What Did You Do To Your Freewheeler Today?

[JTJersey]

Found a sissy bar backrest combo on eBay for $150 so it was cheap enough to try. I only want it around in case I need it. Most times I don't ride anyone, but when the time comes a passenger back rest is a must on the Freewheeler or your going to lose somebody off the back. Just didn't want to pay HD $260 + another $120 for the pad. Other than having to chase the threads on one of the body bracket holes installation went well. I did swap out the stainless steel bolts for black that I picked up at Lowes and a couple of 7/8" black plugs for the mounting bracket holes. For the few times I'll ever use it I'm satisfied with this eBay combo.

 

[rhino 2]

Found a sissy bar backrest combo on eBay for $150 so it was cheap enough to try. I only want it around in case I need it. Most times I don't ride anyone, but when the time comes a passenger back rest is a must on the Freewheeler or your going to lose somebody off the back. Just didn't want to pay HD $260 + another $120 for the pad. Other than having to chase the threads on one of the body bracket holes installation went well. I did swap out the stainless steel bolts for black that I picked up at Lowes and a couple of 7/8" black plugs for the mounting bracket holes. For the few times I'll ever use it I'm satisfied with this eBay combo.

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Believe me you’re gonna use it more then you think… it’s a perfect place to hang your helmet on..ThumbUp ..I use the rack on my triglides top box to lay my jacket on..If I lay it over the seat there’s a chance of the hot engine or pipe burning it..

 

[Jack Klarich]

I have 2 sissy bars, 1 with a pad and 1 with out

The only thing I do not like is the O rings, IMO it is a poor design

 

[Capt Jim]

Gear Shift Linkage Problem

I bought the Scripted Harley gear shift linkage and installed it matching the exact length of the stock one. Took my 21 Freewheeler for a test ride and it still clunks when shifting. I did notice that there is one inch play when you move it back and forth before it goes into gear. It seems like that is a lot of free play, half inch forward and half inch backwards. It was the same for the stock setup. Does anyone have the same problem on yours? I apologize for bothering about this bit it is very frustrating.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Cap Jim

 

[Jack Klarich]

I bought the Scripted Harley gear shift linkage and installed it matching the exact length of the stock one. Took my 21 Freewheeler for a test ride and it still clunks when shifting. I did notice that there is one inch play when you move it back and forth before it goes into gear. It seems like that is a lot of free play, half inch forward and half inch backwards. It was the same for the stock setup. Does anyone have the same problem on yours? I apologize for bothering about this bit it is very frustrating.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Cap Jim

Jim, the Harley transmission is a constant mesh, it is all but impossible to get all of the clunk out, you have to decide how much you can live with

Some heavier tranny fluid does help some, with hydraulic clutch bikes / trikes there is no clutch adjustment, this does not help the clunk either

Changing primary lube can help some also

 

[Capt Jim]

I will probably go to a heavier primary when I change oil again. Do you have the same amount of play with the linkage? That seems like it is too much back and forth.

 

[JTJersey]

I bought the Scripted Harley gear shift linkage and installed it matching the exact length of the stock one. Took my 21 Freewheeler for a test ride and it still clunks when shifting. I did notice that there is one inch play when you move it back and forth before it goes into gear. It seems like that is a lot of free play, half inch forward and half inch backwards. It was the same for the stock setup. Does anyone have the same problem on yours? I apologize for bothering about this bit it is very frustrating. Thanks for any help you can give. Cap Jim

My '21 Freewheeler has 3/8" free play. I do recall a wise man in this group say that eliminating the "clunk" in the shift will void your warranty. I say it was good enough for my '59 Pan and my '78 Shovel so it must be a feature not a flaw.

 

[Capt Jim]

Thats probably true about voiding the warranty, LOL The play I have is 1/2 in forward and 1/2 in. reversed.

 

[rhino 2]

My '21 Freewheeler has 3/8" free play. I do recall a wise man in this group say that eliminating the "clunk" in the shift will void your warranty. I say it was good enough for my '59 Pan and my '78 Shovel so it must be a feature not a flaw.

That’s right… without the clunk how would you know if you changed gears… it’s a safety issue and Harley has the clunk trademarked..

 

[Jack Klarich]

I will probably go to a heavier primary when I change oil again. Do you have the same amount of play with the linkage? That seems like it is too much back and forth.

Yeah not quite 1/2 inch, I have always used heim joint rods, the OEM are horrible, at least with heim joints it does not change like the flimsy stock ones

 

[Capt Jim]

Yes, it is a better setup than the original and I don't have to worry about the linkage coming off while I am in the middle of nowhere.:clapping:

 

[priell3]

I rode another 110 miles yesterday. Perfect weather - mid 70s and sunny.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Still looking @ some bling for my Freewheeler, wondering how much longer the supply chain issues will go on

Seems like everything I want is backordered or not available, I am looking @ getting some Drag Specialties oval ( half moon nostalgic) floor boards

 

[JTJersey]

Still looking @ some bling for my Freewheeler, wondering how much longer the supply chain issues will go on Seems like everything I want is backordered or not available, I am looking @ getting some Drag Specialties oval ( half moon nostalgic) floor boards /QUOTE]

