Mike’s Typo

Got a touring bike?  Well, I’m your “Accessorizer” (today and today only).  It turns out that Bob Davis reminded me that I am the expert on center stands.  He and I spent a lot of time playing around with this stand and that stand for the CHP project.  Turns out the folks at the Product Design Center (PDC) were PDQ (pretty damn quick) at putting together what I think is the best center stand made for a dresser.

Many of you have gotten a chuckle out of the fact that I can’t seem to get my bike off the center stand.  It’s no problem gettin’ it up there, but then it’s there.  I know.  I know.  How good is it, if you can’t ride it off or push it off (easily)?  Well, BD played a little joke on the boss.  He ran those adjuster bolts way out.  So, when the bikes on the stand - well, it takes some real effort to get it off.  He thought that was a hoot.  There’s pictures of this; even a video.  But, I returned the favor with a little prank of my own in that next paycheck.  I think we’re even now.  Fortunately, Randy took pity on me and put the bolts where they should be.  It’s true I’ve been seen lately just puttin’ the bike up, so I can roll it off.  Thinkin’ about taking it for a ride next.  But that’s another post.

So buy one of these things.  They’re great.  Great for the road.  Great for the garage.  Great for cleaning.

Heck if you buy it from Julian, he’ll probably give you a break on the labor to install it.  Don’t tell him I said that though.

Ok.  I’m not sure if this qualifies as a tech tip.  But, here’s my logic.  It’s a solution to one of the toughest problems we face - sore butts.  Seems technical enough.  So.  Here we go.  As many of you know, Bob Davis rides a lot.  I think he’s pushin’ 80,000 on his FLHT Electra Glide Standard.  Over the past few years Bob has experimented with the FLTR Road Glide fairing, different windshield, different tires, and of course different seats.  One thing is for sure - he swears by one Harley saddle.  Not only swears by it, but claims it’s the best long haul saddle he’s ever ridden on.  For years I resisted. Finally, with the new Road King I’m riding, we switched the saddle.  I’ve got enough time in it to be completely convinced this is the most comfortable saddle Harley makes for a Road King, Electra Glide, or Street Glide.  52314-08 if you’ve got a 2008 model; 52314-04 if you’ve got a 2007 or earlier.  It’ll be the best $250 you’ve spent.

Harley comes out with new, and often very cool, accessories after the catalogs are printed. Dealers typically get a quarterly New Products booklet. I drop what I’m doing when this hits my desk - I love scanning the new stuff. Found a gem in this product update. The Sissy Bar Backpack. This is a great commuter pack or local-rides-kinda-solution. It’s not for long trips (unless you pack really lite). When I saw the picture, I thought wouldn’t it be great if it would hold a laptop. Not only does it hold a laptop, it’s got a padded laptop pocket “…with a secure strap for safe transportation….” Where do these marketing types learn to write like this? What a great pack. Backward over your sissybar, or my preference would be forward facing. That makes it a backrest. I love this product. Great for commuting. Great for local riding without saddlebags.

Read more and/or buy it from us online.

Ever wanted to sit around in your underwear and customize a new Harley; your own Harley; your sig other’s Harley?  Well, those smart, geeky guys/gals/neuts they keep locked up in the basement of Juneau Ave have done it again.  Voila - the Harley Customizer.  This looks like a first pass at what, when you think about all the accessories and option in the P&A catalog, is a daunting task, and it really came out nicely.  My intent was to take a quick peek and then if it passed the sniff test throw it out there to you.  An hour later, I’d built 3 customs.  I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours!  Check it out.

Harley launched a new custom seat program for Softails. It’s online. You design your seat and then we order it for you. Could this be a hint of what’s to come on the custom front? If so, it’s all long overdue. This is a cool tool. Check it out here. Better yet, check it out, build a custom seat, and we’ll order it for you!

One of the new columns for 2008 is this POW - Product of the Week. It’s being ghost written by me on behalf of a product expert. Ok, really. I can do this. Just don’t ask me to ring you out on the register.

This week’s product is a no-brainer. I can’t tell you the number of bikes I see without the brake light module installed. We put them on all new bikes we sell when we set the bike up. That’s how sure we are that you should have it. Formally referred to as the “Auxiliary Running Light/Brake Light/Turn Signal Conversion Kit,” this little gem turns your rear turn signals into two additional brake lights. So, when you brake, you’ve got three lights instead of one. One of the biggest causes of accidents is the car not seeing that you are braking and taps (or worse) your rear end. When that happens, generally it screws up your day. So, if you don’t have this accessory, call us and make an appointment with Julian or Dan to have it installed. It’s pretty easy with no wires to cut.

Want to check out the official Harley word, here are the links:

• Softail
• Dyna/Touring
• V-Rod
• Sportster

Read on. There’s a coupon below from Jimmy and the boys on this.

Coupon - Free Install on Brake Light

Catchy title, right? Julian and Dan thought that up. And, they’re real proud of it too. So, doesn’t need much explaining. Bring your ride in for a brake light module, officially know as the “Auxiliary Running Light/Brake Light/Turn Signal Conversion Kit” and our boys will install it for FREE. That’s right, buy the kit from Julian or Dan and they’re going to strong arm one of the techs into installing it for free. Amazing what a batch of homemade cookies from Julian’s wife will do for us all. Hurry, this offer won’t last. We’re thinkin’ through February. But, really, don’t wait because you’ll forget or we’ll forget. You know the routine. Call for an appointment now. SC 421-9600 x2 or GV 768-9500 x2.

