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

[DK Custom Products]

Looking forward to the install video of the mighty mites, I know people say not a bad install but for me anyway I like to see a video of it which really helps me out. I know your video of installing a lift kit really help me out when a friend bought one of your kits and I helped him put it on and I have one of yours to put on my 2018 one of these days

All for now Trampas

Busy weekend with a lot going on after a very busy week!

Took some time this afternoon to install the Mighty Mites.

I did not get any test runs done today, documenting the heat with and without the MM's on. Will be doing that later this week.

I did shoot the installation video (even though I discovered, after the fact, that the audio quit working about halfway thru).

Dwayne should have it edited and up on youtube later this week.

I'll also shoot a video of the heat test runs and get a video on that up too.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

lol...yeah, I have chrome fans on my Softail. Almost went with chrome on the TG.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

The first Heat Test Report is up on YouTube!



Got quite a few more to go. Next one will be the Mighty Mite test results.

Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

Good looking numbers Kevin:clapping:

 

[DK Custom Products]

The first Heat Test Report is up on YouTube!



Got quite a few more to go. Next one will be the Mighty Mite test results.

Kevin

Good looking numbers Kevin:clapping:

Thanks guys.

Our Target Temp for the Cylinder Head Temp Sensor and the oil is 230 degrees, so we have a ways to go, but these two mods got it moving in the right direction.

I installed the Mighty Mites last weekend, and recorded video of it. But I had Two issues that occurred that I am going to rectify this weekend.

1. I lost audio about halfway thru the install recording. I was just going to do a voice-over for the second half of the install, but #2 (below) occurred also, so I am re-installing this weekend and will record WITH audio this time.

2. While I have not done my measured/controlled heat tests with the Mighty Mites yet, I have been riding back and forth to work everyday. I am not experiencing anywhere near the cooling effect that I have when using MM's in the past.

I believe I know why. Of the close to 200,000 miles I've logged on bikes and trikes while using fans, those fans have always been very close to the engine fins. This most recent install, I followed the directions, using spacers. This resulted in the fans being over 1/2" away from the fins.

So I will be redoing the installations, sans the spacers, and I believe that I will start seeing the temperature reduction that I've experienced in the past....

...plus I will have the recording needed for the installation video, WITH audio all the way through. :laugh:

Kevin

 

[nucseal]

I believe I know why. Of the close to 200,000 miles I've logged on bikes and trikes while using fans, those fans have always been very close to the engine fins. This most recent install, I followed the directions, using spacers. This resulted in the fans being over 1/2" away from the fins.

Kevin

Have to agree. First thing I got rid of was the chrome spacer that was marked with "LOVE JUGS" logo. Put it within a 1.4" of the fins.

Nuc

 

[DK Custom Products]

Was wandering around the internet today and found a rain cover that claims it is waterproof.....Roadsofa Rain Cover with backrest. I have no idea if it really is waterproof since I don't own one, but thought I'd share the link since most of the other ones I've seen say they are not waterproof. Says it fits all H-D's and is $4 less than the H-D version that isn't waterproof.

https://www.saddlemen.com/index.php...-d-touring-seat-with-backrest-harley-davidson

Anyone used this?

I went ahead and ordered one. First went to order it on the Saddlemen site. They wanted $24 for regular shipping. I looked on Amazon, could not find one, so searched around a bit and ordered one from Revzilla. Only $8 shipping. Got here in 4 days.

Here's a photo on the seat, still in the package...

...Out of the package...

...and on the seat.

It was much faster than the trash bag. Looks better too.

I put it around the grab handles, probably won't do that in the future.

Mary is going to spray it with the tent sealer, and I'm thinking we're going to be very happy with it.

Thanks GoSlo!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

I re-installed the Mighty Mites today, got audio this time. lol

Made a small modification.

We've had some cool weather the last few days, but within a day or two it is forecast to be warmer. I will then do my heat testing and see if the little modification made a difference.

After that I will publish the results...along with the difference (if there is any) between the two different installations.

A few days after that we'll also have the installation video uploaded to our YouTube Channel.

Kevin

 

[GoSlo]

I went ahead and ordered one. First went to order it on the Saddlemen site. They wanted $24 for regular shipping. I looked on Amazon, could not find one, so searched around a bit and ordered one from Revzilla. Only $8 shipping. Got here in 4 days.

Here's a photo on the seat, still in the package...

...Out of the package...

...and on the seat.

It was much faster than the trash bag. Looks better too.

I put it around the grab handles, probably won't do that in the future.

Mary is going to spray it with the tent sealer, and I'm thinking we're going to be very happy with it.

Thanks GoSlo!

Kevin

Glad this worked out for you and I’ll be curious to hear if it is waterproof when you get a chance to try it out. Looking at the photos it looks like it fits the seat with the sheepskin (and maybe the Airhawk cushion?) with plenty of cover so it’s not too tight. The H-D one is pretty tight and won’t tuck around the front seat sides very well.

