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Many of you have seen posts and pics of this bike on some threads and I have been asked to post more about it on a separate thread so here it is. My goal was to make it as dependable and comfortable as I could along with performing to my satisfaction for longer distance while pulling a trailer in all conditions. In the last three riding seasons since I feel I've reached those goals and beyond in some cases.
Started out with a stock 2012 Limited that had all the usual downfalls, overheating, constant pre-ignition, suspension short falls, compensator issues on & on. In short, I was looking for a better performing, dependable bike in all temps and conditions, since my career was auto/truck ,cause and effect based to increase fleet dependability I figured I had the basic experience to pull this off. I may add that I didn't just throw money at it , I like to spend my money on gas, food and hotels so some of the frugal guys may appreciate some of my efforts and results.
I'll try to be brief and to the point on each topic so we will start with the compensator. I'm sure nobody is a stranger to the lack of longevity of said part, going through 2 in 40,000 miles neither was I. After the introduction of internal lubed version , 42200064A, I decided to make things work smoother and longer with less wear, by polishing the mated surfaces (spokes and ramps) on the comp. This cut friction which means less heat, wear and no more metal particles in the primary oil that can only be more healthy for the stator, bearings and clutch. Mission accomplished, 60,000 miles on comp with no wear in sight, only anti-seize looking material on plug magnet on 5,000 oil changes, using Mobil1 20/50.
High engine temps and pinging, gone. Went with an oil pan temp gauge, stock temps were usually 220-240 most of the time and 250 in high temps and
/or traffic along with constant pinging. Went usual path, high flo air filter, Cobra headers & slip ons, and Power Vision, seen results but not happy. Pinging disappeared but not much of a heat reduction. Installed Rushmore 14 HO cams, Chevy Lifters , Wards fans and oil thermo valve. Oil temps fell to 180-210 normal running and 220-230 hot weather and traffic.Also had to install SE clutches as I could slip the clutches with just a throttle roll on while pulling the trailer. I don't have any heat problems,period.
Went with cat tire on rear, Yoko Avid Ascend 195/60/16 have given best results for me, 40psi loaded and traveling, 36-38 local. Tried a 140 tire up front but decided to do the 180 conversion that I did myself, not a kit, for max results in ride, traction and appearance . Started with an Avon Cobra but was not satisfied with wear and handling coupled with the ct. Second season now on an E3 bias ply and very happy with 30,000mile+ wear, much better, exact steering coupled with the ct. with this combination pulling a trailer safety has highly improved . Rain traction, stopping, ride, dependability and wear is great and not a concern for me anymore. Coupled with Progressive 444's on rear and mono-shocks in front I have exceeded my goals in ride, adhesion to road surface and longevity on trips and per season.
Those are the basics , hope I answered most questions. You may have had different results of said products, and there are better quality parts in some cases but I don't race anyone and not concerned with max power. My focus is on traveling and dependability and so far I've enjoyed a bike requiring just the regular maintenance with high returns in comfort and joy in riding a great bike !
Nice ride, but I could sure use a paragraph or two in there.
Thank you !....Yeah me too ! I took the time to type it out real nice with paragraphs and all, then when I posted it went to what you see. I'm not fluid in these matters, must be a secret button somewhere to push ! LOL
Many of you have seen posts and pics of this bike on some threads and I have been asked to post more about it on a separate thread so here it is. My goal was to make it as dependable and comfortable as I could along with performing to my satisfaction for longer distance while pulling a trailer in all conditions. In the last three riding seasons since I feel I've reached those goals and beyond in some cases.
Started out with a stock 2012 Limited that had all the usual downfalls, overheating, constant pre-ignition, suspension short falls, compensator issues on & on. In short, I was looking for a better performing, dependable bike in all temps and conditions, since my career was auto/truck ,cause and effect based to increase fleet dependability I figured I had the basic experience to pull this off. I may add that I didn't just throw money at it , I like to spend my money on gas, food and hotels so some of the frugal guys may appreciate some of my efforts and results.
I'll try to be brief and to the point on each topic so we will start with the compensator. I'm sure nobody is a stranger to the lack of longevity of said part, going through 2 in 40,000 miles neither was I. After the introduction of internal lubed version , 42200064A, I decided to make things work smoother and longer with less wear, by polishing the mated surfaces (spokes and ramps) on the comp. This cut friction which means less heat, wear and no more metal particles in the primary oil that can only be more healthy for the stator, bearings and clutch. Mission accomplished, 60,000 miles on comp with no wear in sight, only anti-seize looking material on plug magnet on 5,000 oil changes, using Mobil1 20/50.
High engine temps and pinging, gone. Went with an oil pan temp gauge, stock temps were usually 220-240 most of the time and 250 in high temps and
/or traffic along with constant pinging. Went usual path, high flo air filter, Cobra headers & slip ons, and Power Vision, seen results but not happy. Pinging disappeared but not much of a heat reduction. Installed Rushmore 14 HO cams, Chevy Lifters , Wards fans and oil thermo valve. Oil temps fell to 180-210 normal running and 220-230 hot weather and traffic.Also had to install SE clutches as I could slip the clutches with just a throttle roll on while pulling the trailer. I don't have any heat problems,period.
Went with cat tire on rear, Yoko Avid Ascend 195/60/16 have given best results for me, 40psi loaded and traveling, 36-38 local. Tried a 140 tire up front but decided to do the 180 conversion that I did myself, not a kit, for max results in ride, traction and appearance . Started with an Avon Cobra but was not satisfied with wear and handling coupled with the ct. Second season now on an E3 bias ply and very happy with 30,000mile+ wear, much better, exact steering coupled with the ct.
with this combination pulling a trailer safety has highly improved . Rain traction, stopping, ride, dependability and wear is great and not a concern for me anymore. Coupled with Progressive 444's on rear and mono-shocks in front I have exceeded my goals in ride, adhesion to road surface and longevity on trips and per season.
Those are the basics , hope I answered most questions. You may have had different results of said products, and there are better quality parts in some cases but I don't race anyone and not concerned with max power. My focus is on traveling and dependability and so far I've enjoyed a bike requiring just the regular maintenance with high returns in comfort and joy in riding a great bike !
Nice, thank you so much, LOL ! Wow ! If you would be so kind as to leave me a message on how to do that in the future I promise to save you the trouble next time !
Went with cat tire on rear, Yoko Avid Ascend 195/60/16 have given best results for me, 40psi loaded and traveling, 36-38 local.
Since you pull a trailer I wanted to point out there have been a few people that have had issues with using a car tire on a motorcycle while doing so. I even know one person that experienced this problem. This person crashed right after he installed a car tire (he was pulling a pop-up camper).
I think part of the issue is that a car tire has a softer sidewall than a motorcycle tire. That's why a number of the people using car tires on a motorcycle will use a run-flat car tire, since those tires have a stiffer sidewall.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
2012 Limited Transformation
