The modifications begin.....

flybigjet · Mar 31, 2015

A word about Heat Demon's heated grips--

So. This is my next little project on the F. Once I get it running, that is. I'll do this in conjunction with hard-wiring a GPS into switched power.

Anyhow, I read several posts saying that machine shop modification was required to install Heat Demons on the F. This concerned me enough that I called the company direct and talked to their tech department. They've since made modifications to the kit, and it will, repeat WILL fit the F now with no modifications required. The newer kit that works is the #211056 one.

Bike goes into the shop tomorrow to verify belt tension, swingarm and rear wheel torque, as it's cheap insurance with all of the drama over the tank.

Still need to put the fuel tank innards back together, and then see if it starts. Not sure if the battery's charging or not. If it doesn't hold enough charge to get the thing running, that Shorai is GONE.

R.

Pretty excited. GPS and Heat Demons are the only things left on my bike (still have a few projects left on the wife's.) The ONLY other thing I'm considering is making templates to attach to the saddle bag mounts that will allow a roll-bag to me mounted on the rear rack.

HercDriver · Mar 31, 2015

You are a man possessed and an example to all of us to follow in the wake of your 'mod madness'!!! :notworth:

(I'm doing a GPS thing also, more to follow....)

flybigjet · Mar 31, 2015

HercDriver said:
You are a man possessed and an example to all of us to follow in the wake of your 'mod madness'!!! :notworth:

(I'm doing a GPS thing also, more to follow....)

Not "madness" exactly-- just very, very detail oriented with my toys.

I *think* my GPS solution (after a LOT of research) is to use an Add-a-Circuit wired into a special USB port that has essentially NO draw when quiescent. I think having a regular USB hardwired to the battery is what contributed to my original battery issues-- even unplugged, it was drawing around 0.035A. The new one I got won't power an iPad (not that I care), but will power a GPS or cell phone fine-- and draws only 0.002A when it's unplugged. From there, I have a another magic cable that will go from the USB port to a micro USB to power my GPS.

Go to 3BRPowersports.com for more information.

For the GPS, I'm going to use the Garmin Nüvi 3597 LMTHD that I have in my truck with a Ram Mount Tough-Claw handlebar mount w/ double socket arm & Medium-Wide Aqua Box-- that should make it waterproof and easily removable from the bike at the end of the day. The Tough-Claw is pretty slick and will mount up very solidly to the bars-- the double socket arm will allow me to get the GPS mostly behind my windshield for additional protection.

That's the best solution I've been able to figure out. I'm still waiting to hear from Bogie in the UK if he came up with a switched power source under the seat, but I don't think the plug he intends to use will work. He thinks it's switched, I think it's hot. I'm hoping he's right, since that would be a more elegant solution.

But, I'm holding off on the wiring until I see his results.

R.

HercDriver · Mar 31, 2015

I'll share my less elegant solution once its past the concept stage. My intent is a bit unorthodox so some mockup work needs to be done.

For the adoring mod fans out there, I will document with pictures if I'm happy with the outcome.

BobcatSC · Mar 31, 2015

AND even if you aren't happy with the outcome, right?? We want to see anyway. We learn more from mistakes....?

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

HercDriver · Apr 1, 2015

Sure
I'll open the kimono....

flybigjet · Apr 1, 2015

Done, Done, and DONE.

THAT..... was a beast of a job.

But, the bike is now fully operational. It started up on the first try, and I didn't even have any extra parts left over. Going to take it in to the dealer tomorrow to check my torque values for the wheel and swingarm (I don't 100% trust my torque wrench) and belt tension (juuuuuust to be sure). And to bring in the old tank and argue about warranties and defective tanks for a while, just to amuse myself. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll pay for the new tank I had to buy.

Yeah. Right. Pull the other one. It's got bells on.

But, the bike is rideable. And snow is forecast day after tomorrow with a temperature drop of 50 degrees. I have.... interesting luck when it comes to bikes.

