Nostalgia and Inherited Design: My Fishtail Obsession Fulfilled

It's been a little more than two years since my Dad passed away and only around six months since I sold the last of his excess vehicles. The empty driveway and garage have become sobering reminders of the fragile lives we all lead. What becomes painful to realize is that everything we acquire during our lives will slowly be sold off or thrown away when we pass on. The most beneficial way to collect junk is to do so with junk that will hold value. There is no doubt that this is what Dad did for us and I am very grateful.

Aside from his larger possessions, Dad didn't keep much junk around the house. Every room in the house, save for the basement, was pretty void of needless possessions. There was no newspaper collection or room packed with empty boxes, but rather just some personal effects that had been left over. In each room we found some magazines from the 60's and 70's along with small items like belt buckles or old stamps. All in all, we filled less than 2 boxes full of items. 

Nothing really changes. 

I think that things like catalogues and sales ads provide an interesting blast of nostalgia to everyone. It's always fun when someone online posts an old sales ad from Toys r Us or Best Buy that really illustrate the trends at the time and what looked like very low prices. Buried within Dad's repair and service manuals was a catalogue for Harley Davidson from 1963. Within its pages are tons of accessories for not only the bike but the rider as well. 

A few things are interesting about this particular catalogue. First, the marketing arm of Harley Davidson really has not changed all that much in the 50+ years since this catalogue came out. The words "power" and "owning the road" appear here as frequently as they do on the modern website. 

The next thing I noticed was the styling. Almost every item in this book focuses on the styling of the bike itself. Like any good accessory maker, Harley has always been a reflection of the values of the time. In this case, everything was a rocket ship. 

To the moon!

The whole idea of the "streamline" design, or making something appear in motion without it actually being in motion, dates back to the late 30's and early 40's when Harley introduced the "EL" or "Knucklehead" bike. The pulled back design of the bike is one that endures and inspires to this day. As the space race was becoming a thing in the 50's, the rocket ship theme became etched into the design of cars and bikes. This was clearly reflected by the continued and refined use of the "fishtail" exhaust. 

The catalogue offers numerous styles of exhaust systems, of which two stand out the most. The fishtail style they offer along with the megaphone system both reflect their time perfectly. They look as though they are about to take off. Digging further into this catalogue shows the same streamline, "blast off" style repeated over and over again.

Even the saddlebags and seats are ready for blast off. 

For some reason this style always appealed to me. Growing up with Dad's 1960 bike imprinted an enduring love for the fishtail design on me. One of the earliest memories I have is my mom holding my hand while she pointed out the fishtail exhaust on the bike before we took one of our once a year trips. These are special to me and was a feature I was looking forward to on my own bike.

The aftermarket dilemma

As mentioned previously in this blog, I replaced the stock mufflers on my bike with a set of Kerker supertrapp mufflers. I really enjoy the sound these mufflers produce. Loud enough to be heard and seen, but not obnoxious. One benefit to these mufflers was that they had removable exhaust tips. Changing to a different tip would be no problem!

...Or so I thought. Aftermarket accessory makers come and go quickly. In a highly competitive field filled with cheap chinese knock-off products, it is not difficult to see why. Kerker itself was bought out by a local company which now only sells one type of muffler with the Kerker branding. Needless to say my desired fishtail exhaust tips were no longer available.

They still exist...barely.

After trolling EBay for about a month solid I finally came back with a positive hit! A guy was selling his used exhaust system on EBay which included fishtail tips! There was just one problem. These pipes were meant for a heritage springer and not a road king. If only he were just selling the tips! I did not want to pay the $100 asking price plus $60 shipping for pipes I didn't need and couldn't use.

The original slash cut tips. Also a great look!

Patiently I waited for about two weeks, watching this auction. When it became clear that no one wanted these used pipes I emailed the seller with a proposition. He agreed to sell the tips only for $50 plus $10 shipping. I was very pleased. I sent him the money and waited....and waited....and finally, today, they arrived! Time to put 'em on!

They are used, after all.

Not too bad, but lots of pitted rust.

Upon arrival my initial inspection of the tips revealed a common problem; surface rust. There was a fair amount of it, but it was nothing terribly bad. I went to the garage to size them up against the current tips. I simply assumed that they would fit without actually knowing. Really, I took a $60 gamble.

Removing the carbon on the inner ring for a better fit was a dirty job.

Luckily it paid off and it was clear they would fit perfectly! My wife and I grabbed some old bumper polish and hit the shop in the basement to clean up the tails!

The amount of surface rust was quickly rubbed out and a fair amount of polish and elbow grease assured these old classics were brought back to a glimmer! It took us around 40 minutes to fully clean and buff the tips and I'm sure you'll agree it was worth it!

