Minggu, 29 Maret 2009

Which Harley Pipes Make More Power

Harley Davidson
The Most Powerful Harley Pipes

There is no doubt that opinions is very wildly in every subject being discussed so it does not surprise when the question of which set of harley pipes commands will produce the best power, it is hard to find a consensus as to which is better. There is a reason the good and simple to answer questions such as this one. So much of it depends on the combination and tune involved.

In many cases though, when something proves to be true far more often than not, it is safe to make some assumptions about things and expect that if it were true for 90% of other users, that you could likely expect it would be true for you too. That is the case when it comes to which set of Harley pipes produce the best power.

In most mildly modified Harley Davidsons you can count on a good 2 into 1 pipes to produce a better power curve than a set of traditional 2 into 2 pipes. A 2 into 2 may be able to match the peak power of a 2 into 1 but it will quickly show it's weakness in the low and midrange of the power curve.

I am not going to go into the physics of it but to summarize a 2 into 1 harley pipe simply has much better scavenging qualities and will produce better midrange and torque on almost stock or mildly modified Harley Davidson. I wouldn't say that would be true on every occasion but it has been proven to me time and time again from running various pipe and tuning combinations on the dyno.

Now I know that some of the more skeptical will say that a dyno doesn't tell the tale on the street but I have ridden just about every combination in existence and I can safely say that a 2 into 1 makes for a killer street pipe. I run a D&D Fat Cat on my own heavily modified 2007 Nightrain, so I put my money where my mouth is.

Which 2 into 1
The answer as to which 2 into 1 pipes would be best for your bike is a difficult one. Most 2 into 1 exhaust systems will perform very similarly on a stock or mildly modified Harley Davidson so in most cases, the answer is simply select whichever one you think looks the best.

I know that may sound superficial but the simply fact is that most of them perform so similarly that the only difference is cosmetic, regardless of what claims they might make.I have run a number of them in the past and I can confidently recommend the D&D Fat Cat or the Vance and Hines Pro Pipe as very solid selections that you won't go wrong with.

A 2 into 1 pipe will typically have a quieter exhaust note that will really growl when you crack the throttle. It's a very deep and bassy exhaust note that really sounds awesome in my opinion. Much better than any 2 into 2 pipe that I have experienced.

But I like Drag Pipes

You say you love the look and sound of a pair of drag pipes? Me too. Drag pipes and Harley Davidsons have gone together for many years and they do everything pretty well. Drag pipes look great and they sound awesome, assuming you like loud pipes of course.

What they don't do is make the best power. The question you would have to ask yourself though, is that really the most important thing to you? I mean a 2 into 1 will definitely make a noticeable difference in the power output and rideability of your Harley but if you hate the look of them, will you be happy?

Let's face it, the best 2 into 1 Harley pipe on the planet still won't turn a Harley Davidson into a Hayabusa. You need to balance your decision, weigh the factors that are important to you and then decide which set of pipes make the most sense for you.

Conclusion
So in summary, while I am not one to say that a certain kind of pipe will always perform better on every combination, I can confidently say that on 90% plus of stock to mildly modified Harleys, that a 2 into 1 pipe will almost always outperform a 2 into 2 pipe.

I can also say that I made an error above because there are some questions that have a single right answer. The answer to the question of "Which set of Harley Pipes are best for you" is an easy one, the answer is which set of Harley pipes that you prefer, are the ones that are the best.

Do your research, look at pictures, listen to the pipes and decide which set of pipes best suits your needs. The perfect set of pipes is out there.
Read More..

Jumat, 27 Maret 2009

Boomers And Harley-Davidson

Do you know is the perfect mix? For Harley Davidson, they have mixed between Harleys with Baby Boomers, and they find the perfect mix. Baby Boomers are approaching their social security age so why in the world do they want a Harley? Boomers are not like any of the prior groups of people who have already approached retirement. Boomers want to live their still young.

Harleys offer fun, excitement, thrills and also a position of class envy. Harleys ain't cheap so these Yuppies want to buy one and show off their financial status. They aren't the fastest bikes or the easiest to ride but that don't matter to a Boomer. It is all about perception. Harley motorcycles, Harley babes, Harley road trips are all part of the dream that unites the Boomer with his Harley.

