An Icon?
Genevieve, I just started riding and got my motorcycle license. I have two motorcycles, a small Honda Rebel 250cc to practice on and a Harley 883XL Low Rider my husband bought me. I subscribe to
American Iron Magazine and love to read your articles; you are awesome and have inspired me to ride. I saw you on a motorcycle on page 98 of the July ’08 issue wearing a dark jacket. I really love the style and would like to know where can I purchase it, and if it’s a Harley jacket. Thanks for inspiring women riders!
Jeannette
Via Internet
Jeannette, thanks for your e-mail. The jacket I’m wearing in the July issue while riding the Big Bear Miss Behavin’ bike is Icon’s Rogue (www.RideIcon.com). I did a review of it in the same issue on page 152. — Genevieve Bluetoothin’
In the Nov. ’08 issue, there is a question from James Gamblin of Raymore, Missouri, about his Bluetooth unit. I installed a Bluetooth on my ’08 Ultra Classic. Since I’m an electronics technician I installed it myself. I had the same problem and went back over my work. I found that a pin did not seat correctly. Reseating the connector on the back of the radio unit took care of the problem. If he is using a correct phone then going back over the work might correct it. I use a Harley-Davidson helmet and stereo headset unit. I hear it very well considering my bad hearing, and you only notice this problem at road speed.
Dennis J Sanders
Chesterfield, Virginia
Part Of The Family
Chris and Buzz, during my weekly browse of the motorcycle magazines a few weeks ago, I noticed your column regarding youth options and bought the issue. It was very cool to see and I could relate to it. I am an average student, taking classes when I’m not doing my part as a working stiff. In addition, keeping my wife happy and saving my pennies for the first Harley I have always dreamed about.
The dream became reality about two months ago. I am the proud new owner of a 1993 Sportster 1200XLH. I was sitting at my computer with no homework to do when I saw the advertisement. I blew it off because I was trying to stay focused on school, but as a joke I mentioned it to my wife. When she asked “Did you call the guy?” I immediately responded with “No! But I am going to right now.” Long story short, we paid cash for the bike out of the money set aside for school, and I have to take one less class this semester. My wife wanted to make sure I let you know that a good chunk of that money also came from our baby fund, so I owe her big time for pretty much the rest of my life.
So, all the talk about buying the “best used bike” and “fix it up enough to keep it on the road” grabbed my attention. That is it to me. I see so many stock Harleys on the road, which are cool, but there is little personality to them. I have talked to guys who are getting ready to take their bikes in for routine maintenance for umpteen dollars and who think 15 minutes of work for an oil change is arduous. I understand there is more to it than that, but buying the shop manual and learning about the bike has been a big part of owning the bike for me.
You see, it all started when my cousin put me on her custom Shovel and said “See you later.” The feeling, the sound, and on and on with the clichés, along with statements from her like “If it doesn’t fit in the saddlebags then it doesn’t go,” just fueled the fire. It’s about simplicity and self-reliance. I look forward to the day where I can say I know every square centimeter of my bike. I understand that all of those things are why people get into Harleys anyway, but where do those feelings come from if you sign some papers and ride a bike off the showroom floor, not knowing the bike? I want it to be a learning experience that gives me the right to ride the motorcycle, and it has become a lifestyle for me in the way it has now infected everything I do.
Your magazine is an inspiration, and between it and the Sucker Punch Sally’s web site, you guys provide goals so I keep focused on working hard. I sit and daydream about putting together a kit from Sucker Punch Sally’s, and check out pictures of Dave Perewitz ripping on his sick Shovel. It gets me excited to ride and inspired to keep at it.
Matt McKee
Via Internet
Geez, Matt, you didn’t leave anything for us to say! Except enjoy the machine, your wife, and the great ride you both have waiting for you. Vintage Skid Lid
I just bought a helmet that is a modern version of the one your guys were trying to find. See the Fulmer Helmet web site to pick up your own V2. I bought the one with the white racing strip down the middle, just like the archive picture in the back of the (Oct. ’08) issue. So far I like it a lot!
Ed Skelly
Via Internet
Back To The Future
In the Nov. ’08 issue, page 26, A Tweak & A Newbie by Chris Maida, he refers to an article about servicing the cartridge fork setup for the 2002-05 H-D Touring models. Wow! How could I have missed that one? What issue is it in? I need it! I couldn’t find it in any of my back issues.
