New TG owner, any words of wisdom for longevity?

[Goldmember]

Merry Christmas everyone!! My wonderful wife has bought me a 2014 TG, 14k miles, and around $9k in accessories. I used to own a GW trike which, as most know, require very little maintenance. What do I need to be mindful of/aware of as far as maintaining the new ride? I fully intend on doing my own maint. so any advise/ideas would be much appreciated!!!

 

[Fearless]

Congratulations A very merry christmas HO HO HO!

First of all Welcome to our world gotta love'em to run'em. Congratulations keep the wife she is a good one, as for the Triglide first find out what has been done by previous owner. After that you can plan on what you may need to do possible nothing. :Shrug: Merry Christmas remember the reason for the season.:Santa: Ride Safely Fearless

Merry Christmas everyone!! My wonderful wife has bought me a 2014 TG, 14k miles, and around $9k in accessories. I used to own a GW trike which, as most know, require very little maintenance. What do I need to be mindful of/aware of as far as maintaining the new ride? I fully intend on doing my own maint. so any advise/ideas would be much appreciated!!!

 

[MikeyTX]

welcome aboard

If you don't have one, buy a shop manual, the parts manual and, the electrical diagnostics manual. It has all the wiring schematics in it. With the '14 M Y being all can bus, it is a must have. You should also pop for the H-D air shock pump. You will need it to fine tune the air pressure in the rear air shocks. There were several federally mandated recalls for the '14. Have the dealer run the vin to insure they've been done. If they haven't, have them done ! Then, if the trike sags at the rear or wallows going down the road, mosey over to DK Custom web site and invest in the lift kit and floorboard spacer kit. I had them on order a week before I took delivery.

The lift kit really improves the handling. It is that noticeable. Mike

 

[trike lady]

May I suggest to change the oil regularly. The trans and primary too.

 

[Goldmember]

Thank you all, some sound advise there. I was told the PO had done the SE air cleaner and free flow slip ons(can't remember brand). Oh and yes I will be keeping her, so don't get any ideas...( the TG AND the wife)

 

[desertclassic]

Welcome from New Mexico. Follow the DK Customs threads, lots of good stuff. I have a 14 tri glide and for sure enjoy the ride. Good wife there, mine Sweetie told me on a Sunday afternoon, lets go buy your trike, I said no, she said, go do it. I am good at following her instructions. I have done a number of things to my tri glide to improve the ride, enhance the performance, and for sure cut down the heat. I will be posting on a new thread soon, with pictures. Jim

 

[Goldmember]

Looking forward to seeing your upgrades Jim. I've followed DK customs posts, most notably the 40 days one, he talks about his upgrades and how well they work, I will for sure check out what they got.

 

[rhino 2]

My words of wisdom are what i follow... Change the oil when recommended, If something breaks fix it' And just ride it.
Luke : 33.....
''The less you mess with stuff' The longer that stuff will last''...

 

[Goldmember]

Amen to that. That is my philosophy when it comes to our cars. What kind of mileage do some of you have on your TG's?

 

[Bikerbozo]

Two suggestions. Synthetic oil in engine/tranny and if it doesn't have the extended warranty, get it. Now go out and enjoy.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Congrats on your new ride!

All good advice above.

For Longevity, besides performing regular maintenance, the most important thing you can do is guard against the excessive heat that the Twin Cams generate (by design).

This LINK is chock full of information on how to do that.

Kevin

 

[Gone2Three]

Sounds like y'a already have some great advice from everyone here. So...Welcome and congratulations on your new Tri ! :clapping: we would love to see some pictures ThumbUp

 

[GARYD]

The one thing I'd do after getting the DK lift kit and floor board extenders is get rid of the air shocks and get a set of coil shocks from Kevin at DK Customs. They're on my to do list for spring.

I don't have a heat issue like most here do. I have the floorboard extenders and a custom made Crotch Cooler. Besides I have a higher tolerance for heat which helps the most.
Keep you rear tire psi around 20~22psi or to your preference.

