| Author | Message | ||
     Leftcoastal |
Hope this isn't a repost, but our own Mr. Houghton is published in 'FeedbackLoop' on page 75. What kinda pipes did you put on that touring unit? Al | ||
| Ezblast |
lol | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Hey, does this mean I'm almost famous?  Al, I had to rip off the exhaust to install one of these: http://twrbaggersplus.com/Stabilizerkits.html The instructions with the JIMS exhaust seal installation tool #788...  ...were bass-ackwards as to which side of the tool to use for the style of exhaust seal you're installing. Sent an e-mail to Paul Dean at Cycle World (who had reviewed the tool in an earlier issue and had it all backwards, too) and JIMS alerting them to the mix-up. The good news is the tool works as advertised. FGramps | ||
| Ezblast |
Man - your deep into that King now! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Not exactly sure what you mean... I'm just trying to help it corner less like an 800-pound hinge. Madduck was kind enough to turn me on to the Missing Link gizmo at a reduced price. It seems to help some in the twisty bits. | ||
| Ezblast |
Just watching you be you - lol - the more your into the bike, the more you get into the bike. EZ | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Gotcha. Haven't really done all that much to it since I got it in '06, except ride the wheels off figuratively speaking. Just turned over 50,000 miles about a week ago. Wouldn't have taken a run at the link gizmo except that Madduck made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Somewhere down the line I see decent brakes, lighter wheels, and suspension upgrades at both ends. Also, I *think* I can hi-perf the steering head bearings, too, but I haven't done enough research yet to say for sure, and I suspect the swingarm pivot assemblies can be improved upon. All that stuff is down the road a ways, tho. In the meantime? Ride like there's no tomorrow. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Photo taken this past October, two days after installing the Missing Link:  Kinda isn't really a "fair" test, tho, as this corner was pretty smooth. Still, I think I'm liking having the link on there. FGramps | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I saw "stabilizer kit" & my English/English wired brain is thinking about what in US/English you'd call "Training Wheels". A lovely thought on your bagger.  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Grumpster, there have been several times in my riding career that training wheels would have come in very handy, indeed.  | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
that wobble was one of the reason I got off the Road King. So you like it? Let me know how it does when you really stress it. I got into a couple of bad head shakers that scared the crap outa me. It would be nice to know a fix was out there if I ever get another bagger | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Wolfie, it helps quite a bit. I think the hinge effect in a "higher mileage" Harley is a combination of two things: Slop in the steering head bearings, and lateral movement at the engine/swingarm interface. I hate adjusting the steering head bearings on the RK. It's a pain in the ass, and I bet a lot of Harley riders never bother. Which, of course, will lead to the front half of the bike being "loose," particularly in a bumpy corner. The concept behind the Missing Link, as I understand, is to prevent the rear of the engine from moving laterally under side loads (i.e. bumpy corners), which then "steers" the swingarm in its pivots, which, of course, is So Not Good. Add these two factors together and you've got the perfect recipe for an ill-handling motorcycle. So far I'd have to say the Missing Link works as advertised. It's a quality piece of kit. The RK is still pretty much a pig when ya really put the whip to her, but I'd say it's better than before. From everything I've read, Harley's new touring platform is much better in the handling/cornering department. If I didn't like my bike so much (and if I was rolling in dough...), I'd test ride a new Road King and see for myself. FGramps | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
but the newer models have the jumbo back tire... that doesn't help handling Plus the seat height went up a good bit I do believe. Every time I see a FLHPI.... I start to wonder how much weight I could take off it.. get some good tires.... could be fun | ||
| Arctic9r |
believe me, I work at a dealer and the frame change is phenomenal in handling and 180 rear tire helps because of the new dual compound design. There is no better handling HD than a new roadglide. The motor company finally made some improvements that help justify the high dollar pricetags that come with these shiny lead sleds. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
but the newer models have the jumbo back tire... that doesn't help handling Wolfie, 180 is a standard sportbike size, right? Unsure on seat height differences, if any. Artic9r, thanks for the feedback on the new touring platform. Your thoughts echo everything I've read on the new bikes. I've been riding Harleys since 1984, starting with a '76 Electra-Glide. IMO H-D has made many improvements over the past 25 years that help justify the purchase price. As a bonus, when I started riding Harleys, they actually were considerably more expensive than comparable choices from other companies. These days the price difference is often negligible. Just as a matter of curiosity, what's the MSRP on Harley's least expensive Big Twin these days? Take care, FGramps | ||
| Firemanjim |
So you have a big ass HD and now you want lighter wheels, better brakes, and handling---- sounds like a Buell!!!!! I was doing all of that to my Harleys when I first rode an S-2 and realized all of my efforts would never make the Harley anywhere as good. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
180 is a standard sportbike size, right? Unsure on seat height differences, if any. It was my understanding... talking to my fellow Riders Edge instructors that the PO PO were having a hard time making the tight maneuvers they were able to make on the smaller width tire. As far as the seat height. Another instructor complained she could sit almost flat footed on a older models but was on her toes on the newer models | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
