Kevin, I've thought about adding an open breather like yours, but we often encounter heavy rain and I worry about sucking water into the intake. is that a founded concern?
thanks
JIm
Kevin, I've thought about adding an open breather like yours, but we often encounter heavy rain and I worry about sucking water into the intake. is that a founded concern?
thanks
JIm
Yes, same here, often ride in heavy rain. I have a rain sock around the filter, under the cover...so it is a non-issue.
In the past I've also run with a Bobber cover and no rain sock...again no issue. Here's a photo of my TG with that-
On my Softail I run an open filter like pictured below...but I always keep a rain sock in the saddlebag...that way if the rain gets heavy (a light or moderate rain is a non-issue, even with no rain sock), then I put the sock on.
With a rain sock I've never had an issue-
Kevin
You can bet your Dealer is telling you the truth about voiding your engine warranty by these upgrades. Engine clearly will benefit from the upgrades, but these engines were design to run at this heat or they would all be water cooled. I am holding off on these upgrades until I am out of factory warranty,then I will probably install the ones that are proven to lower engine temps just for my own piece of mind and engine longevity. JMHO
This is why I'm being very couscous on what I change, I sprung for the extended warranty ( $3000.00) and at this point I'm thinking it was a "BAD" move, all the Harleys in my past, never and issue with changes that improve performance (V/H)... lowered the heat (oil cooler)... It appears now they are looking closer just trying to find something.
When I took it in for the code @ 1500miles. (b2285) that they cant figure out, THE VERY FIRST THING THEY ASK ME WAS ( have "YOU" done or change anything?
I predict it will "BITE THEM IN THE ASS" when the word gets out. Like I said, if I knew than what I know now I would not of spent $3000.00+ for the factory ext- warranty........ Thank about-it, $40,000.00 bike $3,000.00 extra warranty, and around 1800.00 sales TAX, Than add full coverage ins $600.00 + ..
The point I'm trying to make is, the high cost did not deter me, love the bike. But if they start playing with my warranty, me and Harley will part ways.
Rant off............................................... ...........
2019 Ultra in Scorched orange & Denim.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou
Yep, so don't let them know you did it.
While they were made to keep running even though they are so hot...it is NOT good. They will not have anywhere near the performance they could have, and they certainly will not last as long. We have seen countless bikes and trikes that were run bone stock (how they were designed) that were still running, but when a leak down test was performed, they failed.
The big problem is that in the past we were protected by the Federal M-M Consumer Protection Act. Under that federal law a warranty claim cannot be denied if the mods made did not cause the failure contemplated in said claim.
THEN the EPA entered the picture and had HD sign a Consent Decree that is in direct violation of standing Federal Consumer Protection (M-M).
Until someone takes that issue to court and wins...HD is going to do what the EPA says, even though it is illegal and unfair. AND, I don't believe anyone is going to take the time and $ to take HD and the EPA to court.
Solution- Do what is right. Make whatever mods you want to YOUR bike/Trike. Don't let the Dealership know about it. If you have to take the bike in for warranty work, put it back to stock. If what mods you made did cause the problem, then own up to it and pay for the repairs, but if the mods you made did NOT cause the problem, then there is absolutely no reason to enable them to screw you over.
With that in mind, only do mods that are easily undone, and mods that are not likely to cause any problems.
i.e. Oil cooler and oil filter relo is undone in 20-30 minutes. Yes, it takes longer to install, but it is very quick to uninstall back to stock. I did it on mine at the curb, 50 yards down the street from the dealership in less than 30 minutes...this was when I traded in my '14.
A DK Stage 1 Air cleaner and EBS can be removed and the stock air cleaner back in place in less than 30 minutes.
Neither one of these mods are going to result in needing warranty work done, so doing this can be done with a clear conscience.
Installing aftermarket cams are a good example of something that is not easily undone, AND could be the cause of a warranty claim.