I can't wait to get them on!

Installation was surprisingly easy. It would have been a smart move to remove the saddlebags before removing the tips, but I did not have time for rational solutions. Each tip is held by three allen head screws. One on the top (hence saddlebag removal) and one on each side that sits at an angle. Fortunately, all of the screws broke loose with ease allowing me to quickly remove the slash cut tips.

The allen head screw that was most difficult to get to.

Placing the tips took a bit more effort. The left side went on with ease, requiring no modifications or frustration. Each screw found its way back into the hole and threaded with ease. 

The exposed packing of the muffler. 

The right side took a bit longer than anticipated. The tip itself did not want to slide on. Despite everything being identical, for whatever reason it simply would not go. I decided it would need some persuading to work properly. I found a 2x4 piece of wood and a solid hammer. 

A wood block and a persuader. 

Using these tools I gently, but thoroughly hit the hammer into the block of wood against the fishtail. After two hits the tail slipped into place allowing me to insert the screws. 

Don't forget the loctite or you'll lose parts!

The two side screws were easy. I applied blue loctite to the screws and ran them in. The final top screw would not line up. I removed the saddlebag and after much fidgeting, I was able to get the screw to line up. All in all the job took about 25 minutes. 

I'm very pleased with the way they look. The bike is classic enough where they do not look out of place and actually add some much needed chrome to the rear. Although they do not sound as good as I had hoped, they still have their own unique whine. I can't wait to hit the road and give them a real test!

Can't wait to see it in sunlight!

The Personal Touch

The other day I was watching a video on YouTube of a mechanic who works for a Polaris dealership. Each of his blogs usually involve him doing one of two things; either test riding a brand new trade in or taking a longer trip where he rambles on in a motovlog format. I find both to be pretty entertaining and they have definitely taught me a fair amount of differences between makes and models.

One vlog in particular amused me a bit. They had just taken a lower end Harley in for trade so he decided to take it for a test ride. When he pulled back up to the dealership, one of his co-workers was waiting outside. They looked at the bike for a bit, admiring it's clean glimmer before noticing some stickers. The other employee remarked that it wouldn't be a Harley without skull stickers. The vlogger replied back in jest that each skull on a Harley adds 2 horsepower. I had a good chuckle about this.

Over 25,000 ways to add more horsepower!

If you search EBay or go to any of the major aftermarket suppliers you will quickly notice the obsession with the skull motif. There are loads upon loads of accessories and accents that employ the skull in any location imaginable. I didn't realize that it was so popular that it became a parody unto itself.

But that is OK. To each their own. If someone enjoys the skull motif, why not do it? There is certainly a demand for this style of trim. Adding this bit of style to the bike is someone's way of personalizing it. Just because I don't care for it, doesn't mean its stupid.

Everyone has their own idea. I've seen some people insist everything be stock. I've seen some who put brown on black and I've even seen some who think dragons and octopuses airbrushed onto the gas tanks are cool.

You put those on a Harley?

I know it's hard to believe, but as a 30 something year-old male on the internet, I have grown up around videogames. From the early days on the Nintendo Entertainment System to the current generation of PS4, WiiU and Xbox One I have spent a stupid amount of time and money on video games. I wanted to add a small personal touch the bike that would reflect the other part of me that has been so important over the years.

Trying to find the right thing to put on the bike was difficult. I knew whatever I put on it would have to be a vinyl decal. I also knew that the back of the saddlebags was the best location. I wanted whatever I chose to put on the bike to be subdued and blend seamlessly with the structure around it. If I wanted something loud I would have painted the bike.

For awhile I wanted to go with one of the Metal Gear Solid Fox Hound logos. There are lot's to choose from and it was one of the first games I remember hating on the old NES. Oddly, it's a series that became better over time and really was one of the first series my wife and I played through together. Nostalgia alone almost sold me.

My first choice just was not working out.

But there were so many other games. If you head over to Etsy, a store for handmade goods, there is practically no limit as to the decals you will find. I spent a ton of late evenings browsing through pages upon pages of decals, never finding anything I liked.

I'm not sure how but I must have seen something on a Google image search that led me to the Smash Bros. series. This long running franchise pulls characters from all over the Nintendo universe along with numerous 3rd party franchises (including Metal Gear!). This would be perfect. I could have representation from my favorite series in their most minimalist forms. Each series is assigned an icon that reflects an important symbol from the series. These symbols appear as a silhouette behind each character. They would be ideal!

Perfect!

The most useful aspect of Etsy is that many of the sellers will do custom work if you ask. I emailed the lady who ran the shop and asked if she would be willing to do a custom order. She agreed and quickly made and shipped the order. Here is how we applied and measured them.

