Harley Davidsons

[sandandfoam]

Anyone else interested in talking about them?
I love mine, it's my second one. An XL1200R. I got it secondhand - 300 miles with it's first owner, I couldn't believe my luck.
My first was an 883, nice bike too but not enough power.
I wasn't going to modify this bike for a while because I spent all my money buying it. But what is it about Harleys that makes people have to fiddle? So far I've changed the saddle, put on a sissy bar and back-rest, Vance and Hines mufflers. Thank goodness for cheap stuff on e-bay and a strong euro!

 

[Reverend Rick]

I used to have a 1975 Super glide. Put a wide glide front end on, cut it down and reversed the rear swing arm to lower it. Changed the pedals with running boards, punched out the 74 shovel head motor to 80 cubic inch pistons with dual spark plug heads, electronic ignition and 2 inch drag pipes.

I Installed 5 gallon fat bobs tanks, bobtail rear fender and painted it red plus rewired bike with red wiring and blue dot tail light. I kept the frame black and installed a comfortable saddle step seat. Every bolt was chrome with acorn cap nuts. It had a 16 inch Avon with an aluminum solid wheel in back and a 21 inch spoke rim with an Avon tire in front.

Leather tool pouch in front and saddle bags in back. No sissy bar, but comfortable custom handlebars.

This was a low, fast, loud, bundle of joy I rode during my mid life crisis. When I bought her, I told my friends I would not get an ear ring, tattoo, or join a motorcycle club. I was wrong about that. I found out that getting hair cuts and shaving was a waste of time and money as well.

Had I known that Harley's where such a chick magnet, I might have had one earlier in my life. It was not uncommon to see me riding around with women half my age. I was into Paganism during that period of my life and it is a wonder my marriage survived my midlife discretions.

There are two kinds of men. Ones who have rode Harley's and ones who missed out on a whole lotta fun.

 

[sandandfoam]

That sounds awesome Rick. Have you any photos?
Any plans to buy/build another one?
Down the line I'd like to lower mine add a 4.5 gallon tank and give it forward controls. In a perfect world I'd then fly it to America and go to either Sturgis or Daytona for bike week

 

[Reverend Rick]

That sounds awesome Rick. Have you any photos?
Any plans to buy/build another one?
Down the line I'd like to lower mine add a 4.5 gallon tank and give it forward controls. In a perfect world I'd then fly it to America and go to either Sturgis or Daytona for bike week

I have lots of photos stashed away somewhere. I don't want to ever say never, but I am into fast boats now. Sturgis is awesome, Daytona is fun. If you have to choose, go to Sturgis.

 

[Valjean]

What -- no windscreen!

Are the mufflers the only engine mod you made? I ask 'cause if you open up the exhaust you should think about opening up the intake as well (easy). You've also probably leaned out the fuel mix on an engine that already runs very lean. I'm assuming your scoot is injected, which makes tweaking the mixture problematic.

 

[sandandfoam]

What -- no windscreen!

Are the mufflers the only engine mod you made? I ask 'cause if you open up the exhaust you should think about opening up the intake as well (easy). You've also probably leaned out the fuel mix on an engine that already runs very lean. I'm assuming your scoot is injected, which makes tweaking the mixture problematic.

The bike came with a windscreen and I took it off, the noise nearly drove me nuts.
As regards the mufflers I got them on e-bay, hopefully they're winging their way across the Atlantic as we speak. My bike is injected, I'm hoping they won't need a power commander ('cos I can't afford one for a while!) I was going to put in a K&N filter as well. What would you suggest?

 

[sandandfoam]

I have lots of photos stashed away somewhere.

If you can find one will you post it - I'd love to have a look.
I'd like to see your bike too Seyorni.

 

[Valjean]

The bike came with a windscreen and I took it off, the noise nearly drove me nuts.
As regards the mufflers I got them on e-bay, hopefully they're winging their way across the Atlantic as we speak. My bike is injected, I'm hoping they won't need a power commander ('cos I can't afford one for a while!) I was going to put in a K&N filter as well. What would you suggest?

