I could kick myself!

I've just completed, what should have been, the final stage in getting the Harley back on the road. Should have been is the operative state of affairs and one which almost sent me into a spiralling depression. (After I had castigated myself as the most incompetent human being ever!)

The problems I had with the alarm system were hopefully going to be sorted with the fitting of a TSM (turn signal module) to replace the TSSM (the same, with a security element). It didn't, but when I worked out where the problem was it turned out to be a loose connection in the ignition connector. That didn't take long to fix although it did mean removing the fuel tank to get at the wiring. While I was there I repositioned the spacers for the tank lift brackets.

That was the straightforward bit of the day's work.

I then went on to fit the front brake discs. They needed a bit of spacing behind the caliper bolts to bring them in line with the discs. All was going well, until I spun the wheel and there was an ominous rubbing noise coming from the discs. At first I hoped it was only the pads rubbing and some more adjustment to the bolts would fix that. Wasn't to be! Even when the pads were pushed back from the discs it was still there.

Eventually I marked the edge of the discs and spun them again. The left hand disc was OK but there was some signs of scuffing on the right one. I confirmed that they were rubbing on the discs by putting some tape on the rim's edge. This was rubbed off with in a couple of rotations.

So, after all the searching and ensuring I was getting the 300mm discs which should fit the Fat Bob front end, what I actually needed all along was the 11.5 inch discs. I think it may be because I'm not using fat bob calipers. 

Whatever, I've now got the expense of buying another set of discs though this time I've got much more choice and may even be able to pick up a second hand pair on e-bay. 

It just means another couple of weeks delay.

started ...

... and then stopped!

I fitted the battery and at first, there was nothing.  The side lights came on and the horn worked with the key turned to the first position but when I turned the key to run there was nothing. The indicators didn't work or speedo light up. I had a quick check of connections and fuses and the next time I turned the key all seemed well. So, I fired up the engine. It started after a couple of tries and ran.

Then, when I switched it off and turned off the ignition, the alarm started sounding. it just wouldn't go off even though I've got a new battery in the fob. I pulled the main fuse and disconnected the battery.

So now I'm going to junk the security module and replace it with a TSM. More money but when that's done it will be yet another piece of electronics less. It's just another set-back but at least i know the bike will run.

I may have to fit an after-market security system to keep the insurance sensible but that's for next year.

TSSM and Siren

and yet so far!

I hooked up the battery via a set of jump leads, put some fuel in the tank and turned it over. What I got was a rapid clicking from the starter solenoid, a couple of coughs as it tried hard to fire then a flat battery.

Having read up a bit since then (with the battery on charge) I reckon that the fact I had long leads meant there probably wasn't enough juice getting to the starter to turn it over enough.

So on Sunday I headed back out to the garage with a freshly charged battery. As I was opening the doors I could smell an ominous scent of petrol! One of the connections to the cross-over pipe hadn't been tightened fully and a load of the contents of my newly filled tank were spreading across the floor and a box of rags in the puddles way was nicely damp with unleaded.

Discretion, they say is the better part of valour so I left the doors open while I tidied up and then went off to watch the Wimbledon men's final. (well done Andy Murray)

So, it will be next weekend before I can try starting once more. After that set-back the e-mail I got in reply to my query about where my brake discs were didn't really come as a further surprise. A further six to eight weeks waiting time was enough for me to cancel that order and go googling again. I came across OEM floating discs which are cheaper than the original stock ones for the Fat Bob. So, they're now on order and all I can do now is re-cross my fingers and get ready to wait once more!