DK Custom PROJECT TRI-GLIDE Report w/ Lots of Pics

[GoSlo]

Kevin, do you carry those Stealth LED lights?

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, do you carry those Stealth LED lights?

Yes, you can see them HERE.


Kevin

[BillR]

We have a few Customers that have purchased them and seem to like them. We have not installed any, nor tested them at all.

Seems the main purpose for them is to get the tail end of the pipe up higher off the ground to reduce the possibility of scraping.

Performance and sound are similar to the Monster Ovals.

More Info HERE.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin.

[NHBAGGER]

$44.95 a pair seems like a pretty good deal!

[DK Custom Products]

Today we threw out a bunch of metal!

We tried a variety of proto-types...did not like any of the results...and decided to start over.

Fresh.

No pre-conceived ideas.

After a couple of hours, and almost giving up, we had, what felt like, an "ah ha moment".





Time will tell. But we're pretty sure we came up with something that we're going to be real happy with.

We need to turn our sketches into CAD files, get some metal laser cut, and see if we have something that is great, or some more metal for the recycle bin.

In the meantime I will be riding the Tri-Glide with no Tour-Pak.




I think it looks pretty cool. Filled the holes with some bolts (sealed with nylon washers).



I'm looking forward to riding tomorrow and seeing if it feels any different....oh, Mary looked at it and said she has no interest in riding without her backrest. lol


Once that was done, we moved to the front. Pulled the outer fairing and had a look around, finalizing our last stage of front end lighting.




We should have more to report this weekend, or next week.


Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Even thought it's bad dirty, I took a couple of pics yesterday before going out on another Test Run.


Really looks different without the Tour Pak.

















Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Hmmmm .... Free on Steroids????

[BOXX3R]

It is hard to beat the usefulness and convenience of the Tour Pac. But I much prefer the low slung LOOK of the Trike with the Tour Pac removed and a rack in it's place.

[Peter A.]

It is hard to beat the usefulness and convenience of the Tour Pac. But I much prefer the low slung LOOK of the Trike with the Tour Pac removed and a rack in it's place.

Agree 100% - love the look!

[clint44]

But I much prefer the low slung LOOK of the Trike with the Tour Pac removed and a rack in it's place.

I kinda like the clean look of a bare back end,too.

[DK Custom Products]

Hmmmm .... Free on Steroids????

Yeah, it's still a bit fatter than the FW.

It is hard to beat the usefulness and convenience of the Tour Pac. But I much prefer the low slung LOOK of the Trike with the Tour Pac removed and a rack in it's place.

Yeah, I told Devin I did not mind it being off of there for a month while we test fit different prototypes on the bottom of the TP....but after a few days, I realized how much easier it is to put stuff, and take stuff out of, the TP than the trunk. Sure looks better though.

I don't know if it's psychological or not, but it seems to feel a bit different too...can't put my finger on it...probably just in my mind. lol

Agree 100% - love the look!

Yep!

I kinda like the clean look of a bare back end,too.

Pictures don't do justice to that fat, clean back end on your Hannigan!


Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Today we thought we'd get the Power Duals installed and move onto a couple of other things.


Well....it did not work out that way. We got the PD's installed, less the shields, and fought an exhaust leak for over an hour.


We ONLY use tapered SE style exhaust gaskets when installing exhausts. But the PD's came with some gaskets (non-tapered), so we figured they knew best what would work with their exhaust and used them. No matter what we did, we could not get rid of the leak.


Off everything came, and we put the tapered gaskets in, no leaks. So we did it twice, but ran out of time before getting the heat shields installed.


I'm pretty stoked about getting these installed. As I mentioned before, I really like the look, & even though we have not run it outside, it sure sounds like a deeper tone too.


Here are a few pics...still dirty, but will be cleaning it up soon. Got to have the rest of the bike match the new headers!




Slip-on's off-









Headers off-









Power Dual package of parts-









Everything installed, less the heat shields & foot board!






Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

We had a bit of time this afternoon and got a couple of things done.

1. We got the heat shields installed on the V&H Power Duals. Tomorrow, or this weekend, I'll get some seat time in. See how it sounds and if there is any perceptible change in power.

I like the look!










2. We've had a few people ask about installing the Stealth LED Driving Light on their Freewheelers, with no engine guard.

I had mine mounted off the engine guard with hinge clamps...but their request got me to thinking. It would be even MORE Stealth (and less expensive) if it was mounted with an L bracket down a bit lower.

We found the perfect spot. Right off the floorboard mount. There is plenty of room for adjustment to get the beam just right for lighting up the road.







Tomorrow, or Saturday, I have a few more things to do while it is still on the lift. Then I'll be taking it out for some more test runs, and at the same time will get the Stealth LED Driving Lights adjusted for maximum benefit. Will grab a few pics, day and night, to show what it looks like in the new location.