Are you talking about wind noise/buffeting or reflected engine noise? I think there are a lot of windscreens designed more with form than function in mind. A well designed one will reduce wind noise at speed, but it's probably harder to control the tendency to reflect engine noise back at the rider. Mine is great aerodynamically, but annoyingly reflective. Still, I wouldn't want to be without it for a highway trip of more than half an hour or so. Fighting the wind is more fatiguing than I realised before I got it.

K&N filters are good. They do stick out farther than the stock, though, so if you use highway pegs you might find you have to bend your right knee a bit awkwardly to rest your foot on the peg (or do they put the air filtres on the left on the UK models? ).
If the airbox on your Sportie is anything like the ones on the Big Twins, you can increase the CFPM flow for nothing with a little creative drilling.
Under the air filtre cover is a plastic airbox, with a single intake opening. This is the pinch point. Drill a series of half inch holes around the perimeter.
While on the subject of drills, you could have opened up the stock mufflers with a few quarter inch holes in the baffles, for the price of a drill extension (they're pretty far in there), But your Vance & Hines should be far superior to this poor-man's fix.

I have Supertrapps on both my bikes. A two-into-one setup on my FXR and slip-ons on My FXD. I like the fact that they're tuneable and relatively quiet. I'm pretty conservative on the number of tuning plates I use -- I don't want to loose my low end.

Opening up the intake/exhaust tends to shift your power curve to the right; sacrificing low and mid-range for increased horsepower at high RPM. A lot of people shell out a lot of money only to discover their bikes are now slugs at ordinary speeds.
Don't get sucked in by all the adds. Harley's breathe fine at ordinary RPMs.

If you open up your airflow you definately will want to enrich your fuel-air mix -- it's already really lean, at least here in the States, due to EPA (environmental protection agency) regulations. Lean it out further and you'll run really hot and could even burn your valves. Sorry, with an injected bike there's no cheap way to do this.

The three mods that will produce immediately noticable power increases at ordinary speeds are: a richer mix, timing modification and aftermarket cams.

Enough tech. What kind of riding do you do? Have you done any touring or gone to any rallies?
I used to go to the Sturgis and Daytona rallies, but have become more of a homebody the past few years.

You've got a sissy bar and aftermarket saddle -- who are you riding around with? (details, please).
Do you bike to work?

Where do you park your bike at home? I've got one in a garden shed and another securely shackled to a gas pipe in the back garden.
At my previous residence I kept my bike shackled to a parking block outside my flat. One morning I went out to find my expensive aftermarket carburettor gone.
I moved the next week to a better neighborhood.

 

[sandandfoam]

Are you talking about wind noise/buffeting or reflected engine noise? I think there are a lot of windscreens designed more with form than function in mind. A well designed one will reduce wind noise at speed, but it's probably harder to control the tendency to reflect engine noise back at the rider. Mine is great aerodynamically, but annoyingly reflective. Still, I wouldn't want to be without it for a highway trip of more than half an hour or so. Fighting the wind is more fatiguing than I realised before I got it.

Mainly the wind, I like to wear an open face and the noise was deafening, like you say I could also feel my head getting buffeted around.
It is a little bit harder to hold on at speed but most roads I'm on have an 80k speed limit so I seldom go at more than 60 or 70mph

K&N filters are good. They do stick out farther than the stock, though, so if you use highway pegs you might find you have to bend your right knee a bit awkwardly to rest your foot on the peg (or do they put the air filtres on the left on the UK models? ).
If the airbox on your Sportie is anything like the ones on the Big Twins, though, you can increase the CFPM flow for nothing with a little creative drilling.
Under the air filtre cover is a plastic airbox, with a single intake opening. This is the pinch point. Drill a series of half inch holes around the perimeter.
While on the subject of drills, you could have opened up the stock mufflers with a few quarter inch holes in the baffles, for the price of a drill extension (they're pretty far in there), But your Vance & Hines should be far superior to this poor-man's fix.

