DIY - Relocation of Dyna Indicator Lens and Turn Signals

Ever since I bought my 2008 Dyna Low Rider (FXDL), I have struggled with aftermarket parts because the indicator lens is on the bar clamp. Such an annoying place to have it. I have always wanted to move it, just didn't really know how. The new 2016 FXDL models ditched the indicator lens on the clamps. They moved the indicators into the speedo dash. Genius! Wish they had just done that with prior models and called it a day. Instead, here is what I had to do to move it to my dash, but not in my speedo.

This is the OE location of the indicator lens on my 2008 FXDL, right on the handlebar clamp.

The plan is to move the indicator lens from the clamp and position it between the speedo and tach. Dead center between the two bolts.

Now it's time to take everything apart. You start buy unscrewing the two bolts on the dash and the one just under the seat. You will have to remove the seat, and when you do I suggest disconnecting the battery for safety. Once all the screws are out, the dash then is loose. Just pull up on it and begin disconnecting the wiring harness plugs. For the speedo button, you will have to unscrew it. Keep the rubber outside peace on a safe place and then push the wire part through the dash. That way now everything is disconnected. At that point, you will have a free dash, that you can now move to your work bench or table. 

  

Your next step is to remove your handlebar clamp. Since I am changing my bars and risers, there are more steps to do at this point. First, it is best to start taking off the controls. I usually start on the left side. On the controls there are 4 screws. There are 2 on the outside clamp and 2 on the controls themselves. Begin with unscrew them all slowly. I basically, unscrew each one a little bit at a time, while moving from one to another until they are all so loose I can manage moving the wires out the way and clutch safely. When you work alone it can be challenging. If you have a friend, get a 12 pack a beer and thank him for the extra set of hands after the jobs done. Anyways, once the controls are off, you have to remove the left grip. I had slid mine on with lubricant. I usually take them off by squeezing a zip tie or two in there and then spraying WD40 in the opening that is made. Then you just start twisting the grip back and forth to work the WD40 and boom! the grip slides right off. 

Now for right side you basically do the same thing, only you have the throttle cables you need to watch out for as well as some springs for the poor mans cruise control. So, be very careful when doing the right side. Once the controls are off, you can now proceed to remove the 4 screws on the handlebar clamp. Once those are off, you can then set the bars in the pile you probably have in your garage of all the bars you have tried. I have some for sale if anyone is interested. 

Once the bars and clamp is off, since I am putting in new risers, I have to remove the risers. There is a ground wire attached to them, as well as your brake cable clamp. Be sure you remove that screw and keep an eye on your ground wire. The first time I took the risers off ever, I ended up bending the ground wire so bad that I had to make a new one with new connectors. Nonetheless, now you can start unscrewing the bolts at of the risers that you see on the inside of the triple tree. Once those are off, you might want to inspect your bushings. I had replaced mine year ago, with polyurethane ones, so I know they are good to go. I honestly wish I had replaced them with the OE rubber ones. They helped to dampen the vibration a bit better on my Dyna. The poly ones make the vibration a bit more intense. This might be a project for next winter. Now you will have things hanging off the bike. I basically made bungees my friend during this part of the project. I had one bungee holding up the right side controls so my brake fluid reservoir didn't start leaking. I had another holding the opposite side to the front frame tubes. Then I had painters tape holding the turn signals wires on the forks. The things you have to do when you don't have a friend around. 

Now that everything is out of the way we can continue with working on the dash. I had to take the original clamp and I lined it up over the tapped up area in the photo below. I used it as a template for cutting the proper size hole needed for this to work.  

Set the OE clamp on there and took a pen made a template of the proper diameter needed for the cut out. 

Grab a set of safety glasses and a cutting wheel for your Dremel. 

You can start to make your cuts and of course clean up with files. 

Grab a file ad clean up your work. I could have done it with the Dremel using other bits, but I just didn't have them on hand.

I then mounted the new bars, risers and clamps.

