What Did You Do To Your Freewheeler Today?

Had to clean our rides twice this weekend. Rode Saturday, it rained. Rode Sunday, it rained.

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I received my Custom Dynamics brake light modulator this afternoon from Cycle Gear. Ordered on Sunday & received on Wednesday which is pretty good and I love free/fast shipping This company has done nothing but provide excellent customer service to me. It was just too hot to mess with it today.

I still have a few more items on my checklist for the trike, but there's no hurry. I have picked up my emergency quart of fuel, good for about 9-10 miles, but hopefully I won't need it. It has a 5 year shelf life. I changed the battery in my main key fob & got the spare 1 out & will hide it somewhere. I also have a few more nuts/bolts to check.

My son arrived in Durango early yesterday & is ready for a big turnout. I'm very anxious for my 1st big rally.
 
I installed the H-D Get-A-Grip hand grips on my wife's Freewheeler today. These babys are beautiful on her trike. Feel good in the hands too and definitely grippy.

The left side took a little work to get on though. The flange was too wide to fit inside the switch housing. My son did some dremel work to thin it out to the thickness of the original grip and it all went together.

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It has been a week for me of having to do a lot of little things, nothing difficult, just time consuming.

I finally got an hour to do some fun stuff, work on my Freewheeler.

I cleaned/re-organized the trunk. I have a small LED flashlight in my tool bag. I have a magnetic LED light I stick on the trunk bolts if needed & I have an LED headlamp, which is great if your working on something, i.e. light where you look.

Yes, I am a flashlight junkie. They are all working .:laugh: I have added to my HD Cruze tool kit, some electrical tape, bailing wire & electrical cable ties. I took the battery out of my spare key FOB, added the extra gas cap key & 2 spare batteries, bagged it up and taped/hid it in a super secret secure location.

I also checked my shock air pressure, which never changes.

Then the fun stuff. I installed the Custom Dynamics Brake Light Strobe Module. & what a piece of cake that is.

I set the switches & strobe pattern to what I wanted, They have changed/upgraded the design of these units & the 2 switches/pattern selector dial are now under a rubber membrane. It makes it a little hard to see which of the 10 strobe/flash patterns your selecting, but in sunlight you can see the arrow.

1. Remove the seat & left side cover.

2. I pulled the main fuse.

3. You rear lighting plug is light gray, back by the frame under the passenger seat. The plug on the strobe module is the same color. It's simple & sailor proof, you can't screw it up. I used a nylon cable tie to hold it to the frame, positioning it where I could get to the adjustment dial, if desired.

4. Tested it/played a while & it's awesome.

I picked pattern #3, which, when brakes are applied, flashes 7 times, goes solid for 3 seconds & repeats.

Using the turn signal interrupts the pattern & things operate as normal. I like it & now when I add an LED light to the trunk, it will tie right into that system. I was leaning toward the light that mounts to the luggage rack, but am back to a nice long LED where the reflector is under the trunk latch.

I have to get the torque wrench out and check a few things, like rear lug nuts & motor mounts, but I am pretty much ready to go. I will check tire pressure the night before & add my monthly fuel cleaner additive to the tank.

I have been extremely lucky with my 17 FW, the only thing that's come loose in over 2 years is 1 screw on the trunk latch, but I pulled them 1 at a time, cleaned & applied blue Loctite, tightened them up & no issues since.

I forgot to mention, if you want to see the CD brake light modulator in action, just use your Google machine, there are dozens of videos on its installation & operation.

UPDATE:

I checked torque on the lug nuts & a few other items and found no problems.
 
I need to check tire pressure & load up for my trip, but it's been raining here off & on for 24 hours & its supposed to continue for another 24 hours :gah:

It's storming right now.
 
Factory 47 Malo bars. 14" Perfect height and I knew the width was right. Had them on my last bike.

I give up on loading pics. Some will. Some wont.

jsylvia7680 on Instagram. Plenty of pics there.
 
Hi Guys

I wrapped my trike in PlastiDip. It looked good, but I just wasnt happy with how it wasn’t going to last. I was scratching it just knocking it, so I’m now spending the day peeling it all off.

putting it on was a lot more fun ha. Looks like I’ll have to pay out for it to be sprayed.

Its currently OEM black, but I’m wanting a Matt black.
 
