Tank lift

[Ed H]

Question, I am thinking about adding the tank life to my trike. Looking at the nose of the seat it is touching the rear of the tank. What happens to the seat when the tank is raised 1.5"?

[Jack Klarich]

Ed, I just for grins put a couple of spacers on my Freewheeler, it raised the nose of the seat

[DakotaTG]

I added the 1.5 tank lift plus the optional rear lift to my 2016 TG last year and the only thing that the lift did was make the nose of the seat raise up a little bit. To me it really didn't make all that much difference in the sitting position or the comfort. I also added the deflectors at the same time which helped out on the amount of air being deflected down to the engine. I have several of the DK Custom Products on my TG and to me everyone of them are an improvement over stock.

2016 Deep Jade Green and Black TG. DK Custom Products comfort lift, 1.5 inch tank lift with rear lift, deflectors, oil relocation kit, tour-pak relocation kit and floorboard extensions. LRS Ultra Flat Top windshield, V&H Slash Cut mufflers.

[graygoat]

Ed, I put on the 1.5" lift but not the optional rear lift. So there is very little change at the rear of the tank, which is what I wanted. I also added those DK deflectors. Both well worth the money.

[Fearless]

One of the first changes I made to old shiney, 2" front 1/2" rear. for three reasons all explained by Kevin of DK Customs. First pushes more air down on motor (good thing), also makes cleaning motor easier (good thing) and I think it looks a little gives it attitude if you know what I am saying. This is about the time I added Power Vision tuner great addition more than just fuel management it is information central for me. I also added the air deflectors when they were developed, now if I still smoked I don't quite 25 years or so ago (good thing). I believe I could smoke a 60 MPH, very little air in face and chest, More air on motor (good thing) very few critters on front of gas tank and those that to stick are well on the bottom 1/4 of tank front rocker boxes littered with remains of assorted bugs. On an 80-90 degree day 230 is the norm (good thing) we rarely see 248 that is in slow traffic, before It constantly was reading 255 to 275 and in slow traffic I was panicked when the motor temp went to 280 to 290.



Tank lifts alone will not solve heat issues but I believe it certainly is a great place to start and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get done and you can do them easily yourself. I would wait till the fuel level idiot light came on, empty tank is much easier to handle. While you have the bolts out you may as well do air deflectors it really helps. Travel safe Fred

[MDO]

Question, I am thinking about adding the tank life to my trike. Looking at the nose of the seat it is touching the rear of the tank. What happens to the seat when the tank is raised 1.5"?

I added the 1.5" deluxe lift kit (front & rear) to my Freewheeler & am happy with it. It helps with air flow & shows that engine off.

I too was concerned about the seat, but it didn't affect it.

[GoSlo]

If you add the 1.5" deluxe tank lift it raises the front that much but only .5 on the rear by the seat.

[lah2420]

I did the 1 1/2 inch deluxe also. Mainly wanted to see more chrome. I did notice the slight seating difference the first couple of rides. Don't notice it any more. Still getting used to the slight difference in the fuel gauge. Idiot light pops on at 4.8 gallons used instead of right at 5 gallons now. At least it gives me more range instead of less when the light comes on.

[ISP-FL]

Reading this post and seeing Fearless's photos reminded me that I wanted to try the deflectors. When I did my 1.5" tank lift I didn't get them. Ordered them from D&K and they showed up about 3 or 4 days later (usual fast service). Slapped them on yesterday and they certainly help on buffeting. Wish I would have installed them when I did the lift.

[Luvtofish]

I have the 2” deluxe tank lift and wind deflectors installed on my 17 TG. My temps run 287-292 in 90+ temps and 70 mph highway speeds. As my speed drops, so does the engine temp. The M8 temp sensor is in the rear head which is different than where the twin cam sensor was located. I’m thinking it reads hotter because of its location. It may provide a truer indication of the head temp since the rear head is obviously hotter than the front.

[Fearless]

I have the 2” deluxe tank lift and wind deflectors installed on my 17 TG. My temps run 287-292 in 90+ temps and 70 mph highway speeds. As my speed drops, so does the engine temp. The M8 temp sensor is in the rear head which is different than where the twin cam sensor was located. I’m thinking it reads hotter because of its location. It may provide a truer indication of the head temp since the rear head is obviously hotter than the front.

