Had Some Work Done

A couple of weekends ago, Hot Rider and I went for a ride to a place called Duffy's. Were first discovered this place during a trip to South Dakota on the Suzuki and ever since then we go there a few times per summer. When We left our home, the weather wasn't the greatest. It wasn't raining but it was cloudy and in the upper 60's. Well, we ended up in rain which it always seems to happen to us these days. The weather turned severe. After we ate, we started back for home going about 15 miles out of our way in an attempt to avoid further bad weather turned fruitless. Hot Rider and I enjoyed about 70 miles of 40 mph of waterlogged riding.

Once we got back to our city, we stopped for a pack of smokes and a guy who helped to be behind us also pulled into the gas station walked up to me and said that I had a tail light that was blacking out periodically. At the time, it was working. So we started for home and I asked Hot Rider, if she could, see if the light was on or not. Sure enough, about 600 feet away from the gas station, it went black and it never came back on.

The next day I put the bike on the lift, removed the saddle bag (left) and started to look to see if I could see anything wrong without removing the wheel. I couldn't. I started to suspect that the wiring for the lights was shot. (I will explain my thoughts on that a bit later). Now I don't mess with electrical stuff and am pretty stubborn to learn it. I had an appointment scheduled for a thorough going through by Derek. So I ordered up some new lights and let him have at it.

This is what we did. 1. We took my Perelli Night Dragons off and put on Dunlop American Elites. 2. Went through the brakes and fixed anything that needed it. Nothing did. 3. While the tires were off, we checked wheel bearings. The rear ones were replaced. 4. I had Derek or Bruce install my new taillights. Now this was the most difficult job. We had to take my old ones off carefully or we could have damaged my fender or take too much paint off.

The lights are from Custom Dynamics out of North Carolina. They are called "plasma rods." My previous lights were only 8" long. I decided that I needed more light so I went with 12". They fit perfectly! I never completely loved my previous 8" lights, and for good reason. Here's why. When whoever installed the 8" lights, they didn't wire then in to be used as the brake, running and turn lights. It is most likely because the capability wasn't available. Also, my turn signals were these little ass L.E.D's located on my plate bracket. Very difficult to see. Because of those, I have become very familiar with hand signals, especially on interstate and in city traffic. So I purchased lights that are capable of having brake, running and turn signals ran through the plasma rods. Much nicer and most of all, MORE SAFE!

Part of the reason why I took the Perelli Night Dragons off is because I didn't like fact that we had to shift the rear wheel over to the left in order for them to fit. Because we had to do that, the rear wheel also was rubbing the wiring harness for the 8" plasma rods. Derek showed me the wiring job of these lights and I honestly believe I would have done a better job wiring those in. IT WAS HORRIBLE! So, my 70 miles of waterlogged riding and having a rear tire that was rubbing on the harness spelled doom for the left side light. A blessing in disguise I believe. I suspected that my tire was rubbing on the wiring for sometime because the light would sometimes flicker or flutter while idling but would settle down after I put the choke in. With the new lights, there is more area, and are much much brighter too. Money well spent.

Thanks for reading.

I will today sometime.

I have to say that so far, I really miss my Perelli's. They handle so much nicer than these American Elites that I just put on.

Two top tires are the Michelin Commander II and the Pirelli tires.
They seem to be rounded more and ride a lot better than the American Elites
I bought a set of the American elites and had about 2000 miles on them and was going on a trip.
I ordered some new tires and gave the american elites away.
I was very unhappy with them.

I could tell the difference immediately in the handling. After my trip I may do the same as you and just take them off and sell them.

The michelin commander II seem to stick to the road better and they stay ROUNDED longer.
The Dunlops and Elites get a flat place in the center of the tire faster.

I wouldn't give one dollar of mine to the French. Ef them.


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I don't give a Rats ass who they are made by. Most of the parts on the Harley are made somewhere else.
The center of the tires was what did not stay round.
And on my 11 with the tire being wider it was worst.
When the center got to where it was not round. It was like you got up on the edge of a car tire when you went into the curves.

The dual compound tires the be putting on the new bikes are the best and are getting more miles per tire. I'l be sticking with those.

Good job Johnny biker.

Have any of you run the Pirelli Night Dragons? I am curious how you can all say that this tire or that tire is better than this tire or that tire without ever trying them? My experience with Dunlops is that I think that they suck, I like the mileage better but performance of them SUCK!