Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

The Harley Softail is one of the most classically recognized motorcycles in America. Its bold angles and brut force make the Softail the bike against which others are compared. Its classic design makes it a good launching point for mild or extreme customization. By adding original or custom built Softail parts found in specialty shops online, you can create a truly custom yet classic bike that will stand out in the crowd.

Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

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Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

Classic Softail Parts
America's true fascination with motorcycles and its culture of freedom really kicked into gear in the 1950 's with the Harley Davidson Softail. Harley brought back this nostalgia in 1997 when Harley released its HeriTAGe Softail Classic. If you're looking to add some classic features tothe look of your bike, try combining some classic Softail parts like Fishtail exhaust pipes and 5 "running lamps with other modern eleMents to create a truly custom look and feel.

New Softail Parts
Harley Softail models released 6 new with a variety of engineering and design updates. Some of the new Softail parts includes 49 mm forks, the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, and a 200 mm rear Tire and fender. In addition to these new Softail parts, Harley Davidson will offer 8 new paint options and color combinations in 2006.

Building a custom Softail from the ground up
If your goal is to build a completely customized Harley Softail, parts are abundant and easy to find on the internet. You can find enough of a varietyof Softail parts to rebuild an enTire chopper from the chassis to the gas tank mount, either staying true to the bike's original design or making alterations to create your own style.

Classic Softail Accessories
To create a look with a smart blend of classic style and cutting edge modern design, try working in some classic Softail parts and accessories like the classic style grips and foot pegs, chrome handlebar risers, or headlamp. Combine this with a slick paint Job, a wide Tire kit, and a modern wheel design.

Customizing the Harley Softail: Parts and Accessories

Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

How to Cure a hot running 2007 Harley Davidson?

Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

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Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

That question must have been asked 10 times or more since the 2007 model line of Harley Davidson were introduced. The mystery of The hot running 2007 models grew to almost a cult like issue on the Harley boards and Harley forums around the internet. Owners who didn't realize they had a hot running Harley Davidson suddenly agonized over the "problem" and demanded answers.

Being the owner of a 2007 FXSTB Nightrain I was obviously interested in the answer to the question. My bike didn't seem to run all that hot ....I wondered aloud if some of these guys realized their motorcycles were Air cooled and that they WILL run hot. I also questioned how many were first time riders andsimply didn't realize that a hot engine 6 inches from your legs is going to produce heat. I am sure a number of new owners or riders succumbed to the phenoMenon of the hot running 2007. They jumped on the bandwagon as I know many people often do, but then I am positive of others that actually did experience a hot running Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Friends of mine that I am positive know what they are talking about were experiencing the hot running 2007 issue so it wasn't that the issue was non existent, I just think it might have been blown out of proportion. I decided to get to the bottom of the issue and see what I could find out about the problem. After a few days of digging around and talking to people in the know, I think it was clear what was theculprit.

Lean and Mean

After a lot of discussion and research it turns out that the new 96 cu inch Harley Davidson engine had to be tuned very lean in order to get it to meet governMent emissions requireMents. The stock factory tune was set very lean by design, and as you know, a lean engine will run much hotter than a well tuned or even rich engine. Different riders reacted differently to the hot running condition as some didn't even notice and others it was enough of a problem that they wanted to trade their motorcycles in for a different year.

I also noticed a trend that it seemed to be the bagger crowd complaining the most vocally and the most frequently. I don't know if it is because the bagger crowd tends to be older and moredemanding or if the models were more susceptible to the hot running condition. I think probably a little bit of both actually. If you take a look at the front end of some of the bagger models, the fAirings restrict Air flow across the engine dramatically compared to the more open models. So regardless of this issue, the lean condition seemed to be the culprit.

The Fix

The fix is rather simple.

Most riders that I was in contact with reported that a STAGe 1 upgrade resolved the issue. A decent set of pipes combined with either a download or to Externship 1 fuel control system like a Power Commander or something similar-cured the lean condition. They not only reported a much better running motorcycle but a much cooler running motorcycle. Theaddition of the pipes likely made for a much better looking and sounding motorcycle as well.