R.

flybigjet · Apr 1, 2015

The "updated" list--

BODY:
- Red hexagonal aluminum valve stem caps
- Bicep Designs front axle bolt covers
- Bicep Designs “VRSCF” fork badges
- Front amber side reflectors removed
- VRSCDX Vivid Black headlight visor
- Budman’s 2.5” pullback riser & aluminum wire cover
- K-Source 2” convex blind spot mirrors
- Performance Machine gloss black Contour hand grips
- Pyramid front fender extender
- Bicep Designs radiator intake armor
- Speed Dealer Customs gloss black extra-long shift peg
- Roland Sands Design gloss black 45° Moto rider foot pegs
- Ghostrider Customs satin black hexagonal shift linkage
- Kuryakyn gloss black V-Shield horn cover
- H-D extended length coolant hose cover (pc’d gloss black)
- VRSCR front pulley cover (pc’d gloss black)
- Trask aluminum oil dipstick
- Bitchin’ Seat Company full custom embossed leather Wifebeater seat w/ rider & pillion nitro-gel inserts
- H-D under-seat document case
- Bitchin’ Seat Company articulated seat hinge (pc’d satin black)
- Tiger Racing upper & lower 240 belt guard (pc’d satin black)
- Superchicken’s aluminum swingarm pivot bolt covers
- Exhaust spacers fabricated from VRSCF passenger foot peg supports (pc’d satin black)
- Rear red side reflectors removed
- VRSCAW passenger foot peg supports (pc’d gloss black)
- Roland Sands Design gloss black 45° Moto passenger foot pegs
- VRSCF luggage rack
- 3M clear bra paint protection film on rear fender under luggage rack
- Bicep Designs rear axle bolt covers
- Fabricated tail tidy from VRSCF international license plate assembly
- J&P Cycles license plate backing plate (pc’d gloss black)
- Radiantz gloss black LED license plate frame w/ H-D wiring connectors
- “VRSCF” personalized Colorado license plate

MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE:
- VRSCF side grill backing plates modified to allow unrestricted airflow
- Black Outerwears hydroscopic fabric installed behind modified VRSCF side grill backing plates
- Cerakote V-171 Turbine Coat (1800°F) ceramic coated exhaust head pipes
- DEI Reflect-a-Cool radiant heat barrier installed on backs of exhaust heat shields
- Amsoil high-flow nanofilter air filter (EaAM43701)
- 3M sound deadening pad on underside of outer airbox cover
- Upper airbox cover removed & lower airbox modified w/ H-D SE Stage II cutouts & IAT sensor relocation
- DEI Reflect-a-Cool radiant heat barrier installed on exterior of lower airbox
- H-D Gold spark plugs
- Amsoil nanofilter oil filter (EaOM136C)
- Dimple magnetic oil drain plug
- Amsoil 20W-50 synthetic motorcycle oil
- Stant locking gas cap
- TAB Performance “no logo” slip-on exhaust pipes
- TAB Performance 1.75” exhaust baffles
- Helix Racing high density exhaust packing
- TTS MasterTune ECM reprogrammer
- Dyno tune & custom fuel map by Randy’s SpeedWrench of Denver, CO

TIRES, BRAKES AND SUSPENSION
- Metzeler ME880 Marathon 120/70/19 front tire
- Traxxion Dynamics AK-20 Axxion fork cartridges
- Lyndall Racing Gold-Plus brake pads
- ATE Super Blue brake fluid
- Metzeler ME880 Marathon XXL 260/40/18 rear tire
- Race Tech G3-S Custom dual IFP internal reservoir shocks w/ adjustable rebound dampening

LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL:
- Cree-LED H11 high beam headlamp
- SoCalMotoGear Tru-HID low beam lighting kit w/ slimline AC ballast (35w/H11/6000k)
- No-cut wiring modification allowing HID low beam to remain illuminated when high beam engaged
- Bluegauges.com gauge cluster modification w/ blue backlight & red needles
- Shorai digital battery tender
- Shorai digital battery maintenance cable hardwired to battery
- Shorai 415 cca lithium battery (LFX27L3-BS12)
- DEI Reflect-a-Cool radiant heat barrier installed on heat-exposed areas of Shorai battery
- Deltran SAE connector hardwired to battery
- Fiamm Freeway Blaster 130 dB low-tone trumpet horn
- H-D Smart Siren II security system

LUGGAGE, TOURING AND STORAGE:
- Rifle light gray quick-release Compact Mid-Sport windshield w/ H-D hardware (2” higher than stock)
- Budman’s custom-length 3.25” upper windshield mount post extenders
- Fabricated extension hardware for lower H-D windshield mounting clamps (pc’d satin black)
- Mini 2 compact vehicle compass
- VRSCF passenger foot peg supports (pc’d gloss black)
- Timbuk2 bike seat pack storage pods (2)
- Roland Sands Design gloss black 45° Moto passenger foot pegs
- VRSCF saddlebags w/ “removable” modification
- Held USA Iconic tail bag (mount or sell?)
- Chase Harper Bungee Buddy
- H-D VRSCSE CVO indoor bike cover

