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1500 Mile Update – JES Fork Fangs, Love Jugs Cool Master and Harley CoolFlow Install
I've got an update on mod's I've done related to my quest to reduce buffeting on my 21' Tri-Glide.
For those interested in referencing my original post, see the link below.
https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/62291-After-48-years-of-2-wheeled-motorcycling%E2%80%A6-My-first-Impressions-experiencing-3!!
Along with my 1K service, I had my local dealer install a set of JES Fork Fangs, a Love Jugs Cool Master fan kit and a Harley CoolFlow fan kit. As I’ve mentioned in my original post, these items were installed to reduce head area buffeting on my 2021 Tri Glide.
I picked my trike up on a 90 degree plus day, which was perfect for testing out these recent add-ons.
In short, much improved…
Observations:
I had the dealer install a fairing switch kit to operate the Love Jugs. Well worth the added dollars for the added convenience of being able to easily switch the Love Jugs on/off as desired. The trikes electronics were flashed to allow Harley CoolFlow fan to operate automatically per the parameters set forth by the motor company. (Specs can be found in the product description).
To start, I had the Love Jugs turned on and as mentioned, the CoolFlow operated automatically.
With the Tri Glide running, you cannot hear the Love Jugs. The CoolFlow is quite silent and the only way I could tell it was on was to place my hand (carefully) below the rear cylinder on the right side. Quite a noticeable downward blast of hot air. I should also mention I the EITMS system “on”.
The JES Fork Fangs did indeed reduce the “bobble head” feel I had been experiencing while wearing my half helmet. They didn’t eliminate it, but it is quite improved. Reduced harmonic pulsing up around my head and shoulders and feeling like my glasses would part ways with my face… The felt upward air draft from alongside my gas tank toward my face was now noticeably reduced.
Since the buffeting wasn’t totally eliminated, I decided to then try riding helmetless… Riding helmetless, the bobblehead sensation was now nearly eliminated as the air “turbulence” felt now to be happening above my head, which didn’t bother me at all.
Hmmm. Others have mentioned helmet type/style as being a major contributor/eliminator of felt buffeting. My experience is spot on to that consensus.
• No helmet – no problem
• 1/2 helmet (Harley model w flip down sun screen and short screwed on visor) – some buffeting (however reduced from the stock configuration thanks to installing the Fork Fangs)
• Full face modular helmet (Harley) – No issues at all
Experimenting with different half helmets isn’t something I plan on doing. How do you know if a different style helmet will make a difference? You can’t return it. I do see Harley and others sell some with a completely smooth front area without a lip or visor.
So… on the half helmet, I removed the screwed on visor, closed the lower vents as well as the batwing deflectors and I experienced a dramatic improvement… NOW the half helmet was wearable.
Crazy, this wind turbulence behind the windscreen voodoo magic challenge!
I must admit, the stereo while riding helmetless doesn’t sound anywhere near as good as with the Harley earpieces in the full face helmet. Even with the half helmet, the stereo sounded better. Unfortunately, I’ve come to really like riding with music. That also factors in to my lid selection (or lack thereof) for the days ride. And to think, for 25 years I rode to the sounds of only wind and motor… Hah!
Now to the cooling fan(s) report…
As some Love Jugs critics have pointed out, yes, there is an increase of hot air felt on my right leg ONLY while at a stop or very during slow speed riding. HOWEVER, with the Harley CoolFlow fan also running, this hot air was reduced. If I placed my right leg up on the highway peg, no issues (and with a Tri Glide, balance is no longer an issue while stopped of course). I might check out DK’s Floorboard Extensions to move the floorboard out away a bit from the frame.
Another option I discovered is that if I powered down the Love Jugs while at a stop light, the felt heat on my right leg was GREATLY diminished, thanks to the CoolFlow fan. And combined with the EITMS system kicking in to allow the rear cylinder to become an air pump, I experienced MUCH LESS heat on the right thigh area than I used to have on my 99’ Ultra Classic.
Really, the increase in added heat on my right thigh while stopped (with the Love Jugs on) wasn’t a big deal to me. And I have options if it does get uncomfortable.
Riding was quite tolerable using any combination (all fans on, Love Jugs off/CoolFlow on) at stops or in slow traffic.
I have found no issues at all utilizing EITMS. While the motor sounded odd at first, I had no issues of “near stalling” when accelerating from a dead stop.
While I have no scientific measure of engine temperatures to base my observations on, what I can report is that when I shut the trike down, the radiator fans only ran for a few seconds, no different than pre mod. Ambient temperature as I mentioned was over 90 degrees.
This observation seems to indicate that the fans are working well together in keeping the motor cool even with the Fork Fangs in place, which is why I added them in the first place. The trike, after riding for an hour or two in hot weather, doesn’t feel any hotter than it did before when riding, in stop and go traffic or when I shutdown and park in the garage. For the time being I plan on running the Cool Masters full time even at speed because of the Fork Fangs reduction on airflow toward the motor.
My 99’ Ultra ran WAY hotter than my 21’ Tri Glide in its current configuration.
My take - In summary at the 1500 mile point on my Tri Glide:
• Helmet selection in general, and helmet style in particular has perhaps the biggest impact on buffeting or lack thereof.
• The JES Fork Fangs do help reduce buffeting quite a bit, but do not totally eliminate it (if that’s your goal).
• The combination of Love Jugs Cool Masters and the Harley CoolFlow fans seems to help keep engine temperatures within range, particularly when Fork Fangs are installed.
I'm done for now! Time to stop spending money and just RIDE!
Originally Posted by NHBAGGER
