| Author |
Message |
    
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 11:03 am: | 
|
My 1300 mile Sturgis trip included 100+ degree weather and rain. As you know I bored holes in the seat dam and 4 one inch holes in the seat compartment floor. I also removed all the bungee hook hole covers in the seat compartment. I then installed 1" street elbows into the 4 bored seat compartment holes with the idea that these elbows would keep water out of the area.
We ran into steady rain for 25 miles of 60 to 70 mph highway riding yesterday. Uly engine never even coughed. That was on Highway 92 heading east in Nebraska. I checked under the seat after I unpacked in my garage and saw that some moisture and road grime (very little actually) had settled in the front crook of the compartment and had probably come through the open bungee hook holes. All the electronics forward of the seat dam were clean as they ever are. No problems.
The ECM was very warm. I wonder how warm it gets on its own??? I can only imagine how hot it might get with the stock setup in the Arizona desert and that is were they do testing isn't it?
Whether or not this is a good setup I cannot say but one thing is for sure it cures the leg heat problem on the highway completely. I never felt the heat. Contrast that with the 1300 mile trip to and from Buell Homecoming where leg heat was an unwelcome ever present companion.
I also want to mention the wooden bead seat pad. My 15 year old son rode this trip on his 1989 Yamaha YX600 Radian and said the bead seat really helped keep his butt cool and more comfortable. He has a Nebraska driver's and motorcycle learner's permit and aced the Rider's Edge course. He's also a straight "A" student. He rode the Radian to Homecoming without a bead seat so he knows the difference. Other riders we meet on the road usually go on and on how lucky he is at his age to be riding his own bike on these long trips. He always rides between my bike and my wife's 2007 XL1200R (which also runs strong and reliable like a champ).
I also had my bead seat pad on but on top of that I laid my sheep skin. That was the best my ass ever felt for that length of trip. The Buell homecoming trip I rode there with the bead seat sans sheepskin but took the beads off for coming back and my ass killed me without it. I use the original 06' tall seat. As for a previous comment about Walmart automotive $8 bead seats not holding up. Mine has through two trips and looks like new. I give it two thumbs up. I saw another guy with a bead seat on his Harley and he said he got his at a Dollar General for $2. The great thing about the beads is that no matter how long your seat sits in the baking sun your butt doesn't get scorched when you sit down. Add the sheepskin over that it its becomes downright comfy. The sheepskin also doubles as a great pillow when camping and I also used it as a blanket to keep me warm when one of the nights in the Black Hills got uncomfortably chilly. I say sheepskin but it has a good thick sheep 2" or 2.5" fleece on one side. From New Zealand. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 03:47 pm: |
|
Just ordered the new 07 Airbox cover, right side scoop from American Sport bike and considering a fan replacement and maybe the new 2008 bigger oil cooler. Was 105 in the desert last week and the bike did NOT like it at all. |
Iugradmark
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 04:15 pm: |
|
"and maybe the new 2008 bigger oil cooler"
City, I asked about retrofitting the larger cooler and was told that it couldn't be done by other folks on the board. I had the same thought. |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 09:52 pm: |
|
Cityxslicker,
Before you go and get a bigger oil cooler you should find out the pressure drop across the larger cooler compared to the stock cooler. The 08' oil pump may provide the added pressure for the larger oil cooler. |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 01:37 pm: |
|
Any updates on holes in the seat compartment, seat dam holes, ect. It takes quite some time now for my fan to run and sometimes is actually cycles off. I also moved the rear brake reservoir so heated air can escape easier through the 08' heat deflector. |
Midnightrider
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 07:50 pm: |
|
Well I finally got the parts I ordered 3 weeks ago - the air flow deflectors and the oil filler cap. I was waiting for the filler cap to add a thermometer like electraglider_1997 did - then go out and do some more experiments with the different heat management set ups (holes in seat pan, holes in seat dam, heat blanket, etc.) So of course today it is unseasonably cool at 71F and raining like hell.
As far as the air flow deflector guide things. I was in a mood so I asked the dealer for the next available appointment for installation. Three weeks and an hour labor minimum. Then I opened up the parts box and showed him the guides.
Boy, some guys have NO sense of humor. |
Miamiuly
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 01:37 pm: |
|
As far as the air flow deflector guide things. I was in a mood so I asked the dealer for the next available appointment for installation. Three weeks and an hour labor minimum. Then I opened up the parts box and showed him the guides.
Boy, some guys have NO sense of humor.
 That is too funny.
How often they must get away with an hour to install a piece of chrome.
Maybe I should go to MMI and be a harley tech/ accessory installer. |
Ftd
| | Posted on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 08:44 am: |
|
Any new info on the heat management experiments. I covered the bottom of my stock '06 seat with reflective duct tape and I am wondering what my next step should be.
Frank |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 11:00 am: |
|
Heat management update.
A few weeks ago I taped the seat pan with reflective tape I purchased at WalMart (http://covalenceadhesives.com/SearchProductsDetails.aspx?ID=77 )
It purportedly will stick to wet surfaces and is only about 8 bucks for 50ft roll.
I removed the rear brake reservoir and just plugged the end of the hose. So far unsuccessful in locating extra hose that is compatible with Dot 4 brake fluid. Any help would be appreciated. Need less than 1.5 ft so I can put reservoir in seat compartment. Yes, rear brake works fine since the hose is still filled with fluid.
I folded aluminum foil many thicknesses and taped as seen in photos of right side. It can be peeled away from Black Buell air-box cover so cover can be removed and then easily re-sealed.
I used the foil tape to completely seal the right side heat deflector so fan cannot blow hot air under it. This works very well. The photo shows the left side taped also. Just did this for times when wind blasts from right to left, otherwise the left side taping is probably superfluous.
Seat has holes in seat dam and elbow fittings keep water out of seat compartment. I've had zero problems with water in this area.
How well does all this work?? I do not have a leg heat problem anymore. Fan never seems to come on if temp outside is under 80 except when droning 70+ mph on highway. Even when temp is over 90 the fan come on way less and leg heat is no problem at all. Over 10,000 miles on original fan and it sounds fine to me ( no rattling ). I'm sure that many of you have purchased the 08' heat deflectors for you 06/07 ULY's. If you haven't sealed them to the frame then you are not getting their full benefit. It makes a big difference over just installing them unsealed.
|
Jeepnh
| | Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2012 - 09:29 pm: |
|
Hi
Quick question, not sure I understand the photo of what appear to be 6 PVC elbows??
IS that what they are, and why?
Thanks. |