$100 here, a hundred there. I love talking about FREE money. A big thanks to H-D for making that possible. It’s the Elbow Grease promotion. Great name - what does it mean? Simply put, Harley is giving you $100 free labor against the installation of lots of stuff. Good stuff this time. Not the “slow movers.” Paint, chrome front end kits, handlebars, wheels, Screamin’ Eagle Street Legal Performance kits, and a bunch of other items. There are some terms & conditions but nothing that would stop you from taking advantage of free money. BTW - this can be combined with the coupon below. More FREE money!

By my calculations, we’ve got roughly 56 hours before all that paper gets ripped to shreds and your sig other, and/or kids determine whether you’ve met their expectations. My theory is its this pressure (and all the candy) that makes seemingly normal people nutty around the holidays. Ok, that and the endless drone of holiday music - everywhere!

So, I’m done with my shopping. Ha. Ha. Well almost.

That gives me the time I need to gloat. And, being the generally good guy I am, enough time to help you with your shopping. So, I took a little tour around the store and combed through our sales data - all in an effort to recommend the perfect gifts. You know the ones that will get you …the recognition you deserve.

Bitchin’ Balls - these are truly unique and would make a gift that will be remembered year after year.

Santa Cruz Derby Cover - we made a handful of these hand-etched, derby covers. Only a few left, so call Becci, George, or Irish if you want one.

Poker Set - I’ve actually given a couple of these sets as gifts. The reaction is terrific. The black lacquered case combined with the Santa Cruz Harley chips makes this really classic and fun holiday gift.

Skull Key - very classy with an attitude. I’d love to have one of these.

Traffic Signal Tripper - ok, so I had to throw one practical gift suggestion in here. These things really work and they are super easy to install.

Well, that’s it for my top 5 unique suggestions this week. Really, we’ve got so many terrific items in the store. Come down and see for yourself. And, while your at it - pick something up for yourself!

$100 here, a hundred there. Pretty soon it starts to add up. Ok, more on that later. First, as promised in the last Typo - my picks for bike accessories. There are so many cool picks, where do I start.

If you don’t have the Reduced Effort Clutch, you’re just putting out too much effort to ride. “This may be the best $250 you’ve spent on your bike.” If I have to explain…. Just ask Julian, Dan or Jimmy. And, this might be the best time to get your bike in and get it done - read further; there’s a coupon that knocks that cost down a bit. Click to link to the touring, Softail, and Dyna RECs (Ok, I know, I hate acronyms too. I just did it for the corporate-types reading this).

With the current weather, you’re probably appreciating a little heat off the engine. Come Spring, sitting at the stop light on an FL can get a bit toasty. Harley’s got the answer - Air Deflectors. I would have expected them to call it an “Advanced Heat Management System.” But, you know there is a reason they call a crash guard, an engine guard. But, I digress. Customers said that the aftermarket versions of these (which came out first) really worked. I was skeptical, so I put a pair of the Harley ones (much better fit/much better looking) on my bike. Big improvement. And, they come in a black composite material (not smoked), so your eye really doesn’t read them. This is one of those “must haves” on my list.

If your running around on anything other than a fairing bike, I’m guessing there are times when you have XM-envy. I sure did. Not any more. I don’t listen to it all the time, but when I do - it’s so nice to have commercial free music that’s CD quality sound. I’m talking about the handlebar mount XM receiver from Harley. It’s a good size. You can read the display. And, you can punch the buttons with gloves on. It’s really well thought out. It’s on my bike and I love it. No speakers. I just use a set of headphones installed in my helmet. The headphones are made for Harley by Koss - great sound.

One more item. How about that new Isolated Drive System on the sprocket for 2008? Right. You want it. Even though you might have a bit of trouble describing what it does. Well, once again, that’s why Dan, Julian & Jimmy get the big bucks. Me, I just call it my “Cush Drive.” Good chance if you don’t have it, there is a kit that will fit your bike.

Back to the $100. I love talking about FREE money. A big thanks to H-D for making that possible. It’s the Elbow Grease promotion. Great name - what does it mean? Simply put, Harley is giving you $100 free labor against the installation of lots of stuff. Good stuff this time. Not the “slow movers.” Paint, chrome front end kits, handlebars, wheels, Screamin’ Eagle Street Legal Performance kits, and a bunch of other items. There are some terms & conditions but nothing that would stop you from taking advantage of free money.

So, to wrap this. The Elbow Grease bucks are available for a couple of my favorites: the handlebar mount XM and the Isolated Drive System kits.

How’s that for a catchy title? Believe me I worked long and hard to come up with that one. If you’re anticipating being saved by reading this column, you will be. But, maybe not in the way you were hoping. What we are talking about in today’s sermon is SYN3 lube from H-D.

Just to set the record straight, all lubricants tested and approved by Harley-Davidson Motor Company are great choices for your motorcycle. SYN3 is the synthetic, single lubricant choice. For years, otherwise sane people have hotly debated the benefits of synthetic lubricants over the “other” kind. I’m not going there. Suffice-it-to-say, Harley calls SYN3 their “high performance lubricant.”

If you’re thinking about SYN3, I want to debunk some myths. These fast oil change places have got us thinking about flushing, and once you switch to synthetic you can’t go back. Might be true for cars. Don’t know. But, that’s just hog wash (pun intended - also took a while to come up with that one). No flushing necessary. And, if you want to switch back to regular lubes from SYN3 - no problem, just drain and do it. Remember to drain the existing fluids first - you shouldn’t mix. Just like beer, right. You’d never poor a Bud into a glass that’s still about a third full of MGD! I just stick with Anchor Steam; it’s local and it tastes great. I think I’m off the subject.

So, why do it? Switch to SYN3, that is. The factory marketing types say, “SYN3 can provide you with reduced oil consumption, improved wear protection, high temperature stability, and superior overall performance.” Here’s my long and short of it: one lube for all the openings. Who can mess that up?