iamdent
Member
Thought some of you guys might be interested in stuff ultraduc and I have learned in our new biker experience.
First off we decided in March to buy Harleys mostly due to the fact we have a 5 hour commute from where our homes are to where we work and 38 to 42 mpg sounded alot better than 12 mpg in the Chevy truck cage. Being ole shade tree car mechanics we actually think we can do most anything we set our minds to with a crescent wrench, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, some ductape and/or a little bailing wire. Doing our own maintenance and mods is something we have always done and love doing, so with the Harleys one of the first things we discovered is ya gotta have a few more tools, mainly a torx set and a good allen wrench set. Oh yeah and a good torque wrench. So on to lessons learned.
1. If you haven't ridden a bike of any kind in thirty years, go buy the biggest touring bike you can find, pick it up on Saturday morning from the dealer when they havin' a poker run so you got a big audience and head out through a medium to large size city on a three hour ride. If you live through the first 15 or 20 minutes this is a great experience and it gives the guys in the parking lot of the dealership something to bet on amoungst each other, like "10 bucks says the old guy never makes it out of the lot". Plus it gives the little kids somethin to laugh at while your tryin to negotiate the first traffic light stop.
2. 18 wheelers are a lot more intimidating at 65 mph when your not in a car or a pickup truck.
3. Seating is everything, if your gonna spend money early buy the best seat you can afford even if you can't afford it. By the way purchase a thumb screw for seat removal cause you gonna take that sucker off a lot!
4. Leathers, highway pegs, back rest, glasses/goggles, heavy boots and several other items you always thought were kinda silly ain't just for looks.
5. Accessorizing your scoot is not an OPTION.
6. You do not need a screwdriver, hammer or really any other tools to remove hard saddlebags. Just open the lid and turn them little twisty thingies they will come right off.
7. ALWAYS put your jiffy stand in the down position BEFORE exiting the bike.
8. Do not over tighten fairing windshield screws, you'll pull them little brass nuts right out of the inner fairing, real pain in the (Edit) to fix that.
9. Changing to chrome handlebar switch covers is easy, hahahahahahahahaha, not!
10. Bugs at 60 on uncovered skin feel like gravel!
Number one thing I've learned is find the HDTimeline site, read and pay attention to everything these guys say and study the Self Help Section.
I have learned loads more than what I can post on this thread but the ones I've listed are my highlights.
Ride Safe.
Please read this...
First off we decided in March to buy Harleys mostly due to the fact we have a 5 hour commute from where our homes are to where we work and 38 to 42 mpg sounded alot better than 12 mpg in the Chevy truck cage. Being ole shade tree car mechanics we actually think we can do most anything we set our minds to with a crescent wrench, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, some ductape and/or a little bailing wire. Doing our own maintenance and mods is something we have always done and love doing, so with the Harleys one of the first things we discovered is ya gotta have a few more tools, mainly a torx set and a good allen wrench set. Oh yeah and a good torque wrench. So on to lessons learned.
1. If you haven't ridden a bike of any kind in thirty years, go buy the biggest touring bike you can find, pick it up on Saturday morning from the dealer when they havin' a poker run so you got a big audience and head out through a medium to large size city on a three hour ride. If you live through the first 15 or 20 minutes this is a great experience and it gives the guys in the parking lot of the dealership something to bet on amoungst each other, like "10 bucks says the old guy never makes it out of the lot". Plus it gives the little kids somethin to laugh at while your tryin to negotiate the first traffic light stop.
2. 18 wheelers are a lot more intimidating at 65 mph when your not in a car or a pickup truck.
3. Seating is everything, if your gonna spend money early buy the best seat you can afford even if you can't afford it. By the way purchase a thumb screw for seat removal cause you gonna take that sucker off a lot!
4. Leathers, highway pegs, back rest, glasses/goggles, heavy boots and several other items you always thought were kinda silly ain't just for looks.
5. Accessorizing your scoot is not an OPTION.
6. You do not need a screwdriver, hammer or really any other tools to remove hard saddlebags. Just open the lid and turn them little twisty thingies they will come right off.
7. ALWAYS put your jiffy stand in the down position BEFORE exiting the bike.
8. Do not over tighten fairing windshield screws, you'll pull them little brass nuts right out of the inner fairing, real pain in the (Edit) to fix that.
9. Changing to chrome handlebar switch covers is easy, hahahahahahahahaha, not!
10. Bugs at 60 on uncovered skin feel like gravel!
Number one thing I've learned is find the HDTimeline site, read and pay attention to everything these guys say and study the Self Help Section.
I have learned loads more than what I can post on this thread but the ones I've listed are my highlights.
Ride Safe.
Please read this...
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