Harley Specialist needed
Harley Specialist needed
Author
Discussion

Kinky

Original Poster:

39,905 posts

292 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
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Does anyone know of any good Harley specialists in the south (preferably Swindon or Southampton areas or anywhere in-between).

My friend has a 2004 883 HD Sportster Custom, with a stage 1 tune, but with standard carb.

The problem is that when it's warm, it's very sliggish/slow to pick up, when pulling away from a standing start.

he has taken it to 2 HD main dealers and they have been unable to recify it, and having paid top £££ to not fix it, he'd rather take it to a specialist who actually knows what they are truly doing.

Many thanks in advance,

K

mtbr

328 posts

245 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
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Kinky,
I doubt your friend needs a Harley "life style" specialist to sort out (what sounds like) some basic engine tuning. Why not try with a reputable rolling road operator?

Harley engines are pretty simple machines, but like all engines they still need setting up properly.

catso

15,859 posts

290 months

Thursday 6th April 2006
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I don't know much about Harley specialists but I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to overtake it. I was riding on a really twisty, hilly road with no straights to speak of and where most of the bends are suitable for no more than 30 MPH.

I knew that if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. three corners later, I was on his tail. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the hill. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightened out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the hill, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the hill.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life And some of the credit must go to Raleigh, as well. They really make a great bicycle...

Smart Roadster

769 posts

249 months

Friday 7th April 2006
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There is a place on the A420 east of Swindon called boot hill motocycles. I have no idea if they are any good as I have a deep and enduring loathing of the mark.
Oxford Motorcycle Engineering used to do Harleys so they may be able to help.

BliarOut

72,863 posts

262 months

Friday 7th April 2006
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catso said:
I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life And some of the credit must go to Raleigh, as well. They really make a great bicycle...

I'll probably end up regretting saying this but I wouldn't mind owning a Harley at least once in my life. Perhaps when I get a bit older

black-k1

12,658 posts

252 months

Friday 7th April 2006
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catso said:

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life And some of the credit must go to Raleigh, as well. They really make a great bicycle...


What a great little story! Thing is, I can tell the same story truthfully from the other side.

Coming down a very nice mountain road in the South of France, two up on a Yam FJ1200, I noticed in my mirrors a Lycra clad cycling “enthusiast” gaining on me. Not having that, I picked up the pace as much as I could given that it was tight bend after bend and quite a steep down hill gradient. The pegs were scraping on most corners and I was getting the standard “slow down” kidney punches from “’er on the back”, but I was determined not to be over taken by a push bike. After about a mile thought the inevitable happened and the chap on the push bike out braked me into a tight 180 downhill left and overtook me through the bend. He carried enough corner speed to keep ahead into the next bend then proceeded to extend his lead in every subsequent corner. I didn’t “dig the hole any deeper” by blasting past on the straight but instead stopped to “admire the view”, letting him disappear completely!

Sorry for the thread hijack. As regards the Harley, would advise getting a rolling road test done to at least try to establish the cause of the lack of power.

mtbr

328 posts

245 months

Friday 7th April 2006
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I have had a similar experience to Black-K1, also in the S of F. It made me apreciate just how skillful some of the Rider / Cameraman teams that cover Pro Cycling for TV really are.

Mon Ami Mate

6,589 posts

291 months

Friday 7th April 2006
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Kinky said:
Does anyone know of any good Harley specialists in the south (preferably Swindon or Southampton areas or anywhere in-between).
www.oakesbros.co.uk/
Kinky said:

My friend has a 2004 883 HD Sportster Custom, with a stage 1 tune, but with standard carb.

The problem is that when it's warm, it's very sliggish/slow to pick up, when pulling away from a standing start.
T.A.D.T.S.

sybaseian

1,826 posts

298 months

Friday 7th April 2006
quotequote all
Mon Ami Mate said:
Kinky said:
Does anyone know of any good Harley specialists in the south (preferably Swindon or Southampton areas or anywhere in-between).
www.oakesbros.co.uk/