Let the mods begin

[cactusjack]

I have done pretty good so far. I have had my Harley since April 1 and have only done minimal mods to it. I have added Kuryakyn Longhorn Dually pegs, an H-D rider backrest with adjustable mount (theres a little lever mounted under the tank that allows you to adjust the fore/aft angle of the backrest), the H-D Smart Siren II module and pager for the security system, and a 9" Fastaire Aero windshield. Mostly comfort mods in preparation for the summer rallys.

Since it has gotten hot here recently, I have noticed some pinging coming from the 103" engine. I run only 91 octane in it, per H-D. So I ordered an Arlen Ness "Big Sucker" stage I air cleaner assembly, which is sort of like using a Chuckster's backing plate with a dog dish over the K&N filter, but this filter is designed to work with the OEM football-shaped cover. I also got a Dynojet Power Commander V. Unlike older models such as the PCIII, this unit connects between the ECM and the connector that plugs into it. I didn't have to connect leads at the injectors. There is also some add-on modules for the PCV, like an auto-tune box that reads your a/f ratio 80 times per second and adjusts on the fly. I did not order this optional accessory.

So I installed it all this morning and gave the bike a good cleaning while I was at it. I'm going to take it out tomorrow morning and get on it and see how much of an improvement I get.

[Jared]

Sound rather minimal in comparison to what you did with you Nomad. But then again, the HD has almost all the mods you added to your Nomad.

Are you thinking about adding an exhaust or are you content with the stock sound?

[Cajunrider]

Be careful Scott, those manholes move just like the mailboxes did when I was a young drinker/driver. Now they stay on the side of the road and don't jump out in front of me anymore.

[ponch]

Be careful Scott, those manholes move just like the mailboxes did when I was a young drinker/driver. Now they stay on the side of the road and don't jump out in front of me anymore.

The HD has ABS.

[ponch]

Doesn't the HD has an O2 senor? I wouldn't think you'd need an autotune module.

[billmac]

Every bike needs mods to make it perfect for us. When I bought the Nomad I thought I would leave it stock. I learned in a hurry it had needs and I had wants.

When engineers design stuff, do they ever consider Chandler, AZ? My elderly mother lives in Quartzite and I visit her regularly. It is hot here in Texas, but it is super heated air in AZ. That has to be a factor to the pinging. But I bet you did some good. Would I be out of line to suggest a new radiator and cooling fan? :)

[cactusjack]

Every bike needs mods to make it perfect for us. When I bought the Nomad I thought I would leave it stock. I learned in a hurry it had needs and I had wants.

When engineers design stuff, do they ever consider Chandler, AZ? My elderly mother lives in Quartzite and I visit her regularly. It is hot here in Texas, but it is super heated air in AZ. That has to be a factor to the pinging. But I bet you did some good. Would I be out of line to suggest a new radiator and cooling fan? :)

Well they test HD's at a facility just east of Bullhead City. It's as hot there as it is in Phoenix. I know the heat here has an effect on pinging. I fought it forever with my Nomad. I'm not looking for performance, I just want it to richen the mixture some.

[cactusjack]

Sound rather minimal in comparison to what you did with you Nomad. But then again, the HD has almost all the mods you added to your Nomad.

Are you thinking about adding an exhaust or are you content with the stock sound?


That was my plan, to buy a fully loaded bike so I wouldn't have to spend all my time modifying it, when I could spend that time riding.

I haven't decided yet on the exhaust. I don't want to do anything drastic, since as of right now, Maricopa County AZ is the only county in the country where they emission test motorcycles. I had one more year to go before I'd have had to get my Nomad tested, and I was worried it wouldn't pass with all the emissions stuff I removed.

I may just get a set of slip-ons to enhance the sound, but for now I don't mind it the way it is.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

How many miles do you have on the Harley now?

[cactusjack]

How many miles do you have on the Harley now?

1877 as of yesterday. I didn't ride for 3 weeks due to being sick.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

You have done pretty good considering what you went through. By the way, how are you doing body wise?

[cactusjack]

You have done pretty good considering what you went through. By the way, how are you doing body wise?

I'm doing fine now. Thanks for asking.

[Dave]

Did the dealer do the 1000 service? What oils are you using? Right now I'm using Valvoline V-Twin in the engine and Bel Ray in the tranny. Seems like a good combo.

[markclark57]

Any mods that you might sugjest for a "soon to be in Phoenix" Nomad?
Already on board with PCIII, Cobra tru-duals, Chuckster's single plate intake, and a bunch of high end security stuff.

