September 2009 Letters

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Owning Up
Just picked up the June issue of AIM: once again a great product. I wanted to let you know that I always check out what Don Gomo covers. He has always done a great job writing on things we may easily overlook. His Owning Up article definitely hit things on the head. We need to be aware that the first step in protecting ourselves starts with us. I had the opportunity to attend one of Don’s seminars, and I learned more in those two hours than I’ve learned in my 15 years of riding — so much for experience. His informative looks at things are far different from those of anyone else I’ve ever heard, plus he puts a humorous flare to the topics. He’s certainly passionate and knowledgeable about what he does, a true reflection of American Iron.

Tony DeTerri
Schenectady, NY

Silicone Snafu
Read your Sportster corner column in the June issue, and would like to offer another solution to the question sent in by Chris Conely about his oil pressure problem. Silicone gasket dressing is the worst thing to put on any gasket surface on a motor. It can break off in small pieces, find its way into oil galleries, and generally clog up the works. Most people put way too much on. I like Hylomar or copper spray used very sparingly. Just my two cents; maybe it’s not a solution but a preventative.

Howie Pine
Via Internet

Exhaust Discoloration
After putting 1,000 miles on my completely stock 2009 Street Glide, I gave the bike a wash and took it in for its service. I noticed that the front exhaust had yellowed and was visible until the heat shield covered the remainder. I pointed this out to the service manager. He remarked that all the bikes do this, thus the heat shield. This didn’t sound quite right. Is there some problem? The bike runs quite smoothly, and there have been no situations such as long idling where excessive heat could build up.

Robert Sanders
Via Internet

The service manager is right, the pipes do discolor by the heads, and sometimes at other locations, due to heat. But it’s not a problem; just a normal result of a hot engine and chromed pipes. The fix is to cover the discoloration with heat shields, or use a different finish on the pipes.

Dyna Low Rider
Chris, I enjoyed reading your FXDL Dyna Low Rider review. I’m a new subscriber and am going to try to locate your 2008 Super Glide review. I’m having difficulty choosing a Harley I feel comfortable on (29" inseam) and your article really helped me. I’m looking for a model I can cruise on, but also occasionally take to work. I live next to the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. It’s a great ride, Jackson straight to Nashville, Tennessee. Any other bikes you’ve ridden that impress you?

Doug Wilcox
Via Internet

Thanks, Doug! But the question you need to answer first is what type of riding do you do the most? Are you a touring guy, a Softail cruiser, a Dyna twisties jammer? What’s your pleasure? Once you’ve got that squared away, you can start to sort through the offerings in that particular family. No one bike does it all the best, so pick one that does what you like the most. Then buy another one! You need more than one tool in the toolbox.

Many Questions
I thoroughly enjoy your magazine. My brother-in-law Zach got me a subscription at Christmas (thanks, dude!) after I complained about not being able to find a cool H-D mag that wasn’t wrapped in plastic (ie: raunchy skin mag) in the magazine aisle. I didn’t believe him when he mentioned AIM. He was right, I was wrong.

I’m active-duty military stationed overseas (thanks for shipping to APO by the way!) and saw the XR1200 at the Italian H-D dealership sometime last autumn (around September or October ’08). At first I was like “Wow, that sure is a different Sporty.” I like the tank and the tucked-under air intake, and I really like the brushed aluminum look of the tranny and heads. But after first looks, it felt a lot like either H-D was getting pushed around by Buell or this was some sort of crossover attempt. I could handle it better if the exhaust hadn’t cranked up at 45 degrees near the rear swingarm. What are other Sporty riders saying? Could you put in a column or page/compilations on any/all write-ins about this?

After reading a couple of the tech columns, I must admit that my sometimes-rough-to-start 1200cc ’98 XL Sporty seemed troublesome, but in the days of O2 sensor issues (how the heck did those make it onto bikes?), EFI problems, and the like, my plain-Jane Sporty is helping me keep life simple.

One last question, in the magazine I see a lot of drawings/contest offers, but many of them are a subscription-based entry. What about those of us that already have subscriptions, how can we enter those contests?

Rob Vidoloff
Via Internet

First off, welcome to the family! As for online comments about almost anything H-D, you should check out our online forums at www.AIMag.com. In the contest department, if you’re already a subscriber, you’re already entered! We aim to please! (No pun intended.)

Nice Pair
I received a new Dyna Super Glide for Valentine’s Day, graduating from a Sportster. I can’t believe the difference in the handling and ride. It’s awesome, and I love my new Dyna! These two photos are of myself and my new Dyna, and my boyfriend Mark with his Dyna Super Glide T-Sport. We are gearing up for a nice ride through the Loop to Main Street in Daytona Beach. We love your magazine.

Doreen Hernandez and Mark Chase
Via Internet

Chris’ Simple Chop Build
Chris, I’ve been a fan of yours and the magazine for years. The magazine is something I can read front to back many times, and always find something I missed. I recently made the decision to try and build my own bike, and I’m hoping you can help. I came across the April ’06 issue the other day, and took a look in the tech section. Simple Chop Build XI is, in my opinion, what a bike is supposed to look like — and it wasn’t even finished! Amazing! This is my dream bike. The problem is I can’t find my earlier issues. I know I’m taking you back some, but can you give me some info regarding this build, such as frame make, dimensions, forks, trees, offset, how much over stock, etc? Any help would be truly appreciated. I also love the oil tank.

