"DIY MODS" and TRICKS to SAVE $$$$$$
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,360
Likes: 3
From: Naalehu, Hawaii
This is a more involved DIY, and I would like to qualify that I am not a mechanic, just an enthusiast, but I did it seamlessly. I put a 2008 six gallon tank on my 2007 ultra. The link below has only 4 pics, I also put an album on my member profile. Not to mention I took a bazillion photos I did not use.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nger-post.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...nger-post.html
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 761
Likes: 9
From: lewisville, nc
same as far as paint, but let them sit for bout 3 weeks, i wasnt in a hurry.was doing other stuff to the bike in the mean time, they stayed soft for least 2 weeks. im still not sure why, must be a reaction with the paint and pvc? as thick i as sparyed didnt help either. the chrome is 1/8" moulding from autozone. im happy wiff 'em. they turned out great.
Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ankeny, Iowa
Putting on the Ritz, Dye that clear windshield.
Puttin on the Ritz. liquid or powder.
Tinting your clear windshield is easy. Take your clear lexan or Polycarbinate or even plexyglass windshields and tent them with a small box or two of ordinary
(Ritz black dye used for dyeing jeans)- yes it works and you can control the amount of darkness or shade to be absorbed into the windshield. I recomened you test this process on a piece of scrap first. You can also use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield - RED BLUE GREEN YELLOW 26 different Colors, ECT.
It also works on windshields that were hazed over or turning yellow from using cleaners.
1. Get 2 box`s of Ritz black dye, or any color you like to have/match your bike.
2. Mix and desolve 1 box of dye completely in a 5 gal bucket with about 4 gallons of water, may take 5- 10 min in a new clean 5 gal bucket, clean everything with alcohol before mixing. I use a bucket and a clean paint mixer to mix the water/dye mixture, it must not be contaminated by any oil.
3.Pour mixture in a clean shallow container so that your windshield will lay flat and completely inside of.
4.Now put on some latex or other type of plastic shop gloves and Clean the clear windshield with soap and water to remove any oils from the clear windshield and dry with a micro towel. Get it spotless****
5.Now place the clean clear windshield flat in the shallow container with the water & dye-make shure the level covers the windshield completely and there is no trapped air bubbles under or around it. Let it soak and check it every 60 sec.
6. Ok now is when you control the amount of shade/darkness to be absorbed into the clear windshield by reaching in with your gloves still on and pulling it out by the edges to check the shade or darkness- Leave it in longer for a darker windshield. Color/ Shade will be permanent.Lightly stir the dye and water mix while windshield is soaking.
7. When your happy with the color, remove windshield from the shallow pan and rinse it off with a garden hose.
8.Pour the mixed dye back into the 5 gal bucket and put a lable and a lid on it. It can be reused again and again.
9. You can use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield.
10. Install on bike. and clean as usual with soap and water.
Tinting your clear windshield is easy. Take your clear lexan or Polycarbinate or even plexyglass windshields and tent them with a small box or two of ordinary
(Ritz black dye used for dyeing jeans)- yes it works and you can control the amount of darkness or shade to be absorbed into the windshield. I recomened you test this process on a piece of scrap first. You can also use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield - RED BLUE GREEN YELLOW 26 different Colors, ECT.
It also works on windshields that were hazed over or turning yellow from using cleaners.
1. Get 2 box`s of Ritz black dye, or any color you like to have/match your bike.
2. Mix and desolve 1 box of dye completely in a 5 gal bucket with about 4 gallons of water, may take 5- 10 min in a new clean 5 gal bucket, clean everything with alcohol before mixing. I use a bucket and a clean paint mixer to mix the water/dye mixture, it must not be contaminated by any oil.
3.Pour mixture in a clean shallow container so that your windshield will lay flat and completely inside of.
4.Now put on some latex or other type of plastic shop gloves and Clean the clear windshield with soap and water to remove any oils from the clear windshield and dry with a micro towel. Get it spotless****
5.Now place the clean clear windshield flat in the shallow container with the water & dye-make shure the level covers the windshield completely and there is no trapped air bubbles under or around it. Let it soak and check it every 60 sec.
6. Ok now is when you control the amount of shade/darkness to be absorbed into the clear windshield by reaching in with your gloves still on and pulling it out by the edges to check the shade or darkness- Leave it in longer for a darker windshield. Color/ Shade will be permanent.Lightly stir the dye and water mix while windshield is soaking.
7. When your happy with the color, remove windshield from the shallow pan and rinse it off with a garden hose.
8.Pour the mixed dye back into the 5 gal bucket and put a lable and a lid on it. It can be reused again and again.
9. You can use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield.
10. Install on bike. and clean as usual with soap and water.
Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ankeny, Iowa
I have not gone through all the threads here to see if this has been done and how but here is my solution to getting a plug in the tour-pak for charging cell phones etc:
Supplies needed:
HD supplementary power source kit # 91843-97 ($19.99)
Power wire with fuse
Plug for battery tender ($2.99 shipped from eBay)
I have an Ultra with the tour-pak insert. I found there is room (barley) in the back corner in front of the antenna.
Then I cut a hole to mount the power adapter as close to the corner shelf as I could. There is barely enough room for it so make sure it is as close as possible.
I then wired the fused power wire through the grommet that the other wiring goes through.
Run the wire down near the battery and connect the tender plug end to it.
Run the wire down to your battery tender plug and plug it in.
It ended up being a nice clean installation. Now I have power in the tour-pak for under $30.
Supplies needed:
HD supplementary power source kit # 91843-97 ($19.99)
Power wire with fuse
Plug for battery tender ($2.99 shipped from eBay)
I have an Ultra with the tour-pak insert. I found there is room (barley) in the back corner in front of the antenna.