[cactusjack]

Did the dealer do the 1000 service? What oils are you using? Right now I'm using Valvoline V-Twin in the engine and Bel Ray in the tranny. Seems like a good combo.

Yes, I took it to the dealer for the 1000 miles service. I had them put synthetic in it.

[cactusjack]

Any mods that you might sugjest for a "soon to be in Phoenix" Nomad?
Already on board with PCIII, Cobra tru-duals, Chuckster's single plate intake, and a bunch of high end security stuff.

Nope, that's about all you can do. Just use 91 octane, at least when it's hot out.

[ponch]

Any mods that you might sugjest for a "soon to be in Phoenix" Nomad?
Already on board with PCIII, Cobra tru-duals, Chuckster's single plate intake, and a bunch of high end security stuff.

Just make sure the coolant has been changed and the oil too, then just ride, ride, ride. May be you want to use Amsoil or Mobil 1 due tot he heat, but I think there's nothing outside of normal maintenance that you have to worry about. I imagine that those hot roads wear tires faster. May be Scott can shed light on it.

[markclark57]

Thanks guys, Got the re-map done with 87 in the tank. I've never had an emissions test but I think it will pass now. I'm already on Mobile 1 oil. Still haven't changed the front tire. My back one is GYTT 205/60-16, but won't need the wet traction as much down there. :) Really looking forward to the "ride, ride, ride" part.

[cactusjack]

Thanks guys, Got the re-map done with 87 in the tank. I've never had an emissions test but I think it will pass now. I'm already on Mobile 1 oil. Still haven't changed the front tire. My back one is GYTT 205/60-16, but won't need the wet traction as much down there. :) Really looking forward to the "ride, ride, ride" part.

It was 104 yesterday, it's supposed to be 108 on Wednesday and it hasn't even gotten "hot" here yet. It will be over 100° here everyday until mid-September. That's hard to get used to. What I found even harder to get used to is the fact that in the summer you go outside at midnight and it's still over 100° out. Logically, your brain thinks it should cool off when the sun goes down, like it does in most places.

My wife has had it with this place. She hates it here and wants to move.

[rflnomad]

+1 with the heat down here also! On our Electra Glide, we ran standard 'dino' oil, I just added a cooler and changed it at 2500 miles. I eventually went to Mobil 1 and went 4500 per change.
We still have our 1980 Wide Glide; man, the old Shovelheads get real cranky when they get hot! And it doesn't take much!

As far as exhaust, We used the factory slip on touring mufflers from Harley. 49 state legal, quiet but a great tone and the fit & finish was excellent.

my .02c

[ponch]

Thanks guys, Got the re-map done with 87 in the tank. I've never had an emissions test but I think it will pass now. I'm already on Mobile 1 oil. Still haven't changed the front tire. My back one is GYTT 205/60-16, but won't need the wet traction as much down there. :) Really looking forward to the "ride, ride, ride" part.

It was 104 yesterday, it's supposed to be 108 on Wednesday and it hasn't even gotten "hot" here yet. It will be over 100° here everyday until mid-September. That's hard to get used to. What I found even harder to get used to is the fact that in the summer you go outside at midnight and it's still over 100° out. Logically, your brain thinks it should cool off when the sun goes down, like it does in most places.

My wife has had it with this place. She hates it here and wants to move.

Where to?

[ponch]

As I said in another thread, California has great weather. If the politics were better, I'd consider it. I was up in Sanata cruz last week. 50-52 at night, 65-70 during the day, dry and it's like that 9 months out of the year. The roads are incredible, at least compared to Iowa. I had my Suburban going through some of those turns...it was like a hippo on dancing with the stars. I with I had my bike here.

[cactusjack]

It was 104 yesterday, it's supposed to be 108 on Wednesday and it hasn't even gotten "hot" here yet. It will be over 100° here everyday until mid-September. That's hard to get used to. What I found even harder to get used to is the fact that in the summer you go outside at midnight and it's still over 100° out. Logically, your brain thinks it should cool off when the sun goes down, like it does in most places.

My wife has had it with this place. She hates it here and wants to move.

Where to?

She's mentioned Portland, Denver, even going back to Salt Lake City. The problem is I am a senior level IT professional, and it's tough to find a decent job at my age when they can hire young people whose ink isn't dry on their diplomas yet for a lot less.

