Installing the Harley Oil Cooler

I got the Harley Premium Oil Cooler Kit for my ‘09 Ultra from Santa this year. Even though I live in Seattle, I do spend a fair bit of time riding in Eastern, WA where the temps can get quite warm in the summer months. Also – Seattle is famous for rush hour gridlock – so I figured a little help cooling the engine would be a good thing.

For starters, the instructions that come with the kit appear to be wrong. It states that the gasket has a peal off tape that reveals a sticky side – it doesn’t. I mangled a gasket trying to find the paper.

The good news is that Harley sells a Gasket Service Kit. So – I ordered a replacement gasket and went looking for some type of Gasket Dressing. I ended up getting the Loctite spray on kind.

Lastly, you need a 5/8” allen socket to remove the filter bolt. That was a little tougher to find. I ended up buying a large allen wrench and cut off the “elbow” part.

Assembly is quite straight forward. I chose to install mine this time of year just because I needed an oil change. I also opted to go synthetic (stock the bike has dinosaur oil). It was MUCH easier to remove the faring lowers – and reduces the risk of scratching them as well.

Now for the bad news: it leaked like CRAZY! The leak was at the mysterious gasket. Since I HATE having a motorcycle that marks its spot, I tore it apart to see what was up. The Loctite dressing caused the gasket to firmly adhere to one side of the fitting – the other side was a little suspect. I cleaned off the exposed side carefully – using brake cleaner to dissolve any oil remnants.

I bought a tube of Permetex “instant” gasket maker to serve as the gasket sealer for the exposed side. I bolted her back together (making sure to put red Loctite on the bolt and torqued to spec).

Voila. Oops – she still leaks. Not as bad – but still a spoter! So – I now have chased down that Harley carries a gasket dressing (made by Hylomar). I have also ordered my 2nd Gasket Service Kit. My NEXT installation will be using ONLY the Harley Gasket Dressing. Let’s hope this will be the last time!

Getting dirty in Mexico

This is my trip report from my day of two wheeling in the dirt in Baja. I booked my tour with these guys - http://www.loscabosguide.com/bajaride/index.html.

When I booked the trip, the owner (Dean) asked me a lot of questions about my riding. I was very upfront – I am an experienced STREET rider that has never gone in the dirt. I asked him to treat me as a total novice and assumed I knew nothing. Later, I learned my candor about my dirt skills was much appreciated. It appears that it is common for someone to want the biggest bike he has and then proceed to drop it, dump it, run off of cliffs and all sorts of misadventures. Dean steered me to an old Honda 250. He did have a couple of 450’s but when I didn’t object to the lighter bike – we were set.

His company provided all the gear: boots, shin pads, hip pads, liver protector, pants, shirt, elbow pads, chest/back protector, gloves, helmet and goggles. They had a good assortment of sizes and all the gear was in tip top condition. After fitting me with all the gear, it was ready for our ride.

I asked who else we were waiting for – the answer was no one – we were ready to go as soon as I was ready. So I end up with a personal guide and riding coach off for my Baja adventure.

We rode through the paved streets in San Jose Cabo to get to the dirt paths. I used that time to get comfortable with the bike. It sat tall – probably a 32” seat height – so stopping was a tippy toe operation for me. Although underpowered based on what I am used to – I thought I was ready.

Our route was to work our way through a series of reserve areas to just south of Las Paz. From there, we would follow the Sea of Cortez coastline back to San Jose Cabo. The reserve part was a mix of hard dirt road, some hard gravel road, and the occasional patch of super soft sand. The first patch of soft sand I hit was going into a left handed turn.  As I was “setting up for the turn” I wanted to scrub a little speed and flicked the front brakes. WHAT A MISTAKE! In the soft stuff, my front wheel just DIVED and I started to lose control of the bike. In a partial panic stop, I banged down to first and got on the rear brakes hard. I did manage to stop without dropping it – but it was close. So now I needed to start in a very fluffy sand – oops – that took a little getting used to. So – after killing it – and restarting – I finally get going. My guide realized I wasn’t behind him and came back to look for me. By then, I was back rolling and gave the thumbs up sign. I had also made a note to self – front brakes should NOT be used like that!

After about 10 miles of some really amazing scenery (and no other mishaps) I was starting to get the feel of riding in the dirt. I wasn’t quite up to drifting in the corners, but I was feeling like I was in far better control of the bike.