Even the name of the Harleys seems to point toward us older folks. Harley Softails reminds me I need a soft place to park this old rear end. Harley Fatboy motorcycles and a peak in the mirror reminds me of my physical condition. Let's not forget the Harley jackets, sunglasses, riding pants and the hundreds of other must have Harley accessories. Face it, Boomers may be getting old but they still need it all.

We even enjoy motorcycle auctions especially if there are some good buys on Harleys. Heck, we even buy a Harley Davidson and rarely ride it. We just park it in the garage and wait for it to appreciate. Funny think; it usually does.

We grew up watching biker movies, the call to Sturgis, and Hell Angels. When we sit down on that hog, we can't help have vision of being one of those "bad" but misunderstood biker. We just know owning a Harley comes with Harley babes. It is probably a myth but a boomer worth his salt is certainly not going to deny it. It is all about image.

Bottom-line, the good folks over at Harley-Davidson have nurtured this image of Harley motorcycle riders being a tough guy. This image has been translated in quite a successful profitable business that just keeps going on and on. Harleys and the Japanese bikes have no comparison. The Yamaha's, Suzuki's, and Kawasaki's have a reputation of fun, power and sports. Yet they can't compete against the rumbling sound of a Harley with a Baby Boomer straddling this beast with a huge smile of his or her face.
Read More..

Rabu, 25 Maret 2009

Bolt On Power For Your Twin Cam Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson
For the owner of Harley Davidson Twin Cam, you may find that the 63 HP your bike has from the factory do not enough power. While the Twin Cam engine is an improvement on the 80 inch Evolution motor, there are many that can be done to make this machine more power.

Stage 1

The Twin Cam motor in most new Harley Davidson Motorcycles is stock as an 88 inch twin cylinder motor. Stock horsepower is around 63 and makes for a decent ride with generally acceptable power. Adding what is known as a Stage 1 kit can boost this power to 70+ HP. A typical stage 1 bolt on will include new exhaust, and air cleaner. Some folks will also put a carb kit in their stock CV carburetor or bolt on an aftermarket carb like an S&S B or Mikuni HSR42. For those folks with fuel injection a new map can be added that will make your motorcycle work well with the new exhaust and air cleaner.

Stage 2

When 70HP isn't enough, you can get to about 80 HP by adding a big bore kit. You can either have the cylinders bored our or bolt on new cylinders. Harley sells a 95 inch big bore kit that includes the new cylinders and pistons. I'd recommend using Forged pistons as they can be reused if you decide to add new heads in the Stage 3. Common in the stage 2 build is the addition of a new CAM. The combination of the 95 inch kit, cam and pistons should get your motorcycle in the 80HP range.

Stage 3

For those with more money to spend you can further boost your power 90-95HP by adding new Cylinder Heads and forged pistons. On my 2000 FXSTS this put me at 96HP and 100 Ft/Lbs of Torque.

Depending on the parts you choose you may get more or less HP than what's indicated here. The idea was to provide a basic description of the various stages and parts involved.

For exhaust I’d recommend for max midrange benefit choose a two into one system. If you must go with a two into two then try and find a manufacturer that specializes in performance like the Python III. There are many makers of great looking and sounding pipes but performance is usually an afterthought.
Read More..

Minggu, 22 Maret 2009

Quality Harley Davidson Parts For One Great Machine

One of the company's most respected manufacturers of top quality motorcycles around the world, there is not doubt that Harley-Davidson part is assured to fit in the category: superior.

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 and had rolled-off thousands of motorcycles since then. For more than one century of motorcycle manufacturing, the company had gone through several times where its toughness is challenged. It is seemed obvious that Harley-Davidson has gone through all. But the real test is not within the company. The real test is outside- on the road where each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is being tested everyday several thousand times over- by Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners around the globe.

What makes each Harley-Davidson motorcycle a living legacy? The answer can be found in the motorcycle itself. From the overall look of the motorcycle, to the tinniest moving part inside the engine, Harley-Davidson is superb.