You only get one chance!

The decals themselves are printed or cut onto clear contact paper using black ink. You can request other colors but black worked best for my bags. A grid paper is then placed on top of the image in order to better align in.

The classic rails of the police model provide the perfect frame!

We decided that the least invasive location for these decals would be the rear of the saddlebags around the guard rails. On the Road King Police models, the guards are an older style that leaves around a one inch gap visible on the rear of the bags.

The bags and decals before application. 

I held the bike upright in place while my wife used a ruler and pencil to lightly draw a 1 inch by 1 inch line across the top and bottom of the rail gap. This line would serve as a guide, letting us know the visible area we could place decals on.

Mario, Yoshi, Kirby, Pokemon, Animal Crossing, Pikmin

We removed the bags from the bike and brought them inside where we had more light. Once inside my wife slowly began the adhesion process. Removing the backs and sticking them on firmly and rubbing for around 1 minute each assured a solid bond. After each decal she would stop to space out the remaining images ensuring she did not go over or under.

Zelda, Earthbound, Metal Gear Solid, Xenoblade, Sonic, Pac-Man

The end result looks fantastic! It is subtle enough where it does not distract from the natural beauty of the bike but clean enough that those who see the symbols will recognize them. As always the black on white look maintains a classic, minimal look that is hard to beat. I'm excited I could add some personal touch to this project and find a creative way to merge my hobbies.

Looking great!

Etsy Store that made my decals - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DesignbyCasey
YouTube Vlogger I enjoy - https://www.youtube.com/user/fzrsmkr

On the Road Again

As per usual, the midwest cannot decide what weather it wants to wear this week. Like an indecisive person in a closet full of clothes, we have experienced low 70's, high winds, torrential rains, mid 50s and even snow. Needless to say, riding has been quite challenging despite it officially being spring.

We have finished the bulk of the work on the bike and it now sits comfortably in my recently cleaned and renovated garage. I ended up taking it home about 2 weeks ago in hopes I would have time and weather to ride. Although there are some other small changes to make, the bike is about where I want it to be. Perhaps it's time to sit back and discuss how the changes have affected how I ride and the performance of the bike.

It sounds like a bike

Perhaps the most noticeable difference was the sound of the bike. We replaced the stock mufflers with a set of Kerker branded pipes. The original plan was to completely replace the whole system, mufflers, headers and fuel pack but we ended up scrapping that idea in favor of lights.

I'm actually relieved I didn't spend the money on exhaust. The sound the Kerkers make is absolutely perfect. It manages to capture the deep hum at idle perfectly, reminding me of Dad's old Knucklehead. It manages to hum loud enough to be heard, but not too much to be obnoxious. I can't believe how well they worked out. I still intend to replace the header pipes eventually but the mufflers will stay regardless.

The 'slash cut' exhaust tips look great but can be dangerous if you're not watching out. 

The most difficult aspect of dealing with the Kerker mufflers is that the company does not exist anymore. It was bought out by an Ohio company which still sells some parts and pipes under the Kerker name, but finding replacement baffles will be difficult. It has also made one of my biggest 'wants' on the list difficult to fulfill.

When I was a very small child, my dad, once a year, would take out his old 1960 Panhead from the garage and take me for a ride. Usually we would end up going to Taco Bell and getting lunch and then heading to a lake at the local park. It was a once a year event that I looked forward to. The bike has fishtail exhaust tips on the mufflers, which is one of the earliest memories I have. My mom was holding my hand outside in front of the garage. Dad rolled out the bike and kicked it over till it started and let it idle. Mom and Dad pointed out the fishy tails on the back of the bike to me. Needless to say, I was excited. To me, it was the coolest thing ever. Ever since then I have wanted fishtail exhaust on my bike.

This would not have been an issue except that Kerker no longer makes them. It was painful and slow but I finally managed to track down a pair of used tips that SHOULD and HOPEFULLY fit my exhaust. Now I play the waiting game.

Comfort for Less

 After clocking in around 500 miles so far I can say, without doubt, that the air ride seat is one of the best setups I have ever ridden on. The seat responds to the road the same way the center post, spring loaded saddle seats from the past do. It bobs along with bumps and shifts in the pavement ensuring your spine and kidneys continue to function normally.

I really, really like this seat. 

What amazes me is how many people do not want this seat. It's never difficult to find this seat on EBay for less than $200. I guess I will never understand the obsession with being cradled in the frame of the bike, sitting on less than 1" of padding while the road rearranges your internal organs. For less than the cost of most quality solo seats, why not use the air ride system? To each their own, I suppose.