Baja is almost entirely a free range place – you can see all sorts of livestock roaming free. And for some reason, they like to be on dirt roads, bike trails and the like. We came upon a grouping of cattle – including several bulls. My guide crowded them a little while slowing. At just the right moment, he turned hard and wheelied spraying dirt and pebbles at the bulls. BIG MISTAKE! All that did was piss them off – and they started charging him. Now I was pretty sure I know the protocol if a bull is charging you from behind – ride faster than the bull. But what is the protocol when you are behind the bull? I didn’t know if I should speed up, slow down – what? I figured the bulls would tire of chasing him – but would they come after me? I got the giggles thinking of all the possibilities – and finally the bulls gave up the chase and moved off the road. Later at a water break, my guide admitted that was the first time that had happened to him (normally that scares them off into the brush).

The road during most of this was a one lane (if that) trail. Lots of bumps, some natural jumps, washboard – you name it – we had it. I was really starting to get comfortable in the saddle – occasionally wheelying off a berm or even catching a LITTLE bit of air.

We get to the restaurant for lunch. It was a very cozy spot right on the beach.  It was one of those kinds of places you HAD to know it was there or you would never have found it. After a terrific authentic Mexican lunch, we headed for the return trip home. By now, I was feeling very confident – and my speeds and comfort showed it. We kept a much brisker pace on the return trip. On our first water break – my guide cautioned me – some of the trail would be very tricky and we would be slowing down a bit. He was right – we rode along a cliffs edge – one side granite and limestone the other a 200ft drop to ocean. I would love to go back and stop with a camera – the views were spectacular. I decided to stay up with my guide and to really focus on staying on the trail! (good choice).

We came upon a group of burros. (Do they travel in packs? Herds? Gaggle?). My guide did the same “spray them with loose stuff” and they decided the race was on! So – here we are in pretty much single file – my guide, a burro, me, about 20 burros running balls out. You have heard of dancing with wolves? Me – I race with burros.

We continue on at a brisk clip and I am just grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly, my guide pulls over in the middle of a wide, sweeping right hander that is FULL of the soft stuff. I gear down and try to slow down as I was coming in way too fast for a short stop (and having just scared myself silly by diving the front wheel due to using front brake in a turn). Somehow, I miss first and the bike is in neutral (not a lot of engine braking there). In a state of “controlled panic” I lock up the rear brake and slide perfectly sideways – ending up doing a 180 in the sand. My guide was IMPRESSED – said I did that like a pro! I never admitted that was a sheer panic stop. J

Anyway, the reason for the stop is that he had a flat rear tire! We are at least 30 miles from town and out of cell reception (only later learned he didn’t even have a cell phone with him). I figured ride was over and we should call for help (he didn’t have a tire patch with him either). He assured me – no problem – he could ride it home this way. I explained that he would be up on the pegs leaning forward (put as much of his weight on the front well) and would be going as fast as he could to keep the rear wheel expanded. He said we might get separated – and that I shouldn’t try to keep up and he would stop and wait for me at any place there would be a turn decision.

Well – I surprised myself – I kept out with NO STRESS at all! By now, I was so into it – and it just felt natural (of course – 5 hours of riding you either get comfortable or fall down anyway). So – now we are REALLY flying. I am not entirely sure what top speed of my old Honda is – but I was in 5^th gear fully WFO. I flew over a couple of berms – probably got a good 6” of air – I thought I was hot stuff!

All too soon, we made it back to the shop. I was ready to go out and do it all over again! It was truly an epic ride.

Introducing new riders

Many of us have friends that they would like to introduce to motorcycling. Some of those friends may have "irrational fears" about the aspect of riding on one.

I have a very dear new friend that I would love to take for rides on my bike. This posting will describe my plan on introducing her to motorcycling and help over come her irrational fears.

Step 1: Even though the fears are entirely irrational, respect that they are real to your friend. No matter what they might be (and some I have heard are actually sorta funny), they do matter. Best start is to talk about motorcycling - the joys the sport has brought you.

Be sensative that your words may actually be making those irrational fears worse. For example, if your friend is concerned about the lack of a cage protection on a bike, DO NOT tell stories about carving canyons and knee dragging at extreme speeds. That will only excerbate the concerns.

Adjust your side of the conversation to describe the benefits.

Step 2: Introduce them to the bike. Sounds silly, but a lot of people have never really looked at one up close and personal. Point out the "do not touch parts", the "where to step, hold on, etc" parts and so on. Go slow - this is likely a little scary for them.