REMAINING TO DO (parts in garage, just need time)
- Heat Demons internal 1” handlebar grip warmers w/ black led control perch
- 3BR Powersports TAPP 2.1A Weatherproof USB Power Port hardwired to switched power
- 3BR Powersports Red Band TAPP capped weatherproof USB to mini USB GPS power cable
- Ram Mounts Tough-Claw handlebar mount w/ double socket arm & Medium-Wide Aqua Box
- Garmin Nüvi 3597 LMTHD GPS

HercDriver · Apr 1, 2015

flybigjet said:
Done, Done, and DONE.

THAT..... was a beast of a job.

But, the bike is now fully operational. It started up on the first try, and I didn't even have any extra parts left over. Going to take it in to the dealer tomorrow to check my torque values for the wheel and swingarm (I don't 100% trust my torque wrench) and belt tension (juuuuuust to be sure). And to bring in the old tank and argue about warranties and defective tanks for a while, just to amuse myself. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll pay for the new tank I had to buy.

Yeah. Right. Pull the other one. It's got bells on.

But, the bike is rideable. And snow is forecast day after tomorrow with a temperature drop of 50 degrees. I have.... interesting luck when it comes to bikes.

R.

I'm pretty sure that was a big job, but it's behind you now. Weather be damned, get out and ride that beast!

I think others would agree that you've mapped (and recorded) a pretty impressive series of personalized updates to this model - an example to us all, Rod.

flybigjet · Apr 1, 2015

Just to finish off the Great Fuel Tank Drama-- I brought the bike and tank into the local dealer today. I also brought an shape finder (it looks sort of like a comb, and you can press it into something to find the exact shape/angle that it is). Everyone agreed that the tank was messed up. I asked (reasonably, I thought) for reimbursement of the new tank since this issue had been reported (and denied) while the bike was under warranty.

So, they called H-D Tech, and got the standard answer-- "This is the first we've ever heard of this problem."

Right.

They didn't want to see the tank, or pictures, or anything-- even when the dealer tech talked to them and indicated that the tank was obviously bowed on both the horizontal and vertical axes.

So, screw it. I left the tank at the dealer since I was riding home. I'm tired of fighting H-D for $200.

At least now I know the job is done right, and it wasn't an issue with the bike.

R.

1BlinkGone · Apr 2, 2015

flybigjet said:
Just to finish off the Great Fuel Tank Drama-- I brought the bike and tank into the local dealer today. I also brought an shape finder (it looks sort of like a comb, and you can press it into something to find the exact shape/angle that it is). Everyone agreed that the tank was messed up. I asked (reasonably, I thought) for reimbursement of the new tank since this issue had been reported (and denied) while the bike was under warranty.

So, they called H-D Tech, and got the standard answer-- "This is the first we've ever heard of this problem."

Right.

They didn't want to see the tank, or pictures, or anything-- even when the dealer tech talked to them and indicated that the tank was obviously bowed on both the horizontal and vertical axes.

So, screw it. I left the tank at the dealer since I was riding home. I'm tired of fighting H-D for $200.

At least now I know the job is done right, and it wasn't an issue with the bike.

R.

Incredible. HD is making money hand over fist but instead of standing behind their product, they stand behind the customer...ugly picture. Yeah it's $200, but price isn't the issue- its the principle. The new tank even looks like it's been made differently- at least in the pics...makes me wonder if I really want to deal with a HD product at all. Everything already needs to be locktite blue'd (and should have been from the factory), and those case bolts....oh man... great job, FBJ!

Interested to hear if your fuel gauge reads more accurately now with the sender replacement.

flybigjet · Apr 2, 2015

1BlinkGone said:
Interested to hear if your fuel gauge reads more accurately now with the sender replacement.

I only rode the bike to/from the dealer with only about two gallons in the tank. It's raining at the moment, and is supposed to snow the next two days, and then I'm on a trip, so no riding for a while.

The gauge worked, so that was good. it *seems* to read faster than the old gauge-- the old one would sit at Empty for a fair while and then eventually decide to read properly. this one seems to read accurately from the git-go.

Weirdly enough, the sender tube on the new one was about an inch shorter than the original. Huh.

R.

flybigjet · Apr 10, 2015

Bought stainless hardware for my footpegs today.