The Buck Stops Here

The "buckhorn" style handlebars that currently sit on the bike were also a much welcomed improvement. The stock bars were by no means terrible, but there is no substitute for the comfort afforded by this style of handle bar. We installed a 3" riser sitting on top of the trees that used a very nice looking Harley bar clamp. The horns were then angled back to a comfortable position and the controls were installed and adjusted.

Essentially, my arms are able to rest on the grips while I hold them. They are much wider so my arms sit in a position that would be like sitting in an armchair. This is of course a matter of personal preference but it is the style that I am most accustomed to and the style most will use on their bikes.


Overall?

The bike has been far more comfortable to ride. My back and spine have thanked me ever since the weather broke. It was not difficult to cover 100 miles in one sitting without getting cramped up. The riding position I have now is more similar to the position that I prefered on the older bikes. I sit up higher, my arms rest at my side and I move on a cushion of air with the road. It feels great!

Anything Else?

A couple of things are still coming up. There have been some small additions that I will cover later. Most notably I added a terrible, terrible power port, stuck some decals on the saddlebags and threw on some axle caps. All minor changes but worth discussing nonetheless.

Coming soon: How to nerd up your bike tastefully!

There will always be more. In the world of Motorcycles, there's always something to do!

My Review: Boom! Audio Cruiser Windshield Mounted Amp and Speaker Kit

Looking for a sound system was quite an involved process. The worst judge of sound is the human ear which became painfully evident as soon as I began to look for advice. Hopefully all the time I spent trolling forums, searching YouTube and discovering poorly labeled websites will save you some headache.

First and foremost, this review assumes you run a windshield on your bike or a fairing. If you do not have a windshield, stop now. I do not have enough information on handlebar speakers and I only intend to focus on windshield speakers.

The clean look of the installed speaker. 

The Harley Boom! system is quite expensive. Compared to the EBay specials, this particular setup is costly. You can find the system online for the standard price of $399.95. This is the lowest I ever saw it and it can only be found at official websites or dealerships. Try as I did, I was unable to find it any lower or on any other auction sites. Understand when you go into this purchase there is no real way to save money. If you can live without it or are short on money, just don't buy it.

Who is this system for?
It is important to note that this setup does not have any source. That is, there is no radio built in. All this system provides is a direct connection to the speaker via an AUX cord or what most people know as a headphone jack (3.5mm). Every phone and MP3 player, along with most tablets are equip with this universal port and all of them will plug right in.

This system is for those who want complete control over their music and have a variety of input methods. It is perfect if you prefer to use your smartphone or mp3 player to pump music into the system. And why not? With a capable device there is practically a limitless amount of music to listen to. Services like Pandora, Spotify and IHeartRadio are all viable options. Personally, I prefer to use those services mixed with a personal MP3 collection.

The panel on the right side next to the throttle add control and safety.

This system is NOT for those who just want a simple "turn it on and jam out to the radio" system. Because it lacks an always on source, some older people may not like it as much.

For the tech savvy this product will work fine.

How hard is it to install?

That depends on the bike and the wiring method. I can only discuss what I did with mine and by no means should it be a guarantee that it will work. The speaker itself mounts easily and quickly with provided hardware to the windshield. The amp unit mounts on the front tubes of the chassis with relative ease. The challenge is in the wiring. I used a fish tape to send the wires under the seat and gas tank to the front. I then purchased an adapter from Harley that would allow the system to use the AUX power under the seat. After, it was a simple matter of crimping the switch and hot wires into the adapter and done. The official instructions want you to tap into a relay on the electrical system which was not needed since we went to an aux input instead.

As with anything, if you at all doubt your ability to competently carry out this installation, pay the extra and have the dealer do it, or consult a mechanically savvy friend. It will save you time and headaches.

Overall this was around 6/10 with 10 being the most difficult and 1 being the easiest.

How does it sound?

The big question with lots of small answers. For my tests I used two sources; my cell phone and a new generation IPod Nano. I also ran the speaker in heavy traffic (25-40 MPH), on country roads (45-55 MPH) and on the highway (60-75 MPH). The results? Well it just depends.

When cruising around the city(25-40 MPH), the system had more than enough power to sound clear and crisp. The sound quality, no matter what song, was fantastic. I found a range of sounds from rock to rap sounded great on this system. The source made no difference either. Spotify and IHeartRadio sounded great. The only problem was with the encoding of some of my personal MP3s. Lower quality MP3s became distorted more quickly.

You can use an adjustable bracket to mount a pouch above the speaker. 