Step 3: Show them the gear. Talk about the gear. And whatever you do, make sure you have appropriate gear for them. If you don't, do not try to convince them to "go for a ride down the block". Yeah - I know - but remember, this is something they are likely only considering because of the trust they have in you. Do absolutely nothing to breach that.

Step 4: By now, they will have articulated why they have the irrational fear. It will likely be that someone in their sphere of influence has died as a result of a motorcycle accident. This one is a toughy to react to. Let them vent, ask questions, be attentive. Even if it is obvious the answer to why the person wrecked was user error - show concern. Take that data into consideration as you continue to converse on the topic of motorcycling.

Step 5: Similar to step 4, they will almost certainly say they are afraid of the other guy. We all know that the cagers are evil. But we also all know what we need to do to mitigate those risks. For the purposes of your friends first ride, do everything possible to mitigate this concern. A good example might be to offer the ride in a residential area that has little or no traffic. Anything to get them on the bike in a way that is comfortable to them.

Step 6: Assuming they agree to go for a ride, choose a day that the weather is most agreeable. We are all hard core riders - your friend is a pre-NOOB. Don't force them to also deal with cold air, rain, etc. Pick a warm enough day but still comfortable for them to wear ALL the gear.

Step 7: When that day comes, be very deliberate in your actions. Talk about what it means to be a passenger. If you will be taking a ride that involves turning, talk about their body position and what is expected of them. Do not forget - they are only doing this because they trust you. Discuss hand signals or other means of communication so the passenger knows they can let you know to stop, slow down, etc. They need some element of control to be comfortable. When you do finally get this all sorted out, go slow! I can't tell you how many people have told me stories about riding once before and the rider doing wheelies, stoppies, going insanely fast, etc. It really isn't funny to purposely scare the crap out of someone on a bike. Don't be a jerk - make them feel comfortable.

Step 8: Post ride. Chances are your passenger was too scared to even appreciate riding. They may have a problem expressing why they were so scared - be patient. Let it drop for a while if they don't want to talk about it. When the time is appropriate, talk about the ride, the things you like about motorcycling, etc. Hopefully, they will give you a second chance to "sell" them on riding. If not - don't press it.

Ok - that is about all I have for this. I will post back my success (or lack thereof) with my new dear friend over time.

Ride safe.

Winter in the Pacific NW

Generally speaking, motorcycling is a year round activity in the great Pacific NW. This year has been the exception! We have had at least 3 storm systems come through that has dumped a LOT of snow on Seattle and the surrounding areas. Seattle is not well equiped to deal with snow and ice removal - so even a couple inches of snow brings things to a halt. I had 26" of snow at my house!

Having to cage it meant that I have been kind of slow posting here. A new dear friend reminded me that I should post soon. Thank you S!

I thought I would make up for it by posting some suggestions on prepping your bike for winter riding.

If you are like me, your bike is a cherished possesion - something that possibly gets more attention than the family dog! Because of this unnatural affection, many of us would prefer to not take our babies out in the wet, sand covered streets. It doesn't have to be this way.

Note that everything is on top of normal maintenance. Your ride should be up to date on all services.

Tires: Slippery roads require more grip. Sporty rubber is great - but must be warmed up to provide optimum grip. Sport touring tires tend to have a wider range of operating temperatures. No matter what is on your ride, ride extra carefully while your tires are warming up!

Lights: In this part of the world, days are often overcast. Yet another reason to make sure all lights are in proper working order. Clean the lenses after EVERY ride! If you have been thinking of upgrading your lights, LEDs are great for turn signals and running lights. HIDs are great for increasing your visibility! Be sure to check with your local LEO on the HIDs - not all areas allow them.

Weather protection: A decent windscreen/windshield can redirect a lot of the rain and cold air without having to bend in unnatural ways. Fortunately, these are relatively inexpensive aftermarket parts.

Cold Hands: Hands are probably the most exposed part of your body while riding. Fitted hand guards will help deflect some of the cold/wet. I highly recommend heated grips! I have heated grips on all my bikes.

Mudguards: I saw these at the Internation Motocycle Show in Seattle this year. Basically, they work like a trucks mudflaps work. A small piece of plastic or rubber like material minimizes the spray from your front wheel on to your engine. My Harley has a full front fender - but my sport bikes don't. I suspect these will keep a lot of crude from the "delicate bits".

Coolant: For water cooled bikes, make sure you are running with antifreeze! I know I often will run distilled water on track days (depending on the track). Riding a water only bike in freezing temps is a fast way to ring up some big mechanical problems!

