Ongoing 2019 Tri Glide Build-Out w/ lots of photos, videos and observations

[hddocfl]

Thank you Fred!

Thanks, we like it. Nice break from black and the dark blue!

Hey...it was a PITA taking all the stuff off the '14, gonna take much longer to decide what and when to put things on the '19, and to document before and after on a bunch of it.

Tentatively planning on doing the ceramic this weekend.

Thank you.

Yes, the '14 served us well. Hope the '19 does just as well.

Just under 60,000 miles. I have been keeping them down the last 6 months or so, in case I "needed" to trade this coming August.

Thank you!

I suspect it will not be much different than other M8's tested. But I will check it out.

Here's a video with a Report link in it, of the previous tests we've done on the breathers.



Kevin

I will be waiting to see if the 2019 will blow up a balloon as mine will not. Thanks

 

[DK Custom Products]

I will be waiting to see if the 2019 will blow up a balloon as mine will not. Thanks

Will do.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Tomorrow I begin (and possibly finish) ceramic coating the tins and the wheels. I will also be using Fast Metal Polish (which leaves a slick coating) on all the chrome. I will be taking photos and video of this process and be posting it here.

Once that is done, and had a few days to cure, I will begin riding, observing and testing different aspects of the ride. As I get a firm grip on how it is stock, I will then begin with some mods.

Kevin

 

[hddocfl]

Will do.

Kevin

Thank You

 

[DK Custom Products]

Got the handlebars back from powder Friday.

Unwrapped them up yesterday...

...They turned out well!

Will be getting them installed sometime in the next week or so.

btw, a couple of folks have asked. These are stock Tri Glide bars that have had a 9" section added to each side, making them taller. The grips were also rotated 15 degrees further forward for better wrist comfort for me.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yesterday I got a big chunk of the ceramic coating done.

Pic of the TG on the lift prior to starting-

First I cleaned all the dust and dirt off the paint.

Then I used the prep polish to get everything off the surface, oil, silicones, etc. Leaving only the clear coat, giving a good clean surface for the coating to adhere to.

Then I began applying the ceramic coating-

I got everything done except for the two side covers, the front fender and the three wheels.

This is how it sits now-

Today I am planning on finishing it up.

Kevin

 

[MDO]

Very nice Kevin. You are doing it right, coating the paint before the scratches.

Just curious, what's the cost of powder coating the bars? Also, what's your initial impression of the 114?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Sure does make that red sparkle:clapping:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yesterday I finished up the coating on the Tri Glide.

First I did the rear wheels.

I have to say I was a bit disappointed. The wheels have very fine grooves in them. After using the prep polish to prepare the metal for the coating, I could not get all the prep polish out. I spent a significant amount of time trying, even used some alcohol to help get them clean. In the end, it might have been better to use a polishing wheel, but I was not prepared to spend that kind of time. After getting them as clean as I was willing to, I went ahead and coated them.

If the coating works on the wheels as good as the paint, I am going to be happy. It is so irritating to have brake dust, road grime, etc. stain the wheels. If the coating will keep that from happening it will be worth it.

I did the rear wheels, then moved the trike down to the floor, used the scissor jack to lift the front tire off the ground and coated the front wheel.

After that I removed the OEM fender skirt. I will be cleaning up the custom fender skirt that I pulled off the '14 and be re-installing it in place of the OEM. (Thank you Richard)

Here's a photo of the OEM in my right hand and the custom one in my left-

Next I cleaned, prepped and coated the front fender and the side panels.

Gonna give it a few days to cure, then put it back together.

When I put it back together it will be with the first few mods-

Safety Tether for Tour-Pak Lid

Tour Pak Relocation Kit

Tour Pak Filler Run-Brake-Turn LED

Power outlet inside Tour Pak

Passenger Drink Holder mounted on Tour Pak

Mary's Custom Made Back Rest mounted on Tour Pak

Custom Front Fender Skirt

After I get it all back together I will be riding it back to the dealership to have them install the handlebars.

Then, Finally, I will begin riding it, beginning my testing/evaluation and making mods as I go.

