Mike’s Typo

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.

Today from the Tech Tipster - cam chain tensioners. (make sure you’ve had your coffee.)

As your miles start to add up on your Harley it becomes prudent to have a few things inspected that maybe aren’t on the service checklists. That’s where our experience with more that 200 bikes a month (month after month) comes in handy. Everything wears, right? And, depending upon how you ride, different things wear at different rates. Riding around town; riding long; riding hard - each of these wears parts differently. Our job is to look ahead and inspect things that might cause a problem down the road. Riding is suppose to be fun; breakdowns typically take the fun out of it.

So, one of the items in your engine that is susceptible to differing amounts of wear based upon what type of riding you do is the cam chain tensioner. When this little item breaks it can do major damage to your engine and equally significant damage to your wallet. So, we’ve added this inspection to the 20k service. And, our techs inspect the cam chain tensioner every 10k after that. Plugging this into our services has really cut down on the number of failures we’ve seen.

So, why isn’t it on Harley’s list? We asked that question. The answer is simple. Harley’s list is built from experience around the country. Our riding out this way may differ from that in the deep South. Consequently, we see little things like this that need to be addressed locally.

Can you hear it going bad? Not before it’s too late really. That’s another reason we plugged this preventative inspection in.

Tip #1a. If you own a 2006 and earlier Big Twin (with the exception of Dynas), you can upgrade to an automatic primary chain adjuster. This will let your chain ride in comfort and your mind in peace. Longer wear and peace of mind can’t be all bad for $99.95. That’s a Service Special by-the-way.

Next time: Cush Drive: What can it do for you?

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.

A bit wet & soggy, we’ve drug this out of the Typo Vaults to bring you another holiday gift idea. For the guy or gal who has everything, there is now Nikwax Map Proof. Here’s the blurb. Among traveling’s lesser joys is when rain makes a nice, expensive map disintegrate like toilet paper. It doesn’t have to be that way, though-not if you treat it with Nikwax’s Map Proof. Just sponge it on, and the solution is said to render maps waterproof, while keeping their ability to fold for storage and even write on them. One $7.95, 4.2-ounce bottle should be able to treat six or more maps. Check out the Nikwax site. If you think this is right for your enthusiast, you can order it online from Whitehorse Gear. Original source: Motorcyclist, 9/06

How can anything that costs $6.95 (from a Harley dealer!) be magic. No, I haven’t been watching too many late-night, infomercials. This is the real deal. The Microfiber Detailing Cloth is as close to a magic cloth as I’ve ever seen. This is a great cloth for wiping down your bike. I like it so much I carry one in my saddlebag. Ok, that was probably more information than you wanted. But really, ask Rob, Jeff, or Mike at the Santa Cruz parts counter, the why and how (or Shawn at Green Valley). Then buy it. You won’t be disappointed. Just think, you can buy 14 of these clothes for less than $100 (plus tax). Wow.

Source: Rob, the newest parts counter dude.