Love it!

Wired everything back up, including plugging the battery back in. Reinstalled the dash, put the controls back on and zip tied any wires for a cleaner look.

Looks so much cleaner without the turn signal lens there. 

These weren't the best clamps, but for 11 bucks on Amazon they worked alright! 

New bars, new risers, new clamps, new relocation kit for the turn signals and a new location for the indicator lens! FINALLY!! Now I just need the snow to melt so I can ride. I should mention that I did test everything prior to making the final reinstall of all parts. I didn't want to put the dash back on if the electrical just didn't work. One thing I did run into was the bolt mounts on the dash that are welded to the tank. Some people cut and re-weld those brackets. I actually bent them the opposite way and it worked fine.

Have you been working on a winter project? If so, I'd love to hear what you have been working on. It's always fun to changes, heck even sometimes we put things back they way their were. How many of you have done that? ha! Until next time, keep the rubber side down!

Tis' The Season For a New Red K&N Air Filter

Goodbye Black and worn out K&N filter. You have done all you could do. Many cleanings and oil treatments and you never let me down even when it was pouring down rain and I forgot my rain sock. I want to thank you for the 56,000 miles you gave me. Peace out!

HD Screaming Eagle Heavy Breather w/K&N filter

Hello brand new K&N filter. I forgot how sexy you look in red. I know you will be good to me for another 50 plus thousand miles! 

The removal and install was super easy. If you actually look at my old filter you can see the chrome backing plate where the clamp is has been removed. Well, I did not remove it, it actually fell off. I still have it, but all the glue in the world that I had around the house just never held it back in place. Nonetheless, it is good to have a new filter back on so Nomad can breathe cleaner again. Here is a quick video put together by my Google Movie Collections, I love how it just takes an experience and pops a video out for you to share.

 

Live Life! Don't put all your eggs in one basket!

This summer has been nuts. I feel like I got robbed of a lot of riding time. However, I remember telling myself when the summer started that I wanted to be sure to give myself time to do other things in life besides motorcycling. I know that sounds nuts! I'm not ill, nor have a I become insane. However, I have craved other adventures and the summer turned out to be just that. From unexpected motorcycle to car repair, to falling in love, to loosing a dear friend, to seeing and doing new things. It's been a life changing year.

Back around Labor day, I had gone on a parade run in honor of Memorial Day. After that ride, my bike really hasn't been the same. Inspected the valves, changed the plugs, updated the exhaust gaskets and cam gasket. Gosh, it was a pain in the ass trying to put the exhaust back on. Here's a few pictures from that fiasco.

Chain Tensioner looks good!

Learned about plugs.

These gaskets are horrible engineering.

That same weekend I ended going on a date with a fella named Luke. Thanks to mutual friends for setting us up, he changed my summer. I guess when you wish for something it almost happens when you least expect it. Not that I was wishing for a boyfriend, but for doing other things on the weekends besides motorcycling. Although, I did manage to take him MotoGP, so not all hope was lost for motorcycling. He did repay me by taking me on my first helicopter ride ever! I have to say it was amazing! Just as amazing as he is! Truly a fella with a big heart, I'm still trying to figure out why he's still dating me. Oh wait, cause I'm the shit! lol

MotoGP Indy. Such an amazing experience. He loved it!

Co-Pilot! Who knew! 

While all this fun was happening in my life with the boyfriend, having my bike together, well part of that fell apart. I ended up being in an accident. I lowsided to avoid hitting a sportbike that my co-worker/roommate was riding. Long story, but my bike was out of commission again. With the bike down for the count, I took off to the Outer Banks of NC in order to get some sunshine. Time to refocus. The beach helps me with that. 

When I got back from messing around, it was time to get to business and put the darn bike back together. Hard to tell from the one photo below, but my forward controls where bent. The metal actually twisted. I couldn't believe it. My exhaust is all scratched up, but hey you have to be laying on the ground to see it. That I didn't replace. The bars were bent too, and my bags were shredded. 

