My father was luckier than most. He suffered a mere few broken ribs, road rash and a badly bruised face. The first responding officer on the scene told him that he had just left the scene of a similar bike accident where the driver hadn’t made it.

The western United States is experiencing record-breaking heat, and motorists there are being taken by surprise. But we in Virginia are approaching the hottest time of year as well, and commuters would be wise to prepare accordingly.

Read the Full Story here…

If you have any questions please contact Kim Steinhoff, Rider’s Edge® Program Manager, at (804) 861-4700 or ridersedge@colonialhd.com. She will be happy to answer all your questions!

But all of that still left me with the fundamental dilemma, how do I get a motorcycle license with no experience, and how do I get experience on the road with no license? How do I even get the bike home, after buying it!?

The answer for the Northern Virginia area seemed to be Virginia’s Rider Training Program.  For those who have driven around this area on the weekends during the spring and summer, you’ve probably seen them: lines of motorcycle riders moving slowly through bright orange cones in the college parking lots.

Read the Full Story here…

All is running well since rebuilding the bike with the new 96″ S&S motor. I really like having the added punch on the top-end.

After a few good trips and a few thousand miles I started to notice a bit of a noise. Sounded like a chain slap in the primary. I took the bike up to John at the Fix It Center and had him give it a listen. He said it sounded like my primary chain may be out of adjustment and suggested I install a Hayden M6 Automatic Chain Tensioner. He had one, it was about 90 bucks so I figured I would give it a try.

Installing the Hayden M6 was pretty simple. Just drain the primary oil, remove the outer primary, remove the stock tensioner, and install the new M6. Once the M6 is installed you simply add shims until you get to the correct tension.

Hayden M6 Primary Chain Tensioner Installed on a 1992 Heritage Softail

The instructions stated that if you had to add more than 5 of the supplied shims then it was probably time for a new primary chain. Wouldn’t you figure – it took five of the thick shims to get my chain to the proper adjustment. Back up to John’s for a new chain.

John had a chain in stock, and I picked up up the primary gasket that I had forgotten to get earlier, and a couple of quarts of Harley primary oil. I also had to borrow an impact wrench.

View of the Shims, Shoe, and Spring on a Hayden M6

Installing the primary chain was also pretty simple. Just remove the clutch hub nut (left hand thread – backwards as I like to call it) and the nut that holds the sproket on. Remove the clutch basket and sproket, install the new chain, put the clutch basket and sproket back, make sure the chain is aligned correctly, add a little lock tight and put the nuts back on (make sure to check your service manual for the proper torque).

Worn-out Stock Harley Davidson Primary Chain Tensioner

As you can see from the above picture the shoe on the stock chain tensioner was pretty worn out. After installing the new primary chain the M6 did not need any shims but I put in one of the smallest ones just cause I felt better having one there, instead of the spring just resting on the inner primary cover.

After a quick adjustment of the clutch I reassembled the outer primary, added the primary oil and took her out for a test. It took me about and hour and a half of actual work to install the chain tensioner and the new chain.

So far after a few hundred miles the Hayden M6 Chain Tensioner seems like a good investment. The first thing I noticed was a considerabl decrease in vibration at high speeds and it is also a lot easier to find neutral at a stop light.

If you’ve got a hundred bucks, a couple of hours, and you are still running the stock chain tensioner on your bike, I think the Hayden M6 is an excellent investment to make the next time you service your scoot.

The Hayden M6 Primary Chain Tensioner is available at J & P Cycles.
Search for part number 601-051 (Big Twin 1965-2000), 601-006 (Twin Cam 2001-06), 601-168 (Sportster 1991-2003).

Even though I do not personally use a cover on my bike I would recommend the Empire Covers VIP Motorcycle Cover to anyone looking for a cover to protect or store their bike.

The VIP Motorcycle Cover is designed to protect your bike from moisture, dust, and the sun. The manufacturer states that the cover will fit every mass-produced motorcycle up to 1500cc. It fit my Heritage with 20″ apehangers just fine with room to spare.

The VIP Motorcycle Cover In It’s Storage Bag

The cover is a 2 piece cover that completely covers your bike from top to bottom. The lower cover is made from a heavy rubberized material and the top cover is a heavy duty polyester which is lined to protect your bikes finish.

When folded the VIP motorcycle cover measures about 16″x11″x5″ and weighs approximately 8 lbs.

About the only thing that I can say negative is that the cover did not come with any instructions so it did take me a bit to figure the thing out the first time I used it. After that it did not take anytime to cover my bike.

Since the cover did not come with any instructions I was not sure if you could use the cover on a motorcycle while the engine and exhuast was hot so I a dropped a note to Empire Covers Customer Service and they said that the cover was designed so that it could be installed on a hot bike. Just so you know I did not try this, and I would recommend that you wait for your bike to cool at least some before installing this cover or any cover. Covering a hot engine can lead to condensation inside the cover which kind of defeats the purpose.

Here are the basics to setting up the Empire Covers VIP Motorcycle Cover:

First you layout the bottom cover. There is a label on it so you know which part is the inside and and which end is the front.

One detail that I definitely liked about the cover was the reenforced area for the kickstand on the bottom cover. You may not be able to see it real well in the picture, but it is there.

Next you use the straps to secure the bottom cover to the bike around the front wheel, over the seat and tank, and around the rear wheel.

The cover has lines to snug the cover up on the front and rear of the bike.

Once the bottom cover is secure installing the top cover is done in much the same way that you install a regular motorcycle cover. Just drape the cover over the bike. The top cover is also labeled so that you know which end is which.

