Pre-trip prep advice
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,026
Likes: 12,548
From: South Carolina
No need for an extra start relay on that bike, all you need to do is change where the starter relay gets its power from.
The relay is fed by a wire that runs from the ignition breaker to terminal 30 on the relay, this is not a great place to get power from, because the power runs through a convoluted path before getting to the ignition breaker.
You can give the relay a better source of power by running a wire from the output side of the main breaker (silver color stud) to terminal 30 of the start relay.
Keep all the electrical connections clean and corrosion free and you will have very few issues with the starting circuit.
The relay is fed by a wire that runs from the ignition breaker to terminal 30 on the relay, this is not a great place to get power from, because the power runs through a convoluted path before getting to the ignition breaker.
You can give the relay a better source of power by running a wire from the output side of the main breaker (silver color stud) to terminal 30 of the start relay.
Keep all the electrical connections clean and corrosion free and you will have very few issues with the starting circuit.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jan 17, 2022 at 12:25 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 3,400
From: Arizona
The NOCO XL Boost pack. Stick tire plugs and an air compressor. AAA membership.
I would be concerned about your cam bearing. I have the button at the end of my Evo starters, it's good to have, I never use them.
Years ago I would ride my FXR cross country with just throwover horse tack saddlebags. You can gain a lot going with less.
I would be concerned about your cam bearing. I have the button at the end of my Evo starters, it's good to have, I never use them.
Years ago I would ride my FXR cross country with just throwover horse tack saddlebags. You can gain a lot going with less.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: South East
My personal advise plus what the other mates above said is to check below the instrument cluster, wires to the ignition switch and wires connection to lights and bulbs, lot of years ago one of my speedo bulbs just blown, obviously i didn't noticed at the moment, one day my speedo cable was loosen and after disassembly to re-tighten it I noticed the wire to that bulb were burned, the positive made contact with the case which is negative, that was the reason, no fire occurred but electrical issues is one the major reason for a fire start.
You could carry some circuit breakers and a starter relay for a quick replacement, and some wire sections and wire connection terminals for a situation where you need to cut a bad terminal or a bad wire section to do a quick rewire, small and cheap.
You could carry some circuit breakers and a starter relay for a quick replacement, and some wire sections and wire connection terminals for a situation where you need to cut a bad terminal or a bad wire section to do a quick rewire, small and cheap.
Last edited by davicico; Jan 18, 2022 at 10:55 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
My Tip:
Don't touch anything within 5 days of leaving as you'll mess something up that takes too much time.. LOL
Griz
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
If you go through the preventative maintenance schedule in the factory service manual and REALLY do everything they list, you should be good. Also, make up a set of tools to carry and use those to do your maintenance. You'll know if you are short a tool. Pack up your bike with everything you're taking on the trip and go for a day ride to see how it's going to hold up. Bring rain gear too.
carl
carl
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 36
Likes: 16
From: WA
If you go through the preventative maintenance schedule in the factory service manual and REALLY do everything they list, you should be good. Also, make up a set of tools to carry and use those to do your maintenance. You'll know if you are short a tool. Pack up your bike with everything you're taking on the trip and go for a day ride to see how it's going to hold up. Bring rain gear too.
carl
carl
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
Likes: 51,354
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
OP up where you are I'd worry more about wet & cold than the bike, been both every time I've ridden in WA but I was on the pacific side of the state mostly too.
Far as the bike goes just common sense stuff like lube the cables, check battery cables for tight , top all fluids including brakes, wouldn't dick around with changing the brake fluids pre trip if things work and the fluids clear when you check.
In general just look the bike over closely and check bolts for tight or any rattles, rattles will become a problem on a road trip.
These guys have covered the rest.
Far as the bike goes just common sense stuff like lube the cables, check battery cables for tight , top all fluids including brakes, wouldn't dick around with changing the brake fluids pre trip if things work and the fluids clear when you check.
In general just look the bike over closely and check bolts for tight or any rattles, rattles will become a problem on a road trip.
These guys have covered the rest.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jan 18, 2022 at 05:03 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: South East
