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FEULING VENTED DIPSTICK

The Feuling Billet Dipsticks are made In America and they vent excessive crankcase pressure from the oil tank on Harley Touring Models through a PCV style breather.

 Blow-by is pressure that is forced past the rings and cylinder walls and ends up in the crankcase and then into the oil tank. All internal combustion engines have a certain amount of crankcase pressure and it does increase with miles. Large cubic inch engines have a tendency to have more blow by as well.
 
 The Vented Dipstick is easy to install, but I still suggest reading the sheet of instructions that come with it before starting installing this product.
 
 
 
 
 
There are two ways that this system can work. One is with an internal porous filter element. Though this element gives a clean look it can produce an oil misting residue on the top of the dipstick.

 The other option is with a quick disconnect fitting and line with a filter element on the end of it. This is the recommended method.

 

TOOLS NEEDED

 

 
 
 
 
 ASSEMBLY
 
 

 Remove the stock dipstick and make sure the oil tank is full. If not add oil.

 
 

The breather consists of a perforated disc, replaceable filter element and umbrella flapper valve.

 
 

The cap is screwed on to the dipstick using a little 545 Loctite, which comes with the kit, this will help prevent leaking. Loctite is also added to the small 0.050 hex Allen screw in the side of the cover to lock the cap so it does not unscrew when the dipstick is removed.

 
The quick disconnect fitting was installed using thread sealer.
 
 The assembly screws into factory fill spout just like a stock part. Lubricate the O-ring on the Feuling dipstick with O-ring lube or engine oil.
 
 
 
 
 The line is run inside the frame rail, up under the seat then back down with the element resting between the engine and transmission mating area neatly out of the way. The line is secured in a couple of spots to hold it in place making sure the plastic wire ties did Not Pinch the Breather Line
 

 The line will need to be disconnected to remove the dipstick to check or ad oil but it does like the name implies disconnects quickly.

 CAUTION WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL THE DIPSTICK WILL BE HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUN

For more information on this and other fine Feuling products go to www.FeulingParts.com

 

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FEULING TWIN CAM PLATE TESTING TOOL

Using the right tool for any job makes things go easier, faster, and eliminates most mistakes. There have been numerous articles on installing cams in Harley Twin Cam Engines. The use of the tools for removing and installing bearings was covered. You can see them in previous articles here on Bikernet.
 
What I have not seen covered anywhere, except here on Bikernet in my recent article about installing Zippers Cams and Dual Piston Chain Tensioners is the Feuling Cam Plate Tester 9010.
 
I feel very strongly that part of any Twin Cam install should include Checking The Pressure Relief By-Pass Valve located in the Cam Support Plate (Camplate). According to a tech in IronWorks: It’s been said that a majority of oil pressure problems with the Twin Cam engines are related to a malfunctioning pressure relief valve; either the relief valve sticks in the bore, and/or fails to seat and seal properly which causes leakage. Any leakage causes a drop in overall oil pressure.
 

This valve is what controls the oil pressure to your engine, and protects the engine from too much pressure. Over a period of time it is known to either leak and or pop off at lower than the desired pressures. This is easily checked and repaired while the Camplate is off the engine. Feuling recommends testing the relief valve anytime the cam plate is out of the engine, and always testing the valve before it’s removed from the plate. The Feuling tool is an ideal workstation for servicing camplates.

The Feuling Cam Plate Tester comes unassembled but is easy to put together using the included instructions. Basically you insert a nipple in the tester and then screw the regulator to it and finish off with an air hose nipple.

Install the Camplate to the tester and clamp the tool in a vise. Add the air hose and open the regulator to test for leaks and pop off pressure. According to the Feuling staff: We like to see the camplate pressure relief valve seated and sealed from 0 to 30 psi with a full pop off pressure of 50 to 60 psi. It’s also important that the valve again seals at 30 psi after having opened. These recommended settings will ensure the engine is protected and receives the most oil pressure available which is especially important on those hot days, which can generate extremely high oil temperatures and low oil pressure.

If adjustments are needed use the Feuling tool #9000 to hold the spring down to remove the roll pin, spring and plunger.

Depending on what you found, you can clean the seat of the original valve or replace it with one that has a better contact surface. There are springs with more tension available and also shims that can be added to the original spring to increase the pop off pressure. Inspect and clean the camplate bore and plunger valve. Use very fine 400-600 wet-and-dry sand paper or an abrasive pad to remove any debris or burrs, then clean and reassemble the plunger valve using a spray lubricant on the bore and valve.