This is the longest I've ever gone with a "new to me ride" without piling some miles on it, getting to know it. But I really wanted to get the ceramic coating done while the paint was still new and relatively clean.

Kevin

 

[MDF48]

Nice.

Well you are doing things "right the first time" and it is looking good. It is going to be fun watching this thread. What brand safety tether for the tour pak lid are you going to use? Do you have one listed on your DK site? I will take a look and see.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Very nice Kevin. You are doing it right, coating the paint before the scratches.

Just curious, what's the cost of powder coating the bars? Also, what's your initial impression of the 114?

Thanks, yes, wanted to get the ceramic done before any scratches.

On the cost of the powder...not sure what it would normally cost. We get hundreds, sometimes over a thousand, parts powdered coated EVERY SINGLE WEEK, so we get very different pricing than someone walking in to get a few pieces done. I know there is a sign in the shop that the minimum is $75 for one piece.

I posted my initial impression above, post #8 in this thread. I have only ridden the test ride of 5 miles, and then 50 miles from the dealership to home.

Even after I start riding it this next week, I really won't know the difference between the 107 and 114 until after the break-in miles.

I do have a video of my impressions from almost 2 years ago on the 114 below. Although it was not a wethead.



Also, a written report on the same at this LINK.

Sure does make that red sparkle:clapping:

Thanks guys! Yep, it's red, silver and shiny!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Well you are doing things "right the first time" and it is looking good. It is going to be fun watching this thread. What brand safety tether for the tour pak lid are you going to use? Do you have one listed on your DK site? I will take a look and see.

It is one that Mary made from some para-cord. When I go to install it I will take a photo...pretty simple, and effective.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Mary and I are headed out of town for a few days, so it will be next week before anything more happens with the Tri Glide.

We should be getting some nice progress on it by next weekend.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Hadn't looked at this thread till tonight... Congratulations on the new trike Kevin! Love the color! Looks awesome with the ceramic coating!!!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Hadn't looked at this thread till tonight... Congratulations on the new trike Kevin! Love the color! Looks awesome with the ceramic coating!!!

Thank you!

I've been out of town with the Softail, Friday-Sunday.

Will be getting back on the new TG this week. Gonna be doing some videos along the way, so it will take a bit longer putting it back together with some new parts.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Went a week without touching the new Tri Glide.

Yesterday and today I got some work done.

-Reinstalled the windshield

-Wired up the electrics for the Gerbing Heated Gear

-Ran the power wire for the Power Point in the Tour-Pak

-Installed the Riders back rest

-Installed the Tour-Pak back on the Trike with a Tour-Pak Relocation that sets the TP back 3 inches

-Installed the Tour-Pak Filler with Run-Brake-Turn LED Lights

-Installed Mary's Custom Back Rest on the Tour-Pak

-Installed Passenger Drink Holder

-Installed TP safety tether

-Installed TP Power Point

-Installed Custom Front Fender Skirt

I checked the tire pressures. Front was fine at 36 psi. Rears were both at 30 psi. What's up with that? Guess it takes too much brain power to set the psi at the OEM settings of 26. I took the rear down to 22 psi, which is a much better setting for them.

Checked the rear shocks...they were set at zero turns. I moved them to 5 turns, which is what the manual calls for for my weight and typical luggage I carry. I'll be doing quite a bit of experimenting with the settings in the future when we do our suspension testing.

Got it outside (it was cloudy) for the first time since doing the ceramic coating.

Got some photo's of the above I'll be posting up, then some videos once we get them edited.

Kevin

 

[Fearless]

I believe Kevin has been as busy as Alan getting ready for the soon to be prime riding time. And so am I travel safe Fred

 

[ultrafxr]

I'm getting tired just reading you guy's posts, lol. Lots of work getting things the way you like them but it sure does pay off in the end.

 

[Fearless]

I'm getting tired just reading you guy's posts, lol. Lots of work getting things the way you like them but it sure does pay off in the end.

Everyone's ride is special to them and the attention is to detail. Time spent I believe for trouble free mile's on the road enjoying what we love to whatever extent that may be. Myself I love going out on day trips with my adult supervision (bride) and see old friends and places some places we have seen been before and some we may never see again but we certainly enjoy ever mile.

