[dkaile]

2nd Service - 8000km (5000 miles) Service - 30-11-2015

As the bike had crossed the 8k mark I decided to get the service done.


Now going to Gurgaon from Meerut to get the bike serviced is a big hassle. And since none of my other bikers required serviving, calling a technician to Meerut just for a single bike would have been a costly affair. As these bikes have a reputation for easily serviceability, and armed with some DIY YouTube videos, I decided to give it a plunge myself. A phone call and money transfer to the Service department at Capital Harley was all that was required to get all the parts by courier.


Total cost of parts was 5545/-. Besides these I also got some warranty claimed parts worth 13k which was the Exhaust Actuator and Cable (see my previous posts), the problem for which I had already solved by tying just a metal wire... lolz. Kept them for some other day.


Now servicing a Harley bike requires a typical Oil Filter opening wrench. I tried making a 'jugaad' with locally available wrenches but they did not seeem to work properly. So invested another 766 bucks to get this -






A oil pan was sourced or to be frank, "jugaaded" out of a Plastic Inverter Battery tray


These videos helped -

How to change all 3 oils on a Harley Softail - (Yes, 3 oil drains need to be opened and a total of 5L or 5 Quarts (946ml = 1 Quart) to be exact, is needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4qXBw-a2sE

How to clean/wash the Harley Air Filter - (as mine was not K&N, I just followed till the washing advice and did not spray any oil)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGJttO9InGY

How to open the spark plugs on a Harley -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btj8ivmGl7k

How to clean the spark plugs -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-p1xPYCTzQ

How to adjust the clutch -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_vjd0GtCk

Location of the main engine oil drain plug -


A close up (required a 16mm spark plug socket to open all 3 drain plugs)


Location of the 6 speed Transmission Oil drain plug is quite typical and between the 2 hidden rear suspension




And last but not the least is the Primary Chaincase and Clutch adjustment cover drain plug on the opposite side


All the 3 drain plugs are similar, magnetic to collect any debris and fitted with O-Rings, which I changed


The main Engine Oil being drained (takes in 3 Quarts)


The Primary Crankcase being drained (takes in 1 quart, while the transmission takes in 28 ounces or about 850 ml)


The Air Filter was removed


Washed with lukewarn water after soaking/agitating in mild detergent for 10 minutes


A much cleaner air filter


The Oil filter removed before replacing with another 'chrome' one


The Primary Cover was opened up for filling the oil as well as adjusting the clutch as per the video


Some of the tools required


Besides this the Spark Plugs were also thoroughly cleaned. They were burning with balanced combustion as supposed to as per the white/gray/tan powdery deposit upon them. Also lubrication of the cables and side stand was done by the trusty old WD 40.

A nice work out. Cheers...

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by dkaile

2nd Service - 8000km (5000 miles) Service - 30-11-2015

A nice work out. Cheers...

Fantastic...and more importantly very well documented. Will be watching your thread for more of such DIY

[dkaile]

Paonta Sahib - Mussourie Ride - 637kms - 04/05-12-2015

Was planning to pay homage at Paonta Sahib since long, so planned this longish road trip. Route taken was Meerut - Baghpat - Sonepat -Karnal - Yamuna Nagar - Paonta Sahib - Dehradun - Mussourie - Haridwar - Najibabad - Bijnor -Meerut

In the meanwhile had received the Air Filter Gasket which I found to be torn up during the servicing and one of the Clutch Cover (Primary Cover) screws whose head I found to be slightly damaged. Must commend the Service Department at Capital Harley, which promptly dispatches these small parts to outstation customers and mine were even done on complimentary basis.



So with 8374kms on the odo we kicked off


2 of the 3 bikes ready


The bikes always cause traffic jams wherever we are forced to make unscheduled stops like this railway crossing for instance, especially in rural area


The final stretch of road to Paonta Sahib was a real gem


Finally paid the long overdue homage


Reached our hotel at Mussourie with dusk approaching,, surprisingly was quite empty and hence pleasureful


It was a longish 381 km ride with some fantastic winding roads


Descending the next day after a hearty breakfast


The roads were fantastic and quite empty


Got some love at Jai Mata Restaurant en-route... lolz


That concluded a hard ridden 637km round trip


And the bike crosses the 9k mark


Planning to do some solo riding also in the near future to test my endurance.

Cheers...

[dkaile]

FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE

During the recent NHR to Chandigarh I had been stopped by the Chandigarh Police due to the missing Front Registration Plate. Now with stricter enforcements coming in, decided to get the FRP fixed. Asked a quote from Capital Harley and received a absolute shocker -



11k for a number plate!! I asked them whether it was made of gold...lolz. Asked them to send me over some photographs -







Seemed quite flimsy and ordinary and decided to tackle the job myself -





Total cost 30/- bucks + another 30/- for the letters.

Now was discussing the same on my Heritage Forum and came to know that some owners had faced that the number plate was causing a DENT on the front fender if it goes to a extreme pothole! Now that seemed worrying. So reversed the clamps to raise the position of the number plate in line with the connecting bar of the auxiliary lights. Also changed the nuts (no. 8) to a little shorter ones so as to not scratch anything at the back.



The number plate is still a few mm above the existing connecting bar, which incidentally never hit the front fender, so it is safe to assume that neither will this.


The previous position -


To the new one -


Hopefully I have made my bike fully compliant with the existing road laws.

Cheers...

