Jd1a
90+ Posts
Outstanding news, Kevin.
A Day in The Life - 2025
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- #242
I am beginning to wonder if this thread was such a good idea.
Last time I did a thread like this was 8 years ago.
Back then I was riding almost everyday, & when not riding, I was putting my hands on a bike, working/modding/testing something.
Yesterday I had a couple of appointments. Travel, to and from both of them, was 290 miles. I also had a bunch of calls to make.
8 years ago I would have ridden, and just done the phone calls at a different time.
Yesterday, I chose to drive a cage and get the calls done during my 6 hours of travel time.
Is it because I'm getting old, or have less energy, or is work squeezing out my riding time, ??? Probably a combination.
Not an exciting DITL, but that is what it was. 14 hours of work, AND No Riding.
Kevin
Last time I did a thread like this was 8 years ago.
Back then I was riding almost everyday, & when not riding, I was putting my hands on a bike, working/modding/testing something.
Yesterday I had a couple of appointments. Travel, to and from both of them, was 290 miles. I also had a bunch of calls to make.
8 years ago I would have ridden, and just done the phone calls at a different time.
Yesterday, I chose to drive a cage and get the calls done during my 6 hours of travel time.
Is it because I'm getting old, or have less energy, or is work squeezing out my riding time, ??? Probably a combination.
Not an exciting DITL, but that is what it was. 14 hours of work, AND No Riding.
Kevin
Kevin - these are just my thoughts, so take it for what it's worth. You named it "A Day in The Life" because that's what it is. If you were able to ride all the time you may have named it, "My Riding Life" or "On the Road with Kevin". We all have responsibilities and things in our lives that keep us from riding or wrenching every day and consider it a blessing when we DO get to ride or tinker with our machines. If I had my druthers, I would also ride more frequently. But again, stuff happens, and stuff needs to be done. You've had a trying year thus far with your daughter, storms and flooding, house and shop repairs and remodeling...but take heart, there is a sunny day coming up soon! Take that day off and hit the road (on your trike of course 
). That's really all any of us can do, is take it a day at a time and do the best we can with what we get. May God bless you and give you more riding days ahead!
). That's really all any of us can do, is take it a day at a time and do the best we can with what we get. May God bless you and give you more riding days ahead!
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- #244
Kevin - these are just my thoughts, so take it for what it's worth. You named it "A Day in The Life" because that's what it is. If you were able to ride all the time you may have named it, "My Riding Life" or "On the Road with Kevin". We all have responsibilities and things in our lives that keep us from riding or wrenching every day and consider it a blessing when we DO get to ride or tinker with our machines. If I had my druthers, I would also ride more frequently. But again, stuff happens, and stuff needs to be done. You've had a trying year thus far with your daughter, storms and flooding, house and shop repairs and remodeling...but take heart, there is a sunny day coming up soon! Take that day off and hit the road (on your trike of course
Well put and I 100% agree with your post.
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- #245
More progress on the SBS Chop bike. Late right now, will post more on it tomorrow.
Kevin
Kevin
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Thank you.Kevin - these are just my thoughts, so take it for what it's worth. You named it "A Day in The Life" because that's what it is. If you were able to ride all the time you may have named it, "My Riding Life" or "On the Road with Kevin". We all have responsibilities and things in our lives that keep us from riding or wrenching every day and consider it a blessing when we DO get to ride or tinker with our machines. If I had my druthers, I would also ride more frequently. But again, stuff happens, and stuff needs to be done. You've had a trying year thus far with your daughter, storms and flooding, house and shop repairs and remodeling...but take heart, there is a sunny day coming up soon! Take that day off and hit the road (on your trike of course
I appreciate the perspective. Yes, it has been a difficult last 6 months, and your post above is spot on.
We do have some good riding planned out this year!
AND, Jill was discharged from the hospital yesterday.
Kevin
Very good news Kevin.
Jd1a
90+ Posts
Great news.
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We've made some nice progress on the SBS Chop.
Foot clutch and jockey shift are working.
Rear brakes with the Sproter are working.
Wiring harness, built from scratch, is working.
Engine is running strong.
Still to do:
We are in the middle of putting the wiring harness in some loom and hiding it.
Need to change the front brake rotor to match the rear Sproter, and hook up the front brake line
Need a battery strap
Oil pressure light
Neutral light
Kill switch
Turn signal switches
Hi Lo beam toggle switch
Relocate single fire coil
Exhaust needs to be fabricated (what is on there right now is just temporary)
After the above is done, we'll ride it for a while, then take it apart for paint and powder.
Kevin
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- #250
Spent about 3 hours today working in the bike room.
Got everything off the remaining 5 shelves, and the shelves moved out.
Moved the two lower cabinets into place, and called it for the day out there.
