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Harley-Davidson Electra Glide discussion forum:45,000 Miles on "O´l Blue" My 1988 Electraglide FLHS |
| 45,000 Miles on "O´l Blue" My 1988 Electraglide FLHS |
| Waundering bloke said 2004-05-21 21:10 |
| Having owned,ridden and maintained nearly two dozen machines of Asian, European & American manufacturer, I can say without revervation: that Harley´s really are unique and "things ARE different" on a Harley. Having said that, let me explain what changes I´ve made to Ol´ Blue my ´88 Cobalt Blue & Silver (with red & silver pinstriping) FLHS. The stock brakes were Ok but were less than powerful so I eventually replaced them with Performance machine twin piston calipers . The stock 50+ horsepower 1340 EVO was Ok for putting around, but lacked real "punch" in passing maneuvers or when pulling a grade when two-up. So, I installed a set of Jims Big Axel lifters, a Woods W-6 highlift cam, S & S adjustable pushrods, S & S performance low-restriction intake manifold, Accel High output coil, Noogley High output plug wires, a MIkuni 40MM Carb with K& N low restriction aircleaner and fitted (initially) with a set of Kerker-built low restriction glasspack mufflers (with the corks removed) . These proved to be mellow-sounding and descent pipes but the glass-packing became a frequent maintenance hassle to change out-as it basically "blew away" . Later I replace them with the more durable, steel-baffled Kerker Fishtail exhausts Which are very much the same mellow tone and quiet at idle or low throttle settings, but have a nice "bark" on fast passes and full throttle runs! All the above modes were done over a several year period, but the stock ignition module with VOS switch was retained to avoid over-revving the engine on my occasional "hotrodding" stints of "balls-to-the wall" full throttle runs! All for the sake of keeping the engine from being needlessly over-taxed and abused. Engine Dynomometer runs made with the above mods with nearly 44,000 miles on the original engine ~netted a conservative maximum rearwheel horsepower of 65.9 and 72 FT LBS of torque. The Woods W-6 cam with .510 lift and 240 degrees intake and exhaust duration enabling the torque curve to remain essentially ´flat´ from just off idle to max revs. The engine simply produces about 70 ftlbs of torque everywhere in the power-band with no peaks or valleys. This makes for easy, loafing-touring where gear shifting becomes more of an option than a necessity unless a lot of city driving or curving roads with hills are encountered. Elsewhere on the machine: I removed the stock dual seat and installed the Leather Police solo saddle with Kayaba Hydraulic air/oil shock and pivot bracket together with the plastic shroud or seat tray which hides the frame and "uglies" from view. The net result giving the bike a very early 70´s, late 60´s Duo-Glide look which I desired. The solo saddle allows for up to a maximum of 50 PSI in the shock for heavy riders plus an adjustable rebound setting, which gives a truly unique and "floating on air" ride! The unused space freed-up by the solo saddle was fitted with a customized early style Honda Goldwing "Trunk" rack which allows large duffels of sleeping bags, tents or other long or wide loads to be safely & conviently bungeed onto the machine for Long trips. As for what has led me to keep Ol´ Blue these past 16 years from new? I quess it´s the fact that with exception of a voltage regulator failure early-on in her life, she´s been a truly trouble free & reliable bike. The engine´s never been out of the frame, nor cylinders or heads removed ever. Totally stock with exception of the aforementioned mods. Gas mileage on the freeway @ 70~75 MPH is an indicated 38.50 MPG with an average "running around" mileage of 37 MPG. She burns maybe a pint of oil in 1,300 miles (Stugis run) and has never required anything but regular oil & filter changes at 2,500 mile intervals. I fitted a High-quality aftermarket (vertically-mounted) oil cooler on the Left front down tube several years ago in anticipation of riding to the the Sturgis 50th Anniversary Ralley which I did. The cooler allowed me to maintain about a 200 degree oil tank temperature (Observed) at an average 70 MPH in 105 degree temperatures through Boise Idaho. The cooler knocks about 30 degrees F. off normal engine oil operating temp of 180 degree. In cooler temps we have here in the Northwest, I usually keep a custom Nylon "sock" or cover over it to keep it from lowering oil temp too much . In terms of handling, vibration, shifting, stopping, starting etc. she´s about the same as your standard ubiquitous modern RoadKIng; except she cost about half what the machines of today sell for. Front fork oil should be changed to maybe a 10 weight, and a maximum of 10 PSI used in the the shrader valve -fill on the left handlebar. Rear shocks should be kept at about 15 PSI for descent ground clearance in turns and brisk one-up solo riding with luggage. At road speed the machine is nearly dead-smooth and "calm" with just a detectable burbling-muted "thunder" coming from the twin exhausts. Handling is predictable and reasonably stable but her "aplomb" can be ruffled by pavement irregularities and stutter bumps which will cause her to wallow a bit in curves or fast passes. Generally, a descent, docile mount with character and personality. She garners looks and "thumbs-up" from passerbyes and filling station attendants regularly. I quess it´s this recoqnizable and much-copied ´charisma´ that makes Harley´s so much fun to own & ride. In terms of this machines mechanical nature and "feel" when compared to other more contemporary machines of Asian or European manufacture ~ she´s a bit more like riding in an early Ford, Dodge or Chevy Pick-up of the late 40´s or early 50´s. Some mechanical clatter and a little lifter noise at speed, gear whine at low speeds but nothing exceptionally loud or alarming. I once had a 49 Dodge half-ton whose transmission clunked into first gear almost exactly as she does~ but was as reliable as a stone and as fun to drive as well! Shifts into 2nd,3rd,4th & 5th are all mostly inaudiable and smooth! Forks will emit a resounding "clunk" on potholes and pavement dips. This is typical and has been this way since new. Fork oil changes and air pressure experimentation don´t seem to help~so I just live with it. That "old Pick-up truck" syndrome I guess? What bikes would I prefer over Ol´ Blue´ if I were to buy something new? Definitely would keep her over ANY of the new Twin-Cam Harleys regardless of model! But perhaps would consider something from Victory (KingPin) or perhaps the new 1600 Kawasaki "Nomad" when/if it becomes available in 2005? Other than these two possibilities, I´m content to keep on riding her till either she quits or I do? Hope this info helps any prospective buyers or owners of these fine, vintage machines. Happy Riding! N.L.D. |
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