Factory 47 Malo bars. 14" Perfect height and I knew the width was right. Had them on my last bike.

I give up on loading pics. Some will. Some wont.

jsylvia7680 on Instagram. Plenty of pics there.

Had a look on instagram they look really good. Did you have to extend the cables & wiring?
 
I'm headed out to de-bug my FW from my trip. I had to take a day yesterday & deal with several small, annoying life issues & let it sit. It is so dirty I'm not sure it will ever be the same again.:( I'm gonna try a bottle of S100 Cleaner I have had for awhile.

I finally got around to opening my mail & low & behold my $20 Avon rebate Visa card had arrived. It took 7-8 weeks, just like they said it would.

When I go to lunch this Friday with the wife, it will be on me, well actually Avon.:D

I also like that the Avon Cobra Chrome front tire come with a 2 year road hazard warranty.:clapping:
 
I also wanted to mention I got very positive reviews from the Custom Dynamics brake light modulator I installed prior to the trip. I had people pull up next to me 2X in 2 different cities & mention it was an attention getter. Good to know.

I also am still getting positive comments on the Custom Dynamic LED inserts installed in the front turn signals. The white running lights are very visible to anyone ahead of you. It's good to be seen coming & going.:cool:

I still plan on removing the rear reflector & installing a long, thin LED brake light, but as most things with my Freewheeler, I take a while to decide.
 
I'm headed out to de-bug my FW from my trip. I had to take a day yesterday & deal with several small, annoying life issues & let it sit. It is so dirty I'm not sure it will ever be the same again.:( I'm gonna try a bottle of S100 cycle cleaner I have had for awhile.

I have had that feeling a few times. :)
 
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I need to start this by saying I hate to wash my trike/bike with soap/hose. I just don't like spraying it down, I always think I'm going to get something wet that shouldn't be.

I have had a quart bottle of S100 Cleaner for a while & could not bring myself to try it, but I decided to give it a go on my bug covered FW. Shake it and spray it everywhere on a cool, dry trike, and then, hose the hell out of it. I tested it well, spraying the wheels, in-between the engine & the oil cooler fins.

You then do a top to bottom final easy rinse. I must say it removed 99% of the bugs/grime & it says it protects the metal. I just did not think they would come off without scrubbing with the wash mitt.

Some of those bugs had ridden with me most of the 2,500 mile trip. After using my leaf blower to remove the excess water, I gave the paint a quick wipe down with Lucas Speed Wax. I will hit the paint again with HD can spray polish, but I'm pretty impressed with the S100.

cleaed trike pic after Durango.jpg
 
After putting my FW back in the garage, I did a few quick checks. My battery VDC was 12.6 while sitting. The engine oil level was right where I started the trip at, using none in close to 3,000 hot miles since changing it. My transmission fluid level was perfect & pink. I will be changing my engine oil to Redline 20w50 & using my last HD oil filter, then its all K&N's, as I have 3.

We can talk more about fluids in the comprehensive 2020 lubricants/filter thread I will start as a holiday gift to Jack.

I still have a few service items to do to complete my maintenance checklist, but I am pretty much doing it year round, 1 or 2 bites at a time. I like that better than all at once. The big item is pulling the rear wheels & flushing the rear brake fluid. My entire front brake circuit & clutch are done. I am thinking more & more about the AIM clutch actuator, I just have to convince myself it's worth the money & install time.

1 final note to all Freewheeler fans, this thread went over 100,000 views & I want to thank everyone who contributes & reads it. We are all smarter together than alone. I know I have learned a lot here & it's due to everyone participating.
 
After putting my FW back in the garage, I did a few quick checks. My battery VDC was 12.6 while sitting. The engine oil level was right where I started the trip at, using none in close to 3,000 hot miles since changing it. My transmission fluid level was perfect & pink. I will be changing my engine oil to Redline 20w50 & using my last HD oil filter, then its all K&N's, as I have 3.

We can talk more about fluids in the comprehensive 2020 lubricants/filter thread I will start as a holiday gift to Jack.

I still have a few service items to do to complete my maintenance checklist, but I am pretty much doing it year round, 1 or 2 bites at a time. I like that better than all at once. The big item is pulling the rear wheels & flushing the rear brake fluid. My entire front brake circuit & clutch are done. I am thinking more & more about the AIM clutch actuator .​ I just have to convince myself it's worth the money & install time.

