Due to his opinion differing from mine in many ways, I have edited some things to suit my way of thinking.
All the information contained in this article does not just pertain to Harley Davidson Motorcycles, it can be presumed that it applies to all motorcycles, where not specifically implied.
I have been injecting James Russell's name into some places to show that was his opinion, not mine. Now if you read this it will be unchanged. Anything that is to credited to me will be in orange text, while the original text will be in blue.
“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”
Part Eight.....
97. Question:
What socket is used to remove a bolt with many serrated sides. I have them on my brake calipers and the cylinder heads.
Answer:
A 12-point socket is used on these star-like shaped bolts.
98. Question:
My bike wobbles. What is causing it?
Answer:
If the front fork oscillates at high speed, the fork bearing is too tight or the rear swingarm bearings worn or a motor mount is broken. If the fork oscillates when slowing down the fork bearing is too loose or tire tread is cupped and worn out. Even shock mounts could be loose, rubber shock mount bushing has deteriated or the shocks have failed and need replacement. If the fork oscillates at low speed start looking for loose wheel spokes, worn wheel bearings, low air pressure in tires. Touring models have had wobble problems in the past where the engine needs additional support to the frame and aftermarket firms supply such fixes.
99. Question:
I soaked my new hydraulic valve lifters and adjusted them properly, but when the bike starts the lifters clatter loudly. What did I do wrong?
Answer:
Nothing. It can take up to a half-hour for the lifters to calm down and pump full of oil. Often, a sharp crack of the throttle will purge out any trapped air in the lifters. If the noise still will not go away? You may need to adjust them again if you have adjustable push rods. It is possible you may have a brand new defective lifter if the noise just refuses to quit or the lifter is too small for the bore and the lifters are rattling in the engine case. It is also possible the roller needle bearings have failed.
100. Question:
What sealant should I use on my crankcases?
Answer:
To assemble the crankshaft into the crank cases use ThreeBond 1194 case sealant.
101. Question:
My engine was increased in power, but it is hard starting even with compression releases. What is wrong?
Answer:
Many riders totally forget to upgrade the battery and battery cable after increasing cubic inches or compression. What you need is a new fine-strand battery cables. Terry Components makes them. Get a high-output battery too. If you still have trouble then get a stronger aftermarket starter motor/solenoid assembly.
102. Question:
My Harley has a oil tank. When I check the oil in the morning when engine is cold the oil is low. Where does the oil go?
Answer:
It is normal for the oil level to be below the center line of the oil tank when the engine is cold. This is because the hot oil has cooled and contracted. If you see the oil too low in the oil tank (aka oil bag) the oil level could have been low even when hot or the check valve in the oil p ump is failing letting the oil drain down into the crankcase. This is an easy fix and will not be expensive to repair.
103. Question: I installed new brake pads but they did not last long. What went wrong?
Answer: The brake pads may be racing pads? If so, they won't last for street use. Use a H-H sintered metal brake pad is okay and will last a long time. Carbon fiber (organic) brake pads also last a long time, but they dirty the rims. Another reason brake pads wear out quickly is because the brake caliper is dirty and can not shed heat. If you look at the back side of the brake calipers make sure that side too is clean as they are often coated in brake pad soot which is a heat insulator and will overheat the brake pads. Another cause of low pad life is buying inferior brand pads. If you do not lubricate the pad pins in the caliper the pads will freeze in place and rub too much when no brake lever/pedal pressure is applied. You could also need to bleed your brakes as air in the system will also keep the pads locked on the disk rotor wearing out both the pad and rotor prematurely. A heavily scored rotor will also wear down new pads quicker than normal. Just buy a new rotor.
104. Question:
My Harley has a oil tank. When I check the oil in the morning when engine is cold the oil is low. Where does the oil go?
