WD 40

Isn't it just wonderful stuff.

I have just removed the side reflectors from the lower fork legs and the fender struts. I read a tip on the net and tried it out.

"First heat the reflector (works on tank decals etc as well) with a heat source like a hairdryer or heat gun.Then run a length of fishing line or dental floss behind the reflector to remove the adhesive backing.

Any residue can be removed using WD40."

I didn't have a heat source, (to be more precise I've no power for the heat source in my garage) so I missed that stage out. The rest worked well though I had to employ a bit of scraping with my fingernails to remove some of the more dogged bits of adhesive.
So I've got fork lowers with no trace of those silly looking orange things.
Now, should I remove the tank badges?

cheap as chips?

That could be used to describe the quality of build of the americana 2 bike lift.

Only because of one part mind you. The bottle jack is a cheapo chinese mass produced one. Even so it should work OK.

The gripe I have is with one of the two safety bars.

When I went to assemble the lift I tried to fit the safety bars and bolt on the connecting arm. That was when I noticed that one of the bars fitted but the other had the holes for the connecting arm drilled in the wrong place. They were on the wrong face of the square bar.

I pondered returning the lift or at least phoning up the supplier for a replacement bar but decided that it would be so much easier just drilling new holes myself.

So I did and the lift now works perfectly!

just too quick

I was out and about yesterday when I got a call on my mobile.

It was a delivery company driver to say that he was at my door with a parcel. It has since turned out to be my Americana 2 bike lift. I ordered it on-line on Wednesday, got an e-mail to say that it would be delivered within 2-3 days and a tracking number would be forwarded to me. That arrived afer the lift did the first time!

Anyway, I managed to re-arrange delivery for today and so I've now got my lift in the garage just waiting to be used.

I finally decided on the Americana as opposed to the Clarke. This was as much to do with cost and availability as to functionality. Though, the hand release on the Americana, as opposed to the  combined  raising and lowering mechanism, by foot pedal, on the Clarke seemed to be a better option.
I ordered it, with free shipping, from V-twin Mania and the speed it got  here will no doubt encourage me to use them again.

I've also cancelled my order from Brakes4U for the stainless brake lines. Nothing at all to do with the company, they were especially helpful. It's just a job I'm going to have to think about before beginning.

Next week I'm off work so will be able to spend some time in the garage doing some of the thing I've been talking about.

Will let you know how things go soon.

I could scream

More problems with my brake lines.

When I looked at the lines to measure them up I realised, once again, that HD have ensured that replacement parts will not be easy to fit to their machine.

Replacing the brake line will by no means be as straightforward as I had hoped. Apart from having the brake light switch integrated into and operated by pressure from the line, the brake line itself is in three parts. There's a rigid, formed pipe leading from the master cylider. That is crimped onto a length of rubber hose which goes into the switch and then another length of plastic line to the caliper.

I looks as though the whole system will need to be replaced as a unit. That is unless I can work out a way to put one together using aftermarket parts to replace the Harley ones, especially the switch and rigid tubing.

But, as the route it takes will mean removal of the brake lever. exhaust pipes and who knows what else, I have decided to just replace the front line for now and do the rear one when I can get to a shop which will design and fit a replacement.

delays and indecisions

I've been hanging about the house for two days awaiting the arrival of several packages.

OK, I've also been ill so I wouldn't have been able to do anything with my bits 'n' pieces if they had come.

Guess what? As soon as I left the house for twenty minutes today the postman had been and left a card.

So tomorrow morning I will go and collect my turn signals and stainless fasteners. I know that's what they are as I got a phone call from Brakes4U to say that Goodridge no longer do the kit I've ordered (WTF... it's for a '09 model!).

So now I've got to measure the lines, take a picture of the banjo bolts and e-mail them in order for them to get it right and get a set built by HEL.

I've no idea what HEL lines are like so should I take the chance and just get them to go ahead or should I get my money back and try somewhere else?

The post script to this is, that having done a bit of research, I've decided that HEL seem to be every bit as good as Goodridge. So I've decided to go for them. They are also a bit less expensive. So, as Brakes4U are getting the rear set made up, I'll get them to manufacture the front as well. I'll just have to make a guesstimate and get them 2" longer than stock and hope that's long enough for my new bars, when I get them.

manual

I was browsing the 'net looking for tips on bleeding my brakes for when I come to change the lines when I happened across a site offering Harley Manuals for download.

They're not free as I noticed once before on a site which has since been taken down but they are not that expensive either.

The manual for my FXSTB cost me $7.99, about £5.50 at current exchange rates. It is in PDF format and I've now got it on my computer to print off pages as and when I need them.

It's really straightforward. Follow the link to the right for Tradebit, go to the "browse files" section and then type your bike model into the search box.

strike!

Much as I support the postal workers in their struggle to protect their terms and conditions, I just wish the strike action wasn't taking place while I'm awaiting a delivery of bike parts!

I've got my rear turn signals, a stainless fastener kit and a Goodridge rear brake line kit winging their way, sometime, to me.

The stainless fasteners will be something for me to replace, bit by bit over the winter months, so I'm not really in a hurry for them. The turn signals on the other hand are a different priority. I am waiting for those in order to finish fitting my sissy bar. I'm still not entirely sure that the RBS mini bullet signals will fit with my side plates without the relocation kit.

As for the stainless brake lines. I've only gone for the rear at the moment as I will most definately replace my bars in the near future and will wait to see if the stock length lines fit before ordering either a front kit or get one made up. It will be good to see how they look as I've ordered black coated ones. I've had Goodridge lines on a bike before and the difference in stopping power was well worth the cost.

Just not too sure how they will look.

another step

I picked up my side-plates and sissy bar yesterday.

I can't use them yet as I haven't got round to fitting the mounting kit. In true Harley style, buying one part necessitates the purchase of another. The mounting kit is in white metal but as the side-plates and sissy bar are wrinkle black I'm considering blacking them out, either by painting or trying to strip them down and getting the metal parts powdercoated.

In my last post I talked about RBS bullet LED indicators. I've since found a site which sells them as pairs so I'm going to go with the rear ones first. Then, once they are fitted I can take my time (and save up the cash!) before deciding whether to have them black, back and front or if having black at the rear and shiny up front is a "look" or a mistake!

At least having made a decision on the indicators has meant I've saved some money on the turn signal relocation kit.