edgeman55 wrote:
The Roadie engine likes to be run hard.After 25 years on goldwings it took me a while to get use to this.
A hot V-Twin roadie IS a bit different than Riding a "Road-Sofa" isn't it?!

StarMyram wrote:
edgeman55 wrote:
The Roadie engine likes to be run hard.After 25 years on goldwings it took me a while to get use to this.
A hot V-Twin roadie IS a bit different than Riding a "Road-Sofa" isn't it?!

Oh yea I really am havin a blast with the Roadie.But when I get a yearnin to cross a few states and put big miles on I do miss my Road-Sofa!!All those creature comforts are nice on those 7-800 mile days.When my Silverado is paid for I see another Wing in my future to sit next to the Roadstar.Then I will have the best of both worlds

Hi all
I'm also using a Pro 1 Tach, and my shift points are almost identical to edgeman's. According to a rear wheel dyno run, my best power band is about 2500 to 3500.

To me, the engine doesn't sound like it's winding too tight below 4 grand, but it sounds on the verge of lugging at 2 grand, especially under accel.

I don't use compression to slow down at a stop sign, but I down shift so I can accel. away if an inattentive cager is barreling down on me from behind.

Lee Humes,
Sun Valley, Nv

I will attempt to explain the "cause I often heard that it is not wise to downshift and use compression" question in my best regular guy vernacular ...


Your cam and primary belt/chain has a tensioner on the low pressure/slack side.

This is usually on the bottom of the assembly because the primary drive rotation is forward and across the top on acceleration. So when you grab throttle you are tightening the belt/chain as the main gear pulls the follower around.

Meanwhile the bottom of the belt/chain developes slack as the main gear pushes the belt/chain towards the follower on the opposite side of the tightening.

In order to keep this 'push' from developing excess slack and slap, a sprung wheel or piece of nylon pushes against the belt/chain to keep it from whipping back and forth.

When you decelerate with the engine, you are reversing this and tightening the bottom and slapping on top, most times a gentle deceleration isn't going to cause a problem, but bouncing or other kinds of showing off with the throttle can cause the belt/chain to get slap happy and possibly knock something loose, or a hole in the case/jug/head or wherever it might be.


Max

Well, I don't have a tach, so I don't know what RPM I'm shifting at. I'm a notorious short-shifter (even on my Honda Aero) because I just love the thumping sound of cruising a V-twin at low RPM. But I do 'blow it out' occasionally with some high revving. Seems like, as long as the bike's not bucking at low RPM, the motor's happy, no matter how you shift it.

You know, before I bought this bike, I really wanted a Harley, but couldn't pass up the deal I got on my R*. I'm so glad I went ahead and bought it! There's no Harley cruiser that could've made me any happier. Sure, I might buy a Sportster or Dyna some day to play on, but I definitely will NOT be looking for another cruiser! What's the point in that??? It just doesn't get any better than this!! Of course, a Stratoliner Deluxe just might ....

R*s don't have a tach, and they do have rev limiters. These are torque monsters, so the way to ride 'em is to wind 'em up until they are just starting to get "tight," and then grab the next gear.

It's all by sound and feel. What you do is ask your baby to teach you how to love her!!!

http://www.baronscustom.com/catalog/display/1942/index.html
Or you can put one of these on and know what RPM your at. You might find it cheaper on E-BAY.

It's ok on the Roadie though Max because it doesn't have any tensioners. The primary and cams are gear driven. The only chain on the whole bike is in the transfer case and that thing is tougher than the rest of the bike.

With using the rear brake only, you lose 70% of your total braking power. With an 800 lb motorcycle at speed, I prefer using that extra stopping power.

Also use my "tach ear" as when to shift and do some downshifting to slow down besides front and rear brakes to finally stop her. Sounds like I should not downshift as much so I'll keep it in mind.