I this spring stripped the old trike farther down than I ever dreamed of but it was needed almost eleven years old. Old Shiney needed to be inspected like never before and glad I did great experience and I have no reason not to believe we will have a trouble free riding season. So with that I pray all have a fun filled and safe Riding this coming summer and fall and all return safe with only a pile of miles and smiles in the days to come. Ride safe Fred/Jeanne

 

[DK Custom Products]

Yes, it was fun to get out and just work on the TG!

I believe Kevin has been as busy as Alan getting ready for the soon to be prime riding time. And so am I travel safe Fred

Yep, even though I ride year round...got some trips coming up and gotta get it broke in, do a bunch of testing, and get it set up....time flies this time of year!

I'm getting tired just reading you guy's posts, lol. Lots of work getting things the way you like them but it sure does pay off in the end.

:laugh::laugh::laugh: Yep!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Some photo's of progress made.

Hooked up 3 hots and 3 grounds...

2 for the Gerbing heated gear and one for the Tour-Pak power point.

Had to move a bunch of the factory stuff out of the way to get to the battery.

Each year HD gets the wiring and routing a tad bit cleaner/more organized. This '19 is the nicest yet.

I always use dielectric grease. Knock on wood, we do a lot of traveling and I have very few problems with my bikes/trikes...I like to think it is paying attention to the little things that make for years of trouble-free riding.

Got it back together, along with all my wires routed in the flex loom.

Got the back rest bracket installed. Same one has been in 3 or 4 bikes now. HD says it does not fit the Trikes...it does. Took this one out of the '14 Tri Glide.

Got the custom, longer than stock, fender skirt installed. It looked good on the '14, I think it looks even better with this paint on the '19.

Got the Tour-Pak back on with the Relocation kit, giving Mary an extra 3" between my back rest and hers. Also installed the LED RBT Light which you can see in this photo-

Here's a still grabbed from a video. You can see I have the windshield back on, my back rest, Mary's custom low-profile back rest and her drink cup holder.

Oh, HD is finally using an extended thumb screw at the rear of the seat. Very nice!

Also, I'm really enjoying how fast the infotainment/navigation boots up.

I don't like not having an oil pressure gauge. I knew that going in, but I still don't like the game HD is playing by taking that basic piece of info away...and, yes, I do believe they did it because they are not proud, nor do they think we consumers would be happy, with what's going on with the oil pressure.

Ok. A few more pics of the ceramic in the next post. Then in another day or so a few more pics of stuff being done.

Gonna be breaking it in this week.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

It rained all morning, then this afternoon it was cloudy, with the sun peeking out now and then.

All photo's below are untouched...straight out of the camera, only cropped them.

Grabbed a few stills out of a video while pouring water on it-

Amazing how water reacts to the ceramic coating.

It just flows right off, the little bit that remains is all beaded up.

This photo shows why this Wicked Red paint seems to look red sometimes and orangish other times. In this photo you have red, pink and almost a yellow...light is hitting different areas of the paint differently.

I am very happy with how this ceramic coating has worked out. Not nearly as much dust/dirt settles on it, and bugs rarely stick, and when they do, they come off very easily.

Oh, and someone asked how spilled gas affects the coating. About a week ago I spilled some on the Softail, actually quite a bit from a malfunctioning pump. Within a couple of minutes I had rinsed the area with water. I cannot tell, visually or by touch, any difference where the gas sat/rolled down the paint. What. if any, effect it will have long term, I don't know.

One thing I am considering is getting protective film put on top of the ceramic. I had it on the '11 & '14 Tri Glides and it definitely took some hits, saving the paint. The ceramic is not rock proof...it looks good, and makes for easier cleaning, but I'm not looking for it to protect against flying rocks, or even boot scuffs.

I wasn't going to do it on this one...but now am thinking I should. In fact, I'm thinking I should have done it prior to the ceramic. I guess I could put another coat of ceramic over the film after it is installed.

Kevin

 

[consitter]

Hey, Kevin...

Just wanted to tell you, Zook’s rake kit is for real! It’s just like I had power steering installed. Well worth the extra money. If you’re going to have the fairing apart during your mods, it would behoove you to go ahead and put it on. It would save you time and aggravation later.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Hey, Kevin...