On country roads (45-55 MPH) I found that I needed to constantly adjust the volume. It would never become unhearable but it would frequently fade in and out because of the large gains in speed. This is to be expected and is not the speaker's fault. Essentially, I got the same results in this speed range. The speaker was loud enough to be heard but the clarity no matter which source began to become less clear. At this range the speaker was having a more difficult time producing bass notes that sounded clear. Indeed, at this speed do not expect rap or hip-hop to sound too good. Not horrible, but not fantastic bass. Rock and other genres that rely less on bass still sounded great.

The big question I had is the one I'm sure many of you have. After waiting around a month to test it out I finally hit the freeway in the almost-freezing temperatures this evening. I am happy to report that at highway speeds (60-75 MPH) the speaker holds up! Now, did it sound fantastic? No. Of course not. The speakers are simply not that powerful. It sounded acceptable as though you were listening to an MP3 clip on the internet in 1998. It was distorted but the music was still solid. Hip-hop and rap are going to turn a bit messy while other genres will be ok. It's all about that bass.

Really I was just glad that it was still loud enough to be heard when I hit 75 MPH. Impressive.

Other thoughts?

The system really shines for being somewhat affordable and easy to install. But the real added bonus to going this route is the hand controls. On the throttle side you must mount a control panel that includes power and a volume up and down button. This control option was what actually sold me fully on the system. Being able to control the sound without moving your hand off the grip was a great safety bonus for me. I was thrilled. I find it very handy so far and think it adds value to the price. To me it more than makes up for the lack of radio.

I run mufflers on my bike. They aren't as quiet as stock but they aren't as loud as drag pipes. I would say they are an acceptable amount of loudness for a residential area. I was able to hear the speaker clearly over the sound of the mufflers but I cannot guarantee that drag pipes will allow for the same quality.

It's ride tiiiiiiimmmeeee!

Should I buy it?

As usual, it depends. I would absolutely buy it again. I was looking for a sound system under $600 that would sound good on roads and ok on the highway. There are a ton of options out there but this one in particular struck a solid balance in terms of sound quality, control, appearance and ease of installation. It is this balance that Harley has achieved with their Boom! sound system that sold me on this package. If I find some negatives or something goes awry with the system I will be sure to update this review and let you know. Otherwise, I would say give it a try!

You can find the speaker at The Official Harley Davidson Store.

Add a Dash of Frustration!

For two glorious days the weather of the midwest looked favorably upon Ohio and granted us 70+ degree weather. This sudden and unexpected gift created a frustration that was difficult to ignore. I had just ordered some additional parts for the bike assuming the weather was not going to be nice. Realizing I was a solid 6 days out from receiving these parts I decided to, uncharacteristically, display some restraint and not run to my uncles to take the bike out.

Trying to complete the black and white look of the bike was taking more time than I imagined it would. Everytime we added another small piece of black trim we then realized something else needed to be black. We decided after our last saturday wrenching session that two things needed to be blacked out; the horn cover and the dash.

Stretched out and cheap looking.

The dash isn't exactly a large board. It's more like an instrument panel that sits on the tank and completes the look. For some reason the Road King takes a huge departure in terms of design from it's older brother. Gone are the "cat's eye" indicators and the small style dash. Instead, the Road King opts for a longer piece of pot metal, chromed and stretched down like a bib across the gas tank. It does not look terrible but feels like it doesn't belong on a Harley. 

That is soo 1960's!

As for the horn, well, it's a cover. It is chrome by default and is rubber mounted as it sits on the left side of the bike suspended between the two cylinders. By changing out this cover and the dash it was hoped that the black and white look would be complete. 

Just the right amount of black on this side. 

The Easy Part

I always assume that buying the items is the easy part to every job. I was very mistaken. My uncle had ordered numerous black gloss powdercoated items from a man in Michigan. He said that this person did good work and shipped fast. I managed to track this person down and EBay and sure enough, he had lot's of stuff. I found the dash and the horn cover I needed and quickly purchased them. It is important to note that I purchased the dash on a Wednesday and the horn cover on a Saturday. 

A few days pass and it's the weekend again. The dash had not shipped yet, which was odd, but I didn't really worry. Then on Monday I received an Email saying the horn cover had shipped and was given a tracking number. I was confused. If I ordered the dash on Wednesday of last week and the horn cover on Saturday, why wouldn't they both just ship at the same time? Further, why would the item I ordered later not ship later as well? I assumed that the seller had a problem receiving my payment so I decided to send an email to see if everything was well. Here is the answer I received;

Please Click to read and be as confused as I was.

What the hell?