Remember my mighty mite fans run all the time tonight at mid seventy's my ET's were 218-226 fans sure have taken the extreme temps from my Twin Cam 103, the heat monster has been tamed. I still plan on a fan assist oil cooler possibly next season. travel safe Fred

[DK Custom Products]

I have the 2” deluxe tank lift and wind deflectors installed on my 17 TG. My temps run 287-292 in 90+ temps and 70 mph highway speeds. As my speed drops, so does the engine temp. The M8 temp sensor is in the rear head which is different than where the twin cam sensor was located. I’m thinking it reads hotter because of its location. It may provide a truer indication of the head temp since the rear head is obviously hotter than the front.

I checked today, the sensor IS on the rear head near the intake manifold. On the Twin Cams it is on the front cylinder on the opposite side, still fairly close to the intake manifold.

Regardless, when the engine hits the algorithmic 250* on both the TC and the M8, the ECM starts retarding the timing because HD feels it is getting to hot to run optimally.

What can be understood from this is that regardless of the sensor position, HD uses the same 250* as a threshold, on both engines, of being too hot to continue running without some help to cool it down.

Check out this REPORT.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

To further what Kevin said about the magic number 250, I have a HD tech friend that stops tuning harleys @ 245 degrees Nuff Said

[Fearless]

Once you see what the temperature is in your engine you become aware of the need for heat management measures. It didn't matter what it was when you didn't know to late now. I have let several people see my Engine temperatures and they shake their heads can't believe it.

[ISP-FL]

As far as how much a tank lift and/or Kevin's deflectors help cool the engine, my opinion is that it helps a lot. This is not based on any type of gauge reading though.

I do most of my riding 2 up with a couple other buddies and their DWs. They have the M8s and no tank lifts or deflectors. When we make stops either their fans are running and mine are not, or if all of our fans our running mine shuts down much sooner than theirs.

[Fearless]

As far as how much a tank lift and/or Kevin's deflectors help cool the engine, my opinion is that it helps a lot. This is not based on any type of gauge reading though.

I do most of my riding 2 up with a couple other buddies and their DWs. They have the M8s and no tank lifts or deflectors. When we make stops either their fans are running and mine are not, or if all of our fans our running mine shuts down much sooner than theirs.

Nice to hear they worked out for you. Heat management is the little things that make a difference. Fred

[Freewheeling Ron]

The deflectors and tank lift also help reduce wind buffeting a lot. I had the fork lower deflectors on mine before and they did a great job of eliminating wind buffeting, but reduced the air to the engine and to me. If fact I got very little air which was not comfortable as weather started heating up. The deflectors and tank lift significantly reduce the buffeting, direct air to the engine and I still get enough to stay comfortable when it's warm.

[Fearless]

The deflectors and tank lift also help reduce wind buffeting a lot. I had the fork lower deflectors on mine before and they did a great job of eliminating wind buffeting, but reduced the air to the engine and to me. If fact I got very little air which was not comfortable as weather started heating up. The deflectors and tank lift significantly reduce the buffeting, direct air to the engine and I still get enough to stay comfortable when it's warm.

If I want more air I just turn the wings on the faring a little

[Tomswede]

Reading this post and seeing Fearless's photos reminded me that I wanted to try the deflectors. When I did my 1.5" tank lift I didn't get them. Ordered them from D&K and they showed up about 3 or 4 days later (usual fast service). Slapped them on yesterday and they certainly help on buffeting. Wish I would have installed them when I did the lift.

What made you decide on the 1.5 "vs the 2" lift, is there a clearance issue ? Also, are the deflectors included or a separate purchase?

have you had any issues or concernes since you installed the parts?

[nucseal]

What made you decide on the 1.5 "vs the 2" lift, is there a clearance issue ? Also, are the deflectors included or a separate purchase?

have you had any issues or concerns since you installed the parts?

The lift kit is dependent on the space from your bars to your tank. You don't want your bars hitting the tank on a tight turn. So crank you bars from one side to next and measure the distance before you purchase. You also can move your bars up to accommodate the space, if it is comfortable for you.

The tank lift and deflectors are separate purchases.

I have installed the deflectors and they do help. I couldn't install the tank because my bars sweep back towards the tank.

Nuc