"DIY MODS" and TRICKS to SAVE $$$$$$
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
bolt paint sucked. used high heat engine enamel and after drying when i went to torque em down they just kept chipping and flaking off...so i polished them for now. i really wanna do them in black as the contrast effect was truly killer. any ideas short of powder coat?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Lake Orion Mi
Why switch out mufflers? I am thinking of doing this and I have a stage 1 kit. Not sure what brand the mufflers are, do I still need to switch them?
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Shift Linkage
One DIY I strongly suggest is replacing your stock shift linkage ball joints with heim joints (see photo). I found out after mine crapped out (200 miles from home, stopping for a red light, went to downshift, and the peddles were blowin' in the breeze) that it is a very common occurance that the front ball joint WILL eventually wear out. Also a good idea to keep wire ties or duct tape on hand, got me home at least!!.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 2
From: S.E. Lower MI
The heim rod ends are available at:
http://www.rodendsupply.com/lxm-lxf.php
If you order two LXF5 ends you can use the existing rod. You need to buy two 5/16 x 5/16 - 24 bolts; 1" bolt for attaching the rear and a 1 1/2" for attaching the front. You also need a nut for the front, I used an acorn style. With chrome hdwe, total job was < 20 minutes & $20.
Got all the info off earlier posts on this site.
http://www.rodendsupply.com/lxm-lxf.php
If you order two LXF5 ends you can use the existing rod. You need to buy two 5/16 x 5/16 - 24 bolts; 1" bolt for attaching the rear and a 1 1/2" for attaching the front. You also need a nut for the front, I used an acorn style. With chrome hdwe, total job was < 20 minutes & $20.
Got all the info off earlier posts on this site.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 10
From: Bradenton, FL.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
'96 - Earlier Tourpack Rack "Quick Release." Sort of.
I'm posting this here and in the Evo section since a lot of Evo guys avoid that forum.
I don't care for the 97-08 tourpack docking hardware. No offense to the guys that use them, I just don't care for the triangular protrusions. So I set out to make the original one work. And to remove and install easily.
When I first took it off, I cut some spacers from a stainless bushing to fill in where the front mounting points on the original rack fit in between the fender and the shock. If anyone commonly takes the rack on and off, you know what a pain this is and especially if the bike is lowered. The inner fender bolt is a PITA to get to.
So here is the mod. I cut slots in the front mounting points on the tourpack rack so all I have to do is loosen the fender/shock bolts, slide it in, place a couple small bolts through the strut at the rear mounting point and tighten the fender/shock bolt. I also cut slots in the spacers, to make them easy to remove and replace with just loosening the bolt.
If you have an '84 to '96 bagger, you know what this is.
Here, I've cut slots in the forward most mounting points to make it slide easily on and off the loosened fender/shock bolt. Then tighten and go. Easy as 1-2-3
I don't care for the 97-08 tourpack docking hardware. No offense to the guys that use them, I just don't care for the triangular protrusions. So I set out to make the original one work. And to remove and install easily.
When I first took it off, I cut some spacers from a stainless bushing to fill in where the front mounting points on the original rack fit in between the fender and the shock. If anyone commonly takes the rack on and off, you know what a pain this is and especially if the bike is lowered. The inner fender bolt is a PITA to get to.
So here is the mod. I cut slots in the front mounting points on the tourpack rack so all I have to do is loosen the fender/shock bolts, slide it in, place a couple small bolts through the strut at the rear mounting point and tighten the fender/shock bolt. I also cut slots in the spacers, to make them easy to remove and replace with just loosening the bolt.
If you have an '84 to '96 bagger, you know what this is.
Here, I've cut slots in the forward most mounting points to make it slide easily on and off the loosened fender/shock bolt. Then tighten and go. Easy as 1-2-3
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: FTW, TX
I'm not quite sure if this qualifies, but handy little trick I did this last weekend. I come up with an easy Ipod integration. First I know that the 3g 3gs iphones work for this. I have not tested my 4s due to not having any music on it. I use my old phone strictly as an Ipod now. Second, bike has the tape player with the CD in port to the right of the tape player. Third you need a retractable aux cable.
Now for the hard part. Plug the aux cable into the phone and tape player. Turn on music on phone and put it to shake to shuffle. Shove the phone into the tape player slot and hit the road.
When you want to change the song hit a road tit or some other useful bump in the road. The tape player holds the old phone pretty snug. I have found you kinda have to jack with the volume button on the phone and the radio to get the best sound.
Ride on.
Now for the hard part. Plug the aux cable into the phone and tape player. Turn on music on phone and put it to shake to shuffle. Shove the phone into the tape player slot and hit the road.
When you want to change the song hit a road tit or some other useful bump in the road. The tape player holds the old phone pretty snug. I have found you kinda have to jack with the volume button on the phone and the radio to get the best sound.
Ride on.