Cycle World Follow Up
CYCLE WORLD FOLLOW UP
Harley's weak plug
One of the year's long-term bikes is a Harley-Davidson FXRS, the new model with the E-motor engine, etc. Great bike, especially for those long Sunday rides.
One of our men was on
such a ride and at the point he was furthest from home, discovered the starter wasn’t cranking at normal speed. At a gas stop down the road, it wouldn’t crank at all and a quick check (watching the headlight while revving the engine) showed no charge was being delivered by the alternator.
He ran for home, cursing ttoe lights-on campaign and Harley’s reluctance to supply a tool kit. He was 40 miles from a warm dinner when poof, the battery was so flat it wouldn't power the ignition.
A Samaritan on an old Honda stopped and with the aid of packing crate twine and a stout stick, towed our man to the nearest gas station. His jumper cables were of course in the other saddle-
bags, but borrowed tools and strong words got the battery out and on the charger. He went for coffee and somebody stole his gloves, but hours
later, he was home. The RS went on the shop charger the next day and was ridden in spurts while we tried to figure out what exotic trouble could have overtaken the bike.
This disaster is described in detail because it needn’t have happened.
Harley’s West Coast Heet manager had the answer. Exotic nothing, he said, only one thing ever goes wrong with the FX electrical system.
The alternator is housed in
the primary case. The regulator mounts on the lower front corner of the frame. They're connected by two w ires, in the form of a quickdisconnect plug at the lower left front of the cases. Sometimes the plug gets loose, not loose enough to fall out, but
loose enough to ease back and lose contact.
And that's what it was.
The fleet man will recommend an improved plug from the factory, we'd recommend that the owners of E-motor Harleys apply a dab of silicon seal. >
Honda XL600R
When the test XL600 Honda had about 3500 hard miles on the odometer, it showed a few problems. Oil was leaking out of the valve covers, enough to leave puddles every time the bike was parked. The front fender had a threeinch hole rubbed in the middle of the front fender from the front tire. Running into headwinds caused the fender to fold and the tire to grind the fender.
The rear fender broke and then the rear reflector was ground off by the rear tire. The motorcycle also began slipping out of gear as the miles piled up. Overall, it has held up well, but shows signs of the hard life it has led.
Ghibli helmet defect
Two Ghibli full face helmets used by Cycle World riders have suffered the same disturbing defect. On both helmets the retaining strap pulled out of the helmet when riders tightened the strap after putting on the helmets. In both instances a fastening plate pulled off the plastic shell with little effort. Only one small screw appeared to hold the fastening plate in position. There is no acceptable fix we’ve found for this defect. Both helmets have been discarded.
Hondaline Interstate riding suit survives
#t’s time to drag out riding gear again.
It’s worth noting that two riders with Hondaline Interstate riding suits are putting the cold and semi-wet weather suits back into duty for another year.
One of the suits is going into its third year of constant use, the other is seeing its second year of regular use. Both suits are holding up astonishingly well. They are warm, relatively dry and comfortable. The pockets are big and they fit over almost anything. Good stuff, these. 03