1 final note to all Freewheeler fans, this thread went over 100,000 views & I want to thank everyone who contributes & reads it. We are all smarter together than alone. I know I have learned a lot here & it's due to everyone participating.

Very good read Michael,

I would add, I have taken the pin out of my clutch lever, cleaned the lever and inside the perch. After cleaning I lube the clevis pin with some light grease and reinstall it. Use care not to lose the snap ring, they can be a bugger:p

See # 17 in this pic

HD17FLHTCUTG027.gif
 
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Avon

I'm headed out to de-bug my FW from my trip. I had to take a day yesterday & deal with several small, annoying life issues & let it sit. It is so dirty I'm not sure it will ever be the same again.:( I'm gonna try a bottle of S100 cycle cleaner I have had for awhile.

I finally got around to opening my mail & low & behold my $20 Avon rebate Visa card had arrived. It took 7-8 weeks, just like they said it would.

When I go to lunch this Friday with the wife, it will be on me, well actually Avon.:D

I also like that the Avon Cobra Chrome front tire come with a 2 year road hazard warranty.:clapping:

I just put the Avon on the front of my trike - anxious to give it a try (mailed in for the 20 bucks also).

Hope it lives up to its claims + the HD shop recommended it & it was CHEAPER than the Dunlop.
 
I just put the Avon on the front of my trike - anxious to give it a try (mailed in for the 20 bucks also).

Hope it lives up to its claims + the HD shop recommended it & it was CHEAPER than the Dunlop.

Please let us know what you think. I have an Avon sitting in my bedroom ready to be mounted sometime next year.

I'm cheap, I scanned my tire receipt into my computer & submitted the rebate online, saving a stamp.:D

It sounds even cheaper when I type it out and say it out loud!:laugh:
 
I'm riding with my oldest son tomorrow & went out and checked all 3 tire pressures on the FW. They did not change at all from before my trip. I had them set to 35psi front & 24 rears for the mainly highway trip. My shocks were at 18psi.

I really got lucky with my FW, it seems to be 1 of the good ones.:cool:
 
Nice ride to St Augustine today

Weather is hot here @ 95 degrees

My dealer called today to see if I was interested in trading up to a 20 20:p

There are a few road signs on US Hwy 1 South that are twisted from the storm

All in all we were VERY lucky during the hurricane
 
I also wanted to mention I got very positive reviews from the Custom Dynamics brake light modulator I installed prior to the trip. I had people pull up next to me 2X in 2 different cities & mention it was an attention getter. Good to know.

I also am still getting positive comments on the Custom Dynamic LED inserts installed in the front turn signals. The white running lights are very visible to anyone ahead of you. It's good to be seen coming & going.:cool:

I still plan on removing the rear reflector & installing a long, thin LED brake light, but as most things with my Freewheeler, I take a while to decide.

Those things are always the very first thing I do to any bike. I had the true beam smoke tail lights in mine and the wife FW and the dynamic rings up front with day maker headlights. Bright light not loud pipes save lives.
 
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Nice ride to St Augustine today

Weather is hot here @ 95 degrees

My dealer called today to see if I was interested in trading up to a 20 20:p

There are a few road signs on US Hwy 1 South that are twisted from the storm

All in all we were VERY lucky during the hurricane

Glad you got a ride in my friend, even in the hot temps. So what color 2020 you getting?:D

You do know the black ones, like mine, are fastest.:cool:
 
Please let us know what you think. I have an Avon sitting in my bedroom ready to be mounted sometime next year.

I'm cheap, I scanned my tire receipt into my computer & submitted the rebate online, saving a stamp.:D

It sounds even cheaper when I type it out and say it out loud!:laugh:

I don't view it as cheap, it's more efficient.
 
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Rode it. A lot. Pics randomly load here so I'm not going to try.

2250 miles in the last 9 days. 850 was just going on long rides here at home. Tuesday I packed up and left for Deals Gap. My friends were there. 595 here to there. Then all our riding Tail of the dragon, Cades Cove, Cherohala Skyway, up to Virginia to the Back of the Dragon. That was a 32 mile twisty ass road. Trike handled awesome. Really enjoying this trike. At 5800 miles. Just over 2 months. Need a service again. I'll do that next week.
 

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