Making the Fat Bottom Girl an "AMG" Edition.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Okay ... so ... Since FBG is pretty much finished and mom is off somewhere and told me to wait til she got back, I decided to look into my trailer hitch luggage rack. it's made for a Gold Wing or at a minimum a vertical hitch config. So .. it needs to be modded to work with FBG.

This is what it should look like:



Instead of the 2 bolts, it had 2 rivets. I just ground them out and replaced them with SS 1/4" x 20 bolts and nylock nuts.

Here's the mod I did:



As you can see, I simply remove the bottom bolt and spin the bar to the horizontal hole ... voila ... a dual platform rack ... and very little time to mod.

A little sanding, a little rattle can rust oleum paint and it's good as new, but, better:





One last thing ... thought while I was playing around, I'd take a pic of the trunk sans the Cabella Bags:



Still lots of room for the bags and even a jacket or two.

[paws]

So...when you go to open the trunk with the trailer hitch thingy installed and loaded with cargo (ice chest maybe) ..are you able to open the trunk door enough to reasonably get to stuff inside the trunk or would you have to unload the trailer hitch cargo to reach into the trunk?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

So...when you go to open the trunk with the trailer hitch thingy installed and loaded with cargo (ice chest maybe) ..are you able to open the trunk door enough to reasonably get to stuff inside the trunk or would you have to unload the trailer hitch cargo to reach into the trunk?

Probably couldn't get the gas can out ... but everything else should be easy ... it is about 8-10" beyond the bumper ... ... Actually more room on the horizontal hitch just due to the length.

[ShapeShifter]

If you tow, you're gonna have to beat back that "take everything but the kitchen sink" temptation.

[Jd1a]

Because of the consent decree HD entered into with the EPA any non HD changes to exhaust and or air cleaner including any non HD approved tuner MUST and will void your warranty from 2017 and up

This really is not much new in respect to years gone by when HD tuned bikes outside of EPA specs

Sounds like bait and switch since HD is the ONLY tuner currently approved by the EPA

You can read it all here

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-12/documents/harleydavidson-cd.pdf

The biggest part of the trap I see is even if you put approved by HD air cleaner and or mufflers on they can still get ya for NOT retunning said bike with THEIR tuner, more bait and switch IMO

The dealer I bought my 2019 Tri Glide stated no warranty issues with muffler change, verbal only. Makes me wonder.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Because of the consent decree HD entered into with the EPA any non HD changes to exhaust and or air cleaner including any non HD approved tuner MUST and will void your warranty from 2017 and up

This really is not much new in respect to years gone by when HD tuned bikes outside of EPA specs

Sounds like bait and switch since HD is the ONLY tuner currently approved by the EPA

You can read it all here

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-12/documents/harleydavidson-cd.pdf

The biggest part of the trap I see is even if you put approved by HD air cleaner and or mufflers on they can still get ya for NOT retunning said bike with THEIR tuner, more bait and switch IMO

The dealer I bought my 2019 Tri Glide stated no warranty issues with muffler change, verbal only. Makes me wonder.

My dealer said that too ... but .. he also said if it breaks down in another state and I need repair ... and the service manager had a fight with his wife ... all he has to do is put it in their system and poof ... no warranty anywhere ever again ... don't let them talk you into believing that ... you bring it to him, he will ignore the mufflers ... another dealer may not.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

All I can say is WOW.



Today I wanted to do some tuning at higher speeds, so, I went into Utah on I70 (80 mph speed limit), probably won't ever go that fast on a trip (Never in that king of hurry ... well maybe if BBQ is involved, LOL). I filled the tank, set up auto tuning on the last tuning run results and headed out on I70 ... started at 69 mph and did a couple miles, then increased it 2 mph until I got to 75 mph. Rode that way until the Utah boarder, like 26 miles.

Lots of Johnny Law out today so thought maybe 85 mpg might not happen. I did 2 mph increase, then one, then another 2, tuning a couple miles at each spot. Figured what the heck I'll chance it. Bumped it 2, then 2 more, the 2 more. Quit at 86 mph. Then backed it down to 80 and ran out to Cisco, a convenient place to reverse direction. While on the overpass, I saved what was learned, then loaded that tune and headed back towards the VA (had a 1 pm appointment at audiology).

After my appointment, filled up. A 135 mile trip with 100 of them 70 mph or above ... got 33.8 mpg. That isn't even the WOW part. I 70 from Grand Junction to Cisco will test any bike's performance. Lots of open area to get wind blown. Lot of long, mile or two 7% grades. Lots of what Kevin would call sweepers.

On the longest of the 7% grades, I set the cruise at 75 mph and headed up. The speedo dipped about to 74 then increased to 76, and finally steadied out at 75 and powered up. Even my 15 Tri couldn't do that, it would drop a couple mph then slowly climb back to 75. So, I'm curious just how good this gal is. So the next long ish grade, I take it out of cruise and drop it to 65 mph. As soon as I start up, I hit resume and it starts powering up to 75 mph. Took about 10-15 seconds, but, it got there and just overshot about 1 mph. After those two tests, I decided to enjoy the ride.