Of course, every Harley-Davidson part contributes on how the motorcycle performs. The suspension parts provide the smooth ride to the Harley. The seat gives the rider comfort while cruising down the road. The infamous v-engine gives each Harley-Davidson motorcycle the power to conquer roads. The handlebars give the motorcycle the stability that each rider needs. The paint provides the exterior look of the Harley.

The different decals make each Harley unique from another Harley. The wheels roll the motorcycle to any place of any terrain. The transmission parts give better run to the motorcycle. And every Harley-Davidson part contributes to how Harley behaves on the road.

It is not surprising that each Harley-Davidson owner would want to infuse a little something out of their personality to their motorcycle. This the reason why there are several Harley-Davidson parts available just to provide better performance to the motorcycle. There are also several Harley-Davidson parts that are made to transform the stunning Harley into a more interesting motorcycle on the road.

Some Harley-Davidson parts act as an accessory. Some of these are the fender trims and instrument trims that highlights the fender and the gauges to become more attractive; the exhaust system that makes each Harley look more sporty, saddlebag and sissy bar bag that act as an accessory and provide additional storage room, backrest pad that gives extra comfort while you ride, windshield that creates a tougher look on the motorcycle, and more.

With Harley-Davidson parts, your motorcycle can posses the best look possible.
Read More..

Kamis, 19 Maret 2009

Whats In Your Harley Davidson?

The popularity of the Harley Davidson and a distinct mark among the bike lovers for it's illustrious design and the exhaust note. They are famous because of heavy Customization tradition that paved way for whole new cult of chopper style motorbikes.

The parts that are used by it's manufacturers for the outer design and the inner body are uniquely constructed and till this date it is difficult to emulate the Harley Davidson parts without compromising on its performance.

It is noteworthy to observe how Harley Davidson parts have been used to create a pseudo Harleys model. It is amusing to see people attempting to create a pseudo model using genuine parts, what a paradox!

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Harley Davidson as the archetype among the wide range of existing motorbikes in the market.

Manufacturers of the motorbikes and the zealous bikers have made attempts time and again to emulate this magical bike and have tried to incorporate its features and style into other custom made bikes.

However Harley Davidson continues to be the word class and stand apart bike among the umpteen brands that crop up every year around the world. Among the carbon copy creators you will also find the group of Harley Davidson's aficionado who prefer to remain loyal to this brand.

One of the characteristics that make this bike the most interesting invention in the history of the motorbikes is that it is a Chopper style bike, hence though creating replicas of this bike is next to impossible thing, it was originally meant to be changing and evolving regularly with pace of time and inventive technology.

The original Harley Davidson was created in such a way that it had the inherent potential flexibility and scope to be revised and redesigned by altering the parts and components that came together to create this historical bike.

However though it's virtually impossible to proclaim to have said all about this legendary bike in a single write up, at least one can arrive at the fact that Harley Davidson continues to be an iconic bike not just in US but all around the world.

The Harley Davidson's parts including the batteries and battery boxes, engines, carburetors and air cleaners, exhaust, mufflers, brakes and rotors, rotors, cables and charges et al are still in demand. The potential buyers of the Harley Davidson's parts are mostly the ones who have bought them in second-sale deal or of course the owners of the original counter-sold Harley Davidson.

It has certainly become much easier now to access the parts of this motor bike still finding a deal that is reasonable it terms of price and offers you genuine parts, can be pretty challenging. As the manufacturers of the Harleys have retained their rights to its creation, the supply of the basic components that make up the bike is stringent.

Of course there are umpteen number of websites that claim to offer you home delivery of Harley Davidson's original parts, both brand new and the refurbished parts, one has to use caution before venturing into such online deals. Harley Davidson is thus by all means a high-maintenance bike, for it's high price and its expensive parts too.

One of the best and practical ways to ensure that you don't end up buying a good-looking yet cheap in quality remake of the Harley Davidson's parts is to enroll yourself into online forums that discuss happenings about the bike.

You have a very good chance of bumping into Harleys enthusiasts and can learn and teach them a thing or to about the bike and its parts.
Read More..