To re-seat the plunger valve, hold it down with a punch, turn up the air on the tool regulator while holding down and centering the plunger with the punch, then give it a goo whack with a hammer. This process will create a new seat and may need to be performed multiple times in order to obtain the desired results.

Next re-install the spring, inspect for leakage and check the pop off pressure. You may want to use a 1/8-inch pin punch to hold the spring in place for ease of testing and spring adjustments, thus eliminating the need to re-install and remove the roll pin each time.

If your existing spring is not reaching the desired pop off pressure of 50-60 psi, Feuling recommends replacing the spring (see Feuling part #8018). You can also adjust the existing spring, but if you stretch the factory spring, it may collapse and lose pressure after multiple cycles. Feuling recommends cycling the completed assembly numerous times to ensure proper operation.

When you have reached your desired pop-off pressure re-install the roll pin and proceed to install the camshafts.

For more information on this and other Feuling products check their web site at http://www.feulingparts.com/.
 
 
 
 
 
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The State of The Hurricane Address

by Jeff Kraus

“Hey, We survived our first hurricane”

The damn thing lasted nine hours! It just hovered and stalled over the region for nine hours. Floridian’s have said there were 200 mph “gusts.”

But hey, we have the best Governor and we’re impressed with how quickly ‘Humpty’s restoration is being addressed. There’s also been wonderful disaster relief response from well funded Christian organizations such as “Just the Crumbs” out of Mississippi and “God’s Pit Crew” out of Danville VA.

Click Here to Read this Photo Feature Article only on Bikernet.com

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The State of The Hurricane Address

 
We survived our first hurricane. The damn thing lasted nine hours! It just hovered and stalled over the region for nine hours. Floridian’s have said there were 200 mph “gusts.” 

Debbie and I and the Maltese have been living in an apartment complex waiting for our new home to be ready. The complex was built three years ago to latest hurricane standards. We were not in a mandatory evacuation zone, so we stuck around.
 

WOW! Our utilities were out for four days. There was a temporary fuel shortage since many stations’ canopies sailed away, there was no power for several days and some areas weren’t accessible for fuel delivery because of flooding and debris.
 

I have a buddy who sold Porsche cars to the “who’s who” down here for thirty years. Before ‘Ian hit around 4:00 p.m., as a precaution, he moved his twenty year old Corrolla (typical car sales pro transportation) across the street to his neighbor’s driveway on higher ground.

The eye of the storm passed at 11:00 pm, things were calm, so he thought he’d move his car back to his driveway. Equipped with a big flashlight and dressed in a rain slicker and thigh waders, he ventured outside for the first time to find his street under several feet of water.
 

Shining the light across the street he saw his car, but then his light caught a seven foot python gliding through the water in his path. As he entered the street in thigh high water, he shined his flashlight up and down the street when about twenty yards away, he saw what we Floridian’s know well.

Those two hollow yellow eyes a few inches apart attached to a partly submerged long snout reflecting the light which belonged to an eight foot ‘gator.
 

My pal said he hurriedly crossed the street as stealthily as possible. When he reached his car, he opened the door not realizing there was water up to the dashboard. Once the water drained, he tried to start the car and in his words, the motor turned over but it sounded like a motorboat, “glub, glub, glub…”

Then, it died.

He shut the car door, and quietly sloshed back across the street with his flashlight’s beam leading the way. At his front door he removed his rain gear and entered his home. As he sat down on his living room couch to tell his anxious wife the tale of what had just happened, the eye of the storm passed and the high wind and torrential rain resumed.
 

Next thing their living room wall exploded as storm surge from Charlotte Harbor a couple miles away came down their street.

They’re slugging it out with their insurance company and FEMA since their home needs extensive repairs, including mold remediation.

This is only one story. There are thousands.
 

But hey, we have the best Governor and we’re impressed with how quickly ‘Humpty’s restoration is being addressed.
 
 
 
There’s also been wonderful disaster relief response from well funded Christian organizations such as “Just the Crumbs” out of Mississippi and “God’s Pit Crew” out of Danville VA. Five weeks later they’re still turning out thousands of meals from huge trailer commercial kitchens manned by local volunteers and delivering them to stricken communities.
 
+
 

Back to us. Debbie sold the massive motor-coach on the first phone call back in April and the bike and car trailer went bye-bye a month later. Perfect timing considering the price of fuel and RV part supply chain problems.

I don’t miss the maintenance but we miss traveling this way. Debbie is urging me to get a B+ van so we can resume summer/fall travels. They’re more nimble and the Mercedes powertrain has plenty of torque and fuel economy is pretty good, so we’ll see.

Maybe we’ll catch you guys next summer…unless there’s no diesel fuel… LORD!
 