 

[bronxbill]

Congratulations on the new trike. A lot of good advice has been given already; but I definitely second (or third) the comfort lift. Other than that, just ride it a while and you will decide what you need to do to make it your own

 

[MikeyTX]

Power port

If it doesn't have one, get the 12v power port that goes in the tour pack. They are standard on the Ultra Classic from the factory . Why they aren't on the trike is beyond me. :Joker3:

 

[GARYD]

If it doesn't have one, get the 12v power port that goes in the tour pack. They are standard on the Ultra Classic from the factory . Why they aren't on the trike is beyond me. :Joker3:

And why the CB isn't standard on the trike is also beyond me. Or saddlebag guards on Ultras.

H-D saving money and by charging to have it put back on.

 

[MikeyTX]

Good answer !

 

[MikeyTX]

The one thing I'd do after getting the DK lift kit and floor board extenders is get rid of the air shocks and get a set of coil shocks from Kevin at DK Customs. They're on my to do list for spring.

I don't have a heat issue like most here do. I have the floorboard extenders and a custom made Crotch Cooler. Besides I have a higher tolerance for heat which helps the most.
Keep you rear tire psi around 20~22psi or to your preference.

What Gary said on the tire pressure is a must. You will beat yourself to death if your passenger doesn't do it first.

 

[Goldmember]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help and ideas. I fully intend on doing the love jugs and extenders once we recover from the holidays, ya know.

 

[Goldmember]

Kevin, thanks for the link, very good info there.

 

[MikeyTX]

Don't forget the 12v beer cooler .............. :Excited::wave4:

 

[Goldmember]

Did you say beer?! Where might one keep such a cooler of greatness?

 

[consitter]

Did you say beer?! Where might one keep such a cooler of greatness?

Enjoy the beer in the garage or the driveway while ruminating over all the advice you've been given on this thread. While working on your TG, of course.

 

[MikeyTX]

Did you say beer?! Where might one keep such a cooler of greatness?

In the tour pack. That's why Harley has the pigtail for the 12v power port located in the right hand front corner just behind the liner. Once can also install a 12v outlet inside the big trunk too.

 

[1dn5up]

In the tour pack. That's why Harley has the pigtail for the 12v power port located in the right hand front corner just behind the liner. Once can also install a 12v outlet inside the big trunk too.

Gota check that out on my 12 :Shrug: had the liner out a few times and never noticed ? Info-Info-Infooo :clapping:

 

[rhino 2]

Gota check that out on my 12 :Shrug: had the liner out a few times and never noticed ? Info-Info-Infooo :clapping:

Had The the liner out on my 11... No out-let there ' But who knows some times i can't see the forest from the tress. Like when I'm rummaging though the refrigerator looking for something, The wife will move me aside and instantly find what i was looking for... And then comes the lecture' with the look.... :annoyed:

 

[1dn5up]

Had The the liner out on my 11... No out-let there ' But who knows some times i can't see the forest from the tress. Like when I'm rummaging though the refrigerator looking for something, The wife will move me aside and instantly find what i was looking for... And then comes the lecture' with the look.... :annoyed:

Do that all the time. My way of getting even :sneakydevil:

 

[rhino 2]

Do that all the time. My way of getting even :sneakydevil:

****
Not after you get hit on the top of your head with a bottle of Ketchup...mg: Or is it Catchup...The Ketchup/Catchup controversy might be something for the late nighters to hash over......

 

[Goldmember]

I'll have to check out that pigtail location. Sure would be nice for the old lady to be able to charge her phone back there while riding.

 

[MikeyTX]

Gota check that out on my 12 :Shrug: had the liner out a few times and never noticed ? Info-Info-Infooo :clapping:

Had The the liner out on my 11... No out-let there ' But who knows some times i can't see the forest from the tress. Like when I'm rummaging though the refrigerator looking for something, The wife will move me aside and instantly find what i was looking for... And then comes the lecture' with the look.... :annoyed:

New on the Rushmore models. Don't believe the '13 MY and older have the pigtail with the connector attached.