Dave77459

If you are the bike that doesn't stop, do you get additional charges, like "failure to obey a police officer" or something like that? Dave

As if Kreg needs more fuel! Dave

Well, I took off the gas cap, and it didn't run any better. Then, I uncovered the fuel pump and held it as I turned on the ignition. It just hummed. I tapped it with the end of the hex wrench as I turned the ignition, and it began to pump. I could feel it. The engine ran well for a while, then the pump began to hum again and the engine sputtered. I conclude it is the fuel pump. What options do I have? YOU are an instigator! But only some. Dave

I was thinking more about bypassing the fuel pump in a pinch. As far as the gas cap, a big part of me hopes that the elves stopped by while I was at work and undid the work the gremlins accomplished. Dave

To bypass these things, I can just use a double ended connector? Sounds like the sort of thing one should carry on a long trip. Dave

Hmmm, I see the manual stipulates that the fuel filter be changed every 20,000 miles. I did it myself last year, and I am close to 40,000 miles now. It's probably time. The first thing I'm gonna try is running it with the fuel cap off, to see if it is the vent hose. Supah easy. Dave

On my RSTD, the OEM fuse is forward, behind the steel side cover. I suspect that is a drier location. I'll bet the cigarette adapter didn't come with the PITA rubber boot. That should keep it dry. Hopefully. There were a couple things I meant to do. One of them is to add a drop of silicone on the brass jam nut as recommended. I think I'll take it off, add the drop of silicone, and the dielectric grease. Ponch told me that I can mix ABS with the PVC cement to make a serviceable patch or even a component. I kept the drill shavings, so maybe I can make a plug for this panel and move the rear plug to the other side. But that would mean wrestling with that rubber boot again...! Dave

I probably have way more than 10K on the fuel filter, depending on whether the dealer replaced it as indicated on the maintenance schedule. I try to pretend the dealer did nothing as a defensive measure. Is there a source for the filter besides the dealer? As far as the gizmos, the hairiest wiring was done by Squidley. I'm pretty sure he knows what he is doing. I'm almost sure of it. Dave

The low-profile Powerlets that I got fit excellently. I kinda wish I had put one on each side now.