The top cover then attaches to the bottom cover with several quick release straps.

Once the top and bottom covers are straped together there is a cord at the front and rear of the top cover to snug it down so that the cover fits securely.

Here is the cover installed – Oops I left the highway peg sticking out.

The top cover can also be used independently of the bottom cover for a quick way to cover your bike.

If you are looking for a high quality and affordable cover for your bike I recommend the VIP Motorcycle Cover from Empire Covers.

The only real problem I have had is that from time to time I would go to start her and when I hit the starter button the starter would just spin. How often this happened usually depended on the number of folks watching. Not really a big deal, rock the belt a bit, hit the button agian and she starts right up. Like I said it is not really a problem, just an annoyance.

A few months ago while lurking around the forums at Club Chopper I read a thread that offered up a fix for this annoyance – the Bullet Proof BDL Fix.

Picked up the kit online from Scooter’s Performance. Just over $100 delivered.

Installation is VERY simple. It only took about 15 minutes and just about anyone should be able to do it.

About the Buller Proof Belt Drive Fix
From the Manufacturer

This amazing part will fix the “grind” associated with starting bikes that have a solid or very rigid belt drive actuation. The engineered spring and ramped teeth help integrate the teeth before the unit locks in and turns.

Stop grinding your teeth – and the bike’s jackshaft all while producing smoother and quieter starts.

Removing the Old Starter Pinion Gear

Remove the starter housing from the motor plate to expose the starter pinion gear.

Starter Housing

Old Starter Pinion Gear From the BDL Kit Installed – You can see the grind marks where it did not engage the ring gear.

Remove the old starter pinion gear from the starter jackshaft. Use a flathead screw driver wedged between the ring gear on the clutch basket and the starter pinion gear to keep it from turning so you can remove the bolt.

Use a Screw Driver to Keep it from Turning to Remove the old Gear

When you remove the old set up from the starter jackshaft there is a spring that is installed on the jackshaft. It probably will not come out with the rest of the assembly so you will need to remove it with a pair of needle nose pliers. I forgot about it at first and could not figure out why I could not get the new coupler the seat all the way on the starter jackshaft.

Old Setup Removed from the Starter Jackshaft

Installing the Bullet Proof Starter Fix

The Bullet Proof Belt Drive Fix Kit comes with the Jackshaft bolt & washer, the pinion gear, the shaft, a spring, the coupler that mates it to the starter jackshaft, and a couple of spacers.

Bullet Proof BDL Starter Fix

Instructions Included with Bullet Proof Starter Fix Kit

To install the fix just assemble the components and slide the coupler onto the starter jackshaft. May take a bit of fiddling to get the pinion gear to slide pass the ring gear. Apply a drop or 2 of red loctite to the bolt and tighten it to 60in. lbs.

Again, use a flathead screwdriver wedged through the ring gear and the pinion gear to keep it from turning so you can tighten it to the proper torque.

Bullet Proof BDL Starter Fix Installed – Notice the bevel on the pinion gear that allows it to engage the ring gear easier.

Try her out. Hit the starter button and the pinion gear should engage the ring gear on the first shot.

Reinstall the starter housing using blue loctite on the 2 bolts.

I have been running it with the Bullet Proof Fix installed for about a week now and it has not missed a beat. If you are running a BDL belt drive and are having problems with the starter just “zinging” from time to time this fix is well worth the money and effort.

Take Care – Ride FREE

Hersey

Other Resources

Scooter’s Performance Where I picked up the Bullet Proof Starter Fix. Lots of other performance parts and great prices. Check them out…

Bullet Proof Jack Shaft – Wow Discussion thread over at Club Chopper. Also in their news Bulletproof Belt Drive Fix.

Belt Drives Limited (BDL) – Belt Dive Kits and Parts.

A framed share of Harley-Davidson stock.
Find Out How You Can Own Harley Stock
- Makes an AWESOME gift! -

 
Ride FREE!

If you are looking for a nice pair of riding gloves check out the Outseam Deerskin Gloves from Fox Creek Leather. These gloves are manufactured from high quality Deerskin Leather and are made in the USA.

The seams of these gloves are sewn on the outside making the Outseam Glove one of Fox Creek’s most comfortable gloves.

The gloves are unlined and are not designed for cold weather riding but if you pick up a pair of liners from your local sporting goods store they will help keep your hands warm even if the temps fall a bit. I try to ride to work most days and I am on the road well before the sun comes up, even with the still somewhat cool morning temps these gloves are just fine even without inserts. If you are looking for a glove that is a lined and designed for a bit cooler temps make sure you check out he Elkskin Riding Gloves, these are very comfortable and are lined.

I own several pairs of Fox Creek Leather Gloves and they are all top quality. If you are looking for a good glove suited for Spring time riding get yourself a pair of these Outseam Deerskin Gloves.

From the Manufacturer:

There is always a small determined cult that puts comfort and function before style or trends. Outseam deerskin gloves have such a following. This is the most comfortable deerskin glove we have! All the seams are sewn on the outside so the only thing your hand feels is smooth seamless deerskin. The glove is slit on the side and slips on easily. A wrist strap with a nickel-plated slide buckle enables you to quickly cinch the glove around the wrist.

When our walk-in customers try this glove on they almost always buy it. Who cares if you look like a Russian infantryman from the late thirties? You will have a super comfy glove.

About Fox Creek Leather

Fox Creek Leather is a small family run company in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. We take pride in offering high quality American-made motorcycle leathers at reasonable prices.