Taking my EVO on the road
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Agreed. My indy is a good guy and I intend to continue to work with him. There is just a reality of what can be done in a business while making a living.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,291
Likes: 7,773
From: West Central FL
I'm reminded of a TV show I saw years and years ago. The setup was these guys had a few weeks to build a custom chopper in LA, and then ride to Sturgis.
On the way, one of them lost a cylinder bolt. So they pulled over and Helicoiled it in a gas station parking lot.
The moral of the story is to always carry a cargo van equipped with a complete machine shop.
On the way, one of them lost a cylinder bolt. So they pulled over and Helicoiled it in a gas station parking lot.
The moral of the story is to always carry a cargo van equipped with a complete machine shop.
I think that was Jesse James in an episode of "Biker Build-Off" and what they didn't show you was the fully equipped repair/machine-shop-on-wheels chase truck following his posse on the journey.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Yes, this is my understanding. My mechanic is discouraging me from a wiring overhaul. But I have had two wires go bad, the neutral light does not work (bulb is good) and blinkers work intermittently. I feel like there are some underlying issues that are making all these things happen and until I address the underlying issue(s) I will continue to have electrical problems.
My first thought was to replace the entire electrical system. My mechanic does not like that idea. I am thinking may just take the dashboard completely apart. Clean it really well, replace those wires and check to make sure all grounds are solid.
Comments, suggestions....
My first thought was to replace the entire electrical system. My mechanic does not like that idea. I am thinking may just take the dashboard completely apart. Clean it really well, replace those wires and check to make sure all grounds are solid.
Comments, suggestions....
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/381-069
I have replaced the main wiring harness on both my bikes and am very happy with the results.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
This sounds like a good solution. So which one of you ace garage mechanics is going to drive my chase truck? And which one of you is going to lend me the money to buy it and equip it? Okay, give me the money. I am not paying you back.
And I want a film crew that will film me making the fixes in a parking lot even though I am not actually doing anything other than posing for the camera. All about looking cool.
I have a friend who has multiple motorcycles including a Harley and he says he likes his Harley the best because he gets to dress like a pirate and pretend to be a badass....
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 129
Likes: 14
From: Gulf Coast
Lots of good info/advice. Back in my youth I carried XX pounds of tools, roadside repairs were no big. Chit happened, $ave time, save my broke a$$ some ca$h, fix it my$elf right there if I had/could get parts.
Now decades later, older and grayer, with one of those cell phone thingys, Im in the AAA phone call/tow crowd.
Has anybody in an out of town road trip break down had a HD dealer say, "sorry we dont work on bikes over XX years old?" Ive heard internet stories.......
Now decades later, older and grayer, with one of those cell phone thingys, Im in the AAA phone call/tow crowd.
Has anybody in an out of town road trip break down had a HD dealer say, "sorry we dont work on bikes over XX years old?" Ive heard internet stories.......
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
Griz
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
We were having our annual get together and everyone was at my house here in Ustoned. About 12 bikes of folks loaded up and rode to the HD dealer SW of Ustoned, went in and started picking out stuff to buy.
Meanwhile we took the other guys scoot to the rear for a new front tire and was told they wouldn't swap it as it was over 10 years old. They told us that the bearing may be seized to the axle and they wouldn't work on it.
Everyone left everything we were going to buy right there and we all left. I have only been in it three times since then and nothing purchased over $20 from them. I go past their shop by 20 miles to shop in South Ustoned instead.
Been there and heard it.
Griz
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 6,170
From: Black Hills
It's a wide range. My buddy had close to 100K on his when he had to replace his stator. I got about 30K on mine before I tore the center out of it. Mine's built and I ride it a little harder.
Last edited by rizzo; Feb 5, 2026 at 03:11 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Banned
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 1,545
From: someplace
I've been lucky nad never broke down on 2K mile trips. Not a wrench either, but my best tool kit is a good roadside assistance insurance for motorcycles with a large towing range. I had 500 miles free towing on mine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
Dang, Hackd. I should have taken pics of my last wiring job when it was a WIP. Motor swap on a 2000 RAV4. New motor was from a '98 Caldina. 4 wiring harnesses, one that ran the RAV chassis, one that ran the RAV motor, one that ran the Caldina chassis, one that ran the Caldina motor. Had to split them all and fuse them together to get one that ran the RAV chassis and one that ran the Caldina motor, with the correct interconnections between those two. Bundle of wires the size of my wrist. No check engine lights, cruise control, ABS, Air Bags all work, factory (Caldina) ECU.
Half the schematics were in Japanese, or a horrible English from Russian from Japanese translation. Took me close to a year to do the swap. But, went from 100 HP to 250. 300 if I could get decent gas.
Half the schematics were in Japanese, or a horrible English from Russian from Japanese translation. Took me close to a year to do the swap. But, went from 100 HP to 250. 300 if I could get decent gas.