Been ridin' to work a few days, putting some miles on.

Got the Stone Free grille, took it to a local powdercoat shop to get it close to the denim paint of the bike. I had initially planned to to just paint it, but I figured I'd be pulling it to repaint every so often and this just sounded better. I should be able to pick it up next week. Here the grille as delivered;



I also went ahead and plunked for a Firebrand "Grand Prix" muffler. I had some (ahem - cough, cough) "special" shipping requirements. So it might be a little bit before it gets here...



324 miles on the clock and about to go for a ride...

 

I like that grill you have. I may get one and powdercoat to match the rear springs I just feel like the front need a little color too

 

Just an update/silly post...

When I bought the bike, they had me do the "Poker Run" through the dealership. Pretty cool, but I've never had much luck with cards. I was kinda workin' on a straight until I got to the parts department and, well...

At least I got something for high card. I think it was a HD beer cozy. I don't drink. So that was out. So was the HD shot glass. No biggie, I went to use the head and check out a couple things while they got the bike prepped.

When I got back in, Taxi handed me a gremlin bell he'd chosen for me. Cool.

I'm not exactly superstitious, but I did grow up in Hawai'i, and I have seen some weird s#!t, so it seemed like a neat choice.

I knew it was supposed to go down low, but I couldn't find a good spot that the cord on the bell would work well with and didn't want to spend much time rolling around on the ground, so I just put it on the guard mount(?) bracket on the left side, just behind the radiator.

I finally got around to picking up one of those cable-style key rings and mounting the bell proper, down low. It should stay put...



Waiting on stuff, riding to work and around. I still think HD knocked this one outta the park.

453 miles on the clock...

 

Got off work to a message on the phone. "Your grille is ready for pickup."

Cool. But I'm on the bike, how do I get it home? (you'll think of a way)

Quick stop at the bank, then see if they're still open. Went around the back, they were just moving a few things around before they shut down. Perfect timing.

Nice job. Now, to get it home. It's not huge, but it won't fit under the jacket. Hmmm... home's not far, how about...


(actually taken once I got home with it.)

It's a really good match, even though it looks lighter. It's hard to catch it right because it's so holey...



Installation is fairly easy, one just removes the plastic rivets (as it were) place the new grille over the posts remaining at the top and bottom and use the supplied screws/washers to fasten it down.







The new grille does not use the side posts of the old one. Stone Free recommends laying a bead of black RTV along the sides, which I will do tomorrow night.

The plastic of the shroud is not very hard, don't get too happy with the screws. In fact, I plan to bolster their installation tomorrow also. I decided to forego the washers at the bottom 3 holes, just to give them that much more bite into the plastic posts. Like I said, don't get too happy, they're pretty thin and will strip out easily. The top 4 posts are not very deep, you will need to use at least 1 washer, SF recommends 2.

Here it is installed, I got it outside just before the light died off...



(Jeez, my brake lines are dirty...)

It seems like it will pass air easily, and it should stop all but the tiniest stones from getting embedded in the radiator.

We'll see how it holds up over time.

I look down as I'm riding in to work this morning, the shadow of the bell from the rising sun plainly visible on the road.

505 miles on the clock...

 

Really enjoying your post on this bike AKC. I think Harley did a bang up job on this version of the Street. It will be interesting to see if the MOCO comes out with a larger version of this engine.

 

Thanks! It's my understanding that there are 50 new models coming out over the next few years, all running either these or the M8 motors. We'll see what transpires.

The Firebrand arrived today. I chose the "Grand Prix", I preferred the look over the "Loose Cannon". Build quality is very high and the installation was a breeze. Two clamps, two bolts. That's it.

Just for a baseline shot, here's the stock unit;


Here's the stock unit next to the Firebrand;



And here's the Firebrand installed;


It's very understated (looks-wise) even their logo is subtle;


I think the look is way more balanced now without the massive (and heavier) stock unit, the Firebrand comes up just shy of the axle, instead of well past it like the stock unit. And the end cap is certainly better looking.

The look may be subtle, the sound is anything but. It sounds like a HD now. Has it uncorked a few horses? Maybe, but without a freer intake/air filter, probably not as much as it could.

All I know it it sounds 1000% better, and it's no longer the (in my opinion) dangerously quiet bike it was. That's what kept me from getting a Zero. They're cool, but stupid quiet.

It does give a few satisfying pops here and there, but no backfires. It is a little rumbly with what I term "neutral" throttle (not on it, but not off it either) but again, it's not annoying. And if you want mellow, just keep off it and in a higher gear. Idle isn't bad at all. I can't fire it up for a video, and I'm not sure how it would come out anyway. But Firebrand does have a video of the "Grand Prix" on their website, mounted on a Street. I think it's just a little louder on the Street Rod due to the different tuning. YMMV.

What I can say is - I liked the bike before it, now I love the Street Rod with it.

And like I said, the installation couldn't be easier. Heck, it's taking me longer to do the write-up.

I also got curious and plunked for a JW 8690A adaptive LED headlight. It's in, and I'm fairly sure it's a little more noticeable to traffic, but I haven't had a chance to take it out in full darkness to check out the "adaptive" part yet.
Please excuse the lousy pic, I'll try to get a better one later.

Installation is also fairly easy, just watch your fingertips when popping out the retainer clips. A rag will be VERY handy. (Don't ask how I know. Ow!)
They're ridiculously expensive, but I'll reserve judgement if it's worth it for a later date.

787 miles on the clock...

 

Other than being expensive I've not heard one bad review of it. I went with a bulb I had laying around for my regular street, a FeulMoto H4 LED. Very bright. My budget's a bit stretched as I also have a Lowrider S. Would love that adaptive light. And.. The SR as well! Looking forward to updates..

 

I'd promised John Peck (Pres. of Firebrand) a couple shots of the Grand Prix mounted on Alanui. I had planned to go up into the hills over the weekend, but the weather didn't cooperate.

So I just did a couple quick ones with the phone today after work before I went home. Thought I'd post them here too.




Ayup, this is work. Hateful.

819 miles on the clock...

 

Thanks John...
http://firebrandmotorcycle.com/fireb...slip-on-black/

 

Nice, I went with the V&H Comp Series and removed the sound baffle as well as a K&N air filter. Had the dealer do a dyno tune when it was in for the 1K service. Noticeable difference power wise and throttle response. Absolutely pulls deeper into the rpm range per gear and is more forgiving at the low rpm range per gear as well. I went with an aftermarket daymaker off of Amazon, at $50 compared to the $400 HD pricetag I'm completely satisfied with it. I'd like to hear you thoughts on that adaptive Headlight.