Well, we may never have to winterize the bikes
the way things are going, but if you are going to or have already tucked your
bike away for the season, here are some tips:
-
Top off the tank. Air in the tank can cause
pitting on the insides of the tank.
-
Add Stabil to your gas and run for a short time
to make sure it gets in the carburetor / induction module. This prevents
varnishing and stabilizes the gas for storage. We have Stabil and battery
tenders in stock.
-
Assure that all your fluids are recently
changed. Oil tanks, primaries and transmission housings vent out, but they also
vent in, allowing moisture to settle into the housings and fluids. This moisture would normally get burned
off with use, but when a bike is sitting, the moisture is harmful to the inner
workings of your bike
-
Hook up a battery tender. Starting your bike
every couple of weeks won’t do the trick – a battery tender is needed. Most bikes don’t charge at idle unless it
is a three-phase charging system; so starting the bike periodically during the
winter is actually a depletion of the battery.
THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS
We are saluting
veterans at our shop with Armed Forces flags and veteran’s names on banners. If you are a veteran, please let us
know to add your name. Our thanks
for your service to our country.
To show our
thanks all year, we are now offering a discount to our
veterans.
ONGOING GARAGE SALE / BIKE FOR
SALE
We have lots of new and used parts. The boss says to “clear them out”. We will make you a deal. We are also planning a “shop /
garage” sale in the spring, but save us the trouble and we’ll deal with you now!
HAVE A TWIN CAM?
THIS IS FOR YOU
IMPORTANT INFORMATION NEEDED TO PROTECT
YOUR INVESTMENT
In 1999, Harley-Davidson came
out with the Twin Cam motor. In the Twin Cam, the crankshaft turns the rear cam
by a chain. The rear cam turns the front cam by a chain. Both chains are
tensioned by a plastic tensioner under spring pressure (first twin cam was
actually produced in 1928 – the JDH motor).
The first problem was that in
the 1999 – 2000 motors Harley underestimated the amount of torque from the
crankshaft which caused the rear cam bearing to fail. Harley remedied this in
later models with a roller bearing.
The second problem is that the
tensioners are spring-loaded and have a plastic-type material which pushes
against the timing chains taking up the slack.
The tensioners on 1999 – 2006 models wear out – we’ve seen it occur from
35,000 – 65,000 miles with the average being
50,000 miles.
We have had two customers in the last two months whose bikes were at 43,000 and
50,000. The tensioners were not just
worn out they were completely gone.
If not caught, this could have been detrimental to the motor.
It takes about an hour to
inspect the tensioners (dependent on the model). There is a tensioner on the
outside of the cam support plate and one on the inside. Only the outside can be
seen readily, but they usually wear out at the same rate.
Depending on the model, in 2007
– 2008, Harley went to hydraulic pressure versus spring pressure and a different
tensioner material and this issue is about resolved.You might ask why Harley
didn’t use gear drives instead of chains as in all previous models (Evo, Shovel,
Sportster) -- they could no longer meet the EPA noise standards with the gear
drives. After-market gear drives are now available which do meet the EPA
regulations. Please call us with questions and options with your motorcycle --
our experience is our knowledge and we want to keep you riding.
* All parts and materials must be purchased at Rick’s. Based on three quarts oil. Syn3
extra. All services are subject to shop supplies, recycling fees and sales tax.
Call Rick or Chris at 928-779-0555
Two full-time technicians with more
than 30 years experience to meet your riding needs!