I have Supertrapps on both my bikes. A two-into-one setup on my FXR and slip-ons on My FXD. I like the fact that they're tuneable and relatively quiet. I'm pretty conservative on the number of tuning plates I use -- I don't want to loose my low end.

Opening up the intake/exhaust tends to shift your power curve to the right; sacrificing low and mid-range for increased horsepower at high RPM. A lot of people shell out a lot of money only to discover their bikes are now slugs at ordinary speeds.
Don't get sucked in by all the adds. Harley's breathe fine at ordinary RPMs.

If you open up your airflow you definately will want to enrich your fuel-air mix -- it's already really lean, at least here in the States, due to EPA (environmental protection agency) regulations. Lean it out further and you'll run really hot and could even burn your valves. Sorry, with an injected bike there's no cheap way to do this.

The three mods that will produce immediately noticable power increases at ordinary speeds are: a richer mix, timing modification and aftermarket cams.

After reading this I think I'll just fit the cans for now and see how it runs. Lots of good advice there, thanks.

Enough tech. What kind of riding do you do? Have you done any touring or gone to any rallies?
I used to go to the Sturgis and Daytona rallies, but have become more of a homebody the past few years.

We used to take off across Europe for our holidays but the kids have put a halt to that for a while!
I went to the European HOG rally when it was in Killarney, that has turned into a local rally now but I go, it's good fun. My in-laws mind the kids so we get one nights concerts and 2 days riding. It's great.
Other than that I get to as many road races as I can. This is our local one Motorcycle Road Races - Athea, Ireland

You've got a sissy bar and aftermarket saddle -- who are you riding around with? (details, please).

That's the best bit

Do you bike to work?

I got redundancy 2 years ago, now I'm studying and minding the kids. So no work!! I used to.
I avoided owning a car until we'd 3 kids. I used to be able to carry 2 on my bicycle but I had to give in when no.3 came along and get the car. Where we go I get to by car. Where I go I get to on the bike

Where do you park your bike at home? I've got one in a garden shed and another securely shackled to a gas pipe in the back garden.
At my previous residence I kept my bike shackled to a parking block outside my flat. One morning I went out to find my expensive aftermarket carburettor gone.
I moved the next week to a better neighborhood.

I built a shed for the bikes. I've also got a MZ 350 and an old Honda cb350 which I'll either restore or chop. No bike thieves around here thank goodness. Anyone interfering with the bikes would bring out my unpleasant side!!
I'd have moved too if I was you.

 

[Valjean]

I used to have a 1975 Super glide. Put a wide glide front end on, cut it down and reversed the rear swing arm to lower it. Changed the pedals with running boards, punched out the 74 shovel head motor to 80 cubic inch pistons with dual spark plug heads, electronic ignition and 2 inch drag pipes.

Reversing the swingarm -- I haven't heard of this mod. How does it work?
Why the dual plugs? Did you increase the compression with the 74 to 80 inch mod?
How did the drag pipes work out? I confess that when I hear "drag pipes" and nothing about carb tuning I'm thinking no low end and fried valves.

I Installed 5 gallon fat bobs tanks, bobtail rear fender and painted it red plus rewired bike with red wiring and blue dot tail light. I kept the frame black and installed a comfortable saddle step seat. Every bolt was chrome with acorn cap nuts. It had a 16 inch Avon with an aluminum solid wheel in back and a 21 inch spoke rim with an Avon tire in front.

Watch out for those blue-dots -- I got ticketed in Sturgis for a blue-dot one year! (though this was not why I was initially pulled over ).
I got a set of Avons once at the Daytona rally. They felt a lot more "plush" than the stock Dunlops and cornered better, too, but they didn't wear as well. I've used Dunlops since, but mostly 'cause I'm a cheap SOB!