I have no idea what I did to warrant a rant like I got but it was really impressive. I don't understand why he would lie to me? Why tell me you just got off the road from a well deserved vacation but somehow manage to ship an item out a day earlier even though you weren't home. Even worse is that the shipping times are stamped from Michigan and during the day. Unless he traveled at light speed from Daytona in order to ship the horn cover, he is lying. I did not bother responding to him. Obviously someone who would lie about such mundane issues has bigger fish to fry. 

I eventually got both pieces delivered by Friday so they would be ready for fitment on Saturday. Of course the dash had a scratch on it but I didn't bother emailing the seller. I'm sure he would have lots of reasons why it didn't have that scratch on it. Since I don't have any real repercussion (EBay always sides with the seller and often removes negative feedback) I decided the best way to protest was by not giving him any more of my money. 

Never an Easy Job

My uncle was going to be a bit late but we decided to forge ahead without him. All that was remaining was to place two saddlebag inserts, insert two reflectors on the front bumper, tighten the highway pegs down, change the horn cover and change out the dash. That sounds like a lot but it only ended up lasting around 5 hours.

Fresh black plastic strips make the saddlebags look new again! 

The horn cover came off begrudgingly after I fought with the rubber mounting for a bit. Since it sits on a piece of rubber with a washer to absorb the vibration, I found it useful to have my wife hold the horn assembly in place while I turned the acorn nut with a socket. After that 3 simple bolts held it in place and it were easily removed and placed into the new one. The whole event was uneventful and took around 15 minutes.

The stock vs. powder coat. 

The endurance test came with the dash. Removing it from the bike is easy. Remove the screw and the acorn nut from the dash, lift slowly and as you life disconnect the 3 power jumpers that run into each part of the dash. There are 3 total, one for ignition, one for the speedometer and finally one for the instrument panel. 

The naked tank. Notice all the wiring that is hidden under the dash.

Once the dash is off you can remove the speedometer by gently pulling back on the three tabs of the black plastic ring holding it in. Once you remove those 3 tabs the speedometer will fall out along with the rubber ring holding it in place. Don't loose that ring and don't damage the speedometer. 

Four small hex head screws hold the ignition switch in place. Simply remove them with a nut driver. 

Finally, the instrument cluster. This is where the turn signals, bright lights and check engine are displayed. This took awhile. There are 4 tabs that you must use 2 pair of needle nose pliers on to slowly work upwards. While doing this it is wise to place a flathead screwdriver underneath the panel and slowly turn it, allowing the torque from the flathead to bend the panel upwards along with your pulling motions. It took awhile but we got it. Once the light housing is out we popped the panel out, filed it down to fit in the new powder coated dash and started the reinstall. 

The end result. Not easily obtained. 

About one frustrating hour later we had the dash back on. There were many reasons why this took so damn long. First, the bolt that holds the top of the dash in place kept moving around on us. It's meant to, I understand, but what a frustrating experience. Second, the tabs that hold the cable harnesses into place weren't there, so we had to hold the wires in place while trying to place the dash on the floating bolt. To top it off the rubber gasket that protects the tank from the metal of the dash kept falling off. Oh, did I mention one of the ignition wires kept falling out of the ignition harness? I don't think I have ever seen 3 people sit around swearing in frustration like that before. Even my wife was pissed off. 

That was it. The bike was ready for take off! Before we even put the tools away I turned it on and flew off for it's first ride in months. Was all the frustration worth it? Yes, yes it was. The look is complete and now I can't wait for the season. 

The almost complete bike along with it's little brother. 

Coming soon: A better photo!

Cap it off!

In my never ending quest to find the most pointless items to change or upgrade on my bike, I have discovered a wealth of objects. Almost everything I have found appears to be completely unnecessary. In no way do most of the items I've attached to my bike make a bit of difference mechanically. This next one's a doozy.

A hobby at this point.

About 2 weeks ago my wife and I decided we needed to take the bike in a different direction...stylistically. We were already adding some black accents on the front by using extra parts my uncle had lying around. Once we changed the air cleaner to black we realized just how good it could look. The high contrast between the white, chrome and powder-gloss black was undeniably sweet looking. It gave the bike personality and brought it into classic-modern territory. Although this was the look I wanted, getting there happened completely by accident.

While having one of our motorcycle starring sessions after completing our work 2 weeks ago, my wife and I decided the best way to break up the white of the tank would be by adding black gas caps. Fantastic! That would look good and compliment the hockey puck latches on the saddlebags. Naturally, I began to look at all the available options.

The air cleaner that broke the camel's back.