The STAGe 1 kit will bring your motorcycle back down to a more normal heat range, at least normal for an Air cooled Harley Davidson. The reflash will make for a richer mixture which will lower the operating temperature and make your Harley Davidson to much more enjoyable machine to ride.

Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? -Here's the Cure

What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

Harley Davidson Deuce sells for around 30 grand. It is the old law of Supply and demand. The demand for this bike is high and dealers are challenged to keep a Supply on hand. As a buyer that makes it a bit difficult to bargain the price down. Because if you don't buy it at the asking price than the next guy will. But you do get what you pay for and there is a reason that this bike is selling as well as it is.

What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

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What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

Here are a few details about the Deuce. It is a motorcycle that is part of the Harley Davidson softail line. This line of bikes is known for their adjustable rear suspension systems. Harley-Davidson is actually the originator for the softail suspension system. And those that are first are typically the best. Softtail means exactly what it soundslike it means. It is soft on the tail. Harley riders typically don't ride their bikes to the grocery store. They are known for their long all day drives. That's when a soft tail system is really going to be appreciated.

The Softail Deuce like all the other HD bikes looks really great. That is the emotional reason that people buy these motorcycles. The rational reason that people buy them is because they are quality built and have a lot of power. But the looks are what really gets you. And it's one thing to see the bike in a photo that you will be sold when you see it in person.

This particular Harley Davidson bike looks smaller than it actually is. And this bike is known for having a lot of chrome. Do you remember that country music song from a few years back?Chrome, chrome, everywhere is chrome. That song could be an apt description for the Deuce. So according to the song the woMen love all that chrome, and so do the guys. It does make for a beautiful motorcycle.

However, as with buying any bike, you want to take it out for a ride and make sure that the sun doesn't create too much glare reflecting off of the chrome. That might help oncoming traffic so you better but you wouldn't want it to blind you said that you could not see. So make sure that the bike works for you.

We Mentioned earlier in this article the hefty price for this bike and it would be a great temptation to try to find something cheaper. And you may be able to find something less expensive, but it will not be as high in quality as the Harley Davidson brand isknown for.

One final thing about this model is that it is not as loud as some of the other cycles are. That may be a negative for you or it may be a positive. If you love the roar of the loud engine then you may want to look at other Harleys. But if you want something that won't cause you and your neighbors to become deaf, then you'll want to consider this bike. And if you decide later that you want a little more sound you can always make adjustments in the pipes.

What's Special About the Harley Davidson Deuce?

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

Complete motorcycle kits are just what they sound like-kits with all the parts you would need to build a motorcycle.  A few extra bits and pieces in case you lose a screw or two may also be included, but basically everything inside the box will be used to make one single vehicle-wheels, engine, drive belts and chains, frame, seat, forks, handlebars, and electrical parts, they are all in there.  The question that needs asking is, therefore, why offer motorcycles in kit form?  Isn't it better to just sell the pre-built vehicles.  Well, there are practical reasons behind this, as well as historical ones.

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

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Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

The motorcycle of course, evolved from the Bicycle.  The idea of attaching an engine to a Bicycle to make a light, cheap, and personal mode oftransport was the result of people wanting more speed out of and less effort into their vehicles.  The motorized Bicycle concept was refined, and so we have the motorcycle today.  When mass production came along and revolutionized everything, it introduced parallel manufacturing.  At that time, motorcycle parts were shipped to dealers and other points-of-sale, since parts consumed less space than the whole vehicles.  Perhaps one day someone thought, why not sell the motorcycles as kits, since it would make them easier to transport and also trim a little off of the price as labor and warehousing would be reduced. Regardless of the actual sequence of events, motorcycle kits have become a popular offering amongst small manufacturing companies, a phenoMenon to be discussednext.

