Recent content by franklin270h

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    ...a very sad story...HD

    In a lotta ways I see selling young people on a Harley, or selling Harley faithful on something new is about like trying to sell a Yankees cap to a Red Sox fan. But i have no clue who thought a $30000 electric motorcycle with limited range was an answer to getting in with young or new riders...
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    ...a very sad story...HD

    I agree that the twin platform is where it's at for cruising. Just in Harley's case, say when they developed the Milwaukee 8, they interviewed owners asking what they wanted to see improved. Power, heat, vibration. So they did that, more power, reduced vibration 75%-ish. Similar when Harley...
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    ...a very sad story...HD

    I agree that there's certainly room for heritage or traditions to be modernized gracefully. BMW is absolutely doing it right and I feel like they've done a way more tasteful and effective job than most other manufacturers. I do think it helps though that the BMW Boxer platform is and kinda...
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    ...a very sad story...HD

    I don't envy Harley's bigwigs at the moment. Well they aren't being poorly compensated for the efforts, but still. One problem with everything about your brand being "iconic", the 45 degree V-twin, heavy chassis, bigger footprint needed to make a really good one, etc, forces them to play in a...
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    ...a very sad story...HD

    Indian seems to be rebranding itself fairly well since Polaris influence. Many are Harley-esque clones but there are solid performers in the lineup too. The main thing Harley lacks is appeal to younger riders. There's no pull there and perception is hard to overcome. Everytime they try to dip...
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    xs650 backfiring and popping

    JBM Intake manifolds are great, do a good job supporting carbs/filters. Plus no vacuum port to worry about, so 2 birds, 1 stone.
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    Stock 77 Tank decal placement

    Definitely adding those to my picture arsenal if I end up eyeballing it, thank you
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    Rephasing, What is it?

    I thought I was a minority in thinking that but I also think it's a function of most people rephasing are going for performance at the same time so I don't see many or any with bigger mufflers that would tame out the sound of it. Most bikes I know of with a similar crankshaft timing (Ducati...
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    Stock 77 Tank decal placement

    I couldn't find anything on the forums specific to this. The long story short is I plan to repaint my tank and side covers soon. The guy that painted my tank a few years ago didn't do the best job on the color match and he placed the tank decals too low, so now I don't have a good stock tank to...
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    Valve lash set at .004 and .006, still pretty loud.. normal?

    Oh I have no doubt that the loosest is rarely at TDC, it isn't the case on many of the engines I've seen either from cars or motorcycles (outside of really well machined aftermarket cams). And I definitely don't question the methodology either, I've used the advice in that video myself. I...
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    Valve lash set at .004 and .006, still pretty loud.. normal?

    That would definitely be the ideal way to go. I'd actually think with that methodology that the "ideal" solution if one wanted to run as tight/quiet a lash as they can get away with and still have as much longevity as possible would be to find at what point of the base circle of the camshaft...
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    Valve lash set at .004 and .006, still pretty loud.. normal?

    Personally I would still stick to setting them at TDC. That's not saying the other method doesn't work, but you're setting at TDC on the compression stroke because that is where it is most critical that you afford enough clearance for the valves to fully seat in all potential conditions...
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    Best way to clean a carburetor ?

    Soda blast has worked best for me overall as far as the carb bodies go, and ultrasonic for fuel/air passages if they're gummed up. The lower cost ultrasonics like at Harbor Freight don't do as good a job, the industrial strength parts washers will knock off near anything. Most dips like Berryman...
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    Timing WAY too advanced

    Apologies for late reply. I will do that and pull the PMA and go back to stock rotor whenever I get a chance, looking like it'll be another week or so due to an emergency work trip
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