Ongoing 2019 Tri Glide Build-Out w/ lots of photos, videos and observations

[sportthedog]

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

 

[DK Custom Products]

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

 

[Wgbike]

Oil Cooler

Got a few more things done to the Tri Glide yesterday-

- Deleted the stock restrictive air cleaner. Besides being restrictive it also feeds hot, oily, performance robbing oxygen depleted air into the combustion chambers. GONE!

In its place is an Outlaw 606 HiFlow Air Cleaner. Paired with it is a Premium Discrete External Breather System (EBS).

I'm running the same 7 Spoke Chrome cover on it that I ran on the '14 Tri Glide.

The Milwaukee-Eight engine does not have the lean condition that the Twin Cam engine has. It is NOT lean from the factory, AND one can add a high flow air cleaner to it without changing the tune. The ECM will adjust for the extra air.

In this LINK there are dyno charts and AFR charts showing this. I am still running the factory tune. I will eventually put a new tune in, more to adjust the timing a bit and get a bit of a power increase from that. Again, look at the aforementioned link to see dyno charts on that.

- Next up was an Oil Filter Relocation. The reasons for this are to never have to deal with a messy oil filter change again. It is VERY easy and no mess to remove the oil filter now. Also with the filter out in the wind (and not butted up against the engine) it helps cool down the engine. Finally, it allows for installation of a much needed oil cooler.

A bit of a different angle. Also, you can see I am using a permanent, finned, cleanable oil filter.

Next up was something that was desperately needed. An oil cooler. You can see from some of our heat testing that there are ways to cool down the metal of the engine, but there is very little in the way of letting heat dissipate from the oil on a Twin Cooled engine. Without an oil cooler the oil just gets hotter and it is very difficult for it to cool down. The additive package (which is what makes 20W-50 oil act like 50 weight oil when it's hot) starts breaking down.

This Dual Cool Oil Cooler is situated directly behind the lower fairing vent.

I have not done any controlled testing yet, but from the hour or so of riding it appears that it lowers the oil temps even more on the M8 than it does on the Twin Cam. Controlled testing and a report will be done soon.

- Next up was to mount my drink holder and the Power Vision holder onto my handlebars.

Even though I am not running a tune yet, I like to monitor various readings on the Power Vision.

- Lastly, I did get the ceramic coating over the Protective Film.

Since we are headed WAY NORTH, it is going to be cold. Crazy, but in the middle of July we are going to see some days where the high will be in the low 50's, and we'll be riding quite a bit in the 40's. So I put on my taller recurve windshield.

The Tri Glide is ready for the upcoming big trip!

Kevin

Dealer tells me if I add filter relocation and or oil cooler MoCO will void my warrantee. WTF, motor needs it as it does run hot.

 

[GTK]

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

 

[Gold Nugget]

Dealer tells me if I add filter relocation and or oil cooler MoCO will void my warrantee. WTF, motor needs it as it does run hot.

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 + ..:Shrug:

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..........................................................

 

[LadyonaMission]

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 + ..:Shrug:

Rant off..........................................................

Read the fine print in the "Your Right to Cancel" section of your ESP. Mine states pro rated refund less a $35 processing fee.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Dealer tells me if I add filter relocation and or oil cooler MoCO will void my warrantee. WTF, motor needs it as it does run hot.

Yep, so don't let them know you did it.

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

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.

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 + ..:Shrug:

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............................................... ...........

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

 

[nucseal]

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 + ..:Shrug:

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..........................................................

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.

 

[DK Custom Products]

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

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Don't forget to re torque the wheel lugs ...

 

[DK Custom Products]

Don't forget to re torque the wheel lugs ...

Yep! That's in the written instructions AND in the step-by-step video.

 

[MDO]

Hey Kevin, did you track down your horn problem?

 

[DK Custom Products]

Hey Kevin, did you track down your horn problem?

I have not. Next 4 or 5 times I tested it, it worked fine. I rarely use my horn, except to test it to see if it is working. lol

I just tried it a few days ago, working fine.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

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

 

[MDO]

I always carry a couple black heavy trash bags when I travel.

 

[GoSlo]

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

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....

 

[DK Custom Products]

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....

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

 

[DK Custom Products]

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

 

[DK Custom Products]

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

 

[Trampas]

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