Kevin

[NHBAGGER]

I like that location for a Tri and will consider it. Have to wonder about rocks flying off the wheel, although I added a fender extension which may help.

[DK Custom Products]

Got a few more things done, including some riding!

Here are a couple of pics of the Power Duals outside.







I think the tone may be a little deeper with them than with the 2-1-2 on there previously, but if so, it is very small. My butt dyno could not tell any difference in power, it may have moved the torque curve to the right, just a smidgeon. MPG stayed the same.

A mechanical dyno may show a bit of difference, but it was not enough for me to notice any significant difference in daily riding.

The Power Duals are a significant improvement over the stock headers, but I was moving from a performance 2-1-2 header to another performance 2-1-2 header.

So, for me, the change came down to looks. If I was moving from stock to the Power Duals, the benefit is looks, increased performance, and deeper tone.


I moved the Stealth LED DL's from the engine guard down to the floorboard mount. I think I like them here better...just a more stealth look. I will be putting on a front fender mud flap to keep any rocks from kicking up and hitting the lights.

Here is a pic at dusk-




A close up of it mounted-





At full dark.



Besides lighting up the road, it really improves the chance of folks seeing me, without blinding them.






To give an idea of how they light up the road...these two pics are looking straight ahead with the handlebars turned all the way to the left...

First is Without the Driving lights on-




Next is WITH the Driving Lights on-



Everything is more lit up and much crisper.




Here is something we have been working on.

This is the best we have gotten it so far.

I want the vent to glow, and after 5 different tries, I have it glowing pretty good with running lights and turn signals.









Here's a little video showing the signals flashing, click HERE


I think we can get it a little brighter without feeding back to the rider thru the other side of the vent. We'll see.


Kevin

[55il]

Hi Kevin,
I just received the Stealth LED Driving Lights and ChromeP-Clamps (real nice kit). Now I’m not sure if I want to use the P-Clamps for mounting to the engine guard or your new location justahead of the front footboard mount.

For the Footboard mount, did you fab a new mounting bracket (real difficult to see in photo)? And for the electrical, did you tie into thehead light circuit? Thanks in advance DJ

[DK Custom Products]

Hi Kevin,
I just received the Stealth LED Driving Lights and ChromeP-Clamps (real nice kit). Now I’m not sure if I want to use the P-Clamps for mounting to the engine guard or your new location justahead of the front footboard mount.

For the Footboard mount, did you fab a new mounting bracket (real difficult to see in photo)? And for the electrical, did you tie into thehead light circuit? Thanks in advance DJ

I am currently betwixt and between on what to do.

Devin pointed out that the driving lights are a focused beam. Having them on the engine guard gives a bit more light to the sides. So that is a definite benefit of them being on the engine guards.

Having them mounted down low is a more stealth install, which I like. It is also one where it is a good idea to add a front fender mudflap.

At this point I am not sure which I am going to end up doing.

That said, we have L brackets, they are heavy duty (you don't want any vibration in your lights, that can be irritating). The L brackets are pretty much hidden when installed, but they are the same L brackets we make for our Streamliner Bullet turn signals, and you can see them in this pic-




If you decide you want to use the L Brackets, give the shop a call or an email and let them know. They'll fix you up.

On the wiring we tied into the Auxillary passing lamps, so when those go on the LED Driving lights go on.



Tying into your headlight would work also. The reasons I did not do that are-

I want them to be on whether on high or low beam.

If I tied it into both high and low beam then I would not have the ability to turn them off...say at a rally or in close quarters (parking, etc.).

Kevin

[RedOregon]

I'm looking at mounting those on the freewheeler and want them on all the time, low beams or high. Doable?*

[55il]

Did you notice any light vibration using either the L-Bracket mount or engine guard mount during your test ride? This would easily help make my decision as for location.

It make sense to wire into the passing lamps. Thanks DJ

[DK Custom Products]

I'm looking at mounting those on the freewheeler and want them on all the time, low beams or high. Doable?*

Yes, it is easy to tie the wires into both the low and high beam, so whenever your headlight is on, the Driving Lights are on.

Did you notice any light vibration using either the L-Bracket mount or engine guard mount during your test ride? This would easily help make my decision as for location.

It make sense to wire into the passing lamps. Thanks DJ

No, there is no vibration on either. That is why we use the heavy duty L bracket, so there will be no vibration. The hinged P-Clamps are also very solid, no vibration. If just comes down to which location you like better.

The engine guard mount gives a bit wider light spread, possibly more useful on country roads with lots of critters. The floorboard mount is (to some) a more desirable aesthetic, being a very stealth mount.

haha, like I mentioned, I'm not sure which one I'm going to end up settling on for myself.

Kevin