TECH TORQ #119

Hi Doc, you’re probably already all over this, but I thought it interesting to see what the guys at S&S are involved in. Have a look at www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/home.html.

Hello Doc, I just found these things that supposedly improve braking performance at www.tcbbrakesystems.com. Have you guys ever heard of them? Their website has articles from other magazines but I don’t trust them. I do, however, trust you guys, as I have been reading HEAVY DUTY for years and I like the way you tell it as it is, with no bull.

Doc, I was having starting problems with my 2010 Ultra and the dealer was having trouble tracing the reason why. It would start all right from cold but once it had warmed up, starting became very difficult. Not every time it got hot, but way too often, given the bike’s cost and age.

Eventually, after several tries on their diagnostic software, they decided it was a faulty ECM.

My reason for writing is that I’m moving to a location a long way from a dealership and wondering if any aftermarket shops have similar diagnostic equipment. Is there even some device I could buy to use myself?

Doc, how often should the air cleaner element be washed with average city and country riding?

Doc, I have a 2006 Fat Boy with standard wheels on it and I would like to change them to the Harley-Davison Reaper style. Can these wheels can be adapted to fit my bike? I see in the Harley parts catalogue the fitments are for later model Harleys.

I have rung around a couple of Harley dealerships and it appears that no one has yet done this – all they tell me is that the axle and bearing sizes could be different. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Doc, I’ve just put a deposit down for my first Harley, a 2012 Softail Standard, and I’ve been reading up on correct running-in procedures and info on oil changes and so on.

As I will be running in the engine, I was hoping you might be able to email back the article you did on the Scavenger Oil Change System from Rogue Choppers. I plan to buy the Scavenger kit and do an oil change before the scheduled maintenance is due.

Do you know if the kit can be purchased from an Australian distributor yet or will I need to order it from the Rogue Chopper’s website?

Doc, a mate of mine has bought an X-wedge engine off eBay. He got it cheap but I wonder if there are any particular problems with them that he may have fallen for – possibly why it was so cheap?

Hopefully not, but who should he get to check it to make sure before he builds a bike to slot it into.

This will be Mick’s first custom and I hate to think he’s made a big mistake by buying this motor.

Hi Doc, thanks for answering all my previous questions. This one is not actually technical in the usual sense. I’m wondering if you could help me with finding a decent low-fit, open-face helmet.

I’ve been looking around and found the RJay’s Sturgis Platinum to be the best on offer at my local bike shop.

I’ve seen a few bikies riding around with helmets much lower and even noticed one this morning that had an AS1698 approved sticker.

Since you’ve been in the industry so long, have you any suggestions?

Doc, both my boyfriend Vince and I hang out for each issue of HEAVY DUTY – thanks for all the tech tips, we’ve both learnt a lot.

Doc, Vince wants to know if those Dual Runner intakes S&S make really do work or do they just look cool?

Hi Doc, I’m presently slowly turning my 2002 Softail Standard into something hopefully a little more retro. I’m not sure how it will look when I’m done. It may all end in tears.

Having just fitted an old-style sprung solo seat, I now find, unsurprisingly, that the forward ’pegs don’t feel quite right. These seats obviously were designed when a more upright seating position was the norm, hence I’m thinking of fitting a set of footboards to realign the seating posture.

I believe the OEM Softail boards will fit but my concern is that I might have to relocate the brake master cylinder – that might get messy and potentially be more than I can manage in my garage.

Do you know if the OEM floorboard mounts will fit straight onto the FXST and if so will the master cylinder remain in its present location? Is there anything else I might need to consider, besides aesthetics?