Joan Eshbaugh
Via Internet My bad, Joan! That story, as our readers now know, appeared in the next issue, Dec. ’08. It was pulled before December was shipped to the printer. And don’t you know, that was the first time in about eight years that I got my column done before we finished the issue. I forgot I had mentioned it, so when the cartridge fork article got pulled, I didn’t change my column. My apologies to you and the others that went crazy looking for a story that had not made it into print yet! — Chris
Tall Order
In the November issue, Bob Heylman wrote you concerning taller bars for his bike. I had the same problem with my ’08, and found bars 2" taller at Khrome Werks on its web site. These are made specifically for the ’08 Touring bikes. They’re $80 and chrome to boot. You have to also buy the wire extensions by Namz Custom Cycles out of Drag Specialties for about $40. My dealer installed them for me, and the original brake line worked just fine. Oh, yeah, I’ve got ABS as well.
Tim Keane
Via Internet
EPA And One-For-Life
This EPA stuff has been giving me panic attacks since it started. Every cent I’ve earned, saved, or was able to scrounge up, I spent on parts to build a new scooter. The source of my anxiety is wondering if I’m going to be able to do this before the EPA shuts me down. I’ve read what the rules are, but I really don’t understand the procedure to follow or how to implement them. Could you please send me an easy-to-follow, one-two-three list?
Riley Beck
Madras, Oregon
Riley, you can make this bike your once-in-a-lifetime bike, so no worries. Thanks to the efforts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (www.MRF.org), you can ignore all the EPA requirements on one, and only one, bike that you build for your entire lifetime. And though some have complained about the one-only rule, it’s better than no bikes the way you want. The only requirements you’ll have to conform to are DOT rules and noise limits. As for how you go about this, it’s little more than a form and a sticker. The best bet is to contact the MRF, who will tell you all you need to know. H-D 110 Kits
I purchased a new 2008 Electra Glide Classic last November.
Performance-wise, I have added a Screamin’ Eagle Stage 1 air cleaner, SuperTrapp slip-on mufflers, and the performance software upgrade. I’ve considered having the Screaming Eagle 110" Big Bore kit installed, but I’ve heard stories of bikes not running right afterward. If I decide to go down this road, I would certainly have a certified Harley dealer do the installation. Have you heard of issues with these kits? I would hate to mess up a perfectly good Electra Glide Classic with only 3,200 miles on it.
Kevin Klein
Auburn, Indiana
In our opinion, it’s not a good idea because the TC 96/CVO 110 EFI is a closed-loop system, which means that for hot idle and cruise settings the air/fuel ratio is 14.7:1. This creates too much heat on a rear air-shrouded cylinder, causing the rear head gasket surface to warp and blow outwards around the oil return passage. This creates a progressively worsening oil leak. If you do this conversion, it will be necessary to run a fuel modifier, like Power Commander, to lower the air/fuel ratio to cool the engine by making the stock EFI an open-loop system. Two 10-row Jagg oil coolers are also a good idea to lower cylinder head temperatures to control detonation. H-D is upgrading the heads with new ACRs that may also help, but the jury is still out on this fix. Going Through Changes
Both the owner’s and shop manual for my 2007 FLHR recommend changing the transmission fluid after the first 1,000 miles, then every 20,000 thereafter. My local Harley dealer (I live in central Florida) recommends changing it every 5,000 miles thereafter for “cheap insurance.” A quick survey of various dealers around the country (including some in regions hotter than central Florida) found that some follow Harley’s 20,000 recommendation and some recommend 5,000. Am I naive in assuming that the Motor Company did sufficient research to feel confident enough to prescribe 20,000? I know 5,000 was the norm for earlier Harleys, but is it really necessary now that we have synthetic fluid? Changing the fluid four times more than recommended, plus the cost of shop time, is no longer “cheap insurance.”
Ron Clayton
Apopka, Florida
I don’t know if this helps you, Ron, but I personally do it after 10,000-12,000 miles of normal riding. For me, 5,000 is too soon and 20,000 is too late.
— Chris Sportster Bobber Project
I decided some months ago to purchase a Sportster to turn it into a bobber. I found a 2003 Sportster last month and purchased a hardtail section and springer front end from a company called Led Sled. I brought the Sportster and had the new parts sent to Easy Eddie’s, which is a motorcycle parts, service, and eating establishment. The Sportster will be stripped of all parts, so the bare frame can be sent off to a welder, who will attach the hardtail section. I plan to put a Fat Bob tank on the bike and a spring seat. I will also look for a black wrapped shotgun-type exhaust and 12" mini-apes. As a big reader of your magazine, I thought you might be interested in featuring this build project in one of your issues.
Marc Fisher
Via Internet
Thanks for the heads up, Marc. It sounds like it’s going to be a great project. The ironic thing is, we’re doing a very similar build using a 1995 Sportster with a Led Sled weld-on hardtail, Paughco springer, etc. And guess who’s doing it for us? Led Sled!
Best of luck with the project and send in some photos of the bike when it’s done, okay? AIM 
February 2008 Letters 
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