JUne 2008 Letters

[Buzz Kanter]

Doherty Dyno Screw Up
When we screw up, we always try to make it a BIG one. And this time I can’t even blame it on Sam, though I do love to do that. But no, this one is totally mine. In the last issue, I gave the art department the wrong dyno charts for the Doherty PowerPacc air cleaner installation on page 52. Below is the correct Chart I, showing an average baseline run and then an average run with just the PowerPacc installed. As you can see, there’s not much difference below 4000 rpm, since the engine doesn’t need much air yet. But once it gets to the higher rpm, where the stockers run out of air and, therefore, power, the PowerPacc does its job. Once the Rapid tuner was installed, the numbers got even better. As I state in the story, fuel was an issue and adding some definitely helped the power output. However, the chart I read and printed didn’t show the right runs. My apologies to you, our readers, and to Doherty for the mistake. -- Chris


S&S Quick Kit
Chris, I read your tech report about the S&S quick setup (page 186, April issue). I have a question about it. I know the ‘07s run lean (I have a ‘07 FLHR). I run Rush mufflers, SE air cleaner, and ThunderMax ECM. I have been told not to change the air intake by the dealers in my area. They say you can change the mufflers, but not to go too radical. If you open up the air intake for more air, the engine will run leaner than stock. The H-D stock ECM can not adjust for this. Your mag has suggested before that I can run some kind of fuel enriching (Power Commander, race tuner, etc.) if I open the intake up.
I hope you can tell me what is going on now. If the stock ECM will take care of this, then why do we need fuel-enriching equipment? I have some friends with ‘07s that are afraid to do anything with their bikes because of the lean condition.
Lee Boeckerman
Ohio

When we installed this kit on our 2007 test bagger, the stock ECM was able to adjust for it and keep the fuel/air mixture right at the H-D-dictated ratios after being run for about 10 minutes. No fuel adjuster was needed. On previous year bikes, you would usually need to install a fuel adjusting device after putting on a higher flowing air cleaner or the engine would run too lean. Not so with 2007 and later bikes. I hope this helps. -- Chris


One For Gen
Genevieve, first of all, I’d like to say that it's great to have another female contributor at AIM. Women influence so much of a man’s life, even when we don't acknowledge it, and it's good to have a woman’s opinion available without having to ask for it.
I just read your column in the Feb.’08 issue about weather junkies. I live in south Florida, so right now, I'm enjoying the cool weather – it’s only 85 degrees today! I also don’t own a car, which you might think is no big deal in the subtropics. Well, let me remind you that south Florida (south of Lake Okeechobee) is mostly drained swampland. Summer is not just hot and humid; it’s also our rainy season. I’ve never been to Montana, so I don’t know what kind of rain you get there, but summer in south Florida is brutal! You can tell the time by when the rain starts. Our raindrops are the size of marbles, and they feel like marbles when you get caught on the interstate in a torrential downpour! Winter is our dry season. That doesn't mean it doesn't rain, just that it rains less. Our average monthly rainfall in winter is about 3", whereas in the summer it could be 6". Also, our cold weather comes in two- to three-day bursts in the 40-degree range.
Yes, I check the weather daily. Several times a day in the summer. Does that make me a weather junkie? Well, let me put it this way: I don't own a car. If I have to go somewhere and it's raining, I just get wet. Oh yeah, I ride a not-so-softail-style bike with no bags.
Tito Jimenez
Florida


Rob’s Bobber Project
Buzz and crew, it’s with sincere thanks I am writing this e-mail. I’m in the Army and was wounded last year. I was shot in the femur by a sniper. I spent a lot of time in the hospital recovering; my wife bought a subscription to your magazine for me. I have been reading it cover to cover. I still can’t ride, but you inspired me. I figured that instead of being angry, I would use my downtime and do a little customizing. My friends help me with any heavy lifting, since I can't do it myself. My doctor thinks I might be able to ride again next summer, so that is the deadline.
My budget is small but my dreams are big! Currently I have the front nacelle, side covers, and rear shocks off being painted red. I thought that would look cool with the white tins on the bike. I can't afford a custom paint job, so I am trying to make a difference in little ways. I added a 2” tank raise, and eBayed a Tallman seat and some custom grips and levers. I hope to find a decent used aftermarket exhaust and a better air filter kit soon. I’m also saving to buy an LED light kit for it. New Metzeler wide whitewalls are on the list as well. I’m hoping to have the factory black rims powdercoated red when I replace the tires. Keep up the good magazine and maybe I will get to meet you guys at a ride in the future.
Rob Gaskins
Via Internet

Sounds like it’s going to be a nice bike when you’re done! Hope all goes well with your leg and we’ll get to see you and your new ride at an event!