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Saving Space and Money

Complete motorcycle kits are a response to the needs of small companies and consumers who want something more personal and down-to-Earth.  Large companies can afford large warehouses to store their products, and so they can produce huge numbers of individual units.  Shipping for volume is also cheaper if you get past a certain lower limit.  Smaller motorcycle companies and shops cannot compete with that, but they still want to be able to offer their products to a wider area.  With the power of the Internet, it is possible to advertise your products across the world, and offer sales to a specified region.  So, even if you are in a single town or city, you can basically sell products topeople in faraway places, places that would ordinarily be out of sales reach.  The next advanTAGe affects how business is done.  Normally when buying a vehicle, the buyer has to come to the point of sale and drive the vehicle away after paying.  The business model for motorcycle kits is different-the customer no longer has to travel to the shop.  They just need to send money digitally, and the product will be shipped to their home.  So how does this affect costs?  The seller can reduce storage and labor costs by keeping the motorcycles in boxed kit form, so they can reduce the price of the unit.  These savings are offset by shipping costs, but shipping a box of parts still costs less than shipping the pre-built thing.  In the end, with just alittle bit of thinking and effort, the consumer can have a motorcycle that they want and save some hard earned cash getting it.

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Steps 1 through N

Getting complete motorcycle kits is just one part of the whole deal.  After choosing the design, possibly selecting custom parts, transferring money as payMent, and waiting for the package to arrive on your doorstep, the next part is to build the vehicle and this is where it gets interesting.  Note that despite the name saying "complete" these kits will not include the tools required to build the motorcycle.  "Complete" refers to the motorcycle's parts, not the construction process.  Then again you will need to have the tools to maintain your ride anyway, so buying agood set is a great idea.  For real gear heads, they would have tools in their garages anyway, and these are the same people who make up the bulk of the consumers for these vehicles in boxes.  A set of instructions, most likely quite long, will also be included in the kit.  No amount of whining about not liking to read manuals and following steps will get you around the fact that these instructions are critical.  If you fail to read the instructions, you might miss something, and that something could be the one thing that spells the difference between a great ride and a nasty crash.  Doing it yourself does not necessarily mean doing it your way, at least in this case.  So, with the lecture out of the way, you can get on with building the motorcycle.What comes after completing it is where you can take liberties as you wish.

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Personality for Personal Utility

Having a ride of your own means you can design and customize it as you wish and this is especially true for something that you built yourself, though admittedly it was from a complete motorcycle kit.  Adding personal touches to your ride makes it more personal, and more unique.  It will be your sense of design and aesthetics that will make or break the appearance of the ride, so have fun with it.  Maybe some fancy exhaust pipes, a few or a lot of decals and custom paints Jobs, or even flashy neon lights, and you could have one sweet bike.  Any customization of your motorcycle lies outsideof the kit cost, with customization and the price can soon add up, but remember, after all it is all in the pursuit of enjoyMent.  Nothing beats being able to ride something that you designed yourself, since it is about pride, personality, and identity.  Of course, there are those who prefer it straight up and simple.

Regardless of which one you are, the thrill of taking to the blacktop and riding off is something you will enjoy.  The adrenaline of the moMent and the rush of the wind in your face make the experience worth every cent.  Just remember to stay alert and ride safely, okay?

Complete Motorcycle Kits-Wrench to Ride

Customizing Baja Minibikes

Easily customized bikes is a hot deal for enthusiasts of "choppers" or bikes that have been optimized for performance. That is why many bike manufacturers make it a point to design models that are exclusively customizable. Makers of the more famous brands of bikes, minibikes, have even gone the extra mile to create customizable models. But it is well-known that Baja minibikes are not among them.

Customizing Baja Minibikes

Customizing Baja Minibikes

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Customizing Baja Minibikes

Customizing Baja Minibikes

It is not easy to customize Baja minibikes, given that they are specially designed for off-road and trail use. As such, they are endowed with large Tires and huge, clunky engines. This makes them difficult to style for looks and speed.

However, "difficult" does not mean "impossible"! Certain parts of Baja mini bikes are already easy to customize, such as the lamps, which canbe changed into fog lights, for easier traveling at night. There is also the saddle, which can be modified, but already usually comes straight from the factory with the intent of maximizing comfort while riding. Baja pocket bike saddles are already wider and larger than those found in other small-scale bikes.

