| Author | Message | ||
     Orangeulius |
I brought a defective FXRG jacket back to Smoky Mtn HD for repair. Harley lost it and gave me a $650.00 credit at the store! Woo Hoo! OK, so now I need to think of the best way to spend it. Here's my current thinking/options. I want to get something significant and not whittle it away on small things. I own a 2006 Uly with about 20k on it. I have all three model seats. 1) I have no bags. I could get the new outdoorsman side bags. I had the original side bags and didn't like them. I'd need to come up with a few bucks but could probably do it. 2) Get the new ZTL2 front brake conversion. My front rotor is shot and this would be better than wasting the repair costs. I would have $150 or so left over if I did the install myself or had my buddies help. I haven't checked, but maybe I could get the newer front fork springs for the difference. 3) Get some PIAA lights and a new battery, mine took its annual dump. Some heated gear and maybe grips with the leftover. I just hate to spend money on the heated stuff since I can make due most of the time. 4) Get a Buell GPS. I know they are overpriced but I need to get stuff through the HD dealer. Your thoughts? I can't wait to see some of the more "creative" replies. Merry Christmas! Orange | ||
| Ourdee |
2) Get the new ZTL2 front brake conversion. My front rotor is shot and this would be better than wasting the repair costs. I would have $150 or so left over if I did the install myself or had my buddies help. I like ZTL2 brakes, Then get the BUELL mesh jacket for 150.  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Ourdee, that's actually a pretty good idea. I'd be all set for spring/summer. I saw the new mesh jacket last time I was at the dealer. It looked sweet. Gotj says I'm a rolling Buell ad anyway so this would fit right in. Thx. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I like the upgrading the fork springs & brakes idea. Especially the fork springs. If I rode off the beaten path often and I had extra $$ to add to that $650 I'd wait on the brakes and upgrade to the 08 triples & forks. But that's a lot more than $650 I reckon. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Metalstorm, now there's an idea I hadn't thought of. I'll have to price that option. Every so often I'd trade about anything for a tighter turn radius. Thx. | ||
| Skinstains |
I think the brake upgrade is a waste of money. The six pot caliper is more than up to the job. The problem lies in the master cylinder. $300 will get you a Brembo master cylinder but your credit won't work as it's not H-D. I have never ridden an 06 but the tree upgrade seems to be worth doing from what I read here. If you have the mounts for both the side and top bag already, you could just get the top bag. Court says his will hold two helmets in it. This would give you a lot of storage and wouldn't sacrifice your lane splitting abilities. The only catch is that if you run only the top bag you still need all the bracketry as using only top bag mounts will cause failure in the mount over time. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Skinstains, the mounts went with the bags. I wish Buell had quick release mounts as I often prefer riding with no bags but hate the fuggly mounts left behind. Thanks for your comments on the brakes. I'll keep that in mind. | ||
| Dr_greg |
I vote (1) or (3). You gotta carry stuff, and you gotta stay warm and see. The PIAAs do an excellent job of freezing deer in their tracks. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Orange, can you spend your HD credit at Chicago Harley? If so your money will go farther as they typically provide 20% off the list price. That would make the Outdoorsman side cases come in under your $650. The '08 triple tree conversion if you do it yourself will be under your budget: Forks : J0121.3AK ($318) & J0122.3AK ($318) Triples : J0105.3AKYBD ($148)& J0106.3AKYBD ($148) Lower Center Fender: M1125.3AKMBP ($70) Especially if you order these parts from Chicago HD and get the 20% off.'' I have an '06 and the next two mods are Brembo front MC and then '08 trees and springs. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Just get some TT number plates and fasten them to the side racks when the bags are off. It'll look great. No, really! I suggest this only because I know I'm safely a couple thousand miles away and need not fear getting bonked over the head  | ||
| Jammin_joules |
Newer triple clamps are about half your windfall if you install them, including the tamper-resistant Torx 27 needed to get the ignition switch fastener out. Full disclosure: I have heated riding jacket, saddle bags (well, ammo cans which act as sliders) and will soon have additional lighting of some sort, (ie. HID and/or PIAA added). I don't know why you have so many battery issues, but that seems a no brainer. For my money, the heated gear is most useful of the group. ~jammer | ||
| Orangeulius |
Dr G, your right from a sensibility point of view. Firstbatch, thanks for the pricing info. I'll see if I'm locked into my dealer or not. Maybe they'll price match. Metalstorm, either I do the TT plates or I could fill the hole with my Lost in Space and Scooby Doo lunch boxes! | ||
| Orangeulius |
Jammer, usually TN winters aren't too bad. This year is unusual. With the Big Ass Windshield ETennuly made for me I'm good to go down to 30 degrees. Colorado? Much colder. I'm in Iowa today with lots of snow. I'm missing TN already as it's supposed to be in the 50's this week. | ||
| Ulynut |
L.O.L.- Those lunch boxes would look great.  | ||
| Gotj |
If you change out the triple clamps, go ahead and put in the 07 springs too - about $40 I believe. Also change the fork oil and oil level while the legs are out of the triple clamps. | ||
| Etennuly |
They have beer, burgers, and chips out in the 'shed'.  $650 would go a long way. I still think some heated gear would be your best friend in the end! But then, I didn't think about the fork conversion.......hmmmmmm. I know where that could get done for fun.  | ||