Plus, I have a fully-funded pension and now may have insurability issues due to my recent medical troubles. So it may not be economically feasible to relocate, at least not at this time.

[blowndodge]

something will turn up Scott.

Even though I work for the state and have 10 year we are cutting back too. I never know if our facility is on the chopping block. Fortunately a seasoned legal person of college boneheadedness is always employable in my field.

In your case, now is the time to look into better geographic locations (weather) and income, bennies, etc.... Something should turn up..

[markclark57]

Thanks guys, Got the re-map done with 87 in the tank. I've never had an emissions test but I think it will pass now. I'm already on Mobile 1 oil. Still haven't changed the front tire. My back one is GYTT 205/60-16, but won't need the wet traction as much down there. :) Really looking forward to the "ride, ride, ride" part.

It was 104 yesterday, it's supposed to be 108 on Wednesday and it hasn't even gotten "hot" here yet. It will be over 100° here everyday until mid-September. That's hard to get used to. What I found even harder to get used to is the fact that in the summer you go outside at midnight and it's still over 100° out. Logically, your brain thinks it should cool off when the sun goes down, like it does in most places.

My wife has had it with this place. She hates it here and wants to move.

Awesome, I should have our 5 bed 2 bath ready and on the market in about 6 weeks. With Microsoft and Boing within minutes. We could just swap locations. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ponch]

Where to?

She's mentioned Portland, Denver, even going back to Salt Lake City. The problem is I am a senior level IT professional, and it's tough to find a decent job at my age when they can hire young people whose ink isn't dry on their diplomas yet for a lot less.

Plus, I have a fully-funded pension and now may have insurability issues due to my recent medical troubles. So it may not be economically feasible to relocate, at least not at this time.

Colorado is nice. I've never been to Portland, I hear it rains a lot. As far as SLC goes, I've only been through there once and we did stop at Park City. I was surprised at the aggressiveness of the drivers. Almost as bad as NY and that's saying a lot. Nouveau riche came to mind too. Of course, I am sure YMMV.

I hear you on the age thing. as far as the health issues go, if it's a group policy, they usually have to take you.

[cactusjack]

She's mentioned Portland, Denver, even going back to Salt Lake City. The problem is I am a senior level IT professional, and it's tough to find a decent job at my age when they can hire young people whose ink isn't dry on their diplomas yet for a lot less.

Plus, I have a fully-funded pension and now may have insurability issues due to my recent medical troubles. So it may not be economically feasible to relocate, at least not at this time.

Colorado is nice. I've never been to Portland, I hear it rains a lot. As far as SLC goes, I've only been through there once and we did stop at Park City. I was surprised at the aggressiveness of the drivers. Almost as bad as NY and that's saying a lot. Nouveau riche came to mind too. Of course, I am sure YMMV.

I hear you on the age thing. as far as the health issues go, if it's a group policy, they usually have to take you.

I have been to Portland on business a few times. It's a gorgeous place. When I was there, I saw rain, snow, fog, hail and sunshine all in the same day. I wouldn't mind living there.

Colorado is probably my first choice. I am a Broncos fan, and I'd love to see a game at Invesco Field. Denver seems to have a milder winter than Salt Lake, since it's on the other side of the Rockies. Winter storms come into Salt Lake and stall against the 11,000 mountains on the east side of the valley, and just dump snow. I don't ski anymore, so I couldn't care less about snow.

Salt Lake City would be my last choice. I lived there for 40 years and while it's a nice place, a certain religious group has the state in an iron grip. I'm used to buying Powerball tickets at the convenience store and buying liquor in the grocery store on Sundays. Neither of which is possible in Utah. ::)

Honestly, I wouldn't mind relocating. Yes, I might lose the ability to ride 12 months a year, but I wouldn't burn my hand opening my car door in July, either.

[blowndodge]

If you did move to Colorado and couldn't ride during the winter you know you'd be fodder for everyone who's noses you rubbed in the snow about riding all year round don't you?!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ponch]

If you did move to Colorado and couldn't ride during the winter you know you'd be fodder for everyone who's noses you rubbed in the snow about riding all year round don't you?!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

If he moved south of Denver, the winters are milder. Probably milder than I get in Iowa. I think Colorado Springs gets over 300 days of sunshine a year. What snow they do get goes away fast. Something to consider.