Our new community a few miles east was not badly affected by the storm and we’re hoping to move in to our new home on a lake this spring.

You and Allison, Debbie and I, couldn’t be in better States at this time in our nation’s history. Healthcare in Florida is terrific. I whip out my Medicare card at doctors offices and it is like the American Express Black card. Ha!

All for now,

Jeff
 
Edited by Wayfarer
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NRA Update: Second Amendment

Your Help Needed to Protect the Second Amendment

Dear NRA Affiliate,

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, and the outcome of this election is crucial to the future of the Second Amendment and the ability of all Americans to keep and bear arms. NRA-ILA asks you to take action by urging your members and patrons to get to the polls and vote for pro-gun candidates in this election.*

The stakes could not be higher. If gun control candidates win this election, we will see more attempts to ban ”assault weapons,” criminalize private firearm transfers, implement ”red flag” confiscation laws, and bankrupt the firearms industry, just to name a few.

The choice could not be clearer. We need your help getting out the vote. If we lose this election, we may very well lose our fundamental right to protect ourselves, our families, and each other with the firearm of our choice.

For more information on the candidates, please visit www.nrapvf.org and encourage your members, affiliates, and friends and family to do the same.

Yours in Freedom,
Jason Ouimet
Executive Director, NRA-ILA

*Please be aware of relevant legal restrictions. Some organizations’ tax statuses don’t allow participation in get-out-the-vote activities. If you have questions about these restrictions, or about reporting or other requirements related to political activity, please contact your organization’s attorney or tax advisor.

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Triumph Announce New Street Triple Lineup For 2023

IS THIS THE REVIVAL OF BRITISH MOTORCYCLE RACING LEGACY ?

by Troy Siahaan from https://www.motorcycle.com

Limited Edition Street Triple Moto2 Edition Headlines The Show

Triumph has announced a shakeup to its ever-popular Street Triple range today, introducing not one, but three evolutions to the family, creating what it says is “the most powerful Street Triple range ever.” Building off the success it has forged by being the sole engine supplier for the Moto2 racing category, Triumph now introduces the Street Triple R, Street Triple RS, and the Street Triple 765 Moto2 Edition – the latter of which will be relegated to just 765 units worldwide.

Unlike Honda, whose CBR600RR engine was the basis of the Moto2 category during its birth, Triumph has used the racing category to advance the 765cc three-cylinder engine shared between the race bikes and production bikes. The latest Street Triple range is the beneficiary of those advancements.

All three models will get the updated 765cc Triple, which features new pistons, connecting rods, and wrist pins (aka gudgeon pins if you’re British) on the bottom end. The combustion chambers are revised for increased cylinder pressure limits, since the compression ratio has now gone up 4.7%, from 12.65:1 to 13.25:1. New valves and higher lift camshafts round out the top end changes. The R, which is now the base model, peaks at a claimed 118 hp at 11,500 rpm, while the RS and Moto2 top out at a claimed 128 hp at 12,000 rpm. Peak torque is 59 lb-ft at 9,500 rpm, with a notable increase starting at 7,500 rpm compared to the previous model.

Triumph says all six internal gear ratios, as well as the final drive ratio, have been changed compared to the outgoing model for shorter overall gearing. What you should feel from the saddle is faster acceleration (likely at the expense of top speed) in every gear, aided by an up-and-down quickshifter on all three models.

From a tech standpoint, a Continental IMU is fitted to all three models, allowing for optimized cornering ABS and a more refined traction control system (which can also be turned off). As part of the update, the riding modes (four on the R, five on the RS and Moto2) have been refined as well with what Triumph calls, “more dynamic throttle maps.” As part of these new maps, the ABS thresholds are tailored to each mode, giving the rider more or less sensitivity depending on the mode. For the RS and Moto2, the Track riding mode is equipped with a minimally invasive ABS setting.

Visually, the Street Triple range gets a new look that’s sharper and more aggressive, but still very familiar to the original Street Triple from 2007. The new 3.96-gallon fuel tank is smaller than the previous 4.6-gallon tank, but has integrated side panels with an angular design that integrates with the radiator cowls. This flow is continued with the headlight surround that also incorporates the air intake. There’s also a new color-matched bellypan for RS models (available as an option on the R).

At the back, the upswept design gives the Street Triples a nose-down, aggressive attitude which complements well with the new, freer-flowing exhaust, which itself is redesigned.

All three models have a 6,000-mile (10,000 km) service interval, two years unlimited mileage warranty, and two years of Roadside Assistance. For the US and Canada, bikes will be available starting in Spring 2023, making these technically model year 2024 motorcycles. Semantics, we know, but a point worth mentioning.

