Sportster.org Blog

New SuperBrace for Nightster XL 1200N

admin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:24:00 +0000

Now Nightster owners can enjoy improved fork stability with a SuperBrace designed specifically for the 1200N.

In 10 easy minutes, you can install this affordable aftermarket accessory (only $188.95 until April 10th) and instantly improve your Nightster’s cornering performance! And unlike other stabilizers, it’s finished in black and won’t look out of place!

SuperBrace is the leading motorcycle fork stabilizer. This patented brace provides better stability, superior aerodynamics and a more streamlined look than other multi-piece braces on the market.

* Reduces low and high speed wobbles.
* Improves stability in tight cornering.
* Improves tire life and reduces cupping.
* Decreases sensitivity to rough road surfaces and rain grooves.
* Each SuperBrace is designed and manufactured for each specific motorcycle.
* Every SuperBrace is made of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum and machined to a tolerance of + or - .002 of an inch, with a polished finish.
* Ten minute easy installation.
* Competition proven by world class racers.

Check out the pics below and order yours today at www.superbrace.com!

Friday Funny: Educating the Masses

Matt — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:40:37 +0000

According to a news report, a certain biker bar in South Dakota was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of biker chicks were putting lipstick on in the bathroom after the ride to the bar. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the biker chicks would put them back.

Finally the bar owner decided that something had to be done. On a busy Friday night she called all the biker chicks to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the biker chicks how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

Daytona Winners Announced

Jason — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:11:00 +0000

The winners in H-D’s Get Down to Daytona Contest were finally announced and will receive an expense paid trip for two to Daytona Bike Week alongside Karen Davidson (great-granddaughter of William S) as well as a three nights stay in lovely Daytona.

Women had until November 15 to submit videos (90 seconds or less) about their greatest motorcycle mentor story. More than 200 videos were submitted before that figure was narrowed down to 6 finalists whose videos were voted on by online viewers.

The six winners in alphabetical order are: Carol Dicicco from Chalfont, Pa.; Tonya Lamia from Rockford, Ill.; Kimberly Ryon from Harford, Pa.; Shelli Strand from Birch Run, Mich.; Jennifer Thorne from Mt. Pleasant, Pa.; and Teresa Weston from Hermitage, Tenn.

Videos are still posted online at www.harley-davidson.com/womensride

For the ful lstory, head over to 2 Wheel Freaks.

Cruise Control, ABS and Throttle by Wire, Oh My!

Matt — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:25:55 +0000

When you think of Harley Davidson, you probably associate them with their century old tradition of making a different kind of bike. Even in today’s models, you see old-school HD at it’s finest. The technology used a hundred years ago is much different that today, and Harley has kept from making new technology a staple of their success.

That’s about to change. At least on the inside. Harley Davidson is slowly starting to use technology that they have previously shunned. I’m talking about things like stock cruise control, ABS, and electronic throttle. Keep looking for more wide-spread technological updates for your Sporty. They’re coming. Slowly.

I’m sure there will be some hold-outs that will continue to refuse to accept advances in technology, claiming something to the effect of “Who needs technology? My ride has been doing just fine for decades!” Fact is, you don’t need it if you don’t want it. But it sure is nice to have more confidence when your riding, and that’s what technology does.

H-D Pays Tribute to the LA DOs

Jason — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:48:23 +0000

According to Frost Illustrated, H-D recently paid tribute to one of the nation’s earliest established African American Motorcycle Clubs, the LA DOs. Established in 1957, The LA Defiant Ones had the pleasure of Harley-Davidson Motor Company joining in with 5,000 motorcyclists and clubs in a weekend long celebration honoring The LA DOs 50th anniversary.

Highlights of the reception included a special tribute to the club showcasing a visual portrayal that spans their 50 years of Harley- Davidson motorcycling; special awards and tributes to the club founders and living retirees; presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation for long-time commitment to the Harley-Davidson Brand.

H-D also paid tribute to 15 retirees from the LA DOs with jackets and a signed letter from Willie G and Bill Davidson.