Last night I installed a pair of Powerlets on to Roxie. I liked what I saw in this thread, and decided to do it myself. I'd been biding my time, but then I saw an article on a DIY Powerlet to USB Adapter. I wanted the USB adapter to recharge phones, headsets, etc. And with a camping trip coming up, with the need to inflate air mattresses, now was the time! I dealed primarily with BurnsMoto. Stephen Burns has been a joy to deal with. He responded to my questions quickly, and shipped about 5 minutes after I ordered. I ordered on a Friday, and had everything to me by Monday AM. He was missing the Low Profile Adapters, so he went through Powerlet. They screwed up and sent the stuff to him, and he resent it to me. I bought the Powerlet to USB adapter elsewhere, but BurnsMoto now carries it. It is in fact made by NAPA, so it could be widely available. Anyways, here's what I bought.... The Powerlet Low Profile Adapter with a 24" lead (x 2), P/N PKT-046-24. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4618825544_4868782079.jpg The Powerlet right-angle adapter P/N PPL-004 and the NAPA USB All Weather Power Outlet P/N 782-6003 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/4618824062_5867e11a69.jpg The Powerlet to Cigarette Adapter P/N PAC-012 Like it or not, most doo-dads want cigarette plugs rather than Powerlets. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4618825306_638d2bb2a4.jpg The Install Here is the side cover, basically a plastic filler plate from her left side. The holes are where the passenger floorboard mounts, the small inset is for the screw that holds this piece on, and there are two "bosses" that plug into rubber boots for positioning. I had to drill two holes for the Powerlet. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4622257362_06a2dbbfab.jpg Using the step drill, I bored two holes for the low profile Powerlet outlet. The instructions said to use an 11/16" hole saw, but I actually used a step bit. I am glad, because the holes are two steps bigger than 11/16"! http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/4622258072_ca2a109969.jpg Here is the Powerlet half way through, showing the rubber gasket. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4622258508_7f1a08fa5d.jpg The Powerlet seated on the rubber gasket. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/4621652251_7e194a45ae.jpg On the backside, an aluminum washer is installed, then a brass jam nut is used to tighten it down. http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/4621652551_7bfda7cecb.jpg One of the Powerlets installed. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/4622259406_0c24fb31d8.jpg The backside, showing both Powerlets. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/4621653059_06024aac0d.jpg The Powerlets are covered with right angled rubber boots on the backside. What a PITA these things are! http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1163/4622259876_772c54a635.jpg The final off-bike step is to add the white "T" connector. This connects the battery harness to the powerlet. You can see the harness below. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4622260160_0300f8343d.jpg (Harness) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4618825544_4868782079_m.jpg You can see the cavity that the plastic cover goes over in the right middle, right in front of the drive shaft. Confession time: I misjudged where to drill the holes in the cover. The rear Powerlet conflicts with the large bolt at the back of the cavity. Not much, maybe 1/8". But it is enough to make me want to buy a replacement cover and do it over. Maybe put one outlet on the left side, and another on the right. *sigh* http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4622262028_c6183f79dd.jpg Here it is installed. Note the power leads coming out at the top. http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/4622262274_d5d7584030.jpg This is how it opens. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/4622262494_c41d9999ea.jpg Now the right side fuse cover and the passenger floorboards are re-installed. When the floorboards are up, you can hardly see the Powerlets. Note too the coil of wires up top. I lacked a spade connector, so I used the harness as supplied. As a result, there is a vast amount of excess wire at the top, under the seat. I need to fix that soon. http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/4621656099_6302ff4d8f.jpg Job done! Now I can power my auxilliary electronics, like my phone/MP3 player, or an air mattress when I go camping. I can also use it to attach a trickle-charger to keep Roxie's battery charged. I added a pair because I am planning to buy electric clothes, and they'll plug in here. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4621656431_334326c902.jpg This was a pretty easy job, aside from the mis-measurement. Having an outlet or two designed for powersports will be a real benefit!

Great thought! Although, going to the stealership opens unwanted cans of worms. "Oh, towing a trailer...?" "what are all these wires under the seat?" etc etc I am really hoping it is not the fuel pump. I'd like to make sure it is before I take it in. Because if it is the filter or something, they'll charge me diagnosis time for something I can fix myself, better than they can. Dave

Thursday is great, assuming I don't fix it tonight! I have your wiring crimpers too. Thanks! Dave

Not to be alarmist, but I understand in some schools here, the color of the band is significant. One color means smokes pot, another means willing to "hook up", another means "party girl", another means "lost virginity", etc etc etc. Like anything, something fun and innocent and stupid can be perverted. Dave

I appreciate that Ponch. It seems the plurality here suspect the fuel pump (thanks All!). I wonder if it might be a blocked fuel line. I am intrigued by the vacuum hose comment. I was a little rushed putting on the tank, and noted the hose wasn't clear as it usually is. I pulled it out, but I am not sure it isn't pinched. I also note that the trailer light hookup is right above the fuel pump. Perhaps the connector, sitting next to the battery, has slid down and pinched the fuel line? I didn't have the right connectors to connect the Powerlets to the fuse box, so I used the battery connectors that they came with, intending to get new connectors later. I wonder if they have squirmed down to push the trailer connector onto the fuel line? Is that possible? Assuming that checking those lines doesn't solve the problem, the next easiest thing to check is the fuel pump. How would I do that? After that, I guess it is the dreaded fuel filter. Are those available outside the dealership? Dave

I worked on my bike these past few days, and got it ready last night to ride to work today. I started her up and let her idle as I put on helmet and gloves, and put down the garage door. I eased down the driveway, not wanting to wake the cul-de-sac by roaring off. As I approached the intersection, I let off the throttle to listen for popping. (One of the things I did was to re-install the pipes since a faulty joint was a suspect on my popping on decel issue) As I turned and accelerated, she began to hesitate as if out of gas. I know she has gas since I had taken the tank off and had to heft it back. I switched from reserve where I normally run to main, with no help. Finally, she stalled and wouldn't start. I pushed her home, and man am I sweaty! We had fog, so you know it was Houston Humid. I've found she'll start and rough idle with full choke. Try to blip the throttle and she dies. Take off the choke, and she dies. Over the weekend, I took off the tank and side panels. I installed Powerlets on the left side plastic panel where the passenger floorboards mount. Is there something I forgot to hook up? I think I hear a knock when the fuel pump is energized, but not the knock knock knock that happens if she is off for a while. Ideas? Dave