Leather tool pouch in front and saddle bags in back. No sissy bar, but comfortable custom handlebars.

Tool pouch in front of the saddle bags? I can't quite picture that. The usual location is across the forks below the headlight.

This was a low, fast, loud, bundle of joy I rode during my mid life crisis. When I bought her, I told my friends I would not get an ear ring, tattoo, or join a motorcycle club. I was wrong about that. I found out that getting hair cuts and shaving was a waste of time and money as well.

Pictures, pictures!

Had I known that Harley's where such a chick magnet, I might have had one earlier in my life. It was not uncommon to see me riding around with women half my age. I was into Paganism during that period of my life and it is a wonder my marriage survived my midlife discretions.

Ride a Harley to an event or even a neighborhood bar, and if you leave alone it's your choice. For some reason, they do seem to be a chick magnet.

There are two kinds of men. Ones who have rode Harley's and ones who missed out on a whole lotta fun.

 

[sandandfoam]

Here's my beauty.
http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2094&cat=505

 

[Booko]

Harley's were not much of an option for me in my biking days. There were no electric starters then and I didn't weigh enough to kick start it.

I had a rice burner myself.

My ideal of retirement is to return to Michigan in a semi-rural area, get a Gold Wing, and my husband can ride on the back, 'cause I sure would not let him drive. :no:

I do like hogs though, as long as it's someone else's.

 

[Valjean]

I've never ridden a Gold Wing, though I've owned Hondas. Have you ever ridden a Harley? They have an interesting, tractor-like quality to them, especially the older ones. They don't let you forget you're operating a machine.

What was this rice burner you used to ride?

Your quip about Mr Booko gave me a chuckle. Does he not know how to operate a bike, or is it an isue of how he rides?

Where do you see yourself going on this rolling armchair? Gold wings aren't designed for everyday commuting, they're long distance tourers.
I have to admit I'm having a hard time picturing someone too small to kick-start a 1200 cc Harley at the helm of a Gold-Wing with a passenger.

 

[Valjean]

Here's my beauty.
http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2094&cat=505

Looks good, Stephen. Got a shot with the sissy-bar, new saddle, &c?

Have you thought about getting a set of saddle-bags, or are you afraid your wife will start sending you out to do the shopping?

 

[sandandfoam]

Looks good, Stephen. Got a shot with the sissy-bar, new saddle, &c?

Have you thought about getting a set of saddle-bags, or are you afraid your wife will start sending you out to do the shopping?

No saddle bags yet, they're on the to-do list ---ebay.
She already sends me for the shopping, I'd love to go on the bike but I'd need a double sidecar for my 'helpers'!
As soon as I get a photo I'll post one of it with the new bits. I'd love a look at your bikes.
Did you have a look at the link to the local race here, they've some great photos up there.
Did you watch the racing in Daytona, what was the highlight there for you, what about Sturgis?
They look like amazing places, I'd love to go.
The only biking 'pilgramage' I've made is to the Isle of Man, a fantastic place but very expensive, the prices get jacked right up for the races. It's worth going though the sight of a Superbike dissappearing down Bray Hill through suburbia at 170+ mph is beyond words. Here's what it looks like when it all goes wrong on Bray Hill
YouTube - TT Bike Crash

and when it just goes wrong
YouTube - bike crash at 200 mph

both riders recovered, although both retired.

Aside from the racing it's great too, much like a version of Daytona without the weather I imagine

 

[Booko]

I've never ridden a Gold Wing, though I've owned Hondas. Have you ever ridden a Harley? They have an interesting, tractor-like quality to them, especially the older ones. They don't let you forget you're operating a machine.

Oh yeah! I drove a few old Sportys once upon a time...when the owner started it for me anyway. Yeah, they do have a tractor-like quality to them.