Twisted! The other side was the same. Crazy!

All scratched up! So sad!

Trashed! The other one is worse off.

After waiting for all the parts to finally arrive, I started putting my bike back together again. My new mission was to ride. I missed my bike so much. 

New pegs and forward controls. 

Waiting on the new bars to arrive.

The Zbars look so sexy!

All back together again!

Like I said earlier, it was a life changing summer. While messing around with my bike I got word that one of my dearest friends, Tim Hartsough died in a motorcycle accident. One of my truest, dearest, loving friends I had ever connected with in my life. I was devastated. I'm still shocked. At his memorial we all drank his favorite beer, Torpedo from Sierra Nevada. Family and friends talked about the loss of a great man. It was a day I'll never forget.

Cheers to you Tim!

I hope to see you again, maybe next lifetime!

The moral of the summer turned out to mean, "Live life! Don't put all your eggs in one basket". Meaning, sometimes we get wrapped up in the routine of life. We never seem to step outside of our own box enough. We get wrapped up in ourselves and forget there is a whole other world to enjoy. It can be enjoyed without a motorcycle. However, in my world it seems to do a 360. Guess in the end, it's my motorcycle that helps me to take in the pain and suffering life throws at me. It is also the same thing that inspires me to be a better person, to do positive things in this short life that we have. Well ladies and gentlemen, I hate to end on that note, but that was my summer.

Pure Zen

Waking up this morning was a little different than waking up previous mornings. I actually feel good. I feel like I slept well and ready for the world. I thought to myself, why am I feeling like this? Hump day? Nah! Well after going through the morning routine, brushing my teeth and hair, I walk in the kitchen to brew up some coffee. The kitchen window was glistening with the morning sun. Beautiful, warm and as I look out I see its warmth melting the frost still left on the grass from last night.  As well as a bunny out to sun bathe. When my coffee was complete I had to go outside and drink it. The sun drew me to it like a dog that couldn't get it's eyes off the bone. As I sit in the sun, drinking my coffee, I realize this is pure zen. There is only one thing left to do, GO FOR A MOTORCYCLE RIDE!

Be safe today my friends. May you all find your zen in the power of the sun while on your motorcycle.

#payitforward

Gone Wireless!

Don't ask why I waited this long to setup a FirstGear Wireless Heat Troller on my 08 FXDL. I'm just glad I did. You still have to have wires in your pocket, but it isn't nearly as bad. Is anyone else using heated gear? I'm currently just running heated sock liners and glove liners from Firstgear. You can find those items being sold by following the link to the heat troller above.

Anyways with this winter not having any end in sight and 5 inches of snow coming tomorrow, this wireless troller will just make things simpler. 

Winter Blues

No matter how much gear you pile on, or even if you have heated gear, winter just gives us all the blues. Us motorcyclists that is. For the few like myself that will ride year around except for when that snow falls, it really isn't a big deal. Nonetheless, who wouldn't prefer to ride on a 70 degree day over a 30 below day and that doesn't include the wind chill.

Icy lakes, icy road ways, and not to mention "the salt, the salt, the God Damn Salt". (Yes I went there and referenced Jimmy Buffet) Anyways you get the point, it's just flat out cold. Company no matter the temps always makes a road trip that much better. I'm fortunate to have folks around me that also ride during the winter months. Perhaps we are just crazy, perhaps we are just stupid but no matter what riding is therapy. It helps to cope with the winter blues. Plus I think being in the cold burns calories, which my waist line doesn't mind at all. ha!

Well friends I sure hope that damn ground hog doesn't see his shadow and cast on us 6 more weeks of this crap come Feb. 2nd. If it turns out to be the case, then we'll just take it for what it's worth and hope we see a 40 degree day filled with sunshine in between the colder more gloomier days. Fingers crossed for an early spring! 

Let's here from you now: How do you feel about the winter months in your neck of the woods as a motorcyclist? Winter Blues? PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome)? 