Slowly but surely it is coming along. Next time I have a chance the countertops will be installed. Then the cabinets above.
Kevin
Got everything off the remaining 5 shelves, and the shelves moved out.
Moved the two lower cabinets into place, and called it for the day out there.
Slowly but surely it is coming along. Next time I have a chance the countertops will be installed. Then the cabinets above.
Kevin
Kevin, great news about your daughter Jill!
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Trike Accidents-
Over the years, several times, I have been contacted by attorneys to consult with them regarding court cases involving Harley Trikes in accidents. I have only chosen to work with two of them.
Just finished up my second report as an Expert Witness regarding a Harley Trike wreck.
I cannot disclose which cases I have consulted on. Please don't ask or guess, I will not be able to respond.
However, I can say this- The two cases I took (vs. the ones I stayed away from) were both from attorneys that wanted my analysis of what happened (and why) regardless of whether it was beneficial to their Clients.
The truth is the truth, and I did not want to be looking for a way to make what I saw fit the narrative they wanted to promote on behalf of their Clients.
It is a very interesting exercise.
Y'all ride Safe out there!
Kevin
Over the years, several times, I have been contacted by attorneys to consult with them regarding court cases involving Harley Trikes in accidents. I have only chosen to work with two of them.
Just finished up my second report as an Expert Witness regarding a Harley Trike wreck.
I cannot disclose which cases I have consulted on. Please don't ask or guess, I will not be able to respond.
However, I can say this- The two cases I took (vs. the ones I stayed away from) were both from attorneys that wanted my analysis of what happened (and why) regardless of whether it was beneficial to their Clients.
The truth is the truth, and I did not want to be looking for a way to make what I saw fit the narrative they wanted to promote on behalf of their Clients.
It is a very interesting exercise.
Y'all ride Safe out there!
Kevin
My kidneys and back hurt just looking at that bike.More progress on the SBS Chop bike. Late right now, will post more on it tomorrow.
Kevin
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- #254
One of the downsides of keeping my Harley outdoors!
A Water Moccasin (aka cotton mouth) snake, now dead, was curled up in the shade below the bike, or, for all I know was up in the frame.
Kevin
A Water Moccasin (aka cotton mouth) snake, now dead, was curled up in the shade below the bike, or, for all I know was up in the frame.
Kevin
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- #255
Yes, and I have the same concern as you!
The front suspension is ideal, with the Intiminators in the forks. The rear seat has 175% more travel/better damping than the stock Sportster suspension.
The theory is that it will be a very comfortable & smooth ride. Time will tell if that is true.
Kevin
Jd1a
90+ Posts
The seat shock angle seems extreme, looks like it will swing and not dampen.
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- #257
The reno of the bike room is not done. However, after the snake incident I re-arranged a few things in the bike room to make some room for the TG.
Besides the snake, I am happy that I won't be getting a heavy layer of pollen and dust, like I was getting after just a couple of days in the carport.
Kevin
Besides the snake, I am happy that I won't be getting a heavy layer of pollen and dust, like I was getting after just a couple of days in the carport.
Kevin
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- #258
Yes, your two concerns are shared by me.
On the damping side, we spent a lot of time on the geometry of the seat and positioning of the frame and seat bracket, to match it up with the damping and air spring in the shock. It is quite comfortable sitting and bouncing on it.
However, in the next week or so we will see what it feels like when the seat pivots while riding.
Quite a few years ago I built a bike with a similar set up, and it took some getting used to, because the butt/hands/grips dynamic was different that the simple up and down movement that we all unconsciously account for with our arms on a typically suspended bike.
Kevin
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With how spongy my brake lever is, I was expecting to find the brake fluid in poor shape.
Surprise, surprise! It is looking pretty good.
Usually when it needs replacing it is going to look a lot darker.
Did not show well on the moisture tester though.
I will be changing it out. But that is barely the wrong side of bad. Not enough to result in what I'm feeling in the lever.
I took a cursory look at the brake lines, and did not see any obvious bulges or problems.
This next week gonna have to pull the wheels and inspect all the lines, going to go ahead and replace all the pads, flush the fluid. That should get it resolved...Unless there is an issue in the ABS/Linked Brake module, in which case it will be a trip to the Dealership to get it resolved under warranty.
Kevin
Surprise, surprise! It is looking pretty good.
Usually when it needs replacing it is going to look a lot darker.
Did not show well on the moisture tester though.
I will be changing it out. But that is barely the wrong side of bad. Not enough to result in what I'm feeling in the lever.
I took a cursory look at the brake lines, and did not see any obvious bulges or problems.
This next week gonna have to pull the wheels and inspect all the lines, going to go ahead and replace all the pads, flush the fluid. That should get it resolved...Unless there is an issue in the ABS/Linked Brake module, in which case it will be a trip to the Dealership to get it resolved under warranty.