Set the cruise at 80 mph and just rode. I was not wearing a helmet and listening to SiriusXM, The Message, over the speakers comfortably with 5 bars on the volume. What's my point, this gal is quiet at speed. I can hear the engine, but, not the exhaust. It should be noted that I'm deaf, not totally, but, I do wear hearing aides.

Conclussion: If you are looking for a deeper mellow set of slip ons that allow great power production, the E-Series are excellent at that ... if you're looking for big bark ... look elsewhere.

I'm not sure I like the 'Look" from the back, but it is growing on me, still need to call fuel moto and see if they sell the blank disks separately or in black, that would at least give the appearance of a "hole".

Update: While it was fresh on my mind, I called fuel moto, they had two polished stainless steel blanks, the last two loose at the factory, I snagged them up and will be painting a set of these (probably the ones one her now, they are already dirty) flat black with engine paint. I'll have to scuff them up, but, not a big deal ... if I don't like the look, I'll have spares to put back on.

P.S. I forgot to mention, at 75* ambient temp, 80 mph, in the changing grades I was on, the coolant temp stayed around 180 and engine temp was around 208* plus or minus 5* depending on pull.

All in all ... I'm pretty happy.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

This came yesterday, but, I forgot to get it out of the MBU until today (got caught up in mom's honey do's).



I would normally install this right away, but the bent filter is on there for now, so I'm gonna wait until I do the 3 hole maintenance ... I always clean the stage one filter, so, that will b e a good time to do it.

Besides, planning on a Long John Silvers ride tomorrow ... ... dying to see what mileage I get at 65 mph steady. I also need to toughen up there tushy for the Mesquite run .. but with the Air Hawk, should be fine (thanks again Carla)

[paws]

[ I get at 65 mph steady. I also need to toughen up there tushy for the Mesquite run .. but with the Air Hawk, should be fine (thanks again Carla)[/QUOTE]

You are welcome. Glad you are enjoying it. I did not need 2 of them.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Installed the Catch Can ... might replumb it with the chrome coated hose, but probably not. Can't see much of it with the Oval on it.



I'm hoping the hose will straighten out when it gets warm ... ... here's what the filter I had on there looked like



So, next ... I did the 146 mile Long John Silver's run. One of the things I wanted to test was the electric jacket. Major fail, fairly chilly and no heat. Swapped it out for a leather jacket and continued the ride.

Trike ran awesome, smooth, quiet, quick ... dang ... Kevin's gonna think I'm back on a Gold Wing.

There was lots wind blowing on the way there ... and about 4"'s of rain (that's 1" drops, 4" apart, not enough to make the road wet ... just made it smell like wet asphalt, only lasted about 5 minutes). The wind and rain were right in my mush, So will affect MPG's. I like the wind splitter, but, I might swap it out for the 12" LRS recurve for the Mesquite trip. A little more wind and bug protection in the mountains. Coming back the blackish cloud over head blew away, the sun came out and the wind quit.

Okay, so I filled when I got home and got 35.2 mpg ... fighting a head wind at 65 mpg, for 73 miles, no wind for 73 miles ... I think my tuning is done ...

When I got home I started troubleshooting the jacket. For some unknown reason, the 2' coiled extension is bad, jacket works great just plugged into the bike, so, ordered one from RevZilla ... should be here before I leave, or it might get chilly in the mountains .. dang, I am getting old. Harley might have one or maybe Motorcycle Accessories, but it should be here, got 9 mail days before I leave.

Last but surely not least, got to Long John Silver's right as it opened ... first order of the day ... fish was hot, and tasty. Yummy.

[DK Custom Products]

Gotta say, retired life appears to be agreeing with you!

Your running nice and cool, and strong too. Seems like the tune is better than most!

Regarding the Series E....

Yep, as I told you, everyone at the shop makes fun of Devin when he rides up on his Stage IV Street Glide Special with the Series E exhaust....asking him when he went from a Harley to a Honda. lol But, fact is, they are the best power producing Slip-ons you can get for a Harley. They just don't sound like a Harley.

He's fiddled around with his end-caps too. He has not painted them, but cleaned, tried polishing them...they just don't look so great. After you paint yours, and post a pic, I will show it to him, he may end up copying you.

I remember when FM was doing their final testing, before going into production....Mary and I had ridden up to Wisconsin on our LOUD Softail (fishtails, no baffles, just TTI's) and as we got there Jamie was heading out on a test run. When he came back on the Ultra, it sounded like a Honda (not really, but it was very quiet) and he had a big smile on his face. He just finished some dyno runs, and then the test ride, and was pretty excited about how much power they were producing.

That said, 5 years later, they have never become the big seller he thought they would be. No Harley sound does not seem to be outweighed by the significant power production with most folks.

I'm 60, still have 90+% of my hearing (almost always wear a helmet that covers my ears) and I just can't bring myself to have a quiet Harley. Maybe that will change someday???

Anyhoo...pretty dadgum sure that the next time I'm out there you will probably be able to walk away from us with your TG....maybe...we'll see what we can get out of the M8 114.

Have fun my friend!

Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Kevin,

As I told you when I got the bug up my b$tt to get a Tri again ... I really like the quiet of the Gold Wing ... wasn't sure I could get used to a Harley again. Your pointing me in the direction of the E-series made that possible. I joke about them being quiet like a GW, but, when you get on it .. they bark some. At the end of the day, I'm fairly sure your 114 is gonna leave me in the dust ... but, as long as I can do the mountains without getting out and pushing, and go at least 180 miles on a tank, and not have a headache at the end of the day ... I'm good. I've got the air shocks dialed in and the tire pressure just right. I think this 14 has a better ride than the 15 ... but it just might be I'm more knowledgeable how to tweak things or the new comfort lift is better.

I can't tell you how much I've learned from you ... and Mary ... Your packing system is top notch ... LOL ... I bought 4 Cabella's bags that fit long way into the trunk, 4 across, with the RotoX gas can and the tool bags. When I get closer to leaving on my trip, I'll posts pics of the trunk packed ... you'll recognize the look. LOL. I have to pack early or Harley, the one eyed wonder mutt, will mope and dis me, if I bring the bags out a week in advance, he realizes that I'm not leaving and forgets, then I can sneak out ... the guilt is why I plan to take him some in the future.

Again, thanks for all you do for this forum and the Harley riders, and to a lessor degree, all the trike riders. As a sponsor you do much for this group.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

So I got a call from Harley ... my gasket for the air cleaner is in ... not a big deal ... gonna change it out when I do the service.

I also had lots o bugs on the Fat Bottom Girl ... April and May are bug season here .. when I went to Cisco to tune ... I got "Wild Hogged" ... big old bug right in the eyeglasses ... had to pull over to clean it.

Anyway ... decided to go to Harley, get the parts, then go to the wand car was and use just water on the old girl and see how she did. Kind of a first test for the ceramic stuff.

So I show up at the parts counter and they hand me a bag ... big bag for a gasket. I pick it up and it's way too heavy for a gasket. I look inside and see this:





I tell him this isn't mine, Just the gasket. He explains that their latest Easter promotion was if you spent $200 between certain dates you where in the drawing. First prize was a weekend in a Moab, Ut hotel. Second place was dinner for two at a swank (what Grand Junction calls swank) restaurant, third place was the jump starter. I won third place ... pretty kewl. Might come in handy on meandering rides. Since the gasket was on order, they figured they'd tell me when I got the gasket.

Next was off to the the wand wash to de bug. Should of got pictures before the wand wash. I put the machine on just rinse and commenced to seeing how it did on the bugs. Used to be I couldn't get them off with the soapy brush thingie. They came off really easy.







As you can see ... the water was beading nicely. Next was to dry it.



This is my secret weapon. A worx 20V battery blower. Fits in the tour pak and the battery lasts for about 3 dryings.

Almost forgot. Since I was up at 4am again, I went out and pulled the "blanks" from the E-Series mufflers. Brought them into the house and used some emery cloth to rough the outside facing side.

When it got light I painted them flat black with high temp grill paint.

Scuffed up:



Painted and installed, not sure I like them ... get the feeling it's "looking at me" ... LOL ... but ... I think it looks more like a standard exhaust:



The rest of the day I'm gonna charge the Jump Starter and the GoPro batteries. Maybe go fill the RotoX to test it for leaks, haven't used it in two years. Just gonna lay it down in an aluminum tray I have and if it don't leak in a couple days .. I'm good.

Might also go through my "trip" clothes and update them ... make sure I have the Tri T's in there .. LOL.

[GoSlo]

Painted and installed, not sure I like them ... get the feeling it's "looking at me" ... LOL ... but ... I think it looks more like a standard exhaust:

I liked the look of the E Series, just because it's different than everyone else. I did like the little 'end caps' you can add that make it look a little more traditional, but wasn't going to spend another bunch of money on them, something like $90 I believe. Here's a picture for those that don't know what I'm talking about.

Just checked and the caps are $100 now and available in black or chrome.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I liked the look of the E Series, just because it's different than everyone else. I did like the little 'end caps' you can add that make it look a little more traditional, but wasn't going to spend another bunch of money on them, something like $90 I believe. Here's a picture for those that don't know what I'm talking about.

Just checked and the caps are $100 now and available in black or chrome.

I liked the billet ones too ...



I think I might still paint the blanks ... I just am not wild about the price ... $99 each.

If I was artistic, I would paint he blanks to look like a pipe's insides ... but alas ... not where my talents lie.

[DK Custom Products]

Looking like you're bout ready for your ride! It's all coming together!

Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Just pulled the trigger on the Mighty Mites ... More work for me ... but ... as Jack said ... my engine will thank me.

[ol' school]

Fuzzy, your end cap blanks on your mufflers look good painted black! I like it!

[Gone2Three]

Fuzzy, your end cap blanks on your mufflers look good painted black! I like it!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I'm getting used to them .. at first I thought about painting eyeballs on then ... LOL ... like maybe cat eyes ... but, alas, I'm not that artistic ... LOL

I think they look more like a "Traditional" exhaust system ... at least from a distance.