| Author | Message | ||
     Hauntedmyst |
Thanks for your patience. I'm heading out on thursday to bike up my bike on Thursday and have some more questions and will probably have even more when I get back. 1. Why does everyone seem to remove the rear fender? To me its a distinct design component and just plain looks cool. Does it break, squeak, rub? 2. Although I like the look, I've never understood why people wrap the pipes on these bikes. Its something you almost never see in the metric world. Is there a benefit or is it just a visial thing? 3. Do Buells use the Harley key/starting system where you put your keys in, start the bike and then take the keys out and it keeps running? I'm sure I will think of more! Thanks guys! | ||
| Jos51700 |
1. They break. Or it's a styling thing. 2. They get friggin' hot. 3. No. HD's don't use that, either. | ||
| Preybird1 |
I have heard of someone filing the end off the tuber key and it will stay running. But i have never seen the type of key that bike uses. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Haunted, give me an ETA of when you'll be through here, you can stop by and see my bike in pieces and I can see yours! | ||
| Kilroy |
Yes you can file off the little tab on the barrel key and then you can take the key out of the ignition and the bike will stay running. That would just be one more way for me to loose my key if it wasn't stuck in there while riding. | ||
| Skntpig |
1. Style thing, no problem with them other than looks. 2. Wrapping will keep heat in pipes. Some do this after they have been neglected and rusted or scratched in a fall. Some just like the look. 3. Jos is wrong. Many 80s and 90s big twins had keys you use to lock or unlock the ignition and then remove the key and operate the ignition/headlight on and off without the key. Your S1 key stays in unless it is filed like above. | ||
| Rick_a |
1. It's hideous. 2. Keeps heat off the right leg (and does cover dings nicely). 3. Easy. You can just re-route the wires in the connector to do it...but I'm also using an older XL ignition in the same key code as original. There's an extra key slot in it. | ||
| Jos51700 |
"3. Jos is wrong. " That is inaccurate. HD used to use, and still uses, two methods. Dyna's, some VRSC's, and XL's require insertion of the key to start the bike, but removing the key requires shutting the bike off (as does an unmodified Buell key/switch. And I'll admit, I'd not heard of filing the tab off.) Softails, FLT's, the other VRSC's, and most "big-twin" HD's, going way back (like, to at least the '40's) require a key to unlock the ignition switch, but they do not/have not used a switch where a key is required to get the bike started, and then the key can be removed. Per the OP's original question, HD's require you to unlock the ignition switch, but you may then toss the key in a lake and still start the bike. The HD system doesn't care if the key is within 1000 miles, when the bike is started. The OP asked "Do Buells use the Harley key/starting system where you put your keys in, start the bike and then take the keys out and it keeps running?" Perhaps you can name a model that uses a key to get started, but doesn't need a key to keep running, But I cannot. So, we agree, they don't leave the key in the lock (And they do still use that system), but I did address the OP's question specifically (keys in, start, THEN remove keys....) (The only vehicle that comes to my mind that starts with a key, and then the key can be removed with the vehicle running, is my buddy Steve's Chevy Citation that he had in High School) | ||
| Kilroy |
I think that is splitting hairs. You can unlock the ignition on a Big Twin (with the key switch on the gas tanks), put the key in your pocket, then start the bike. Or, you can leave the key hanging out of the ignition and start the bike. I think the point was whether the key can be removed or not and ride the Buell. It can, but you have to modify the key to do it. | ||
| Jos51700 |
I agree, but I answered the question as it was written....  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"3. Do Buells use the Harley key/starting system where you put your keys in, start the bike and then take the keys out and it keeps running? I once had a fiero that had something break in the steering column.. I could turn the car on without ever having a key (using the tabs on the older 80s or so GM ignition) was kind of convenient until my buddies found out and started moving the car around as a prank every time they saw it | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Thank you for all the answers! I picked up my bike and drove it home on Thursday and Friday. The service at American Harley in Tonawanda was great. The mechanic said its in great shape but needs a few little things over the winter like a new carb (the old one works fine but it has some rust on it) and the pipes definately need to be rewrapped or replaced since they are surface rusted. I need to pick your brains for a few more questions. 1. Can the amount of dive be adjusted easily or should I take it to the dealer? Is there an adjustment at all? The front end drops more than I'm used to when I hit the brakes and would like to stiffen them up. 2. I was getting 50 to 55 mpg on the highway, which seemed pretty good. Is this around average? Should I have expected better or worse? 3. Do you favor regular or premium fuel? 4. I checked the brakes per forum instructions, no front and back movement but there is sideplay that makes a racket. Any way to silence that? 5. The turn signals are just that, turn signals. Don't they normally run as running lights as well? Any way to make them running lights/turn signals? | ||
| Spiderman |
1. Style thing, no problem with them other than looks. No problem at all, until you blow your rocker box gasket and the area covered is now your back tire instead of your inner fender.... | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
2. I was getting 50 to 55 mpg on the highway, which seemed pretty good. Is this around average? Should I have expected better or worse? 50-55 sounds normal, Mine drops to 45-50 when the rocker box gaskets need redone. (like clockwork every 12k miles so far) 5. The turn signals are just that, turn signals. Don't they normally run as running lights as well? Any way to make them running lights/turn signals? Tri-Star XP This will give you running lights using your stock single filament turn signals. Any HD Dealer should be able to order this for you. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I have to hunt for the part number, but the wave washers in your rotor buttons are worn, allowing the side to side rattle/annoyance. They're still available and easy to replace. I think I have a baggie of 'em in the garage with the part number on it, I'll send it if I do  Running lights in the turn signals would mean running a third wire (steady on) and a 2 filament bulb. AFAIK, no markets got running lights from the factory. Dive should be adjustable, assuming the S1 has the same forks as the S1W. It's an odd setup - one fork has an adjuster for compression, the other has the adjuster for rebound. If you need it, I can scan the page from the manual, but I believe it's here on badweb somewhere. I run premium. Your mileage sounds about right, and in line with what I get out of mine (when/if I'm nice to it, lol). Surface rust on the header should come right off with a buffer wheel - your choice entirely. I have the header wrapped on my S1W, for cosmetics and heat. And I wouldn't replace the carb becuase of some external surface rust/corrosion. Pull it this winter, disassemble, and clean. If it's working OK, just clean it up. | ||
| Hauntedmyst |
Thanks Guys! Rat, Is replacing the washers an at home thing or am I gonna end up flipping over my bars? Seems like just a few simple screws but the last time I thought that, a bridge in Minnesota fell down. |