Believe it or not, it is very difficult to locate aftermarket black gas caps. There is always a caveat. It seems as though no one makes a simple, clean gas cap. This is further compounded by the fact that the left side is a dummy cap that houses a fuel gauge. You cannot simply change one side, both must go. I looked through all the major players, Arlen Ness, Kuryakyn, Drag Specialties and so on. Nothing. It was shocking to see almost no support for a clean design. I suppose at the prices I saw, it is understandable that people would want something different. Indeed, most of the aftermarket makers will cost around $240-300 for the pair. Looks are expensive.

I finally found my way back to Harley's official website of expensive accessories. At first I simply looked as gas caps. I found a fantastic, gloss black, flush mounted setup for around $200. This not only looked great but also used blue LED lights for the fuel gauge. The only problem? Would not fit my year. It began to fit the Road King in 2004 only. Odd, seeing as they are damn near identical, but I was not willing to make a $200 bet.

After two solid days of stressing and about 10 hours in Google searches I finally, FINALLY, accidently stumbled upon a different listing for Harley's website. There it was, a black, normal looking gas cap. When I clicked on it, the suggested items page showed me the matching fuel gauge. I could not have been any happier. Hiding in plain sight was a matched set of fuel caps that had a clean, official look. They were expensive, still clocking in around $215 after tax, but I was foolishly ready to pay that price after my long and stressful search.

An Actual Quick Job

The right side of tank was obviously an easy install. The left side was slightly, sort of more involved.

Stylish!

I located the jumper for the power leads that sat plugged in under the tank and between the cylinder heads. I unplugged the plug and then cut the connector off the wires, leaving about 2 centimeters of wire on the connector itself in order to identify wire order more easily. Once the connector was gone I lifted the fuel gauge out of the tank through the provided tube.

Pictures along the way help you remember important details.

The actual gauge has the same three wires I cut earlier but with no connector. They do provide a new connector with the cap. I ran the wires through the tank, used the old connector as a guide to insert the new wires and then closed the connector gently with pliers to lock the wires in place. I plugged the connector into the receptacle under the tank and turned the ignition on. Everything worked well! I then pushed the excess wires into the tank tube and moved on to the next project.

Worth it. I think.

It was an expensive proposition but I believe the results are worth it. It gives the bike more symmetry and breaks up the solid white. Now if only I could get that black dash for the tank...

Agonizing Over Sound

Speakers and motorcycles are not a combination that has traditionally mixed well. Unlike a car, there are no enclosures for the sound to bounce and really, it seems like a silly idea. Once in awhile I hear fully loaded tour bikes, such as a Honda Goldwing, blasting the radio, but it seems like a rare occurrence. Even then I wonder how the rider is able to hear the sound once the bike takes off. For quiet bikes, it seems like it would be less than an issue, but Harley's aren't known for their quiet tones. 

I would have never considered an audio system if it wasn't for my uncle. None of dad's bikes ever had a sound system and neither did my old Suzuki. It seemed weird; why would I need or want a sound system? Like most accessories I didn't know I needed it until I thought about it.\

No room for a stereo here!

Obviously no one really NEEDS a sound system on their motorcycle, but I can appreciate the desire. Sometimes the sound of the motor becomes a lonely howl on long rides. It would be nice to have some music to listen to. 

I was surprised to see how popular stereos have become since I was last riding regularly. There are tons of aftermarket companies making systems, along with numerous, very cheap, direct from China speakers that look awful. Just beginning to browse and research different systems became an overwhelming nightmare. 

Essentially, Harley only puts sound systems on bikes equipped with a fairing from the factory. These large plastic pieces that adorn the Road Glide and Street Glide bikes are known for their excellent sound quality even at highway speeds. I really don't care for the look of the fairing, especially the shark nose style. It makes the bike look dated and crowds up the design of the front end. Of course, that is merely my opinion, many love the look of these fairings. I understand why, they allow for far more gadgets and options when it comes to bikes.

The "batwing" fairing adds great sound but additional front end weight. 

Since I didn't want to add a fairing to the bike my options started to become limited. As I continue I will try and explain my research and reasoning that compelled me to purchase the system I went with.

The great stereo hunt!

The first thing you must consider is if you will be running a windshield or not. If you intend to run a shield then congratulations, there are some solid options available. If there won't be a shield your options become slimmer. 

If you run a shield there are two options that stick out. One is to acquire a custom made enclosure from this random guy on EBay named "Ron's Radio Systems". This enclosure mounts to the windshield and can be purchased with or without speakers and a stereo inside, allowing you to customize the options you prefer. Wiring this setup is pretty straightforward as you can attach it to the battery and have it power on with the ignition. 

Difficult to see, but the system my uncle picked. 

This is the set up my uncle went for. As for Pros, it definitely has the most power I heard and the least distortion at high speeds. You also have the options to customize the stereo and speakers and add charging ports and other goodies. Since the enclosure is already made, it's a simple matter of adjusting it to your liking. Nothing too complicated for even the most inexperienced to handle. 

