DIY Cheap Mods
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
As done before I removed my emblems and reflectors, but I made a plate holder that follows the contour of the fender. Took a piece of 18ga sheet metal and drilled 7 holes, 3 for the fender mount and 4 for the tag. I used 1-1/4 x 5/16 bolts, nuts, and washers as well as 3 1/2" pieces of rubber air hose to keep hardware off paint. Not perfect but free for me. If purchased about 10 bucks.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
I had my primary cvr, trans end cvr and my cam cvr powdercoated flat black. The bolts stood out like a swore thumb. I painted them all with model car paint from wal mart. Anytime i remove the bolts, and scratch the painted bolts.....a few minutes with a fine tio brush, back to looking good again. Beats paying $$$$ for the hottoppers.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
I wanted a black rear brake rotor, and wasent paying Harley what they wanted for theres.
heres how I did it....1 can of high emp exhaust paint. 1 cheap cookie pan. 1 can of carb/brake cleaner. 1 roll of masking tape.
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1. Remove Brake rotor
2. clean with brake/carb cleaner
3. tape up the outside of the rotor, where the brake pads wear
4. spray with High temp exhaust paint
5. remove tape and place on cheap cookie pan
6. follow instructions on paint can, for baking paint
7. steps 3-6 for the other side of rotor( if you tape up both sides and paint, use 3 spacers to \\;hold \\; rotor off of cookie pan)
8. install rotor on bike
heres how I did it....1 can of high emp exhaust paint. 1 cheap cookie pan. 1 can of carb/brake cleaner. 1 roll of masking tape.
 \\;
1. Remove Brake rotor
2. clean with brake/carb cleaner
3. tape up the outside of the rotor, where the brake pads wear
4. spray with High temp exhaust paint
5. remove tape and place on cheap cookie pan
6. follow instructions on paint can, for baking paint
7. steps 3-6 for the other side of rotor( if you tape up both sides and paint, use 3 spacers to \\;hold \\; rotor off of cookie pan)
8. install rotor on bike
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From:
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
More air flow? Match the air cleaner assembly, and intake to the throttle body.
I bought a throttle body and an intake off of ebay, just to have around. I got to thinking (scary, I know) that everyone ports and polishes heads, why cant the throttle body and intake be done the same way?
I took \\;my dremel tool, several packs of the different grit brillo pad(?) looking \\;bits  \\;and my drill with a flap wheel to the parts.
The flap wheel was used first, to remove most of the unwanted matterial in the intake and the inlet side of the throttle body. I used the dremel to smooth out the rough cut of the flap wheel.
I dont know how much improvment (if any) there is...I didnt have the creation flow tested. Seems to work out nicely, Havent had any ill affects that I've noticed. Its got to flow more air, right?
TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
I bought a throttle body and an intake off of ebay, just to have around. I got to thinking (scary, I know) that everyone ports and polishes heads, why cant the throttle body and intake be done the same way?
I took \\;my dremel tool, several packs of the different grit brillo pad(?) looking \\;bits  \\;and my drill with a flap wheel to the parts.
The flap wheel was used first, to remove most of the unwanted matterial in the intake and the inlet side of the throttle body. I used the dremel to smooth out the rough cut of the flap wheel.
I dont know how much improvment (if any) there is...I didnt have the creation flow tested. Seems to work out nicely, Havent had any ill affects that I've noticed. Its got to flow more air, right?
TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
Since Harley's seats are so uncomfortable for long rides, I reshaped my stock Softail Deluxe seat by shaving layers off until I got the right fit for me. \\; I took the cover off, shaved it with an electric carving knife, and am going to staple it back on. \\; I am debating if I should install a gel pad kit or not. \\; I got the right fit, and it moved me back a few inches. \\; The thigh area was too thick, so I shaved that area down a little. \\; A custom fit seat for nothing! (cost nothing if you have an electric carving knife laying around!)
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
My Cheap mods
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Sep 25, 2008 at 08:35 AM. Reason: Edited to fit page better.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
RE: DIY Cheap Mods
$35 Camera Mount
I was looking for a camera/camcorder mount for a while, they are really expensive to buy. I found $5 camera mount mod online but it looks kind of cheap, click here for the link. I decide to make my own, order a 1" chrome handlebar clamp from Kuryakyn part number 1420, bought a optex car window 2-way panhead camera mount from a local store, I bolted the camera mount right onto the clamp, it costs me $35 in total. If you have a light weight camcorder, it may also work. I will go capture some videos with my digital camera this weekend, stay tuned.
WARNING: Although the camera stays tight, I highly recommend using safety tie down.
$25 Remote Control Garage Door Opener
Another mod to share, I wanted a garage door opener for so long, I always keep the remote in my jacket but a lot of time I miss the button. All you need is a 4 terminals relay (5 is ok) and a garage door remote control. I tap the high beam wire to the relay terminal 86, white color according to the wiring diagram, terminal 85 to ground, terminal 30 and 87 to remote control switch circuit. Now when I hit the high beam switch, I activate the relay and join my remote switch circuit. Remote control costs $20, relay $5 + 2 beer labor. Not bad at all compare to $125 for the HD one. Cheers! Alex
P.S. If you use a 5 terminals relay, just leave the 87a unused. You can also wire a momentary switch to join the relay solenoid circuit. I prefer high beam switch because it is easy to hit.
I was looking for a camera/camcorder mount for a while, they are really expensive to buy. I found $5 camera mount mod online but it looks kind of cheap, click here for the link. I decide to make my own, order a 1" chrome handlebar clamp from Kuryakyn part number 1420, bought a optex car window 2-way panhead camera mount from a local store, I bolted the camera mount right onto the clamp, it costs me $35 in total. If you have a light weight camcorder, it may also work. I will go capture some videos with my digital camera this weekend, stay tuned.
WARNING: Although the camera stays tight, I highly recommend using safety tie down.
$25 Remote Control Garage Door Opener
Another mod to share, I wanted a garage door opener for so long, I always keep the remote in my jacket but a lot of time I miss the button. All you need is a 4 terminals relay (5 is ok) and a garage door remote control. I tap the high beam wire to the relay terminal 86, white color according to the wiring diagram, terminal 85 to ground, terminal 30 and 87 to remote control switch circuit. Now when I hit the high beam switch, I activate the relay and join my remote switch circuit. Remote control costs $20, relay $5 + 2 beer labor. Not bad at all compare to $125 for the HD one. Cheers! Alex
P.S. If you use a 5 terminals relay, just leave the 87a unused. You can also wire a momentary switch to join the relay solenoid circuit. I prefer high beam switch because it is easy to hit.
Last edited by In Memoriam Citoriplus; Sep 25, 2008 at 08:49 AM.