Speaking of the Airhawk pad, I used mine for the first time this weekend and couldn’t believe how much better I felt after riding 380 miles on Friday. Usually my butt gets sore by the end of this ride, but this year there was NO numbness, NO sore butt, or any of the usual symptoms. I was very happy with how it worked under the sheepskin, which holds it in place and is pretty invisible to anyone walking by that might be inclined to grab it.

Really enjoying this thread and watching you fix up the new Triglide!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Glad this worked out for you and I’ll be curious to hear if it is waterproof when you get a chance to try it out. Looking at the photos it looks like it fits the seat with the sheepskin (and maybe the Airhawk cushion?) with plenty of cover so it’s not too tight. The H-D one is pretty tight and won’t tuck around the front seat sides very well.

Speaking of the Airhawk pad, I used mine for the first time this weekend and couldn’t believe how much better I felt after riding 380 miles on Friday. Usually my butt gets sore by the end of this ride, but this year there was NO numbness, NO sore butt, or any of the usual symptoms. I was very happy with how it worked under the sheepskin, which holds it in place and is pretty invisible to anyone walking by that might be inclined to grab it.

Really enjoying this thread and watching you fix up the new Triglide!

I have no reason to think it's waterproof...all but one of the descriptions I read noted that it was water resistant. Mary is going to spray it tomorrow with tent sealer, so the first use it sees will be waterproof for sure.

Yes, it went all the way around the seat, the sheepskin (with the air hawk underneath) and the back rest, along with the grab handles too. Super easy, but still snug. I reckon the weak link will be the elastic.

I'm very happy with it, going to be much easier to use. When on a trip Mary usually does it, and I'm sure she like this better. Many times I am at work when a rain move thru or in, it is going to be much easier to get this covering everything when that happens. Thanks again for the link!

Glad to hear the air hawk is working for you. I really enjoy mine. I used to re-work the stock seats to fit my butt, supplementing the existing foam with comfort foam. It was always a long process. Now I just use the air hawk, and it's better than a re-worked seat...much easier too!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Photo of the last bit of the MM install yesterday.

Tomorrow Dwayne and I are going to commence shock testing of the factory suspension of the 2019 TG. We'll test a variety of settings, including the recommended settings from the manual.

We'll record all the readings, as well as the set-up and testing.

The next step after that will be testing the OEM shocks with the Convertible Comfort Lift™, and then after that with the 14" Trike Series Shocks™.

Realistically, it will probably be late June before we do the second and third wave of testing. I am running out of time to get everything done before leaving on a trip on the Softail the first part of June.

Wednesday I'll be heat testing with the Mighty-Mites. Report on the results will be late this week or early next week.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Today we did the OEM shock testing on the 2019 Tri Glide.

All the BumpRecorder Data will be uploaded to Dwayne's computer tomorrow for him to put in a video and convert to jpgs for the written report.

We used a stretch of road that has 2 bridges (4 bumps) with relatively smooth road approaching each bridge.

First thing we did was put a line of duct tape on the road, so that when the front tire was lined up with that line, the rear tires would hit the bump the same each time. We did this at the entrance and exit of each of the bridges.

Next, I rode with the front wheel on each line, with the cruise on 40 mph in 4th gear.

I did this with the shocks at a setting of 1 and also with the recommended setting of 4. (4 was better).

This gives us a baseline of how the oem rear shocks perform at each of the 4 bumps, plus the smooth road in between.

As time permits I will be doing the same exact test with the Convertible Comfort Lift™ and the oem rear shocks, and then the same test again with the 14" Trike Series Shocks™.

That is when it will get very interesting, seeing the comparisons between those graphs.

Tomorrow is some more heat testing, then this weekend some more mods.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

A shot from above as I head down the road for the first test.* Red -----> pointing at the duct tape that I will hit with my front tire on the way back.

Kevin

 

[GoSlo]

We used a stretch of road that has 2 bridges (4 bumps) with relatively smooth road approaching each bridge.

Kevin

Kevin,

It'll be interesting to see these reports on the stock and your shocks, but I have to question your choice of "bumps"!! That looks like a perfectly smooth road around here !! We've got bumps that'll throw your back out, lift you clear off the seat, and rattle your eyeballs. Seriously though, that's just the kind of road imperfection that I was hoping the 14" shocks and lift kit would smooth out and they worked great doing just that.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin,

It'll be interesting to see these reports on the stock and your shocks, but I have to question your choice of "bumps"!! That looks like a perfectly smooth road around here !! We've got bumps that'll throw your back out, lift you clear off the seat, and rattle your eyeballs. Seriously though, that's just the kind of road imperfection that I was hoping the 14" shocks and lift kit would smooth out and they worked great doing just that.

Hey Barry,

Yeah, the photo I posted was not a good representation of the bumps.

