Ongoing 2014 Tri-Glide build-out, lots of pics and thoughts on the differences

[DK Custom Products]

I just remembered two other things that have happened with the '14 that I've never experienced on previous years-

1. On our Fall Color Trip the bracket for the Cowbell horn broke going down the interstate, just leaving the horn hanging by the wires. I still have not taken it in to see if they are going to cover it under warranty.

Picture Mary took going down the road-




Once I pulled over and disconnected the wires-




2. Both my A & B tripmeters reset themselves to the same number as the odometer...weird, only happened once, and has not happened again. For now just chalking it up to a computer glitch.


Final thing...I think my pan hard rod is going bad on the '14. In the last 500 miles I'm getting a similar vibration in sharp corners that I got on the '11 right before they replaced the pan hard rod on it (under warranty).

Kevin

[hARLEY jOE]

our horn fell off on the freeway too - was interesting pulling over to the side and trying to shift down while holding it.

replaced under warranty.

thanks for all your posts, I'm looking to replace my '13 with a '15 soon.

[DK Custom Products]

our horn fell off on the freeway too - was interesting pulling over to the side and trying to shift down while holding it.

replaced under warranty.

thanks for all your posts, I'm looking to replace my '13 with a '15 soon.

Yeah, that was an interesting experience, for sure, riding to the next off-ramp with the horn dangling.

I still have not gotten in to the dealership for the clutch recall and a few warranty items, the horn being one of them. Probably will get it there in the next week or so.

I think you'll like the 15 even more than you do the 13!

Kevin

[joediver1943]

Something I just learned. If you rock the bike side to side (not front to back) it will burb and let you put about another 1/2 gallon in. Oddity of the new filler neck.

Kevin

I'm thinking about doing your tank lift. Are you saying because of the new Harley design that I may lose I/2 gal capacity in the tank.
I followed your Alaska ride and think that you only needed to add gas from your can a couple of times. Is that correct.
I also would like to know the manufacture of the gas can and if you had any problems physically or with the law carrying it on the luggage rack.

[DK Custom Products]

I'm thinking about doing your tank lift. Are you saying because of the new Harley design that I may lose I/2 gal capacity in the tank.
I followed your Alaska ride and think that you only needed to add gas from your can a couple of times. Is that correct.
I also would like to know the manufacture of the gas can and if you had any problems physically or with the law carrying it on the luggage rack.

There is no difference in capacity because of tank lifts on the new Tri-Glides.

The newer tanks are more difficult to fill all the way up (with or without a tank lift)

Yes, only needed the gas can a couple of times. It is a plastic one that we got at a gas station in Idaho 3 or 4 years ago. I just went and looked at it. It is a Briggs & Stratton "Smart-Fill" brand.

We have been told a few times on the forum that plastic cans are illegal. We never had a single issue with Law Enforcement or at border crossings, never even was mentioned.

No issues with the TP or TP rack holding it. We used bungee cords to hold it in place.

However, when it is full, it is a pain in the butt to open the lid with it on. Takes two people, one to hold it open part way, and the other to dig around in the TP to get whatever was needed. This is why I would only run with it full of gas when I knew/thought there was a chance I would need it. That is why we almost ran out one time...I had checked the Milestone book and it said there were gas stations between where we were and where we were going....but both of them were closed...no gas...and I had not filled the can. lol

Kevin

[joediver1943]

Kevin Thanks for the information. I wasn't worried that the lifts would reduce the fuel capacity just how Harley now makes the Tanks. My 2011 Trike would only get me about 35 miles MPG if I did not push it much over 65MPH. At 75 MPH I was looking at the upper 20's. I don't know what to expect from the 2015 yet. Obviously concerned about running out of gas in the middle of no here.
I'm looking at various makers of spill proof cans.
Did you often need to add octane booster? Thanks again Joe

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin Thanks for the information. I wasn't worried that the lifts would reduce the fuel capacity just how Harley now makes the Tanks. My 2011 Trike would only get me about 35 miles MPG if I did not push it much over 65MPH. At 75 MPH I was looking at the upper 20's. I don't know what to expect from the 2015 yet. Obviously concerned about running out of gas in the middle of no here. I'm looking at various makers of spill proof cans. Did you often need to add octane booster? Thanks again Joe

If I recall correctly, there was only one time when I was not able to get 91 or better octane, maybe twice. I only used one small bottle of octane booster the entire trip.

On the newer tanks, if you rock the TG side to side (not front to back) when you get close to the top while gassing up, you can get an entire 6 gallons in them.

Kevin

[HDB0B]

My 2014 has almost 7K miles. I get 36-38 mpg pretty consistently riding 2-up (325 lbs).
I only use 93 octane fuel (with ethanol). I never put in Startron unless I am not riding for weeks.
Never used octane booster .... but would consider it if I could only get 87 octane fuel.
BTW Your Harley will verbally tell you when the fuel gets low.

Because of the placement of the gas discharge bung .... the tank lift kit has pretty much no effect on usable fuel capacity as Kevin has said.

Harley designed the in-tank filler neck to prevent over-fills. If getting every bit of gas into the tank is really necessary you can remove the tank and have some holes drilled into the neck tube (proper flush and clean afterwards). You now risk over-filling!!!!!

I'd prefer the extra gas can along for the ride in uncertain conditions.

How did I ever get anywhere on my 3 Sportsters.

Bob

[DK Custom Products]

Look at what's missing in the new shop!


Yep, the Tri-Glide is at the dealership, finally, to get some warranty work and clutch recall done!




Kevin

[Lucky]

Nuttin like getting them fixed under warranty. Best way!