Answer:
It is normal for the oil level to be below the center line of the oil tank when the engine is cold. This is because the hot oil has cooled and contracted. If you see the oil too low in the oil tank (aka oil bag) the oil level could have been low even when hot or the check valve in the oil pump is failing, letting the oil drain down into the crankcase. This is an easy fix and will not be expensive to repair.
105. Question:
I installed new brake pads but they did not last long. What went wrong?
Answer:
The brake pads may be racing pads? If so, they won't last for street use. Use a H-H sintered metal brake pad is okay and will last a long time. Carbon fiber (organic) brake pads also last a long time, but they dirty the rims. Another reason brake pads wear out quickly is because the brake caliper is dirty and can not shed heat. If you look at the back side of the brake calipers make sure that side too is clean as they are often coated in brake pad soot which is a heat insulator and will overheat the brake pads. Another cause of low pad life is buying inferior brand pads. If you do not lubricate the pad pins in the caliper the pads will freeze in place and rub too much when no brake lever/pedal pressure is applied. You could also need to bleed your brakes as air in the system will also keep the pads locked on the disk rotor wearing out both the pad and rotor prematurely. A heavily scored rotor will also wear down new pads quicker than normal. Just buy a new rotor.
106. Question:
I have battery problems. Sometimes it charges and other times it does not. What causes this?
Answer:
The problem could just be the cooling fins on the rectifier voltage regulator is dirty. Clean the fins so the unit can shed heat properly. Pull the electrical connector and clean the contacts. Look for contacts that are not touching due to a pulled-back connector. Check the ground strap on the battery's negative terminal on the battery and the frame ground. Clean the connections with light sandpaper. It is possible you have an alternator problem, but load test your battery first as that is likely the cause of trouble. Any dealer can load test a battery. Check the alternator leads as you did with the voltage regulator. If you can smell any burned wires that will lead you to the culprit. A service manual will be your best friend, so consult with it.
107. Question:
Where should I install the oil filter magnet on the oil filter?
Answer:
Anywhere is fine. Does not matter if it is on the side of the oil filter or on the end cap. You can buy any magnet at Lowes hardware store. You do not need a super powerful magnet sold at dealerships. The particles being captured are "dust" not chips of ferrous metal. The magnet will not capture non-ferrous dust particles, but thankfully these metals are soft and not damaging to an engine.
Well that covers this edition of Advice. Hope you are finding some of it helpful.
11 Things You May Not Know About Hells Angels Legend Sonny Barger!
1. Sonny’s actual birth name is Ralph Hubert Barger.
2. In 1955, Barger dropped out of high school and enlisted in the army. He was dishonorably discharged when superiors realized he was only 16.
3. Barger became a founding member of the Oakland, California chapter of the Hells Angels on April 1st of 1957. He was 18 years old.
4. Barger was one of several Hells Angels who were reportedly paid “$500 worth of beer” to provide security at a Rolling Stones concert in Altamont, California (1969) that resulted in at least four fatalities and a number of injuries.
According to Barger, the Hells Angels were never officially hired to police the venue. 5. During the early seventies, it was revealed that the Hells Angels had been buying up all the illegal firearms around Oakland, with Barger personally turning those firearms over to police in an effort to keep them out of the hands of fringe groups like the Black Panthers and the Weather Underground.
6. Barger spent four and a half years in Folsom State Prison as a result of a 1972 conviction for narcotics possession.
7. Barger spent a year in prison after being convicted on Federal racketeering charges in 1979.
8. Barger’s larynx was removed in 1983 (the result of throat cancer), which is why he breathes through a medical blowhole in his throat.
9. In addition to appearing in several films – as well as the Sons of Anarchy television show – Barger is the author of five books.
10. Barger spent nearly four years in prison (1988-1992) for conspiring to blow up an Outlaws clubhouse in Louisville, KY.
11. Barger is not a fan of Harley-Davidsons. He rides them in accordance with the Hells Angels image, but has claimed he prefers motorcycles that are built by foreign companies like Honda and BMW.
That's all for now
Hang in there.....
J D Redneck.
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