The Zen of Riding

Today was really an interesting day. My ride in to work was probably one of the best rides. One of those days that the mind was free of clutter and focused. I passed by lawn guys cutting grass, PennDot workers just hanging out by their trucks (do they ever work?), squirrles running around (almost ran one over) and the best part of all, a groundhog sun bathing on rocks between two waterfalls. It was pure zen.

I was thinking to myself all day that the outdoors are calling me. I mean I spend time outdoors already, but not really doing stuff I enjoy. I don't know about you but I've had it with yard work. See there's something called routine and we all get caught up in it. We need to find time to maintenance our own souls. What really got to me today was the patch of rain I rode through on the ride home. I actually saw a full rainbow once through it. I couldn't stop looking at it in my mirrors or even turning my head in disbelief. It truly was a full rainbow. A sight these eyes haven't seen since I left Arizona and another reminder to occupy zen!

So friends remember to take time out for you cause life is too short. Too short to not enjoy daily.

Riding in the rain, flat out sucks!

Who's a commuter? Who always seems to get stuck in the rain every single time they go out for a ride? Well this blog post is for you!

Some people tend to have that "dark cloud" over them no matter what they do in life. I, like many, have that darn rain cloud over my head no matter how much sunshine is in the sky. Funny to some, not really so much fun when your squeezing a cups worth of water out of your socks. I know, I know, "wear rain gear". Been there, done that...I still get wet. I mean head to toe! I've come to the conclusion that it's the way the water runs off my bikes tank. The only gear I have yet to try out personally is anything lined in Gore-Tex. Only problem with that is, everyone using the product hasn't figured out how to make gear "Harley Exhaust" and forward control friendly. Even Harley has thought to do anything about it either. Maybe one day this will work itself out.

In the meantime, I'm glad I'm not that only idiot that decides to ride in the pouring rain. Stay safe friends!

Photo taken by +Christopher Kraus co-worker at +RevZilla 

Motorcycle Spring Fever -MSF

And you thought MSF stood for Motorcycle Safety Foundation...ha! It really stands so for Motorcycle Spring Fever. I don't know about you, but I have had enough with winter. It has been dragging on. The last two days we finally hit temps over 50 F. Although Tuesday we are expecting lows in the 30s again. Come on Winter bug, GO AWAY! The need for wind in my hair, the sun on my skin, the feeling of freedom and nothing on my mind except how many more rolling hills will I be cruising on. You know the feeling, don't you?

On Friday I rode to work and froze my ass off in the morning. My afternoon ride was much more enjoyable. There is a point when riding becomes a task and not a pleasure. That's one thing I never like it to become.     Cold weather can do that. On Saturday I rode to gym and then came home and spent four hours detailing my bike. I have never done this since I rode it off the dealer lot day of purchase in March of 2008. Boy does it look sweet, and boy do I never want to buy another bike with that much chrome!!! Live and learn! lol

So, it's spring right? I'm not sold on that idea quite yet. Although, I do have a ton of rides I would love to go on and places I look forward to seeing this year. Life is full of adventures, I'm thankful mine begin on a motorcycle. Well sunshine, I sure hope to see you soon, I miss you dearly!!

What to do about the Sons of Anarchy Craze?

 The Sons of Anarchy craze just doesn't seem to be letting up. The 5th season of the show launched this past fall in 2012. The 4th season was the last season I watched. I lost interest in it all, when I started attending events and people started talking about adding accessories to to make their bikes look like SOA bikes. Even better, tattoos or apparel. Since then, I've just been disconnected. 

A few companies are offering the custom 1/4 fairing for HD Fat Bob bikes. While others offer derby covers, turn signal and even the fairing and bars kits in one! 

Picture provided by Alex Ben Block-The Hollywood Reporter

My question: Why on earth would you want to replicate being a 1%' er? Obviously, the show depicts a bike gang that is fictional. Nonetheless, organized motorcycle clubs still exist in this country (and world). Whether you've seen them or not, they are there!