So you have a big ass HD and now you want lighter wheels, better brakes, and handling---- sounds like a Buell!!!!! I was doing all of that to my Harleys when I first rode an S-2 and realized all of my efforts would never make the Harley anywhere as good. FMJ, you realize, of course, that you're talking to someone with more seat time on Buells than most anyone here on the board. Yeah, I know, my Harley will never be as "good" as a Buell. However, I love the bike in it's present form, and when I have the scratch to do so I'll set about making it a little bit better in the twisty stuff. Put another way: Right now it's 100% enough motorcycle for 75% of the riding I do. With some time and money, I think I can add a few percent to the latter number. Good to hear from you. How is James doing? Wolfie, I haven't ridden a new-platform Harley (I'm afraid too, hone$tly...), so I can't comment on how the new models compare to the older ones. Interesting to hear that kind of feedback from those who have, tho, especially the "tight maneuver" comments. Re: the seat height, I wonder if it's just a seat change, or if the frame now sits higher in that area, or perhaps it's a suspension change? If it's just the seat, seems like it'd be an easy fix. One of the things I like about my RK is I can flat-foot at stops. On the other hand, the primary reason I can do so is that the bike sits so low to the ground, which then compromises cornering clearance. Still, it all seems to work for me most of the time, and I've no intentions of ever offing this bike. Take it for what it's worth, but that's pretty high praise coming from someone as picky as me when it comes to my motorcycles. FGramps | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
As far as the seat height well... I have let my fingers do the searching and it looks to me all the seat heights are damn near the same. Maybe she was on crack.... A test ride on my part is in order... ya know.. I need to tell the kiddies what the bikes are like.. LOL | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
A test ride on my part is in order... ya know.. I need to tell the kiddies what the bikes are like.. LOL I would value your feedback. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I would value your feedback. I'm gonna show that to my wife! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I take it you don't hear that very often? | ||
| Madduck |
The new generation of Harley baggers appear to have a higher seat height because the frame is significantly wider at that point. Narrowing the seat is difficult because of the frame but the heat is also less becuase your leg is farther from cylinder and exhaust. A lot of changes are in that frame to make a really well handling bagger. Short inseams are challenged tho. Some of us believe that it does provide the dealers with a new income stream by selling the readily available lowering kits. Not the first time a redesign generates need for more accessories. Odd thing about the TWR part is that it makes the motor mounting system virtually identical to the design Erik Buell came up with for the older FXRs so technically Jerry is back on a Buell now. If you decide to go Sportier in the spring I will probably be selling both my Uly and 1125Rs. Let me know if interested and I will make you a deal. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Odd thing about the TWR part is that it makes the motor mounting system virtually identical to the design Erik Buell came up with for the older FXRs so technically Jerry is back on a Buell now. Madduck, good to hear from you sir, as always. Hope you're well. I'm back on a Buell?? Cool! My second Harley was an '86 FXR-P (ex Seattle Police bike), so I'm familiar with Erik's influence on those models. That was a very good-handling motorcycle considering its size and weight. If you decide to go Sportier in the spring I will probably be selling both my Uly and 1125Rs. Let me know if interested and I will make you a deal. I'd be a little bit interested in the 1125. Doubtful I could come up with the coin, but give me a shot at it when you're really to pull the trigger and I'll see what I can do. Thx for the heads-up, and for your ongoing friendship. FB | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
The seat height issue may just be due to a wider seat rather than a higher one. My STT single seat is higher than the dual but makes no difference in getting my feet down as it's narrower. Imagine a letter A where the crosspiece is the seat, if you widen it the legs have to splay more effectively shortening them in the vertical plane. You all understand that? I just wrote it & I'm not sure I do, but it'll give you the idea. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Clear as mud. | ||
| Road_thing |
Jerry: For what it's worth, I rented a 2010 Electraglide this summer and put a thousand or so miles on it over a long weekend. The difference in handling between that bike and my '96 RK is really noticeable. Mine is admittedly a "high-mileage" unit @ 90,000+, but it's had the steering head bearings, isolators and swing arm pivots replaced within the last 20,000. Good thing I'm unemployed, or I'd be seriously considering upgrading... rt | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Good thing I'm There, fixed it for me. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Yes, the missing link rocks. I used to scrape around on a '96 FLHP for years, and the Link totally eliminated the wag for me. I used to buy floorboards annually, and would run our local 'battletrax' type course on it with PVC "sliders" on the crash bars - take a 90 degree fitting and slice it into two halves. Clamp it onto the crash bar with a pair of hose clamps, like a white plastic "cast" of sorts. They slide nicely around parking lots like that, and you don't damage the metal either The new FL frame is lightyears ahead of the old Evo and early TC frames. '08 and '09 were taller; they found a way to drop them a little bit for '10 because of complaints about height. Most of it is width - that 6 gallon tank is a monster - but they do sit higher than the previous generation as an effort to get more lean angle before sparks are thrown. I suspect more of the "can't do tight maneuvers" problem comes from the longer wheelbase and different rake/trail than the older bikes. The bike will do it though, they just have to get used to the changes. Enjoy the Link, and any time you find a polyurethane version of a rubber isolator or bushing...put it on. More night-and-day help there, just in the material change | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
jerry - the first bike I rode when I got my MC license was my fathers 76 FLH He still has it. I really like this thread, its about HDs and NOT bashing. Keep up the good work guys! |