Chain: For bikes that are chain driven, proper lube is essential! I recommend the silicon based chain lubes (especially in the winter time).

Reflectors: Habor Freight sells a very cheap (~$10) reflective vest that will help you be seen. Cagers seeing bikes is a problem all the time - but even more pronounced during the winter season. A cheap reflective vest makes the bike (ok - the rider) more visible.

Storage: Obviously, best is to store your bike in a covered space that won't be subject to freezing temperatures. You may want to consider getting a cover as well. The cover will help keep the seat from freezing and will also keep dust and dirt from soiling your ride while it rests in the garage. If it must be exposed to the elements, an all weather motorcycle cover is highly recommended.

After the ride: If possible, rinse your bike with cold water after the ride. Especially true in areas that use salt for snow control. Rinsing will help get rid of any salt that has found its way to the metal bits. Even if you live in an area that doesn't use salt (like Seattle), rinsing will flush away some of the grime that is very hard to clean when you are ready for that springtime detail cleaning you will do.

Ride safe!

Dealing with "LEO"

I am not sure why this comes up in various motorcycle forums. Without getting into a lot of discussion of the why, here are somethings to do (and perhaps some to not do).

1. Be respectfull! It doesn't matter how agitated you are. Demonstrating will only make a potentially bad situation bad or worse.
2. This is NOT the trial! That being said, admissions of guilt can and most likely will be used against you. Avoid any admissions.
3. In spite of the crazy stories to the contrary, creative excuses will almost certainly not make the ticket go away. Use at your own peril.

So - let's here your suggestions!

Olympia Moto Sports Phantom

Living in Seattle and riding this time of year will test your gear. Not only is rainy weather to be expected, it gets downright chilly. Morning rides or late evening rides are going to wet and cold (ok - if your lucky, just cold).

I have a First Gear jacket and pants that are about 5 years old. They have worn exceptionally well - but I decided it was time to get something new (read - latest technology) and I definitely wanted a two piece this time around.

I slipped out of work a little early last night and picked up an Olympia Moto Sports Phantom one-piece. I got the grey (pewter?) one.

I had seen the video of the guy getting into the suit in about 10 seconds (or something ridiculas like that). Trust me - the first time you put this bad boy on will take a lot longer than that! :) Oh yeah - and the first time you don this garment you will also get credit for a short cardio workout.

I am right at 6' tall with a 29" inseam. I am also a little on the heavy side (tipping the scales at 250). I have always had a problem figuring out the fitment of clothes - and in particular, motorcycle gear. I phoned Olympia Moto Sports and spoke with one of their phone support people. They were VERY helpful - to the point that call alone is probably why I chose Olympia.

Before I get into the features of the one piece, I want to point out a very cool design feature. Most riding pants are difficult, if not impossible, to get sized for inseam challenged people like me. When your belly dimension is longer than your inseam - let's face it - nothing fits off the rack. The Phantom can be hemmed without affecting the integrity of the garment. The zippers don't go to the very bottom - there is just velcro down there - so hemming is no problem!

Back to the features I like: the thing is WARM! It got a little chilly last night (my temp gauge indicated 39) and I was on my 1125R. Zipping along at 75 would have been VERY chilly with my old gear. Wind would "leak" into the coat somewhere (typically the back of my neck or up the bottom of the coat). With the Phantom, I was TOASTY warm! I can't remember a ride in that temperature range when I was that comfortable!

This morning on the commute to work we have a "light sprinkle". In Seattle, when it is light rain, that is the equivalent of 100% humidity. I other words, EVERYTHING is dripping wet. I stayed as dry as could be. It was GREAT!

There are a bunch of pockets and I am still figuring out how to layout my stuff to use the pockets conveniently. Getting to your wallet in your jeans with the Phantom on is not easy - but doable. I will likely move my wallet to the Phantom to avoid the wrestling to get my wallet out. I was tempted to ask the pretty lady pumping gas at the next pump to reach into my suit and help get my wallet out - but realized that might have come across as a lame pick up line. Maybe next time...

Falling in love with your bike (again)

Ahhh.... I love days like today. Great day at work and decent weather for the commute home. I decided to take the long way. I think every rider who commutes to work has a "long way" - a route you save for the days you just want to ride.

Today was just such a day. I found my rythem on that oh so familiar route. The bike and I were one. Shifting was effortless. I hit my line in every corner. Everything just clicked.

I love my bike. :)