Rabu, 18 Maret 2009

Why A Harley Davidson Motorcycle

harley davidson
There are several manufacturers of motorcycles in the world. The BMW is one, builds performance driven motorcycles for years. Japan-made motorcycles like a Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha also have race winning motorcycles. Another Motorcycle brand that is also very popular in the world is a Ducati. But why a Harley Davidson?

Why is Harley-Davidson so popular around the world? Why is that when a Harley rolls on the road, everyone will turn their heads for a glance? Why is it that when one talks about motorcycle, the very first brand in mind is the Harley-Davidson?

Finding answers to these questions will give us 3 words: name, quality, and pride.

Name – When you hear the word "Harley-Davidson", the first thing that might pop out from your mind is a "one hell of a machine". Hearing the name "Harley-Davidson" would also easily gives you the impression of a great motorcycle company that set a great legacy throughout history. The name can be synonymous with toughness, quality, speed, and versatility. The name itself will set itself on the top of your mind.

Quality– Whether it is a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations), Dyna, Sportster, Softail, Touring, or VRSC model, it is a Harley-Davidson. And when we say Harley-Davidson, we mean quality that is built over the years. Each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is made in superiority from the engine parts to the decals and finishing touches. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are made not only to sell but to live for a lifetime as well.

Pride – Harley-Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles for over a century. And with a company that survived this long, owning one is like owning a piece of history of the company. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have gained so much respect over the years and it has set the trend for the motorcycle industry in the United States. Any Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner would say that they are proud to have at least one great motorcycle in their possession.

What would you feel if you are riding a motorcycle with the name "Harley-Davidson"? Surely, you feel proud. Proud as if you have your first baby; proud as if you have owned a brand-new house; and proud as if you have realized your dream. Indeed, owning a Harley-Davidson can be a dream come true for most. As the price of a Harley motorcycle does not come cheap, owning one can be hard. But if you do, you feel fulfilled and you somehow feel you have your life complete.

How about you? Why are you dying to have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle? The answer is in you…
Read More..

Senin, 16 Maret 2009

Tune Harley Carburetor For Smooth Ride

harley davidson
Harley Davidson, the name is not new in the domain of automobile accessories and devices. The Harley Carburetor is special meant for a smooth ride on your bike. The Harley carburetor has a long life provided you tune it from time to time. Your driving will not have problems with your bike if the tuning is done properly.

The process of tuning for better performance

Don't think you won't be able to do it and dump your bike in a garage. It is nothing like that. Things are rather simple and you can yourself conduct the process of tuning the Harley carburetor. The tuning becomes important for the maintenance of the carburetor.

Well to begin with remove the Harley carburetor from the main body of the engine. You cannot just open and remove it as if opening your shirt. A particular technique has to be followed. The fuel has to be removed from the carburetor bowl and only then you can clean the thing. The backing plate and the bolts are to be removed in parts and the choke cable has to be also taken off.

The throttle cables are next put down. Therefore one by one the individual parts are disassembled. You need not entirely open the throttle cables. When the carburetor bowl is cleaned with the carburetor cleaner and you set down to reset the arrangement, adjust the throttle cables in the right location.

Resetting of the cables and reinstallation of the carburetor

The final round of tuning is the process of reassembling and fixing up the cables along with the clean carburetor bowl. The problem you face while riding a bike in simple terms is the heating up of the engine. And you fail to judge that the problem lies with the carburetor. Most of the times you even decide to change the whole unit of the carburetor.

Such changes are not required in Harley's carburetor. Simple tuning brings it back to the original performance. While tuning there is a chance of misplacing a cable or it can also be so that you cannot fix the exact cables in the right place. It is always suggested to tag or mark the cables used in a Harley carburetor. This will create no fuss either at the times of removal or at the times of resetting.

The wiring system attached to the cables of the carburetor is to be handled with care. Don't damage the fine metal wires or else you will have to replace them and get new ones fixed up. After tuning your bike or specifically the Harley carburetor, take a short trip and enjoy the difference. You won't complain any more about the engine.
Read More..