Ron Wurst
Via Internet

Glad to hear you like the bike, Ron. I’m actually in the process of doing a low-dollar version using an Ironhead Sportster as the base. To answer your questions, the frame is a Paughco (www.Paughco.com) rigid with no top tube or downtube stretch and 40-degree rake. The springer, also from Paughco, is a 6"-over stock pre-1999 Softail unit with 3-degree rake in the trees and stock offset. The man to call at Paughco is Jason at 775/246-5738. I hope this helps with your project. — Chris

The Starter Wire
In the December ’08 issue, Scott Lacross had a problem with a 2000 Road King that would not start. In the June issue, B. Tullberg asked about a ’95 Ultra with the same problem. I had the same problem with a ’96 Ultra. I put a relay under the right-side cover and activated it with the wire going to the solenoid from the starter button. Hook one side of the relay to the battery and the other to the solenoid where the original wire went. It solved my problem. I also put a relay in line with the lights and activated it off the starter relay so all the lights and accessories go off when you hit the starter button.

Skip Ross
Via Internet

Bopp Till You Drop
Some ask why I’d ruin a perfectly good Street Bob, and my reply is, because I can. Actually I wanted the first six-speed, EFI Twin Cam, and saw this as an alternative to the FDWG. Some of things I’ve done or added include Fatty Ts, chrome switches, modified stock seat, Kendall Johnson front fender, H-D Wide Glide rear fender, V-Twin LED taillights, and Küryakyn extended forward controls. I also painted most of the covers gloss black.

Steve Bopp
Via Internet

King of the Road
My husband, Bob, ordered his 105th Anniversary Road King Classic from a Harley dealer, only to be told on his 49th birthday that his bike didn’t have the right equipment when it was delivered. I wanted to keep him happy, and I found his new bike in Arizona. Bob flew down at the end of April, allowing him to enjoy a 2,200-mile maiden solo voyage home. For his 50th birthday, he fired up the H-D in our heated basement. To date, Bob’s got 11,000 miles on his bike, including a stop at Daytona Biketoberfest.

Tammy Sweeris
Via Internet

Chop Shop
I’ve had this bike for a few years, and can’t leave well enough alone. I always wanted a Harley Springer. I bought this one a couple of years ago at a swap meet. It was extended and chromed, but missing the rockers and top triple tree. I spent a couple of years sourcing parts and making things work. Brakes were a big one. The springer front end handles well, rides smoothly, and makes my bike look and feel like a 1960s chopper. I look forward to many miles watching the springs absorb the highway. This is totally a home-built, budget-minded, old-school chopper.

Rick Caissie
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Bobbers, Away!
I’m new to customizing, but I want to buy a Sportster and create a bobber. Which would be better, an 883 converted to 1200, or just buy a 1200 to start. Should I buy a used or a new one? I’m thinking a used one since I’ll be changing it anyway. What does it take to change it to a bobber, and if I do, how will it affect long distance ridablity? Is there a complete kit I could buy for it? I do know I want to add a springer front end to it. Would this affect its ride much? Should I buy a new set of springer forks or used ones? I know most bobbers don’t have a rear fender, but I’ll need one so my wife can ride with me. Could I use a modified fender and put a small jump seat pad on it? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jeffrey Woods
Via Internet

Jeff, you just asked about 12 articles worth of questions! Here’s the short version. First, go with the 1200 for two-up riding. Whether you start with a 1200 or convert an 883 depends on what you’ll pay to get to the end result. I can’t tell you which way to go, since I don’t know what deals are available in your area. Second, reread answer one. My guess would be that used is the way to go. Third, making the bike a hardtail (rigid) will affect long-distance riding since you’re going to remove the rear suspension. Fourth, we’re in the last stages of doing this very thing to a 1995 Sportster with Led Sled in Dayton, Ohio. I don’t know for sure if Led Sled sells a kit, but I think it does. Led Sled’s number is 937/879-4645. We’ll be following the build in the magazine, but that won’t happen for several months yet. Fifth, the springer changes the ride. Personally, I’d buy new. Lastly, bobbers have rear fenders, but whether they will support a passenger depends on how you build it.

Reach Seat
Genevieve, I am a regular reader of American Iron Magazine, and the May issue had a letter to you regarding the Reach seat. I remember reading about it, but I don’t know the manufacturer. At the time, I didn’t think I would be in a position to find a Road King, but now I am, and the seat would be an improvement for me should I find what I am looking for. My Low Rider is a keeper, but it’s time to add to the stable.

Mike Burick
Via Internet

Mike, the Reach seat is made by Harley-Davidson and is available from Harley-Davidson Genuine Accessories, which is the Motor Company’s aftermarket division. — Genevieve

Owning Up
Congratulations to Don Gomo for his column on Owning Up. As a senior citizen, I’ve watched too many people try to blame others for everything that happens to them, denying that they might have contributed to, or caused, the result. I know that there are times when we do our best and something undesirable still happens. But as Don points out, too often we want to look for some one else to blame. Good job, Don!

Steve Plevel
Tucson, AZ

Quiet Pipes
It was almost funny when I read the letter from Gary Duquette in your anniversary edition about the request for quiet pipes. Here in Germany, where I ride my 1999 Dyna Glide Sport, other riders joke about me because of my quiet pipes. German technical specifications are different from those in the US. Our pipes have to be quiet, so a large number of riders modify their pipes to make the motorcycle louder, but you have to be careful because you are in for a ticket if caught. Some riders go so far as to turn off the engine at traffic lights so as not to attract the attention of police officers. Everyone is requesting louder pipes. If anyone from the US is asking about quiet pipes, just get your motorcycle with German modifications.

Richard Stefaniak
Schoeffengrund, Germany