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Tanks Forever : gas tank feature article

by Bandit with photos by the Magnificent Markus Cuff

In this first chapter we delved into very nature of the gas tank, construction, shapes, sizes, manufacturing processes, mounting and materials.

“As tank shapes slipped from utilitarian to lifestyle driven components, they became the “Cherry on top of the magnificent V-twin engine configuration,” says Brad, Vice President of Design and Creative Director of Motorcycles at Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Click to Read this Photo Feature Article only at Bikernet.com

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TANKS FOREVER, FOREVER TANKS

This mess started with a ride to a tribute concert in Hollywood, one of the rare times the whole staff of ER rode together. A brother, Lee Selwin, was run down on the streets near Sunset Boulevard, and we rode to the rock concert at the Palace Theater. Turned into a nostalgic night club, I stepped back stage where I met Markus Cuff who photographed the event.

With the encouragement of artist, Robert Kalafut, I started to work with Markus on tech articles and ultimately bike features. Hell, I’m still working with Markus who also became one of our main tattoo photographers.

Markus was forced into retirement over medical issues and issues with the magazine trade. He can’t cover tech articles and bike feature photography, but I continue to dive into his vast archives in search of motorcycle gems.

Since he has a library of 35 years of related photography we dug into his shots of antique and custom motorcycle tanks. We started to kick around a story line, which led us to the design and engineering team at Harley-Davidson, specifically Brad Richards and Jeremy Nesthus. Brad is the Vice President of Design and Creative Director of Motorcycles at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. 
 

Jeremy is the System Groups Manager for Fuel and Styled Systems at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He has been with H-D for 20 years working in Parts & Accessories, Systems Integration, NVH and as a Technical Platform Lead.

In this first chapter we delved into very nature of the gas tank, construction, shapes, sizes, manufacturing processes, mounting and materials. We also spoke with motorcycle restorers, bike builders and antique curators.

At one time a gas tank was just a fuel cell with a petcock mounted over a Briggs and Stratton engine. Remember?

Hell, tanks have gone from being soldered fuel cells, sometimes with lead, silver and or brass, to MiG and TIG welded, manual welding all the way to robotics.

Tanks were originally tin pounded over bucks or wooden forms and then pressed with solid steel molds and now hydraulically deep-drawn metal shapes.

As tank shapes slipped from utilitarian to lifestyle driven components, they became the “Cherry on top of the magnificent V-twin engine configuration,” said Brad. Prior to joining Harley-Davidson in February 2015, Richards was Chief Designer at Ford Motor Company and also responsible for managing the design of F-Series Truck products including the aluminum 2015 F-150 and the 2018 Ford Raptor.

With technological advances and more lifestyle demands tanks forced manufacturers to up their stylistic game with hidden welds. “We make the difficult, look simple,” said Brad.

I asked the factory guys about the two iconic tank shapes, Fatbob tanks and Sportster tanks.

“I was recently challenged to evolve Harley-Davidson’s product experience and to deliver a consistent Look, Sound and Feel of our motorcycles,” Brad added. He expanded his responsibilities in August 2022 to deliver an authentic Harley-Davidson user experience that builds a strong emotional connection between rider and machine that many of our customers desire in our products. Let’s see how his mission plays out in the future. It’s a tough one.

Brad pointed out that the new Sportster Nightster tank is not a tank at all but an air cleaner cover. The fuel tank is once again utilitarian fuel tank stashed under the seat.

One of Jeremy’s most proud work projects included the Technical Lead delivering Sportster S to production. “Collaborating with world class H-D employees and using world class tools to enable the visuals on the Sportster S was exhilarating,” said Jeremy.

Jeremy focused on another motorcycle design topic. Form grappling with function. The tank under the seat like oil tanks under transmissions lower the center of gravity and improves handling. Hell, all the tanks on EVs are fake, to make the bikes like we expect them to look.

There’s the on-going challenge of what we expect a bike to look like verses the physical experience,” said Brad. “With the tank under the seat the bike feels 60 pounds lighter.”

Jeremy added another major benefit to the new Revolution Max powertrain. “It afforded us a powerplant for numerous models,” including the new Pan America, all terrain Harley.

Back to tanks, Brad pointed out that each new model has a new tank logo design unlike many other brands. Harley-Davidson endeavors to watch the market and events like Born Free for new, trick and innovative tank art.

We also spoke to Don Whalen, motorcycle curator and founder of Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company, who pointed out that some early manufacturers positioned the fuel cells or gas tanks in pipes manufactured into the frames. Oil supplies also found themselves in frame tubing. He reminded me of repairs to vintage motorcycle tanks at radiator shops. The pressure tested tanks had seams or cracks sealed with lead.

