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Here's a few pics of my mod. First is the LED light.
Second is how the light looks off, and the third is the running light. I'll snag pics at night so you can see how freaking bright it really is.
Here's a few pics of my mod. First is the LED light.
Second is how the light looks off, and the third is the running light. I'll snag pics at night so you can see how freaking bright it really is.
Hey there Peanuthead, it looks good! What light is that? I'd like to do the same thing...
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It may come as a shock to everyone, but the shifter linkage on a Harley is prone to coming apart. (Insert sound of gasps of disbelief!) I know, I know...it's a well known problem. I was just being sarcastic.
Anyway, I bought two 5/16" X 24 right hand thread female Heim Joints at the local hardware store. They look pretty substantial for $8.00 each. No nylon or plastic...all metal. Took the linkage shaft off, removed all the stock OEM fittings and nuts, and chucked it up in the electric drill. Set it to spinnin' and got out the sandpaper. Ran up and down the shaft with 600 grit, then 1000, then 1500, and last 2000. Finished it off with Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. I didn't think to take any "before" photos of it...just some "after" photos seen below. It's not quite as shiny as chrome, but pretty close if ya ask me.
Then I sanded the big parts of the Heim Joints with the above listed grits. They weren't easy to work with so they aren't as shiny. Cleaned it all up with brake cleaner and hit the moveable parts of the joints with G96 gun cleaner/lube/protectant. Used some SS bolts and nuts to attach it to the bike. Even though I used a Nylock lock nut on the front bolt, I still used blue Loctite just to make sure. The back connection is threaded on the bike, so I ran a bolt (with blue Loctite, of course) through it. It had enough threads showing on the back side that I could put a nut on it. Yup...used Loctite on it, too. .
Wish I woulda thunk to take a "before" photo, but you can go look at the one on your bike and see what it looks like before polishing...unless you have one o' them fancy chrome jobbies already. .
The joint on the right has been sanded and polished the best I could do. .
I think it looks pretty good for an $18.00 modification in my opinion. .
. I think it looks pretty good for an $18.00 modification in my opinion.
Yup, I think so too! The polish really does make a difference.
A few months ago I had to replace the linkage on my bike. I tried to find heim joints locally, and tried every hardware store in my area I could find (True Value, Ace, Home Depot, Lowe's, independents, ad infinitum). Not a single one of them sold heim joints. There is a Fastenal shop just 10 miles from my home, and they sell either really big or really small heim joints, not the ones I needed. They would be happy to order them for me though at $30 a piece.
I ended up with one of the kits from HD because my wife likes the shiny letters on it.
So bottom line, nice job!! I think yours looks great!
Yup, I think so too! The polish really does make a difference.
A few months ago I had to replace the linkage on my bike. I tried to find heim joints locally, and tried every hardware store in my area I could find (True Value, Ace, Home Depot, Lowe's, independents, ad infinitum). Not a single one of them sold heim joints. There is a Fastenal shop just 10 miles from my home, and they sell either really big or really small heim joints, not the ones I needed. They would be happy to order them for me though at $30 a piece.
I ended up with one of the kits from HD because my wife likes the shiny letters on it.
So bottom line, nice job!! I think yours looks great!
I looked at the HD replacement, but I'm a real cheapskate. For instance, rather than buying HD's $30.00 front axle nut covers, I made my own out of PVC pipe end caps and sprayed 'em with automotive undercoat. Then I made a front fender mudflap out of a piece of truck tire inner tube. I had an aftermarket Mutazu brand tour pack years ago. The lock broke. Was going to cost $40 for a replacement, so I meandered to Ace Hardware and bought a $4.00 hasp and stuck it on the tour pack. Locked it up with a small padlock. Wasn't pretty, but it worked. My ability to pinch a penny is legendary among my local motorcycle friends.
Ooh! Ooh! I tossed the still functional OEM shift linkage connections in my saddlebag so if I ever come across anyone who has had one fall off I can let them have one to get home.
Yup, I'm with you on being a 'cheapskate', plus I just want to do things myself anyway. I can't tell you how much I agonized over buying the HD brand shift linkage. It does look good, but geeeeeeezzzzzzz, the $$$$$$ though.
I'm going to use your mudflap idea if you don't mind. I like that.
Yup, I'm with you on being a 'cheapskate', plus I just want to do things myself anyway. I can't tell you how much I agonized over buying the HD brand shift linkage. It does look good, but geeeeeeezzzzzzz, the $$$$$$ though.
I'm going to use your mudflap idea if you don't mind. I like that.
Be my guest! I liked using the inner tube because it had the proper curve and shape. It flowed perfectly with the fender. I cut it bigger than needed, then took off the metal fender skirt and stuck it to the inside of the skirt with silicone sealer. Reinstalled it on the fender and trimmed it up with a scissors. After the photo I hit it with some vinyl dressing to make it look darker and a bit shinier. .
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