes, other exhaust, front windshield or deflector, and saddlebags or other storage, not to count other big changes like smooth rear fender & different paint scheme.

Anyway, still did not answer your question & I didn’t think you were vague, but I think the same goes with any other CVO’s. All I know is the background is not important to me, I appreciate the history & evolution behind HD overall & hope the bean counters don’t run it into the ground, I’m enjoying my 2009 FXSTSSE3 and will continue to once I take care of some mechanical issues, think it needs lifters & what comes with it, & hope you enjoy your ride…

[CVOpcb]

That's a great response, and confirms my suspicions.  All three of these bikes were a awesome concept, each in their own respective ways.

I can relate to the nod to Russell's bar hopper as I have one.  Just never connected the wheels to the Springers as the bar hopper is a skinnier version than found on these bikes.

Thanks for your brilliant response.  Definitely added more insight than I have found online.

[DarkEagle]

That's a great response, and confirms my suspicions.  All three of these bikes were a awesome concept, each in their own respective ways.

I can relate to the nod to Russell's bar hopper as I have one.  Just never connected the wheels to the Springers as the bar hopper is a skinnier version than found on these bikes.

Thanks for your brilliant response.  Definitely added more insight than I have found online.

Forgot to include the one thing HD CVO did for their springers were the fat beach bars instead of the classic “buckhorn” or ape hanger handlebars, really gave each of them a more hard core bar brawler look Personally I prefer the old buckhorn or mini ape bars, always planned to convert mine but then that required longer electrical & hydraulic lines.

That’s cool you have a Russell bike, been awhile since the biker builder craze but I liked his style, & think I remember he didn’t fatten up the tires on a springer version he came out with thru Excile, I always thought it would be cool to see a springer with a Russel style look with matching fat front & rear tires like they were going to pop off the rims, that is what the 2008 FXSTSSE2 kind of reminded me of.

[CVOpcb]

A bit of Exile porn for ya.

[gmeikle]

The history line of the Springer ended with the last of the Crossbones models somewhere around 2010/11.

No factory bikes produced since. I have read/heard from multiple sources is that all models moving to ABS brakes was the main "problem'.

Apparently, ABS and the Springer movement were incompatible engineering wise. Heard that direct from Australian HD dealers.

Then in 2019 the local Perth Western Australia HD dealer built a Springer front ended 2019 Fatboy for a Dealer "biker buildoff" kinda comp.

Their workshop manager told me at the time, when I had a right good look over it, that they had managed to keep the factory ABS working on the front wheel.

However the bike did not have a front fender and the wheel appeared to be slightly offset , kinda like the Rocker models of before.

And surprisingly it was NOT genuine HD parts , rather a "Meat Balls" copy of an original FL Springer.

If I have posted these photos before I apologise.

[gmeikle]

Photo 2

[gmeikle]

Photo 3

[gmeikle]

Photo 4

[DarkEagle]

The history line of the Springer ended with the last of the Crossbones models somewhere around 2010/11.
No factory bikes produced since. I have read/heard from multiple sources is that all models moving to ABS brakes was the main "problem'.
Apparently, ABS and the Springer movement were incompatible engineering wise. Heard that direct from Australian HD dealers.

Thanks CVOpcb & gmeikle for sharing. I’m glad I got my 2009 FXSTSSE3 when they first came out, it rides & handles just fine for me with the CVO factory custom take on modern chopper with old school vibe, especially the diamond black with emerald green flames… 🤟