Then I cut a hole to mount the power adapter as close to the corner shelf as I could. There is barely enough room for it so make sure it is as close as possible.
I then wired the fused power wire through the grommet that the other wiring goes through.
Run the wire down near the battery and connect the tender plug end to it.
Run the wire down to your battery tender plug and plug it in.
It ended up being a nice clean installation. Now I have power in the tour-pak for under $30.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
Puttin on the Ritz. liquid or powder.
Tinting your clear windshield is easy. Take your clear lexan or Polycarbinate or even plexyglass windshields and tent them with a small box or two of ordinary
(Ritz black dye used for dyeing jeans)- yes it works and you can control the amount of darkness or shade to be absorbed into the windshield. I recomened you test this process on a piece of scrap first. You can also use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield - RED BLUE GREEN YELLOW 26 different Colors, ECT.
It also works on windshields that were hazed over or turning yellow from using cleaners.
1. Get 2 box`s of Ritz black dye, or any color you like to have/match your bike.
2. Mix and desolve 1 box of dye completely in a 5 gal bucket with about 4 gallons of water, may take 5- 10 min in a new clean 5 gal bucket, clean everything with alcohol before mixing. I use a bucket and a clean paint mixer to mix the water/dye mixture, it must not be contaminated by any oil.
3.Pour mixture in a clean shallow container so that your windshield will lay flat and completely inside of.
4.Now put on some latex or other type of plastic shop gloves and Clean the clear windshield with soap and water to remove any oils from the clear windshield and dry with a micro towel. Get it spotless****
5.Now place the clean clear windshield flat in the shallow container with the water & dye-make shure the level covers the windshield completely and there is no trapped air bubbles under or around it. Let it soak and check it every 60 sec.
6. Ok now is when you control the amount of shade/darkness to be absorbed into the clear windshield by reaching in with your gloves still on and pulling it out by the edges to check the shade or darkness- Leave it in longer for a darker windshield. Color/ Shade will be permanent.Lightly stir the dye and water mix while windshield is soaking.
7. When your happy with the color, remove windshield from the shallow pan and rinse it off with a garden hose.
8.Pour the mixed dye back into the 5 gal bucket and put a lable and a lid on it. It can be reused again and again.
9. You can use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield.
10. Install on bike. and clean as usual with soap and water.
Tinting your clear windshield is easy. Take your clear lexan or Polycarbinate or even plexyglass windshields and tent them with a small box or two of ordinary
(Ritz black dye used for dyeing jeans)- yes it works and you can control the amount of darkness or shade to be absorbed into the windshield. I recomened you test this process on a piece of scrap first. You can also use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield - RED BLUE GREEN YELLOW 26 different Colors, ECT.
It also works on windshields that were hazed over or turning yellow from using cleaners.
1. Get 2 box`s of Ritz black dye, or any color you like to have/match your bike.
2. Mix and desolve 1 box of dye completely in a 5 gal bucket with about 4 gallons of water, may take 5- 10 min in a new clean 5 gal bucket, clean everything with alcohol before mixing. I use a bucket and a clean paint mixer to mix the water/dye mixture, it must not be contaminated by any oil.
3.Pour mixture in a clean shallow container so that your windshield will lay flat and completely inside of.
4.Now put on some latex or other type of plastic shop gloves and Clean the clear windshield with soap and water to remove any oils from the clear windshield and dry with a micro towel. Get it spotless****
5.Now place the clean clear windshield flat in the shallow container with the water & dye-make shure the level covers the windshield completely and there is no trapped air bubbles under or around it. Let it soak and check it every 60 sec.
6. Ok now is when you control the amount of shade/darkness to be absorbed into the clear windshield by reaching in with your gloves still on and pulling it out by the edges to check the shade or darkness- Leave it in longer for a darker windshield. Color/ Shade will be permanent.Lightly stir the dye and water mix while windshield is soaking.
7. When your happy with the color, remove windshield from the shallow pan and rinse it off with a garden hose.
8.Pour the mixed dye back into the 5 gal bucket and put a lable and a lid on it. It can be reused again and again.
9. You can use different colors of dye to get a different color windshield.
10. Install on bike. and clean as usual with soap and water.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 1
From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
This isn't really a DIY, but more of a little tip. I got a small thick plastic zip lock bag (the kind used for small parts) and got some adhesive Velcro. I keep my registration and insurance in the bag and have it stuck to the inside of the lid on my right saddle bag. That bag is typically locked 95% of the time anyways as it only stores my rain suit and other rare items that I use. The leftis my every day storage saddle bag. I only really put stuff in the right as an over flow, so I don't have much worry about anyone snatching my personal info.
I used to keep my bike registration in the left handle bar grip. Pull the end plug, roll the registation paper and slip it in. Replace end plug.
Now I just keep it in my wallet, along with my insurance card and CCW permit.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Installed 12v power outlets in both gloves boxes on the RG. Seadog makes a pretty sweet outlet, so I put those in and tapped into the 12v line to the cigarette lighter. I did this at the same time as a speaker upgrade. I should have put the new speaks in first because it is a pretty tight fit, I did not account for the extra space.
I'll see how the power draw is for recharging phones and stuff, but I don't see any issues. For now, I am using a USB adapter to charge the phone. If I were to use a GPS or something that would constantly be drawing power, I would likely install an inline fuse. Not too bad, 2 power outlets and it cost less than 20 bucks.
I'll see how the power draw is for recharging phones and stuff, but I don't see any issues. For now, I am using a USB adapter to charge the phone. If I were to use a GPS or something that would constantly be drawing power, I would likely install an inline fuse. Not too bad, 2 power outlets and it cost less than 20 bucks.