Kevin
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- #260
Bike Room Countertops, lower and upper cabinets are done!
A few days ago I moved a bunch of stuff into the last area that needed work...was tired of my TG being outside.
So, had to move a bunch of it out of the way....
Got the lower cabs and countertop installed, on the last leg of getting the upper cabs installed.
Everything installed. Need to do two more things:
1. Decide if I am going to leave the two free standing cabinets sitting there, or move them out of the Bike Room.
2. Take all the parts, tools, supplies that are sitting on the Lift and other countertops and organize everything in the new space I have.
Kevin
A few days ago I moved a bunch of stuff into the last area that needed work...was tired of my TG being outside.
So, had to move a bunch of it out of the way....
Got the lower cabs and countertop installed, on the last leg of getting the upper cabs installed.
Everything installed. Need to do two more things:
1. Decide if I am going to leave the two free standing cabinets sitting there, or move them out of the Bike Room.
2. Take all the parts, tools, supplies that are sitting on the Lift and other countertops and organize everything in the new space I have.
Kevin
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A little over 2 weeks ago when I squeezed the front brake lever it did this-
Having never experienced this before, I started down an elimination process...at first thinking that it was the brake fluid needing a flush (which is a PITA on ABS & Linked brake systems).
A few days ago I looked at, and tested the fluid. It was clean (not what I expected), but it did test just a tad high on moisture, but not really enough to give the results pictured above.
Then @Bubba Zanetti recommended the overnight zip tie for getting rid of air bubbles.
WhooHoo, it worked.
Yesterday afternoon I pumped up the front brakes a few times and zip-tied the lever to the grip. Then I did the same thing with the foot pedal for the rear brakes.
I spent 3-4 minutes tapping front and rear calipers, brake lines, and the ABS system (and lines) under the side cover.
Went out this morning, and here is a photo of my front brake lever with the first squeeze...back to normal!!!
Thank you Bubba!
Will be riding later today, and have quite a bit of riding scheduled for next week. Here's to hoping this fix sticks!
Kevin
Having never experienced this before, I started down an elimination process...at first thinking that it was the brake fluid needing a flush (which is a PITA on ABS & Linked brake systems).
A few days ago I looked at, and tested the fluid. It was clean (not what I expected), but it did test just a tad high on moisture, but not really enough to give the results pictured above.
Then @Bubba Zanetti recommended the overnight zip tie for getting rid of air bubbles.
WhooHoo, it worked.
Yesterday afternoon I pumped up the front brakes a few times and zip-tied the lever to the grip. Then I did the same thing with the foot pedal for the rear brakes.
I spent 3-4 minutes tapping front and rear calipers, brake lines, and the ABS system (and lines) under the side cover.
Went out this morning, and here is a photo of my front brake lever with the first squeeze...back to normal!!!
Thank you Bubba!
Will be riding later today, and have quite a bit of riding scheduled for next week. Here's to hoping this fix sticks!
Kevin
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Just got back from a little 20 mile putt. Front and rear brakes are working fine!
Dunno why it happened...only differences are that I was out of town for almost a month and it just sat outside during that time.
Kevin
Dunno why it happened...only differences are that I was out of town for almost a month and it just sat outside during that time.
Kevin
Let me understand-you did not open any bleeders but just tapped on the components you mentioned. Correct? Glad it seems to have worked and hope it continues to do so.
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- #264
Got some chrome fork lowers in today. Not for me, though I have done the swap before.
Have a friend stopping by next week and we are going to be installing these, along with some Intiminators, on his TG.
Kevin
Have a friend stopping by next week and we are going to be installing these, along with some Intiminators, on his TG.
Kevin
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- #265
That is correct. Some folks said to crack the reservoir cap, but other said it was not necessary. I did not do that, was concerned brake fluid would leak out.
Kevin
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- #266
I have been out in the shop, doing a little work on a few projects, and those two cabinets sitting in front of the corner of the countertop have been bugging me.
I like the space they provide, but I can't leave them there.
I am going to move them to the other end of the room, near the double doors. That way I keep the storage they provide, but clean up the entire area near the new countertop/work area.
If I don't like them in the new location, they they are close to the door and will get moved out.
Kevin
I like the space they provide, but I can't leave them there.
I am going to move them to the other end of the room, near the double doors. That way I keep the storage they provide, but clean up the entire area near the new countertop/work area.
If I don't like them in the new location, they they are close to the door and will get moved out.
Kevin
Where did the air bubbles go?
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- #268
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- #269
Devin (the "D" in DK) and I recording more videos today!
Kevin
Kevin
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- #270
Ya al look like your praying over the dead snake. LOLDevin (the "D" in DK) and I recording more videos today!
Kevin
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