Those floor boards don't have the rubber cushions? Exactly what I've been looking for. Don't need the rubber anti-vibration pads on the Freewheeler there's no vibration. I may have to put myself on the notify list for those. Thanks. Apparently you can't order directly from Drag, but they list Nicks Motorcycle Salvage as a distributor and he's only about 30 minutes from me. Weather permitting I'll go check him out soon. I'll post back if your interested.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Still looking @ some bling for my Freewheeler, wondering how much longer the supply chain issues will go on Seems like everything I want is backordered or not available, I am looking @ getting some Drag Specialties oval ( half moon nostalgic) floor boards /QUOTE]

Those floor boards don't have the rubber cushions? Exactly what I've been looking for. Don't need the rubber anti-vibration pads on the Freewheeler there's no vibration. I may have to put myself on the notify list for those. Thanks. Apparently you can't order directly from Drag, but they list Nicks Motorcycle Salvage as a distributor and he's only about 30 minutes from me. Weather permitting I'll go check him out soon. I'll post back if your interested.

JT, those boards come both ways, D S part number 1621-0160 have the vibration dampers like our stock Shaker D shaped boards, DS part without is[h=1]w/o Vibration Inserts - 1621-0161, they also come in black pans instead of chrome[/h]

 

[priell3]

Dinner date tonight.

 

[priell3]

My wife had an 8:30 dentist appointment this morning so we hopped on the trikes and turned it into a 145 mile day of riding, eating and shopping. Sunny, low 80s in the afternoon.

 

[JTJersey]

92 degrees, no wind and not a cloud in the sky. South Jersey hasn't looked this good in 8 months. Ran a real pretty 85 mile loop with a couple of stops including Steakouts on Route 40 where I met another Freewheeler. Had a good chat and found out he only lives a few miles from me and his brother is one of my customers. Had a brief stop at the Alloway Inn, I don't even know what road it's on, it's literally in the middle of nowhere. Several other bikes there. Stopped at my Vietnam Vet buddies house for a bit and took a long way home from there. I am so ready to get out of the state and do a couple of weeks on the road that I can't stand it. Soon, real soon.

 

[priell3]

I am so ready to get out of the state and do a couple of weeks on the road that I can't stand it. Soon, real soon.

I you come up to north central PA, we'll show you a good time up here on our twisty mountain roads.

 

[priell3]

I put on a Drag Specialties extended shift peg today.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I put on a Drag Specialties extended shift peg today.

You will like it a lot, I have been running them since 2015, even tho J&P says they do not fit the 21 models, I had to show them in their own parking lot in Daytona, I rode down to buy 1 for my heal shifter I added on my 21 I like that J &P is only an hour ride from my house

 

[JTJersey]

I you come up to north central PA, we'll show you a good time up here on our twisty mountain roads.

Had a buddy in Breezewood PA. Was out there on my '78 Lowrider and he said "let's go for a ride, but watch the signs." Beautiful scenery. Sign ahead was a half dozen big black arrows on orange pointing left. ??? Turn, turn, keep turning, TURN SOME MORE DAMN IT! I'm scraping the pegs looking at a precipice of doom. I live in NJ about 1 foot above sea level with an impenetrable swamp in my back yard. You guys are out of your minds. Isn't it great? Love that state.

 

[JTJersey]

Did 180 miles to Cape May NJ, back up the Garden State Parkway and the back roads to Rt 40 for a brief stop. Lot's of people out today. Gorgeous afternoon.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Did 180 miles to Cape May NJ, back up the Garden State Parkway and the back roads to Rt 40 for a brief stop. Lot's of people out today. Gorgeous afternoon.

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Thanks for sharing the pictures of your day, I really like seeing the old iron, it kinda makes me sad to remember my 60 FL and how I should have kept it

 

[JTJersey]

I got really interested back when we were discussing the Roadking Speedo/Tach combo on the Freewheeler, but when I factored in the shop labor to set the Anti-lock brake system up on the ECM it was pushing $700. That would have been a tough one to explain to the wife. All I really wanted was the option of having the clock up and simultaneously see what gear and RPM I was at. Broke down and spent the ridiculous amount Harley wanted for their clock. After some R&D to mount the thing where I wanted it (not on the handlebars) it works nicely. Of course time, pun intended, will tell how long it lasts. I've read mixed reviews, but there's no vibration at the mount point, it's solid and doesn't move, out of the wind and weather so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Now I can confirm what gear I'm in and also know what time it is all at a glance. Oh, it's the little round chrome/black thing on the right side of the fairing.

 

[priell3]

I rode to a doctor appointment today, 1 hour from home. It took me 2.25 hours to get home.

 

[priell3]

All I really wanted was the option of having the clock up and simultaneously see what gear and RPM I was at. Broke down and spent the ridiculous amount Harley wanted for their clock.

I'm in the same boat. I want the thermometer too.

 

[JTJersey]

I rode to a doctor appointment today, 1 hour from home. It took me 2.25 hours to get home.

Looks like a gorgeous ride. Nice pics. I'll bet navigating that covered bridge was interesting. Wish I had someplace around my way worth taking pics of.

 

[priell3]

Looks like a gorgeous ride. Nice pics. I'll bet navigating that covered bridge was interesting. Wish I had someplace around my way worth taking pics of.

As I said before, if you get up this way I'll show around.

 

[priell3]

My wife and I rode with friends yesterday, Freewheelers leading the way.