Just wanted to tell you, Zook’s rake kit is for real! It’s just like I had power steering installed. Well worth the extra money. If you’re going to have the fairing apart during your mods, it would behoove you to go ahead and put it on. It would save you time and aggravation later.

Thanks man! I'm really looking forward to it.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Another observation from this weekend-

Before I purchased this TG I noticed that the trunk was not closing and latching well...at best, only 3 out of every 10 attempts.

I asked them to fix it before I picked it up.

After their adjustment it was working about 6 out of every 10 attempts.

So this weekend I adjusted the pin a full 1.5 turns. This is what it took to get it to reliably latch 100% of the time.

After that I sprayed the latching mechanism with silicone, and will continue to do that on a regular basis.

I also had problems with this on my '11, which eventually got resolved. Then on my '14, I fixed it (adjusted and regularly siliconed it) myself and never had any issues.

Just wondering what is so hard that the factory can't get this figured out...or the fancy titled "techs" at the dealerships for that matter.

Takes all of 5 minutes to fix it. :xzqxz:

Kevin

 

[radismukes]

Another observation from this weekend-

Before I purchased this TG I noticed that the trunk was not closing and latching well...at best, only 3 out of every 10 attempts.

I asked them to fix it before I picked it up.

After their adjustment it was working about 6 out of every 10 attempts.

So this weekend I adjusted the pin a full 1.5 turns. This is what it took to get it to reliably latch 100% of the time.

After that I sprayed the latching mechanism with silicone, and will continue to do that on a regular basis.

I also had problems with this on my '11, which eventually got resolved. Then on my '14, I fixed it (adjusted and regularly siliconed it) myself and never had any issues.

Just wondering what is so hard that the factory can't get this figured out...or the fancy titled "techs" at the dealerships for that matter.

Takes all of 5 minutes to fix it. :xzqxz:

Kevin

Maybe the Techs believe it is too challenging or a brain drain. :xzqxz:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Maybe the Techs believe it is too challenging or a brain drain. :xzqxz:

Unfortunately it is probably because "techs" just don't have the desire/inclination to understand why/how things work. They are no longer mechanics who understand how things work and can think logically, working through a challenge.

Instead, they are trained to be parts replacers, no understanding of how/why needed. So when there is a challenge to do something other than replace a part...like to adjust something, that requires understanding how something works, well, they can't do it.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

A few more photos of the work done this last weekend...but first-

Photo from yesterday morning on the first ride into the shop on it. Also took the long way home yesterday, and rode it in again today!

Installing the custom backrest Mary made for herself on the '14.

This is an easy swap out. 3 nuts removed and the factory backrest comes out. The custom one uses the same holes, so it's just a matter of sliding it in and tightening down the three nuts.

The backrest she made works in conjunction with the lower factory pad. In the photo below the Tour-Pak is relocated back 3", and between the pads and the sheepskin, there is no need for a filler pad.

Passenger Drink Cup Holder installed.

TP Lid Safety Tether installed. It is some lightweight paracord with a washer on the top end and a ring on the bottom end. The washer goes on the center back rest stud and the ring goes on one of the screws holding the factory tether to the TP bottom.

We've never had a factory tether fail, but have seen more than a few broken TP's after a factory tether failed...so it is inexpensive insurance to have a safety tether.

I ran a 20 amp fused wire all the back to the Tour-Pak and installed a power point for charging while riding.

In the past I've run the wires thru the factory grommet that the factory wires feed into the Tour-Pak thru. On the '19 the grommet was much tighter than previous years, so rather than fight it I ran the wires through the speaker cut-out (which I had off to install the passenger drink cup holder anyway).

The wires are between the Tour-Pak and the liner right up to the mounting point of the Power Point.

There are small holes drilled in the liner for the wires and the fasteners that hold the Power Point to the liner.

We ran this same Power Point in the '14 for years and tens of thousands of miles...the position works perfectly for being out of the way, but having easy access to using it when the TP is full.

Here's a pic of an almost full TP with the power point in use-

More observations and updates coming soon.

Kevin