The downside to this setup? The controls for the stereo are not easy reachable where it mounts on the windshield. The way it mounts requires you to remove your hand from the bars and eyes from the road to look and manipulate the stereo. Not a huge problem but not the most safe option. Further, this setup is bulky. Really bulky. It weighs a fair amount and takes up a large amount of space on the windshield. Ultimately, the size turned me off to this particular setup. Also the cost can be quite prohibitive. At $600 for the complete setup, I passed. Oh, as an added bonus the system itself is quite stealable. 

You should also consider if you want a radio or simply a speaker to plug a device into. If you want a radio than it will cost more and come with the added pain of running and mounting an antenna. I don't need one so this wasn't even a concern. I was worried about loudness and sound. 

The next best option I found was the official Harley Davidson BOOM! Audio System. Finding solid information on this particular item is somewhat difficult. At $400 price point, not many had taken the expensive dive to discover how this system sounded. 

What you see is what's in the box.

What was attractive about this setup in particular was the set of hand controls that mounted on the right hand side of the bike near the throttle grip. This panel provides power as well as volume up and down functions. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the clean install it provides. The amplifier gets buried on the front of the frame and the speaker mounts cleanly to the stock windshield. 

I agonized over this choice for well over two weeks. I finally found a YouTube video clearly showing what the speakers are capable of and at what speeds they lose fidelity. It was clear that at most speeds up until 70 MPH they were loud and clear. I had my answer! I decided to take the dive and purchase the official BOOM! Setup. 

I walked out of the dealership on Saturday about $400 poorer but carrying the answer to all those stressful nights researching. I have always been somewhat of a home theatre enthusiast and the last thing I wanted was to have poor quality sound. I suppose that is why I spent countless hours searching YouTube and the internet in general.

Installation

This part of the process was made infinitely easier by some advice I received from my sister's fiancee. Road Kings have an accessory port located under the seat and capped with a rubber plug. This port turns on with the ignition and accessory switch and turns off when not in use. It is also guarded by a 15 amp fuse that is already part of the system. 

This four pin plug is usually reserved to power a car charger or other similar accessory. Therefore, it was no surprise that I had to purchase a charging port I didn't want or need in order to get this adapter plug. Thanks Harley! Well, I can't complain too much since it made the wiring job painless. Normally, one would have to endure the pain of splicing wires off the main harness, but since the accessory port is switched with ignition, we were able to forego all of that. 

$30 for the plug and the adapter when all you really want is the adapter! Well worth the headache if you want a quick install.

The system comes in 2 pieces; the first contains the amp, control panel and harness and the second is the speakers themselves. Placing the amp on the frame was simple. I removed the two plugs in the frame, held the amp in place and tightened the provided hardware. I then ran the wires up along the fork tube and nested them in the nacelle for a bit while I ran the controls. In order to mount them properly you must remove the housing that holds the throttle in place. You must then use the provided screws and spacers to place the controls on the handlebar itself. Nothing too complex here, just make sure you don't pinch wires. 

The system almost completed mounted. Notice the control placement on the right. 

At this point the connectors have to take a trip to the rear of the bike. For this exciting adventure we actually found a point under the tank, but in the frame that we could run an old coat hanger through. We straightened the hanger and then ran it under the tank, attached the harness as tight as possible using electrical tape and then slowly pulled the wiring through to the back. Simple and effective!

The wiring harness has a red wire for power, a black wire for ground and a orange and white wire that is supposed to pick up an active relay on the bike so that the amp shuts down with the power. Since this has a seperate amp it is very important that you DO NOT wire this to the battery directly as it will DRAIN your battery. Either search the main harness for the jumper or buy the adapter like I did.

We ran both the colored wires together into a wiring clip and plugged it into the pigtail for hot. We did the same for the neutral and then tested our experiment. Voila! It worked! Not only did it work, it sounded excellent. 

The speaker tightened into place using the provided hardware and reusing the acorn nuts.

Upon further testing it was clear that the sound quality and loudness of the system depended heavily on the source. Some of my higher quality MP3s could be brought to full volume with no problem. Others struggled to maintain clarity at half volume. It really just depends on what you feed into it.

I am by no means done. I intend to record a video showing the range of sound and what the install looks like as well. I also have more testing and perhaps some modifications to make as well. I am very happy with this purchase but it still remains untested on the road. Consider this post a work in progress as I adapt, learn and experiment with this system. In the meantime, I will field any questions you might have about speaker systems. With so many options, it can quickly overwhelm!

An overhead view of the installed components.