H-D wanted THIRTY FREAKIN' DOLLARS A SET.

Seriously. For two nuts, two bolts and two (un-needed) spacers. Not even stainless, but cheeseball chrome.

Went to Ace today and got stainless nuts and bolts for about $2.50 a set. They're low profile and won't rust.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to install tomorrow and see if it helps my minor passenger "peg droop" problem.

Headed out to my (ex-) squadron's Recognition/Retirement Dinner in Cali this Saturday-- time for my flag and my speech (and a *serious* amount of alcohol), so that takes priority.

Oh-- if anyone's interested. Bolts were 3/8 (16pitch) x 1.25 (I think? It might be 1.5.) I had to get longer bolts since the stainless nylock nut was a bit larger than I'd planned.

R.

AdWo2187 · Apr 10, 2015

I fixed my peg drop problem like this: I bought new stainless washers. Bent them way more than the stock ones that were rusted like crazy. Bought loctite, applied it generously to pretty much everything that moves. Jammed it all back together which involved using a thick cloth and hammering the peg and newly bent washer which didn't want to fit but eventually the hammer convinced them to. Haven't had the passenger pegs move a millimeter since I did it. However, I also haven't had a passenger ride with me since then so the pegs haven't come down, but I don't have any reason to believe if I brought them down and put them back up that they would fall. YMMV

HercDriver · Apr 14, 2015

HercDriver said:
I'll share my less elegant solution once its past the concept stage. My intent is a bit unorthodox so some mockup work needs to be done.

For the adoring mod fans out there, I will document with pictures if I'm happy with the outcome.

Project complete - happy with the outcome (kimono open) documented here (pardon the thread-jack FBJ): http://www.1130cc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4075497#post4075497

Post #1534.

flybigjet · Apr 14, 2015

The *definitive* "droopy/falling down passenger peg" fix:

Stainless steel hex cap bolt and nylock washer.

You want 3/8" x 1 1/2", 16 (coarse) pitch.

I got them at Ace Hardware for about $11 (including tax) for four bolts and nuts so I could do both front and rear pegs. H-D wanted $30 a pair (plus tax) for their set. And since they're Stainless instead of H-D's cheap chrome, they won't rust.

Pull the snap-ring, pull the pin, install the bolt, crank down on the nylock nut. Total time for four pegs? About 6 minutes. No more problems with falling passenger pegs!

R.

V-Buster · Apr 15, 2015

flybigjet said:
The *definitive* "droopy/falling down passenger peg" fix:

Stainless steel hex cap bolt and nylock washer.

You want 3/8" x 1 1/2", 16 (coarse) pitch.

I got them at Ace Hardware for about $11 (including tax) for four bolts and nuts so I could do both front and rear pegs. H-D wanted $30 a pair (plus tax) for their set. And since they're Stainless instead of H-D's cheap chrome, they won't rust.

Pull the snap-ring, pull the pin, install the bolt, crank down on the nylock nut. Total time for four pegs? About 6 minutes. No more problems with falling passenger pegs!

R.

R,

Thanks! You know you can never get rid of the F or leave this forum...otherwise we would all have to figure out all this stuff for ourselves

Well done, one of my next projects if I can ever find time to even ride...

Thanks again for all you do for your F brothers!

flybigjet · Apr 18, 2015

If anybody has a rear brake foot control laying around that they're not using, please pm me.

TIA--

R.

flybigjet · Apr 19, 2015

Nevermind-- I got the brake and shift levers sourced. Now to drop them off at my powdercoater to have them sand-blasted and re-coated to match the frame.

Sigh. I thought I was done with the bike.

Only two things left now (other than the levers). Wiring up the Heat Demons and wiring up the GPS to switched power.

Then? Done, done, done!

R.

rc4man · Apr 20, 2015

flybigjet said:
Nevermind-- I got the brake and shift levers sourced. Now to drop them off at my powdercoater to have them sand-blasted and re-coated to match the frame.

Sigh. I thought I was done with the bike.

Only two things left now (other than the levers). Wiring up the Heat Demons and wiring up the GPS to switched power.

Then? Done, done, done!

R.

"Bwaaaaahhhaahhaahhaahh"

The modifications begin.....

flybigjet

HercDriver

flybigjet

HercDriver

BobcatSC

HercDriver

flybigjet

flybigjet

HercDriver

flybigjet

1BlinkGone

flybigjet

flybigjet

AdWo2187

HercDriver

flybigjet

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