These are much too basic, however, for the real chopper enthusiasts-what one really wants to change is the engine, perhaps to add more power to the machine, or simply to apply a different look to the bike. Of course, changing the engine may also require that other parts of the bike be changed also, such as the exhaust system. This is needed in order to better manage the Air flow of a more powerful engine. The standard size for a 50cc minibike engine is, although manymodern pocket bikes come with custom-fitted engines enhanced with superchargers.

Changing the engine may be difficult, and certainly expensive. The customization effort may take a lot of repainting and fitting, so be prepared to shell out a few bucks. But for the glory of owning a customized Baja minibike, the price is certainly worth it! Few pocket bike collectors would be able to boast of such an accomplishMent.

Customizing Baja Minibikes

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

There was a time when the only small sized motorcycles also now known as pit bikes were made by Japanese companies such as Honda and Kawasaki. In the past few years these pit bikes have become more and more popular, which has created quite a demand for them. Well now the Chinese manufacturers and others are stepping in to fill the void. So called knock offs Thumpstar pit bikes such as Sikk pit bikes and bikes are built with Chinese engines and frames. The big question is can these bikes stand up to the old faithful Honda and Kawasaki models?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

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Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Suzuki have been the staple when it comes to dirt bikes for years, and banned in so. These motorcycles are very competent and reliable. Recently a host of Chinese made motorcycles have entered the scene inthe form of mini bikes or pit bikes. Why would people buy a motorcycle from China when they can't be sure on the reliability? The reason is simple, they are much cheaper than their Japanese counterparts.

You can buy a completely tricked out Thumpstar pit bike for around $ 1500 brand new. When it comes to the new CRF100 tricked out by BBR you are looking at around 00. This is quite a difference in price. There are many other brand names of so called knock off pit bikes such as Pittster, Sikk, Thunder Pro, and the list goes on and on. All of them are priced similarly and the quality is about the same depending on who you ask. I currently own 2 Thumpstar pit bikes, and I know some people who have the other so called knock off brands such as Sikk so I can speak personally on thequality of these motorcycles.

Are they as good as Honda or Kawasaki? The simple answer is no. These bikes still have quite a way to go to stand up to the quality and performance of the Japanese brands when they are all tricked out. There is only one problem. When you buy a Honda 50cc, it comes bone stock. You need to upgrade everything from suspension, exhaust, tune the motor and this will add up to thousands of Dollars. Well I don't know about you, but I am not spending 00 on pitbike to tiny. This is the reason why bikes made with Chinese parts Thumpstar pit bikes such as have become so popular. They come stock with a nice race exhaust, the suspension is better than stock Honda, some even now as standard with Japanese Mikuni carburetor logo. I personally thinkmost of the knock off bikes look much nicer than the Honda or Kawasaki as well. As time has gone by these motorcycles have become better and better.

Isn't it impossible to find parts for pit bikes with Chinese parts? Surprisingly not. There are many suppliers now supporting these motorcycles, and with the internet it has become easier to find parts for nearly anything. There are many places to find aftermarket parts and upgrades for Thumpstar pit bikes and many others.

I know how 2 have my Thumpstar pit bikes stood up to the punishMent of hard riding season? Well I have to say that they have been just great. The engine was a pleasant surprise "delivering smooth power through all 4 gears. The suspension although quite stiff was still better than stock so I was happy with that. Theframes have been durable, and overall the bikes have been very reliable. The only problems I can say I had were that the chain dug the swingarm pivot in the back of one of my Thumpstars, some bolts rattled off, replaced the levers, and some plastic cosmetic damage. The engines run a little hot so I am currently looking into getting oil coolers for my Thumpstar pit bikes, I have seen a number of them for sale online.

If you are currently in the market for a pit bike it is up to you. Do you want to pay 00 for the very best or would you rather pay around $ 1500 for a comparable motorcycle? It was a no-brainer for me. I'm sure the shelf life for my Thumpstar pit bike is less than a Honda, but who cares I'll just get another one in a few years and still have spent less money!

Are Thumpstar Pit Bikes Reliable?