| Jammin_joules |
Etennuly, Don't believe the weather man on national news, we portray snow & cold to support the ski industry. On the Front Range, below 6,000 feet, I ride year round. Of course the last two years have provided some periods of extended snow fall, but I can honestly say that since moving here in 1999 I have ridden a motorcycle every month of the year. Colorado lets one ski, golf and motorcycle ride all in the same day and within a 25 mile radius. ~jammer | ||
| Etennuly |
Orange and I live about 40 miles apart. I use heated gear a lot, even with my BAW. He and I ride together often and personally I don't know how he can tolerate the cold we have often ridden in. When I get cold I suffer physically when he can tough it out. Cold seems to be my Kriptonite. The weather here in East Tennessee is wildly different in the winter. One day it will snow two inches, by noon the next day it will be 70F. You can leave in the morning for a ride it will be 40F. by two pm it can be 75F and as soon as darkness sets it can drop to 20F. Heated gear, and rain gear, I never leave home without it. Mark, how is your choice looking so far? | ||
| Orangeulius |
Hey Vern. Like all guys after just finishing a big Christmas eve meal, I am finding it hard to focus on this decision due to an overload of pie and other sugar laden deserts. I can say that the GPS is out. I will be sleeping on it and see if the sugar plum fairies,or my sugar coma, have any influence. Orange, out. | ||
| Orangeulius |
OK. After a restful night of sugar and carb induced slumber, here's where the moneys going. 1) 08 triple tails. Great idea. I read treadmarks thread and I'm sold. 2) 07/08 fork springs. Gotj has these and really likes them. Sold. 3) Heated vest or jacket. You guys have sold me. Plus I am freezing here in Iowa so it sounds REALLY good. 4) I've got to get rid of the front brake pulsing. The lyndalls didn't do it. Not sure what the solution is. 5) Keep some credit for future use. Merry Christmas. Thx for all the help! | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Merry Christmas Mark! I like the heated gear and keeping dollars in reserve approach. A new rotor could fix the pulsing, that is what 'did it' for mine. Just recently I did the ZTL2 and, for me, more show than go. Combined with the 19mm radial MC, it does feel/modulate nice though, but who is to say that is more psychological than not. I've only maybe 100 miles on it so let me guinea pig for you a little longer. Either way, sounds like a nice Santa present! | ||
| Maximum |
"4) I've got to get rid of the front brake pulsing. The lyndalls didn't do it. Not sure what the solution is." I lived with the same pulsating issue for the last 20,000 miles...sometimes worse than other times. The lyndall's seemed to help a little at first, then they ended up just as bad. It seemed like when I took the rotor off and and wet sanded it with brake cleaner, it help a lot...but again returned back to the pulsating in a relatively short period of time. I had almost forgot how the brakes were supposed to feel. So I just bit the bullet and did the ZTL2 conversion and a new rotor kit. Finally the brakes are back to being silky smooth! Now it also would have probably fixed the problem to just get a new rotor, but I still would have needed to purchase new brake pads to do it right. Since the new ZTL2 caliper comes with the new pads...I was able to justify to myself to spend a couple hundred more and just get the whole kit. Of course I was able save nearly $200 on the whole setup by catching a Black Friday sale at a local dealer. Cha Ching!  As you can see in my "Merry Christmas to me" thread, I have not done any hard testing of the new brakes yet...but for normal riding so far I love the feel. So in the end you should at least add the rotor kit to your list to fix the pulsating (then "barrow" money out of the grocery fund to get the rest...nothing wrong with eating PB&J and Mac-N-cheese).  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Hi Ken. Good to hear from you. Think you'll make it to March Badness this coming year? Steve, sounds like I could do better for myself if I catch an after New Year sale. I have to find out if my credit is only good at SMHD or other dealers. Gotta stretch my dollars. Nice post on the new brake setup. I will probably try an interim fix and then go from there. Both of you keep us posted on your experience with your new front brakes. Best, Orange | ||
| Firstbatch |
Orange, are you going to tackle the '08 triple tree project or get your local shop to do the switch? | ||
| Orangeulius |
I think Vern has offered to help. I'd prefer to do it just for the experience. | ||
| Etennuly |
I think Vern has offered to help. I'd prefer to do it just for the experience You bet! We have some really good instructions that were presented last spring by someone, I haven't looked it up yet, Treadmarks perhaps?? I would like to get my hands around that mod and test drive it. It has been on my short list for a while. | ||
| Firstbatch |
Sounds like a plan......I think I will be right behind you on this mod once the winter sets in here in Virginia. Look'in to gather up all the tips to make this a smooth conversion. Tread did a good write up and I think there was another. We are supposed to have 62 deg temps on Saturday so looking forward to a good ride. | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Mark the plan is to make it down for MB6...something is brewing at work though so I'm keeping fingers crossed. You're more than welcome to have a spin on the bike if I get to make it! Ken | ||
| Ponti1 |
Just a thought, but you could always buy a FXRG jacket with your new-found cash...  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Ken, I hope things work out so you can attend. Andrew, the thought crossed my mind for about two seconds. I bought this jacket with my V-Rod. It is too heavy for use any other time than fall/winter. Besides it doesn't have BUELL plastered all over it! |