[Urban_Nomad]

I absolutely love your thread. Now I am not a Harley fan, but it is always a pleasure to see someone truly enjoy their 2 wheeled beauty ..... and RIDE IT as opposed to just let it adorn the garage

Nice posts on the DIY. Always good to see a biker who does not mind getting his hands dirty. Although admittedly, I am a total noob when it comes to working with tools

[dkaile]

Been a little busy since the last 3 months and hence could not update the thread. In the meanwhile received a few goodies -

First I got a Dynavolt Battery Charger from Ali Express - http://www.aliexpress.com/item/12V-C...325926316.html Costed me 37$ landed (approx 2600/-) . No duties were charged and it reached me in approx 20 days.

Well packed from China, received through Registered India Post


The box


Specifications


Features. I must appreciate that the quality is quite good. And it is capable of charging a vast variety of batteries.


The unit and the accessories. The SAE port connects directly to my already fitted charging cable in the Harley.


The charging console. The OK light turns green when the charging completes. Different modes for 2 wheeler, 4 wheeler and higher capacity batteries.


It matches and exceeds the original Harley charger at 1/3rd the cost.

---------------

Next I got the Exhaust Actuator fitted which I had received free of cost under warranty. Their mechanics were visiting Meerut to service other bikes and they fitted it free of charge.



But as usual shoddy workmanship. They missed fitting one of the saddle bag mount bolts, which I noticed later.


So again purchased some more Torx tools


And everything's back to normal


Planning to get a Fender Bib from Mustang in case I decide to remove the pillion seat.


In the meanwhile also visited the Auto Expo and IBW 2016 at Goa. Biut that's another story all together.


Cheers...

[dkaile]

Grasshopper Rider Backrest (Quick Detach Type)

Was feeling my back straining on 500 plus rides as the heavy bike does take a toll. So on advice of my fellow riders ordered a Rider Backrest from Grasshopper Limited, US of A - http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/ha...y-2007-and-up/

They specialise in backrests for a number of cruisers and they employ simple engineering to make a fine product. Product was available with or without studds and also with or without a back pocket. I ordered a Studded one to match my bike but without a back pocket (91$). Total landed cost at Meerut was 136$ (Rs. 9766/-). No duty was charged. Was shipped on 2nd March and reached me today, out of which the last 7 days were spent in Indian Customs.



Came through US Priority Mail The box was opened and resealed.


Simple Engineering


A bracket connects to the 2 existing seat bolts (hidden) and then it can easily be attached or removed in a jiffy. A little elctrical tape was attached to seat it properly and also it does not wiggle out easily (to prevent theft)




The Throne






With the Windshield attached


Cheers...

[KhalDrogo]

Mr. Dhiraj, a query, from the pictures, the backrest looks to intrude well into the seat area. Doesn't it push you forward into the seat, closer to the tank?

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

a query, from the pictures, the backrest looks to intrude well into the seat area. Doesn't it push you forward into the seat, closer to the tank?

Well actually it fits me beautifully along the natural curve of the back. It may look to push forward in the picture but in practice it doesn't and in fact helps to keep your back straight which was earlier gaining a slouching posture working on my sciatic nerve. Also there is a 1~2 inch flexing movement available in the backrest and it is not rock hard stuck. I had also informed them my height and weight beforehand as they provide the service to give the apt curvature accordingly. Also the 7th picture on the above post gives the correct view as to where your touchie would rest and the backrest angle. Further a long ride is needed to validate its comfort levels.

[KhalDrogo]

That's great if it's a good fit for you. It looks beautiful with all the studs at the back. If it's not too much of a hassle, can you share the setup you use for your helmet camera? I remember seeing a video from your superlow with the cameraounted on the helmet. Thanks in advance

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

If it's not too much of a hassle, can you share the setup you use for your helmet camera?

Though I don't use the helmet camera anymore, I had posted the details about that action camera on my Harley Superlow thread here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/superb...ml#post3425162 . Hope that helps.

Cheers...

[dkaile]

भारत माता की जय!! 240 km Solo Sunday Ride to Moradabad



Reached Gajraula in no time


Some roads were bumpy




Reached Moradabad in less than 2 hours






Some nice but dying water bodies en-route


240 kms smooth ride


Back home safe. The backrest was very comfortable.


Cheers...

[dkaile]

10000 kms - 03-04-2016

Completed 10000 kms today on my Red Riding Hood... lolz



It was on our Sunday Ride to Gajraula today. Nice 250 kms ride.


Had to extend it solo to complete the 10k mark


My partners in crime




Well deserved caffeine shot


Cheers...

[Vikram_agg]

Dhiraj sir your thread is like a manual about how one should approach riding a harley, more that superb to say the least. I have been following it for more than 2 years now. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind answering. The custom gear shift linkage rod, how did you get it made and how did you manage to get the harley logo on it. Also I saw you have upgraded your riding shoes as well which also bear your name, kindly shed some light on those as well.
Thanks

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Vikram_agg

The custom gear shift linkage rod, how did you get it made and how did you manage to get the harley logo on it. Also I saw you have upgraded your riding shoes as well which also bear your name, kindly shed some light on those as well.

Thanks for the kind words. Both were made by fellow Heritage Riders who excel in their individual line of work related to the items they have made for us. This kind of customization cannot be bought with money but with passion and camaraderie, though we insisted to pay them their actual costs. I doubt that if these can be replicated for non heritage owners, though I can try for the linkage road but only for the Softails.

Cheers...