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

After years of listening to customer complaints about their inability to cope with poor Gold Wing performance symptoms and the ruthless exploitation by many repAir shops back in the Eighties, we were compelled to study the problem. In 1990, a solution was presented in writing that was handed out to my customers without any obligation on the part of the reader to buy anything. We received hundreds of thank yous from customers and those who never purchased parts from us but took time to write. Those who made the replaceMent based on our solution and tuned up their engines, eliminated a whole series of problems, including the burning out of head gaskets and, over the years, we received many declarations of greatly improved gas mileage and overall performance.

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

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How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration

AirCUT-OFF VALVE

The Air cut-off Valve is an extremely important part of the fuel/air intake system that is frequently missed even by competent mechanics, most of whom are not even aware of its existence or how it functions. Over time, air cutoff valves will harden up, punched and/or disintegrate leaving your motorcycle in a permanently lean, low RPM range (0-2200).

Most early model Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha motorcycles use air cut-off valves. Every Honda CB650, CB900 GL1000 own CB750, and has one, located in the air intake tube between the air cleaner box and the manifold. The GL1100 has four, located in the top air intake passage of each carburetor logo, and every GL1200 has one located in the plenum box below the air cleaner box similar to the GL1000.

Thesevalves are "air blockers", along with the carburetor logo o-rings, serving to restrict air flow, increasing the fuel-air mixture ratio when the carb slides are in the lower RPM range, up to closed so that the machine will start and idle smoothly with virtually no choking and accelerated rapidly, with no stumble or hesitation.

When typical starting requires heavy and prolonged choking to keep the bike running, when stalling and hesitation occurs even while "warmed up" and when backfiring pops while the throttle is shut off while cruising, most people will start fooling with the air screws to try to overcome the problem, only making it worse along with reducing their gas mileage.

Running with dysfunctional air cut-off valves can cause severe engine damage or failure. When the valvesare dysfunctional, the engine pulls air into the nearly total low RPM range through the carbs and on to the combustion chamber. The fuel-air ratio is extremely poor with pre-ignition long before the normal 38 to 40 degree firing point, generating an enormous amount of heat, with no power, which is trapped in the longer period of time in the cylinder before the exhaust valve opens.

This heat goes mostly up through the cylinder head, incinerating the head gaskets gradually and allowing engine coolant (antifreeze) to seep into the engine. You can easily spot when you are in trouble by a puff of bluish-white or white smoke on first starting the engine. Don't leave it alone. Change the head gaskets immediately or you could take out your bottom end bearings, ruining theengine.

For those of you installing new exhaust systems, you will discolor your head pipes, either blue (lean) or gold (rich state) if the signs are ignored. You an destain your pipes using Blueway or Blue-Off but be careful not to rub the chrome, just dab gently. These method protocol compounds are usually found at a dealer or Harley Harley-oriented aftermarket shop.

Honda genuine pipes, like many Yamaha pipes, have a double wall for a portion of the head pipe which masks discoloration-but also masks in bad state of tune. Even if your pipes are original and still in good shape, don't think you're safe if your motorcycle has any or all of the dysfunctional air cut-off valve running and performingcharacteristics.

If your Gold Wing 1975 to 1987 is not getting 50 to 58 miles per gallon (20-23 kiloMeters per liter), you have one of the most obvious signs of trouble. It is likely your air screws have been backed out to try to overcome the effects of the poor running, stumbling, starting, stalling and quitting.

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Refer to your Haynes or Clymer Honda Workshop manual for location and installation procedures.

Replace your air cut-off valve/s then attempts to resynchronize all four carburetors to the # 3 carburetor logo vacuum level using a mercury carb sync tool (carb stick) or vacuum gauge synchronizer tool. The number 3 is the constant carb fixed flow carburetor logo set at the factory.

DO NOT attempt to set by ear or just by guessing as the results can beanywhere from pathetic to disastrous.

DO NOT deviate from the book settings of your Honda, Clymer or Haynes manual. Wiser people than all of us designed this very effective and efficient intake and carburetion system.

To further insure against any additional vacuum loss, replace your inexpensive manifold carburetor logo o-rings. Vacuum loss can occur there and mimic the effect of a bad air cut-off valve. Paste a new set with vaseline and make sure they are sealed with an ether check.

© Saber Cycle ®

How to Improve Your Motorcycle's Start and Warm Up, Idling and Acceleration