"DIY MODS" and TRICKS to SAVE $$$$$$
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: OH
I had a docking station with passenger backrest installed before I took delivery of my Road King Classic. No hinge stop kit was installed and I was not told about the screw from the docking point hitting the saddlebag lid when the backrest is removed. Needless to sayI ended up with a mark on the lid from the screw. Backrest on, no problem, so now when I remove the backrest I cover the docking point with a7/8" black rubber foot that I sanded the bottom of smooth. It allows full access to the bags and leaves no mark. I just toss it in the saddlebag when the backrest is on. Home Depot has these feet in black and white for about $1.00. Hope this helps someone !
Last edited by mccfeebee; Aug 6, 2011 at 03:07 PM.
Supporter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 22
From: Island on the Pacific.
Hi. Great idea. Any pics ?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 3
From: Pacific Northwest
DIY Shotgun Marker lights!
For those of you who are or wanting to experiment with LED arrays, I've used this calculator before when I created my own LED taillight on my previous chopper.
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz
There are even companies out there that will make a couple printed circuit boards complete with drilled holes and solder traces already ran for fairly inexpensive.
I have to look at my schematics to see how I did it but there is a way to make standard LEDs dual intensity so they were being used as both running & brake lights. I'm not positive but I think what I did was take the incoming voltage (13V) and divide it in half and use that number in the calculator. All I know is when I got done with it I couldn't even look at it when full power was applied it was so bright.
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz
There are even companies out there that will make a couple printed circuit boards complete with drilled holes and solder traces already ran for fairly inexpensive.
I have to look at my schematics to see how I did it but there is a way to make standard LEDs dual intensity so they were being used as both running & brake lights. I'm not positive but I think what I did was take the incoming voltage (13V) and divide it in half and use that number in the calculator. All I know is when I got done with it I couldn't even look at it when full power was applied it was so bright.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: NC
Only done a couple mods to my Ultra Limited so far.
First mod, I velcro'd a keychain garage door opener under the switch housing on the left side. I reach my finger under there to open the garage as I approach the house. When the forks are locked to the left, you cannot get your finger under there. Saved a bunch of time and money.
Second mod, I HATED seeing the orange bulbs after I installed smoked lens's. I used black BBQ paint on the inside cups of all 4 turn signals and the fender tip light. It darkened the back area behind the bulbs when they are off so I cannot see orange anymore. NOTE: I chose BBQ paint cause of its high temperature rating. Didn't want regular paint cracking up or catching fire from the heat.
First mod, I velcro'd a keychain garage door opener under the switch housing on the left side. I reach my finger under there to open the garage as I approach the house. When the forks are locked to the left, you cannot get your finger under there. Saved a bunch of time and money.
Second mod, I HATED seeing the orange bulbs after I installed smoked lens's. I used black BBQ paint on the inside cups of all 4 turn signals and the fender tip light. It darkened the back area behind the bulbs when they are off so I cannot see orange anymore. NOTE: I chose BBQ paint cause of its high temperature rating. Didn't want regular paint cracking up or catching fire from the heat.
My other MOD, was I had 3 windshield that came with my bike, running the black 3.5" and had a scratched up 10" clear... Traced my 3.5" onto the 10" and cut with a jigsaw with the proper blade. Sanded and buffed out sctraches and now into a clear 3.5" for nothing other than time...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 102
From: Washington State
Heres a cheap method to solve the red light issue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAac...feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAac...feature=relmfu
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
The above post describes mounting magnets on your bike to trigger the inductive loops at signals.
I have a magnets IN the left side heel on my riding boot- as I come to the light, I hang my foot over the seam where the loop is.
Should I get stuck at the light, I can move my foot back and forth, further disturbing the current in the loop.
i find this more effective than mounting the magnets on the bike.
Mike
I have a magnets IN the left side heel on my riding boot- as I come to the light, I hang my foot over the seam where the loop is.
Should I get stuck at the light, I can move my foot back and forth, further disturbing the current in the loop.
i find this more effective than mounting the magnets on the bike.
Mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Installing H-D Oil Cooler Kit:
Mine came with the "no adhesive" gasket, I used gasket shellac to mount the gasket to the adapter ( in the correct position) waited about 30 minutes then installed with no concerns about the gasket slipping or rotating out of place.
- as pointed out to me by another Rider, if you don't have a 7/16" allen tool, just use a bolt with a 7/16" head run some nuts onto it, and use that for your tool, turning it with a 7/16" socket
mike
Mine came with the "no adhesive" gasket, I used gasket shellac to mount the gasket to the adapter ( in the correct position) waited about 30 minutes then installed with no concerns about the gasket slipping or rotating out of place.
- as pointed out to me by another Rider, if you don't have a 7/16" allen tool, just use a bolt with a 7/16" head run some nuts onto it, and use that for your tool, turning it with a 7/16" socket
mike
Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
I posted on another thread but thought this was a good fit here too...
My no cost solution to “new” handlebars. I had the front end of my Electra Glide torn apart to tighten the head bearings and decided to move my bars up. I moved them to 1/16” from the inner faring. I have to tell you this is the absolute best mod I have ever done. It’s like a new bike! The grips block the mirrors a little but no complaints here!
My no cost solution to “new” handlebars. I had the front end of my Electra Glide torn apart to tighten the head bearings and decided to move my bars up. I moved them to 1/16” from the inner faring. I have to tell you this is the absolute best mod I have ever done. It’s like a new bike! The grips block the mirrors a little but no complaints here!
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
I posted on another thread but thought this was a good fit here too...
My no cost solution to new handlebars. I had the front end of my Electra Glide torn apart to tighten the head bearings and decided to move my bars up. I moved them to 1/16 from the inner faring. I have to tell you this is the absolute best mod I have ever done. Its like a new bike! The grips block the mirrors a little but no complaints here!
My no cost solution to new handlebars. I had the front end of my Electra Glide torn apart to tighten the head bearings and decided to move my bars up. I moved them to 1/16 from the inner faring. I have to tell you this is the absolute best mod I have ever done. Its like a new bike! The grips block the mirrors a little but no complaints here!