I rode an old Triumph and an Indian as well. I liked the Triumph well enough except you'd go broke buying LocTite to keep it together. I didn't get to ride the Indian much, didn't really dare to, it was something of an antique and I couldn't have replaced it if I'd done anything stupid and dumped it.

What was this rice burner you used to ride?

Honda CX 500 (not the kitted out Silver Wing). The water-cooled engine made it last forever, but it was heavy as anything and guys would often complain the configuration of the V in the engine would bump their knees, which I bet it would.

It didn't have the zip of most bikes, with all that water weight on it, but compared to your average car? Oh yeah, plenty to be had.

It had a really nice balance and would turn very easy. Maybe a little too easy for some. I used to warn people about that before they would take it for a spin. You barely had to lean to turn.

Your quip about Mr Booko gave me a chuckle. Does he not know how to operate a bike, or is it an isue of how he rides?

Alas, it is his driving ability generally. It has improved greatly over the years, but that just now means he is a relatively safe normal driver.

Where do you see yourself going on this rolling armchair? Gold wings aren't designed for everyday commuting, they're long distance tourers.

Well, hopefully by the time we retire we won't be doing commuting anyway. Oh, I think a nice country drive to the beach on Lake Michigan would set me up for quite a while. Maybe a roadtrip to Hell?

I have to admit I'm having a hard time picturing someone too small to kick-start a 1200 cc Harley at the helm of a Gold-Wing with a passenger.

Uh yeah, well I weiged about 108 lbs at the time.

Still, women have lower centers of gravity and surely that makes us better at balancing?

I drove Gold Wings with passengers then a couple of times, just switching driving with my friends/owners of them.

Not that Yamaha 850 special...wow that thing was a bear to handle.

 

[sandandfoam]

.

Not that Yamaha 850 special...wow that thing was a bear to handle.

Was that a TRX850, the attempt at a Ducati like thing that everyone crashed?

 

[Booko]

Was that a TRX850, the attempt at a Ducati like thing that everyone crashed?

No, this was the beastie...though you never woulda caught Greg's bike so shabbily cared for:

Very torquey, which is great..it could fly. But you really had to manhandle it trying to corner.

Aha!

Here was what my cycle looked like, and kitted out just the way I had it and same color too:

I think they introduced the rear monoshock a year or two later.

You know how many bikers say the got married and sold their bikes because the wife made 'em?

Well, I got married and sold my bike....because my husband made me.

Well, in truth Atlanta is no place for biking. I'd drive a tank just for safety if it didn't suck down gas.

 

[Valjean]

Oh yeah! I drove a few old Sportys once upon a time...when the owner started it for me anyway. Yeah, they do have a tractor-like quality to them.

I rode an old Triumph and an Indian as well. I liked the Triumph well enough except you'd go broke buying LocTite to keep it together. I didn't get to ride the Indian much, didn't really dare to, it was something of an antique and I couldn't have replaced it if I'd done anything stupid and dumped it.

LocTight for a Triumph? Why bother? The Lucas electronics would crap out long befor e the thing would shake itself apart!

Old solid-mount Sportsters were much more of an adventure -- it was an equal bet weather the vibration would shake off some vital part or weather the [points] ignition would fry itelf first!

Honda CX 500 (not the kitted out Silver Wing). The water-cooled engine made it last forever, but it was heavy as anything and guys would often complain the configuration of the V in the engine would bump their knees, which I bet it would.

It didn't have the zip of most bikes, with all that water weight on it, but compared to your average car? Oh yeah, plenty to be had.

It had a really nice balance and would turn very easy. Maybe a little too easy for some. I used to warn people about that before they would take it for a spin. You barely had to lean to turn.

OK. Sorry, but I can't picture a CX 500. Whatsort of scoot was it?

Alas, it is his driving ability generally. It has improved greatly over the years, but that just now means he is a relatively safe normal driver.

Get him a 'Busa for his next birthday!

Well, hopefully by the time we retire we won't be doing commuting anyway. Oh, I think a nice country drive to the beach on Lake Michigan would set me up for quite a while. Maybe a roadtrip to Hell?