[markclark57]

You can usually ride 12 months a year in the Puget sound area as well. Just need a full face helmet, lots of "rian-X" and a heated liner set to get away with it. There are some times that ice/snow keep you in the garage, but they rarely last the whole month.
I'll still gladly trade 4 +/- months of necessary A/C for the local 8-9 months of 24/7 heating my house with a furnace and freezing my A** of on my motorcycle. :)

[audiogooroo]

If you did move to Colorado and couldn't ride during the winter you know you'd be fodder for everyone who's noses you rubbed in the snow about riding all year round don't you?!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

If he moved south of Denver, the winters are milder. Probably milder than I get in Iowa. I think Colorado Springs gets over 300 days of sunshine a year. What snow they do get goes away fast. Something to consider.
Ponch is right. 300 days of sun per year here in the Springs. And we haven't had any real measurable snow in ten years. Even when we do get a foot of snow, It's usually gone in 24-48 hours. I know several guys who ride year round. The only reason I don't is that, while it may reach the high fifties or even sixty degrees in January, I go in early enough that it's only in the teens when I would ride to work. While I've got the cold weather gear, and have done it, it's just not worth it ...not to me anyways. YMMV.

[wiz]

The riding is great in Kentucky and the winters are fairly mild too, especially for somebody like me from NE Iowa. There are so many day rides through spectacular twisty two lanes in very good shape with very little traffic. The job market seems to be soft everywhere but the cost of living is pretty low in the Bluegrass. I would not mind retiring just a bit south of here and north of Florida and the gulf. I do not miss Iowa's crap gravel roads and a curve or elevation change is pretty rare there.

I have not yet seen the bike that needs no mods, but I do know people who somehow keep their bikes stone cold stock. Maybe moditis is a genetic thing? :)

[ponch]

The riding is great in Kentucky and the winters are fairly mild too, especially for somebody like me from NE Iowa. There are so many day rides through spectacular twisty two lanes in very good shape with very little traffic. The job market seems to be soft everywhere but the cost of living is pretty low in the Bluegrass. I would not mind retiring just a bit south of here and north of Florida and the gulf. I do not miss Iowa's crap gravel roads and a curve or elevation change is pretty rare there.

I have not yet seen the bike that needs no mods, but I do know people who somehow keep their bikes stone cold stock. Maybe moditis is a genetic thing? :)

Damn straight the roads are straight in Iowa. Same back home on LI too. As far as moditis goes, it's not completely genetic. There are environmental factors that educate one to seek something more complete. Nothing is perfect, but you can get a lot closer.

[cactusjack]

You can usually ride 12 months a year in the Puget sound area as well. Just need a full face helmet, lots of "rian-X" and a heated liner set to get away with it. There are some times that ice/snow keep you in the garage, but they rarely last the whole month.
I'll still gladly trade 4 +/- months of necessary A/C for the local 8-9 months of 24/7 heating my house with a furnace and freezing my A** of on my motorcycle. :)

More like 7 months of necessary a/c, but you were close. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[blowndodge]

Sounds Heavenly.................

[wiz]

Damn straight the roads are straight in Iowa. Same back home on LI too. As far as moditis goes, it's not completely genetic. There are environmental factors that educate one to seek something more complete. Nothing is perfect, but you can get a lot closer.

After bitching about Iowa, I should add that the people are great. That is a big redeeming feature! Everybody from Iowa is smart and good looking! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[ponch]

Sounds Heavenly.................

More like the other place.

[ponch]

Damn straight the roads are straight in Iowa. Same back home on LI too. As far as moditis goes, it's not completely genetic. There are environmental factors that educate one to seek something more complete. Nothing is perfect, but you can get a lot closer.

After bitching about Iowa, I should add that the people are great. That is a big redeeming feature! Everybody from Iowa is smart and good looking! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

Is that natural born or naturalized Iowans? ;)

[markclark57]

You can usually ride 12 months a year in the Puget sound area as well. Just need a full face helmet, lots of "rain-X" and a heated liner set to get away with it. There are some times that ice/snow keep you in the garage, but they rarely last the whole month.
I'll still gladly trade 4 +/- months of necessary A/C for the local 8-9 months of 24/7 heating my house with a furnace and freezing my A** of on my motorcycle. :)

More like 7 months of necessary a/c, but you were close. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

After spending some time in the Phoenix area, Patricia and I agreed on mid 90's + before the A/C comes on after peak hours.

I based my previous statement on that + lots of weather data. My honey is a research-a-holic.

We've had family there for decades trying to get us to relocate. We finally gave in, mostly due to real estate/finance/job changes.