Final note of interest. I have well over 100k miles on 2 Tri-Glides.
I have only had one powertrain warranty claim on them. It was on my first one that I left bone stock. I had it in to the dealer multiple times telling them it was running too hot. They told me it was normal. They are designed to run that hot, they all do. So I kept riding it.
Finally I told them I wanted them to do a leakdown test...they did not want to...but I "knew" something was wrong, so I told them I would pay for it if it passed, but if it did not, then they pay and do the warranty work.
It did not pass and I got a warranty replacement of the entire top end. (cylinders, pistons, heads)
I knew that with the new engine, the same thing would just happen again, so I did not leave it stock. I did what had to be done to cool it down.
Have not had an issue with any HD engine since that time.
Kevin
That is why I didn't go with Harley Extended warranty. Went with Zurich Extended Warranty. They don't even care if you put a trailer hitch on the bike. I have all the after market items on my 2016 Tri to cool my engine. Just had in the shop with all items installed to install new springs on compensator. They paid, with a $50.00. co-pay from me.
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A veteran - whether active duty, retired, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the 'United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
There have been rumors (mostly from HD Techs) that the 14" TSS don't fit on the 2019's. We've had a bunch of folks email and/or call us wanting to see a 2019 Trike with the 14" Trike Series Shocks™ installed.
Here's a video, as you can see, they fit fine, and ride great!
Kevin
Don't forget to re torque the wheel lugs ...
Hey Kevin, did you track down your horn problem?
2017 Harley Davidson Freewheeler (107 cu.in. vivid black).
I think it was earlier in this thread that there was a discussion of seat covers. We have always used a plastic trash bag to cover our sheepskin. BUT, I decided to try a seat cover...looks better, and a little easier to put on at night.
There were two in the running, the HD brand that stated it was not waterproof and the Saddleman brand that some places said it was waterproof and others that it was just water resistant.
We got the Saddleman brand and then gave it two coatings of tent sealer. Used it a few times in light and moderate rain and it kept the sheepskin dry and it sure looked better than a black plastic trash bag.
Then about a week ago it rained HEAVY all night long. Came out in the morning and the sheepskin was completely soaked. Had to remove it, and it took over a day in the sun for it to completely dry out.
We are back to using the tried and true black plastic trash bag. It never leaks and we always have a dry seat in the morning.
Kevin
I always carry a couple black heavy trash bags when I travel.
2017 Harley Davidson Freewheeler (107 cu.in. vivid black).
Aw man, sorry to hear it didn't work out. We don't get night long rain storms out here in the west, so the cover works well for me. But thinking about this again, I'm headed to Tennessee in September, so I will be sure to bring a plastic bag that can cover the seat, but under the fitted cover. Between the two of them, the sheepskin should stay dry.
And the quest continues....
...Barry
Ride Hard - Ride Fast - I'll catch up sooner or later
2018 TriGlide • DK 14" lifts and shocks, tank lift, deflector wings, Mighty Mite Love Jugs
We left the sheepskin and the cover out to dry. We were gone all day, when we came back the sheepskin was almost dry and the cover was gone. Don't know if someone wanted it, or if I did not secure it well enough and it blew away. In any case, we don't have it anymore to put on top of the trash bag. lol
Kevin
Update to cover-
Mary told me that she found the seat cover. It was on the ground, about 25 feet away from where I had "secured" it to dry out.
Kevin
Mary now has about 2,000 miles riding with the new FB16's (Passenger Floorboard Relocators).
She says these are one of the best mods I've done to the Trike for her.
Gets her feet/legs further away from the heat, and most importantly gets her thighs OFF of the grab handles.
Always makes me when I can do something that makes the ride better for her!
Kevin
Sorry to hear that the saddleman seat cover didn't work out for you, sounded promising, glad Mary found the seat cover, what ever works just keep doing that and sounds like the trash bag is the key, may not look the best but it works
All for now Trampas