Hell Michigan? I hear it's a cute stop on a road trip, but there's really not much to it.
It's a tiny little town with little more than an ice cream and an "I've been to Hell" T-shirt shop.

Uh yeah, well I weiged about 108 lbs at the time.

That's 49Kg for any non-American's reading this. About 7.7 stone for you Brits...

Still, women have lower centers of gravity and surely that makes us better at balancing?

Palpable poppycock!

I drove Gold Wings with passengers then a couple of times, just switching driving with my friends/owners of them.

Not that Yamaha 850 special...wow that thing was a bear to handle.

I think I'd be scared to ride such a massive bike with a passenger!

 

[Valjean]

No saddle bags yet, they're on the to-do list ---ebay.
She already sends me for the shopping, I'd love to go on the bike but I'd need a double sidecar for my 'helpers'!
As soon as I get a photo I'll post one of it with the new bits. I'd love a look at your bikes.
Did you have a look at the link to the local race here, they've some great photos up there.

Checked out the link thoroughly. No drunken shenanegans or naked women, though. (I'm very disappointed...)

Did you watch the racing in Daytona, what was the highlight there for you, what about Sturgis?
They look like amazing places, I'd love to go.

No, I didn't go to the races. Seemed like a lot of bikes riding around and around and around and around, in a big circle, at dangerous speeds. Nothing to prevent dizzynes but the occasional crash -- which everyone insists they dread and have no wish to see (yeah, right ).

"Highlights" were much more mundane, I'm afraid: Cole slaw wrestling at the Cabbage Patch campground (use your imagination).
Half a million Harleys chugging around a not-that-big town.
Thousands of vendors all over town selling all sorts of interesting, useful -- and totally ridiculous things.
Riding up and down the beach, dodging scantily clad bathers.
The bars, the pubs, the taverns, the dives, the clubs, the bistros -- Live entertainment, bands, "performers".
Bikers on holiday (who expect no word of their antics to reach their home towns) competing for most outrageous, rude, scandalous, lascivious,&c.
The "campgrounds" competing for custom by offering the most outrageous or bizarre accomodations and entertainment.
Custom bike competitions: Mods of every stripe, from useful to ridiculous. Fantasatically high-end to "If it can somehow propel itself across 20 feet of ground it's in."

The authorities concentrate on maintaining order, and don't sweat the small stuff. They don't worry so much about bike week. What really tears up the town is Spring Break, the previous week -- college students cutting loose.


Sturgis is very different from Daytona. It's pure Biker, much more concntrated, not mixed with townsfolk and "motorcyclists" like Daytona. 99% Harley-Davidson, and half of these modified, often very modified. (For that matter, many people were very modified).

In the old days Bikers completely took over the town for a week. It was pure anarchy. The authorities tried desperately not to be noticed. The bikers reveled in the freedom to indulge their anti-social fantasies. It was a counterculture fest, and made daytona look like a church picnic.

In recent years, though, the Chamber of Commerce has assumed control of the rally and it' become much more a family affair than It used to be. There's still big-name entertainment in the camprgounds, especially Buffalo Chip, but you're not likely to see topless women casually shopping in the supermarket or completely naked people washing their clothes in the
laundromat any more.:no:

The only biking 'pilgramage' I've made is to the Isle of Man, a fantastic place but very expensive, the prices get jacked right up for the races. It's worth going though the sight of a Superbike dissappearing down Bray Hill through suburbia at 170+ mph is beyond words. Here's what it looks like when it all goes wrong on Bray Hill
YouTube - TT Bike Crash

and when it just goes wrong
YouTube - bike crash at 200 mph

Yikes! I don't like to see people crash n burn, even if they walk away from it. (I'm something of a wimp....)

[/quote]both riders recovered, although both retired.

Aside from the racing it's great too, much like a version of Daytona without the weather I imagine [/quote]