I've rode on rides with many 1% clubs. There is an element of respect to show, as well as your own smarts of when to leave. When I lived in Arizona, I did an annual ride that was extremely popular called the Hells Angles Prison Run. I joined in cause the ride was through Pinal County. One of the most beautiful areas in the valley of the sun. There is no way on earth would I have pulled up to that ride, with a 1/4 fairing, SOA derby cover and shirt and thought I was a bad ass. A) You'd get laughed at big time! B) You'd get laughed at big time! C) You might get your ass kicked so more people can laugh at you big time!

When I lived in Milwaukee, I meet another group of riders called the Outlaws - Milwaukee Chapter. The community feared them and the cops were present anytime these guys were around. Last year I hurried back to Milwaukee from a 5,000 mile trip I had taken to Carson City, NV for an AMA event. I was rushing to get back so I could attend the Rockerbox Rally. When I got to the rally, the Outlaws were parked right in front of my friend Sue's corner store. Whether they liked or not, or even me, we were all left getting to know each other a bit more that day. I told them I just hauled ass back for this rally and they talked about their bikes. After that day anytime I saw them, I would get invites to all their events. (Never went though- no time) When they would roll in club deep to the Harley Museum Bike Nights everyone would watch them. Like time stopped. They did have some very fancy custom bikes with TV screens, gold leaf work, speaker systems and so on. I always got a head nod from them as they rolled on through. The funny thing about that, is for me, it was just another riding say hey to another rider. It's the people that are with me that always got freaked out by it. 

Nonetheless, from my experiences as a motorcyclists you should just be you. People will like you cause of you. There's nothing wrong with joining or being part of a club. I'm a AMA, HOG and RockerFoxMC member, love it! I ride with these groups cause they are part of my identity The AMA helps keeps roads safe and biker laws in our interest. HOG, is my exclusive connection into my Harley family. RockerFoxMC, is a group of women riders in Milwaukee that love to ride and motivate other women to ride. Throwing a SOA accessory on my bike, is like selling out to everything I believe in. It causes a loss of identity and increases the "idiot consumer affect" that Henry Ford Sr created when we developed the Model-T. "Ain't nobody got time for that"- Sweet Brown

"Progressive International Motorcycle Show - NYC, Final Part

Ok, time to wrap this up. Sorry I've been busy with home remodels, custom projects for a car that I haven't had time to finish this blog. Please accept my apology friends. While in New York I got to finally meet +Rachael Fuzzygalore. It was such an honor. We've been chatting on the web for a couple years and she tunes in for +MotoChat when she can. Truly a woman rider that really is inspiring. Anyhow, we got to talking about the show and what was going on, while my buddy Captain Ninja was disagreeing about her love for +Ural Motorcycles . He just didn't get it, "cause they go so slow". lol It was funny! We all have our opinions.

Got to meet another celebrating and motorcycle enthusiast Michael Wolf from American Pickers. Indian Motorcycles invited him to the show as a guest of theirs. Also, if you didn't know Polaris also bought Indian, in addition to Victory. It was kind of funny watching the same guy give us a run down of three different brands of bikes.  

Ducati had a few great bikes and gear on display as well as espresso. The espresso was just as impressive as their line of motorcycles. Truly beautiful bikes, but well out of my price range, well at least for the ones I really want. ;) +ZERO MOTORCYCLES was also at the show and had their sport, adv, off road and city cruiser all on display. They have a mobile app that they developed that allows you to adjust the performance of the bike. Pretty cool feature, nice looking bikes.

Here's some of my favorite custom bikes that were on display all over the showroom floor. Some really sharp bikes!

Before heading out I had to pay a visit to the +MotoGP bikes that were on display. 

Well my friends, that's it for this years show! I'll end it with me sitting on this BMW, boy do I look good on that baby! lol Cheers to you and thanks again for reading this series of posts.