Pipes, Paint, and Performance

February already!  Hopefully we are only two more months away from being back on the road.  Is your bike ready?  If you answered no, you best be calling me soon!  The perfect time for upgrades and maintenance is during storage.  Bike not stored here?  I’ll pick it up and deliver it for free within the metro area with any service totaling $200 or more!  Also, all work performed can be paid in installments throughout the remainder of storage or in full at spring pick up if the bike is stored with us for the remainder of the winter!  Consider it an interest free loan on The House.

We’ve all seen that one bike.  It catches your eye from across the parking lot, parked outside the local biker bar, or here at The House on bike night.  From custom flames or skulls, to multi-layered lines and flowing graphics, a custom paint job is for those who are ready to take their bike to the next level.  Although we do not paint in-house, we use the best painter in the area and transport your parts to and from the dealership at no charge!  From chip and scratch repair, to full paint jobs, the winter provides the best opportunity to add a perfect touch of color to your bike.

This trike, for instance, brings the full flame effect.  “Real flames” have really gotten hot! (see what I did there?) With so many variables and ideas in the minds of the painters out there, they only continue to look even better and more real!  This trike features flames throughout, but also features stitching in the seat, backrest pads, and trike saddlebags to accent the color within the paint.  It also features flamed accessories from front to back.  This is a fully treated, show-winning bike that catches everyone’s eyes!

Here’s another unique paint job on a Dyna; a very cool two-tone blue, with tribal style flames and ghosted spiders that put that last little custom touch on the bike.  The white has pearl metal flake that really pops in the sunlight. With millions of motorcycles out on the roads, there are so many ways to make it stand out from the one parked next to it.  A custom paint job is the only way to guarantee yours isn’t lost in the mix.

 

What if you aren’t looking for a full custom, one-of-one, paint job? Maybe you are just looking to add that subtle touch to make the bike unique and recognizable at bike night or at a rally.  Have you ever considered pinstripes or a color matched part that the bike isn’t already fitted with?  This Sportster side cover has a nice subtle touch of pin striping to add some personality and customization.

On touring models, a painted inner fairing is a great way to change the look, especially for the rider and passenger. It’s almost like getting on a new bike for the first time!  Ditch the faded, plain inner fairing.  You’ll be happy you did! In addition to the inner fairing, painting mid-frame air deflectors, saddlebag latches or installing painted saddlebag fillers always catch the eye of the unsuspecting.

Dyna and Sportster models aren’t left out either!  A chin spoiler can fill that gap created between the front wheel and lower portion of the frame and help give these bikes a fast look while sitting still.  It’s a great way to add some style to an otherwise bland part of the bike.  Harley-Davidson offers spoilers, air cleaner covers and horn covers that are available in black or primed to sneak in that last touch of color.

 

Sometimes it is all about cruising with nothing filling our ears but the sweet harmony of a Harley-Davidson.  While the stock Harley sound is quite defined, changing the exhaust is often a priority when customers purchase a new motorcycle. We offer many sets of exhaust from only the best manufacturers in the U.S.  We offer everything from a simple set of slip-on mufflers to a custom-built race exhaust.   Regardless of your application, we can get you the perfect exhaust that will sound, look, and perform exactly how you want it to.

I like the Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes.  They have the look to gain attention and make some noise while doing so.

My personal bike features a Vance & Hines Pro Pipe 2 into 1.  This exhaust really compliments the engine modifications that I have made and it has a very unique snarl when I decide it’s time to go, which is usually all the time!

 

Another high-performing exhaust manufacturer is D&D. They offer multiple systems for every model.  The Boarzilla on this ’14 FLHTK is a pipe specifically made for larger displacement (110+) engines.  This bike is equipped with a Stage IV 103 kit for Twin Cooled Models.

 

What better way to compliment black mufflers than to add matching heat shields.  The black Buckshot Heat shields featured on this Nightster carry the dark feel of the wrinkle-finished engine all the way back.  An easy way to put a finishing look to your bike.

 

Whether it’s ditching the stock pipes because they are too quiet, or putting the finishing touch to the perfect engine, there is nothing better than finding the exhaust that produces the song you love.

As you’ve probably noticed, I’m a speed freak.  As a matter of fact, I’m not alone. A majority of our technicians have experience in performance, starting with their own bikes and gaining knowledge as they translate those skills and experiences to the motorcycles of our customers. We’ve seen just about everything roll through the doors and into the dyno, from the prototype 120R engine to a turbo-charged V-Rod and one thing is for sure, for some, it is almost impossible to quench their thirst for power.

Take one of our mechanics, Mark, for instance.  He purchased an FXR a few years back and decided the tired old 80ci Evolution motor just wasn’t going to cut it.  To correct that problem, he set his sights on a Twin Cam conversion for said bike, requiring custom frame modifications as well as updating the transmission, swing-arm, rear wheel, and brakes to current era parts.  He got the bike together just in time for our trip down to Great Lakes Dragaway last fall.  While a successful trip, he wasn’t quite satisfied.  So when winter set in, it was time for the engine to be disassembled in order to turn up the heat a little bit. Having already stared with a high-compression 95″ motor, it was the top end that required a bit of work. As you see below, the Screamin’ Eagle heads and intake manifold needed a days worth of work to match the port sizes and shapes to make everything flow together.  More flow = more go.

Always nice to have some metal shavings with your jolly ranchers!

Increasing the porting size and shape means more air. So what about fuel? The stock Harley CV carburetor performs well, but just needs a little bit more fuel to meet the needs of this engine.  Zippers to the rescue with their Thunderjet kit.  This jet delivers fuel around 4,000 RPM and up, when the airflow through the carburetor is at it’s max.

The addition of the Thunderjet allows the main jet size to provide the best air/fuel ratio in the 1/2 to 3/4 throttle range and adds fuel  when the ratio becomes lean at about 3/4 throttle.

Stay tuned to the next few blogs when the bike is re-assembled and ready to hit the dyno for final tuning.

 

 

What better way to display performance than hitting the track? Let’s go racing!  February 19th is Flat Out Friday at the Mama Tried Show. Tight indoor racing on a Coke Syrup track should lead to a lot of fun and some great action.  I just so happen to have TWO (2) pairs of tickets to join the House of Harley crew in our VIP section to give away.  Wanna win them?  (Of course you do!)  Follow my blog and Comment “Flatout Friday” below and I will be drawing two names on Wednesday February 10th to join us!

 

“I’d rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle” – Anonymous

Chow for now!

-Alex

If you have any questions about the information covered in this blog, or any other general service questions, feel free to e-mail alexv@houseofharley.com and as always head over to www.houseofharley.com to check out new/used inventory, the latest motor-clothing, parts, events and more!