The June East Coast Biker Online is available. We are busy getting ready for the Maryland/Delaware State HOG Rally. Diana found some time in her very busy schedule to submit an article about the upcoming rally which is this week! See page 18 and 19. Click here.
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The May 2012 East Coast Biker Online is available. Diana has a new article on page 40 called Biker Chick Learns to Wrench. My monthly product review on the Slime Power Sport is on page 50. Click here to check it out!
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So the first time I change my fluids without my mentor supervising I make a dumb mistake. I fill according to the service manual spec and just before almost dumping in all the specified oil I stop a few ounces shy to check the oil. Too late! I don’t understand it!!!! Why is there too much oil in the tranny? Then I do it again in the engine! After my motorcycle maintenace mishap Diana does hers and she hits it dead nuts on in all three chambers! She rocks! We have a lot of left over oil because the motorcycles don’t take all the recommended amount. Not sure why. Maybe I didn’t warm them up enough to facilitate the drainage of the oil. I dunno! So now I have too much oil in my tranny and engine and freak’n out because I’m going to ruin my motorcycle! I can’t sleep that night knowing it’s not right. After a sleepless night I did figure out how to correct the fluid levels and get them just right. I’m not ready to tell you how. Maybe in the next post. First you tell me what you would do if I came to you for help; besides take my tools away. How do you remove good oil from an overfilled motorcycle engine?
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The April 2012 East Coast Biker Online is now available and the good news is the cover is not bad! See Diana’s coverage of the 2012 MAV St Patty’s Day Poker Run on page 24 and 25 documenting our spring ritual. My monthly product review column is on page 46 with an article about tools you’ll need to start doing your own motorcycle maintenace. Click here.
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We recently put new spark plugs in our motorcycles. Mostly because the ones in there looked nasty and all rusty. Of course I put the recommended Harley-Davidson® plugs in. I also put a new Harley-Davidson battery in my 2007 Low Rider because it isn’t a good starter. But it still seems to have an issue starting even with the new Harley-Davidson battery. Maybe it’s like it’s owner. Doesn’t like to wake up, starts a little groggy and then grumpy until after a few cups of coffee. How often do you change your spark plugs and what brand do you use? How often do you change your battery and what brand do you use?
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We already discussed oil, so the next logical discussion is oil filters. Might as well talk air filters too. Again I’m in lemming mode buying the stock Harley-Davidson® oil and air filters. I’m thinking the K&N oil filters reccomended on the Fix My Hog DVD look easy to remove with their built in 17mm nut. What oil and air filters do you use on your motorcycle and why?
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This week on Moto Map Monday: Smoky Mountains
“Where to ride?” is the question and “Moto-Maps®” is the answer! Moto-Maps are travel size 3.5″ x 6″ laminated flip charts of scenic back-roads for motorcyclists. Each booklet includes six to seven maps with turn by turn directions for 6 or 7 loops. Each ride is a full day trip ranging from 3 to 8 hours to complete. The maps cost less than $10.00 a piece and are available at www.shop.roadcaptainusa.com
This week we are featuring the Best of the Smoky Mountains edition of Moto-Maps Back-Road Touring Guides. This edition features seven scenic motorcycle rides that explore the back roads of the Smoky Mountains. These are some of the most popular ride destinations in the United States including Deals Gap and The Blue Ridge Parkway. If you are taking a motorcycle trip to the Smokey Mountains you should make sure to get this back-road touring guide.
Moto-Maps compact size make them a great stocking stuffer for the motorcyclist in your life. They are also a great tool for Road Captains.
Click here for more information on the Smoky Mountains Moto-Map from www.Shop.RoadCaptainUSA.com
Click here to see all 25 Moto-Maps
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So far I have gone from using Harley-Davidson® oil in my motorcycle to Amsoil and back to Harley-Davidson. I’m currently using the Harley-Davidson oil because it is a no brainer. I could go back to Amsoil motorcycle oil which I perceive to be a higher quality product. I thought sticking with Harley makes it easy to pick up at any Harley-Davidson dealer out on the road. That is a bit of poop because many dealerships are closed on Sundays and close early at night. Glimmerman made a comment yesterday that he uses Mobil V-Twin motorcycle oil and it is readily available at Walmarts, K-marts and commonly found auto parts stores making it more available than Harley-Davidson oil. This might be a good way to go. Hmm. Can you hear the cogs turn’n in my head?
Click here for Harley-Davidson® branded Zippo lighters.
Please tell me what oil works best for you and why.
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Here are some handy items you can buy from your local Harley-Davidson dealer to help change your oil. The primary funnel is pretty nifty. I also like the oil catcher that goes under the oil filter. I’m going to return the transmission fill funnel and get my $5.95 back as I got a free funnel just like this one bundled with the oil pan I bought at Advanced Auto Parts. I also see them for $1.00 at Dollar General.
Transmission Fill Funnel – Part# 63799-10 = $5.95
Primary Oil Fill Funnel – Part# 63797-10 = $10.95
Multi-Fit Oil Catcher – Part# 63794-10 = $20.99
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This is what $345 looks like! It’s spring and we are going to start the riding season by doing a little maintenance on our two Harley-Davidson Dyna motorcycles. My 2007 Dyna Low Rider is in need of a new battery. That was a little pricey at $129. There are some tools here at $48. Got a new air filter for Diana’s Super Glide. Picked up new spark plugs and oil filters. Got a flat style derby cover gasket for my new derby cover Diana got me for Christmas. Got six new o-rings for the oil drain plugs. Got 9 quarts of SYN3. Purchased some anti seize lubricant at the local Advanced Auto Parts store. Also picked up an oil pan. Found my spark plug gap tool. I think we are ready to practice the art of motorcycle maintenance.
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