Hello All,
My 2003 V-Rod is my first Harley and I'm just curious about a couple of things.
*Steering head bearings. Mine loosened up quite a bit by 600 miles. I tightened them to 8" of fall-away (the specs are for 5"-7", but I couldn't get the 'clunking' to go away at lesser fall-away). Anyone have any experience with HD's with raked out front ends? Do they tend to get loose bearings?
*Oil leak at the generator cover. I had some leaking (enough to leave oil on the ground) near the rubber generator grommet. I checked torque of the fasteners and found a couple loose. Still leaked after tightening, so I replaced the gasket and resealed the rubber grommet. Now I have a slight weap (not enough to leave oil on the ground) from the base of the generator cover (which I would have missed the first time around because the leak from the grommet puddled at the bottom of the generator cover). Is this weapage normal for a HD?
Observations:
Pro's. This is the best motor I've ridden. Full of character without any annoying characteristics. The fueling on the FI is the best I've ever experienced. It's fun just to ride just so that I can spin that motor! It's also the best looking motorcycle on the market (my opinion).
Con's. Handling. The raked out front end really falls over into corners. The solid wheels cause weird tracking sensations whenever there are crosswinds or cars/trucks next to me. Minimal ground clearance. I drag my heel whenever I make right hand turns. Stiff suspension - with so little ground clearance, I don't need such a hard suspension.
The numbers:
I bought the bike back in August and paid aprox. $1500.00 over MSRP (the $1500.00 includes dealer charges for set-up and shipping). I do not expect to recover the mark-up when I eventually sell the bike.
Thanks,
Paul
'03 HD V-Rod
'02 Honda Gold Wing
'01 BMW R1150GS
'01 BMW R1200C (for sale)
My 2003 V-Rod is my first Harley and I'm just curious about a couple of things.
*Steering head bearings. Mine loosened up quite a bit by 600 miles. I tightened them to 8" of fall-away (the specs are for 5"-7", but I couldn't get the 'clunking' to go away at lesser fall-away). Anyone have any experience with HD's with raked out front ends? Do they tend to get loose bearings?
*Oil leak at the generator cover. I had some leaking (enough to leave oil on the ground) near the rubber generator grommet. I checked torque of the fasteners and found a couple loose. Still leaked after tightening, so I replaced the gasket and resealed the rubber grommet. Now I have a slight weap (not enough to leave oil on the ground) from the base of the generator cover (which I would have missed the first time around because the leak from the grommet puddled at the bottom of the generator cover). Is this weapage normal for a HD?
Observations:
Pro's. This is the best motor I've ridden. Full of character without any annoying characteristics. The fueling on the FI is the best I've ever experienced. It's fun just to ride just so that I can spin that motor! It's also the best looking motorcycle on the market (my opinion).
Con's. Handling. The raked out front end really falls over into corners. The solid wheels cause weird tracking sensations whenever there are crosswinds or cars/trucks next to me. Minimal ground clearance. I drag my heel whenever I make right hand turns. Stiff suspension - with so little ground clearance, I don't need such a hard suspension.
The numbers:
I bought the bike back in August and paid aprox. $1500.00 over MSRP (the $1500.00 includes dealer charges for set-up and shipping). I do not expect to recover the mark-up when I eventually sell the bike.
Thanks,
Paul
'03 HD V-Rod
'02 Honda Gold Wing
'01 BMW R1150GS
'01 BMW R1200C (for sale)