Calendar Concerns
It’s great you have a calendar in your magazine. I was wondering though, why you don’t have the calendar as a centerfold or pullout? If it was a pullout, you could have the reverse side as a poster of the featured Reader’s Rider or another bike from the issue. As it is now, there is usually an article on the side, so to tear it out would cause me to miss out on that article. I’m not into the idea of hanging the whole magazine on the wall either. Just something for you guys to think about. Otherwise, keep up the good work and I’ll keep reading.
Johnny Walker
Tecumseh, Nebraska

We’ll give your concerns some thought, Johnny. Thanks for writing in.


Turning A Phrase
Don Gomo states in his column (Safety Skills, March issue) that “you should lean with the bike through the turn.” Although what he states is correct, I feel he should have clarified it further. The key word in his statement is “with.” The rider and passenger lean as the bike leans, but no more; they remain perpendicular to the bike. They do not lean over the side of the bike, or more than the bike leans. I feel his statement could give the impression to some that one must lean over the side of the bike. (I know racers do it, but that’s a different story.) This sets up a precarious situation that involves one or two people shifting their weight in such a manner as to make the bike unstable in a turn due to the motion.
Thom Dickinson
Toronto, Ontario, Canada


Boxed Bikes
Buzz, a big thank you from the troops here at Navy Customs Battalion Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, Army LSA. The two boxes of Road Bike came in late Sunday. (Yes, we get mail on Sundays.) They were immediately distributed to the Freedom Tents for rotating troops going home. So far one box has been distributed and I'm ready to open the second one. The younger troops really like their metric bikes I'm noticing. Your support of us here in the sandbox is appreciated. Once I return home in two months I will start a new subscription to American Iron since I’m a first time H-D buyer through exchange military car sales. Thank you again.
Brian Wagner
Navy Customs Bn. TANGO/Armory
Ali Al Salem, Kuwait

We’re happy to help and glad to support our men and woman in the armed services. -- Buzz and everyone here at American Iron Magazine and RoadBike.


Faulty Fuelcap Fix
My Sporty had the same problem as one of your readers. At a certain rpm, it sounded like the top end was coming apart. As a 16-year diesel mechanic, I wasn’t familiar with Sportsters, so I took it in to be fixed under warranty. The dealer didn't test drive or touch a single bolt, giving it back to me and saying it was fine. A short while later, driving in hot weather and then caught in a downpour, I decided to tuck and run instead of park and hide (no rain gear). Pushing the rpm a little more into the rattle range, I happened to rest my hand on the gas cap, instantly my valvetrain noise disappeared. When I took my hand away, it was back. Needless to say, I grabbed both handlebars and drove it like I stole it. (No longer worried about a motor that’s ready to come apart at any second.)
Upon arrival home, I discovered a simple fix. Put the gas cap upside down on a bunched-up soft cloth to protect the chrome. Take a wide, regular screwdriver with the flat-on radius at the edge of cap crimp (bottom side of chrome edge). Firmly strike the screwdriver with a small hammer to crimp the steel inner edge against its inner plastic mating surface. Do the same on the exact opposite side of the bottom of the cap. For a plain cap, two crimps should be fine, but with a medallion, four works better. (I put two on the medallion, but it required two more. It’s been fine ever since.)
Shiftbox
Via Internet


Fuel Facts
In response to your Quoted & Noted from the March issue, I’m glad to see the union of Shell and Harley-Davidson. Quality fuel is the key to maintaining proper engine performance. This is frequently discussed on the internet forums I frequent. Shell has been mentioned before as a quality source of premium fuel. Have you ever pulled up to a gas pump, selected premium grade, and wondered how much fuel is left in the line from the previous purchase? Shell is one of the few vendors who offer a designated premium pump so fuel dilution is not an issue. Thanks AIM for keeping us informed.
Kevin Farkas
Northampton, Pennsylvania