Probably wrong here, but all the grooves need to do is give displaced water a place to go when the tire is in contact with the ground. A moment later, the water is wondering what just rolled over it. I got caught in a monsoon on Friday. I have an Avon on front and an E3 on back. There was no hydroplaning at all. Last year coming home in another monsoon with an Avon on the rear, there was only one moment of hydroplaning, and that was on a cupped section during a particularly nasty Texas Flood. I reckon 25' out of 1000 miles isn't bad. Dave

I think I'm gonna try it myself as I put her back together tonight. I'll pull out my trusty creme brulee torch. Thanks, that's my thinking too. The outlet will be hot all the time. It'll function mostly as a way to charge my electronic doo-dads while at lunch, but will also be a port for trickle charging. Dave

I am installing a pair of Powerlets to my bike. The Powerlet comes with a very nice connector to go to the battery, along with an inline fuse. However, I have an auxiliary fuse box under my seat. To hook up the Powerlet, I'd have to cut off the nice professional ends, then add connectors to let it attach to the fuse box. I think I would also cut away the bulky inline fuse. What would you do? Go to the battery or go to the fuse box? Keep the inline fuse, or dump it? Dave http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4618825544_4868782079_b.jpg

Great pictures Perry! I'd like to make one of the last two. The September one is right after I get back from vacation. The November one will undoubtedly be when the Texas group is in Big Bend. :-/ Dave

Rick, I did just that. Ended up with black plastic finger tips, LOL. It's now curing for the next day or so. I set it upside down, and went to look for something in it this morning. When I opened it, I got a strong whiff of the cement. So now it is laying on it's side with the door open. I've heard that if you can still smell it, it is still hardening. It was a perfect fit, BTW. That is one of my fallback plans. I hope the cement works. Actually, that did happen. Not tightened, but I was without the spacer a month or two ago for a few weeks. Amazing to think that it could have been hanging there for a month, and happened to fall out in the garage! Dave

Ponch on this site made me mine, and is thinking of making for sale. You can check with him as an alternative. Dave

So, I got the medium sized tail pipe expander. The first use was to expand the hitch coupling on my new trailer. It worked there as a definite kludge. Today I used it to reinstall my Harley pipes. I am happy to report that it worked very well. Keeping in mind the reports of it breaking, I was gentle on it. It got the job done on the muffler and the muffler bracket. I didn't even need to tap on the exhaust pipes to get them on! What a difference! Sure it's cheap, but it worked for me. Dave

Come to think of it, she was riding with me! I'll get the truth out of her! I do have that thing foam cushion. Maybe the broken piece rode along until I opened the saddle bag when I got home, and flexed the bag somewhat. Or broke an air seal. I'll see if I can scare up some ABS pipe joint compound and call it good. Dave

There is no visible impact spot. One of the more interesting clues is that the piece remained with the bike until it parked in the garage. I'd'a thought that if there was an impact wound, the piece would have fallen off entransit and been lost, or pushed into the saddle bag. Thanks for the suggestion. Is this something to be found in a big box store? Dave

I have a hole in the bottom of my left saddle bag. It is on the inside bottom edge, near the rear attachment point. (pics) I rode about 250 miles on Friday, towing a trailer. The last 75 miles were in heavy rain. Saturday night, I went to dinner and noticed a plastic piece on the garage floor. When I took off the saddle bag to wash the bike today, I found where the plastic came from. So, what can I use to reattach it? The break is quite jagged, with lots of connection surface. Maybe J-B Weld? Marine epoxy? Warranty? Then, any ideas on what caused the hole? I notice that the place of the break is unusual in that there is road grime there. Maybe some hot oil heated it, and the rain cooled it, causing the break? Help and ideas are appreciated. Dave