It’s a constant challenge to manufacture a motorcycle in vast quantities and meet multiple criteria. But Jeremy, who has been riding since his uncle hoisted him onto an H-D gas tank for his first motorcycle ride, hit the nail on the head. “I’m drawn to winning,” he said. “Harley-Davidson designs, engineers the most desirable motorcycles in the world, and I just had to be a part of that.”

Hang on. With the next batch of tanks, we will cover the paint designs and materials from metal flake, flames, panels and candies with masterminds in the field like Dave Perewitz, the Emperor of House of Kolors, John Kosmoski, and helmet artist Atomic Bob. Hell, I toured the new factory paint facility back in the ‘90s.

–Bandit

Sources:

Harley-Davidson

Markus Cuff

 

ARCH Motorcycles

Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company

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Another H-D Recall: Nearly 200,000 Harley Touring Models

On 21-October-2022, Bikernet Blog updated the fans of the Motorcycle Company  about handlebar recalls on Nightster models. Now another recall is revealed. Click to see previous handlebar post.

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

  • Nearly 200,000 Harley Touring Models Could Have Brake Light Issue
  • On affected bikes and trikes, rear brake lights could light up even when riders are not braking.

On October 21, 2022, Harley-Davidson issued a safety recall for 199,419 different 2019 through 2022 Trike and CVO Trike and 2020 through 2022 Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles. The fault involves a software issue that determines when the rear brake lights on these bikes are illuminated.

In certain cases, the rear brake lights may stay lit up even if the rider has not activated the brakes and is not braking at that time. This condition could cause vehicles following those bikes to misjudge when a bike in front of them is actually braking, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

A total of 31,572 2019 through 2022 Trike and CVO Trikes with VINS ranging between 1HD1MAF14KB850024 and 1HD1MCP19NB854018 (not sequential), manufactured between the dates of July 6, 2018 and June 23, 2022, are involved in this recall. This includes the following models:

  • 2019 FLHTCUTG and FLRT
  • 2020 through 2022 FLHTCUTG, FLRT, and FLHTCUTGSE

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Additionally, a total of 167,847 2020 through 2022 Touring and CVO Touring bikes with VINS ranging between 1HD1KRP18LB600080 and 1HD1FMP11NB645226 (not sequential), produced between the dates of July 2, 2019 and June 23, 2022, are involved in this recall. This includes the following models:

  • 2020 FLHP, FLHR, FLHRXS, FLHT, FLHTK, FLHTKSE, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSE, FLTRK, FLTRX, FLTRXS, and FLTRXSE
  • 2021 FLH, FLHP, FLHR, FLHRXS, FLHT, FLHTK, FLHTKSE, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSE, FLTRK, FLTRX, FLTRXS, and FLTRXSE
  • 2022 FLHP, FLHR, FLHRXS, FLHT, FLHTK, FLHTKSHRINE, FLHTP, FLHX, FLHXS, FLHXSE, FLHXST, FLTRK, FLTRKSE, FLTRX, FLTRXS, FLTRXSE, and FLTRXST

Harley-Davidson advises that motorcycles produced after June 24, 2022, have both a new pressure switch and a software calibration update that fixes this issue. Therefore, they should not be affected by this recall. The company notified its dealer network about this issue between October 21 and 28, 2022. It is also sending owner notification letters between October 26 and November 2, 2022.

Owners of affected bikes should arrange service with their local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, who will perform a software update to affected Touring and CVO Touring motorcycles at no charge to the customer. Likewise, owners of affected Trikes and CVO Trikes will receive both a software update and a new pressure switch, also installed at no cost to the customer.

Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0635.

Additionally, owners may contact the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov. NHTSA’s campaign number for this recall is 22V-781.
Source: NHTSA

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Get Out & Vote Bikernet Weekly News for November 3, 2022

by Bandit, Rogue, Wayfarer, Laura, Barry Green, Sam Burns, the Redhead, Gearhead, El Waggs, the Sheriff, Steve Phiel, Bob T., Bill May and the rest of the gang

Hey,

This has been an amazing year. Absolutely don’t forget to vote. I’ve been hard at writing articles all week long and speaking to folks far and wide about everything from old gas tanks to flat track racing in the Odessa, MO.

We are living in ban times. Ban everything quick. The planet….

—Bandit

Click & Read this week’s news on everything on two-wheels only at Bikernet.com

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You know you need to stay updated, so just grab the Free Weekly Newsletter by visiting here (click me)

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