I chose this road because it has smooth road (to get a baseline), then a bridge with bumps at the start and finish, then some smooth road, then a bridge with bigger bumps (plus expansion joints) at the start and finish of it.

(and all of these are "double-tap" bumps, where there is one, quickly followed by another. The double taps are not only uncomfortable, but also show on the BumpRecorder graph how well...or not well...the shocks recover between bumps)

Here are a few more photos-

Small uneven bumps, then the bridge juncture bump:

An expansion joint with some bumps with 3/4" to 1 3/4" sharp variations:

Then another expansion joint followed by a 2.5" hole for the right tire and a 1.5" for the left tire.

These are some pretty good bumps, with the last one being a bit of a bone jarring one with the OEM shocks. We have larger ones, but these are a good representation of everyday bumps that take their toll.

(plus, the bigger ones literally go off the chart on the BumpRecorder!)

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Just finished up almost 3 hours of temperature testing with the MM Fans.* Did three circuits, twice each.* Once with no fans, and once with fans.* After the first run I had to let*it cool to the "beginning" temp before each of the subsequent 5 runs.

Charts and video will be out soon.**

I am glad to be done with this....oh, it was ambient temps of 88-89 degrees, so it was a bit warm.* lol

But now I can move on to getting some other things done.* It was a bit uncomfortable seeing my engine get as hot as it did today without the fans on...even with the fans on, the oil had no where to dissipate the heat!

I'll be doing an oil and filter change this weekend to get all that abused oil replaced!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Got a few updates today-

First is...the more I ride this 2019 model, the more I am impressed with the improvements in the braking.

Whether using the hand brake or the foot brake, they work so much better than in years past...I know they are linked, but in years past, even when using front and rear brakes simultaneously, they were never as effective as they are on this 'a9 TG.

Very happy with them!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Here is a chart some folks have asked for regarding the numbers in the video below.

Also included in the notes are some insights regarding differences between the M8 and Twin Cam in reading temperatures and target temps.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Great to know you're enjoying!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Last week I installed the Mighty-Mite Cooling Fans. (installation video coming soon)

Last week I also did some heat testing, running the same routes, without the fans on, and with them on. Video on that coming soon also, but in the meantime, below is a chart and notes showing how effective these are!

If you decide to get some of these, we would appreciate you using this link- http://buylovejugs.com/?ap_id=DKKevin These are from Zook, the owner of Trike Talk Forum, and he pays DK a small referral fee when you use this link.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Mary finished editing the installation video of the Mighty-Mite Cooling fans on the 2019 Tri Glide.



Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

2019 Tri Glide Update-

What I've done so far, and what is planned in the near future.

Done:

Ceramic Coated the Paint & Wheels

Tour-Pak Relocation

TP Filler LED Run-Brake-Turn

Tank Lift w/ Deluxe Option

Cooling Deflector Wings

Mighty-Mite Fans

Performance Permanent Oil Filter

Custom Handlebars

Passenger Drink Cup Holder

Airhawk

Backrest

Sheepskin

Mary's TP backrest

Tour-Pak Power-point

TP lid safety tether

We've also done a fair amount of testing, some already published on YouTube, some still being worked on.

We also had protective film installed by a company that ended up all being pulled off due to the poor job they did.

Mary and I are leaving on a Road Trip tomorrow with the Softail.

While we are gone Devin will be doing the following with the Tri Glide:

Install:

Trike Mid-Step

Rider Floorboard Extension

New, still prototype, adjustable passenger floorboard extension

When we get back from our Softail Trip I will be doing the following:

Extended Shift Peg installation

Rider Highway pegs

Comfort lift with stock shocks for testing, then...

Comfort lift with 14" shocks

Put protective film on

Ceramic coat over the film

Air Cleaner with EBS install

Oil filter relocation & Oil cooler

Rider Drink Cup holder

Spark Plug wires

Rear Bumper

Tour-Pak Rack

All the above needs to be done before we leave on our trip to Newfoundland in the first part of July.

We will be taking photos and/or video on all the above and posting here in late June and early July.

Kevin

 

[MDO]

Have a great trip. You have got me thinking about my Labor Day trip to the 4 Corners Rally in Durango, CO.

That & the fact it raining 5 days straight here in STL.

Be safe on the road.orag:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Have a great trip. You have got me thinking about my Labor Day trip to the 4 Corners Rally in Durango, CO.

That & the fact it raining 5 days straight here in STL.

Be safe on the road.orag:

Thanks man!

Hope it quits raining for you soon, and that you have a great Labor Day Trip to the 4 Corners Rally!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kudo's to HD for getting the TCS nailed the first time out!

See report from earlier today at this thread-

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thr...-Traction-Control-System-works-amazingly-well

Kevin

 

[MDO]

Definitely, I'm really looking forward to it. My middle son is involved in putting this event on.

As of now, I'm traveling with my oldest son & a Goldwing friend of mine.

Durango is about 1,100 miles from St. Louis.