Finding a Straw in a Cylinder Stack

Matt — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:44:59 +0000

I’m one of the lucky ones. I don’t have to winterize my bikes. Being in San Diego, I get to ride year round (neener neener).
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Many people aren’t as lucky, and have to winterize their bikes. One of the processes some people use on their Sportster is to spray fogging oil in the cylinder to prevent rusting. Most of us know it’s not really needed with a 4 stroke, but hey, it’s not going to hurt, right?
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Wrong.
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One guy was spraying that oil in his cylinder and had the straw come off the spray can and shoot in to the cylinder through the spark plug hole. DOH!
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Some of the remedies I heard sounded ok I suppose. Like using a bright flashlight and a hemostat to fish it out. Or use a wad of gum on the end of a stick. Or a wire with a hook. Even one of those three pronged flexible grabby thingies.
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Some things I kept hearing over and over was to not move the cylinder, not start the Sporty with the straw in there, that the straw could bend a valve or somehow cause the motor to malfunction, or that you have to be extremely delicate using metal inside the cylinder.
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I’m not going to say these people off their rocker, but I’ve been working with steel and aluminum for nearly 3 decades, and I’m here to tell you that a piece of plastic getting lodged in your cylinder is NOT going to do much damage, if any at all. And you damn sure aren’t going to scratch the cylinder walls unless you stick a screwdriver in there, tilt it to the side, then smack it with the palm of your hand or a hammer.
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But what gets me is that those straws are like 5 or 6 inches long, right? Seems to me if you move the cylinder to TDC (Top Dead Center, that’s where the cylinder is the closest to the spark plug (hole)), the straw will be moved up to where you can grab it easier.
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Or just fire that sucka up! It’s not a metal bolt inside there, it’s a little piece of plastic. Harley’s aren’t made of wood, you know…

H-D Gifts For You Last Minute Shoppers

Jason — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:45:33 +0000

I know the Holiday shopping season is getting eerily close to an end, but figured I would toss up a link to but another nice selection of H-D specific gifts for all of you last minute shoppers (I’m not mentioning any names).

Adventure Harley-Davidson

Among the gems, here are some of my personal favorites:

A Couple of Insurance Tips for you Sporty Riders

Matt — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:17:49 +0000

Insurance. What a pain in the aft. It’s kind of a way of life these days, but that doesn’t make it any easier. This probably won’t make it easier either, but it’s something important to think about.
Getting motorcycle insurance is pretty much a given, right? But what about un-insured, under-insured motorist, or even bodily injury insurance?
Two very different topics when comparing a cager to a biker. In a car, you’re not as likely to get (as badly) hurt in a light to medium crash. Not so on a bike: Your chances of injury is many times higher. For that reason, you should carry bodily injury insurance, (make sure your current M/C insurance covers this, or at least your personal health insurance does) and UM insurance. If you get whacked by an un-insured motorist, you’re on your own if you elected not to carry UM insurance. (Not all states allow you to decline UM insurance, mine does)
Before you incur large medical bills from a M/C accident, make sure you’re covered.

Sabah set for HOG Rally

Jason — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:09:43 +0000

Sure it’s easy to imagine a massive early summer Harley rally being domestic material, but the international appeal of H-D is alive and well. Sabah will be hosting the 5th Malaysia National Harley Owners’ Group (HOG) Rally for the first time ever this upcoming May.

Some 300 participants and more than 150 Harley Davidson motorcycles from around the world are expected to be involved in the event that is scheduled to take place May 28 to June 2.

The event’s participation is far from a local affair, however, and is expected to attract H-D enthusiasts from Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Australia, Thailand and the US to ride their motorcycles through scenic destinations covering a distance of 750km (467 miles).

For more on this event, click here.

How to Approach a Biker

Matt — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:46:37 +0000

I’ve been around bikers a long, long time, and I’ve learned how to approach just about any group of riders in many situations. You can find people willing to talk with you or even ride with you almost everywhere you find bikers. Including places like meet and greets, fuel stops, charity runs, bike nights, parties, local bars and even stop lights.

With the correct persuasion, you can approach just about anyone. As far as groups of people are concerned, bikers are one of the easiest of any group I’ve encountered. They can also be the toughest, but you can often see those few from a mile away. Don’t let the fact that you’re riding a Sportster keep you from approaching people.

The easiest way to approach a biker, just about any biker from sport riders to off-roaders, and in many cases club members, is to just ride up to them and say “hey, what’s up?”

That’s it. Maybe ask them something about their bike, or their trip. Most bikers love talking about bikes, especially their bikes. Once started, many bikers, including myself, will ramble on about their bikes or riding as long as time permits. Often longer.

If you see a group of bikes stopped getting gas or stopped at a diner or in a parking lot, stop in and say “hey, what’s up?” Sometimes it’s even acceptable (with the proper approach) to tag along during a ride. Ride in to the back of the pack, and nod at the last guy as if to say “hey, what’s up?”