Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Texas Fat Boy]

I use to take the vents out of my Lowers in the summer to let more air through. It is a major difference with the heat.
But with the new 2012 SE and the speakers installed, I didn't want to mess with it twice a year again so I decided to trim them with a dremil tool.


Here's a couples of pictures open and closed. Amazingly closed they still have full coverage.

open


closed

[OBB]

I may have to check into doing this. We get a few weeks of really hot weather every year but most of the time, it's bearable.

[LovemyCVOgirl]

Dremil    ??  Sounds like a tool that makes something permanent    I won't drill on my scooter and I'm sure I won't dremil either.   

[OBB]

Dremil    ??  Sounds like a tool that makes something permanent    I won't drill on my scooter and I'm sure I won't dremil either.   

Want me to ride up and do it for ya? 

[LovemyCVOgirl]

Want me to ride up and do it for ya? 

No, send Stu  .  It's my understanding that Stu doesn't drill but maybe he dremil's.   

[grc]

If you're nervous about permanently destroying the parts, don't worry.  They are easily replaceable and only cost $14 apiece.


Jerry

[OBB]

If you're nervous about permanently destroying the parts, don't worry.  They are easily replaceable and only cost $14 apiece.


Jerry

That's good to know.   

[n7543g]

Good idea, let us know how much of a change it makes.

[Texas Fat Boy]

If you're nervous about permanently destroying the parts, don't worry.  They are easily replaceable and only cost $14 apiece.


Jerry

I found that out on my 2008, I broke one the second time I took it off. No big deal.

[Texas Fat Boy]

Dremil    ??  Sounds like a tool that makes something permanent    I won't drill on my scooter and I'm sure I won't dremil either.   

That's the whole point to make it permanent, so I don't have to do it twice a year.

[Texas Fat Boy]

Good idea, let us know how much of a change it makes.

Just take one out and you'll see how much of a difference it makes. It's really pretty simple to take one off.
I've already said "It is a major difference with the heat".
I didn't realize how much until I put them back in the first of September the first year I took them out. After that I waited for the first of October. It get HOT for a long time down here in Texas.

[OBB]

Thought I'd share how I did mine tonight after work. I didn't take off as much as TFB.

The first two are the obvious closed and opened. (Don't mind the bug guts. I ride it more than I clean it)





Right side I took the liner out of the pocket to access the nut holding the vent knob in place. Left side I merely took a plastic body tool and pried the liner up a little to access the nut.


once you remove the bolt and washers, there's a pin in the top of the unit that rides in the slot in the top of the vent. I gently pulled on the cubby with my hand to wiggle the vent out.

Here it is laying on the tailgate of my truck.  Once the bolt is removed, there's a few plastic "ratcheting washers" that will fall out. In the cubby there will be a nut, a washer and a rubber bushing/spacer.


I just cut back to the edge of the slots. Don't trust myself to go much further and keep a straight line.






Here's a pix of those "ratcheting washers", actually, the black one went on the bottom. I just transposed them in this pix so you could see both of them.




Here's the order that  the bolt/washers/spacer/washer/nut  goes back in once you have the vent back into the lower. Both "ratcheting washers" go below the plastic cubby and there are square holes that those fit into.


Finished product.

[FUNGOUL]

this is way easier

[FUNGOUL]

easy

[CVOfan]

this is way easier

Now where are you going to mount your highway pegs???

[LovemyCVOgirl]

Now where are you going to mount your highway pegs???

That's exactly what I was thinking 

[Bigtow]

[quote aOMG im having an anxiety attack over the bugs. Im going to go clean my bike. uthor=Ohiobellboy link=topic=74634.msg1026289#msg1026289 date=1338944087]
Thought I'd share how I did mine tonight after work. I didn't take off as much as TFB.

The first two are the obvious closed and opened. (Don't mind the bug guts. I ride it more than I clean it)





Right side I took the liner out of the pocket to access the nut holding the vent knob in place. Left side I merely took a plastic body tool and pried the liner up a little to access the nut.


once you remove the bolt and washers, there's a pin in the top of the unit that rides in the slot in the top of the vent. I gently pulled on the cubby with my hand to wiggle the vent out.

Here it is laying on the tailgate of my truck.  Once the bolt is removed, there's a few plastic "ratcheting washers" that will fall out. In the cubby there will be a nut, a washer and a rubber bushing/spacer.


I just cut back to the edge of the slots. Don't trust myself to go much further and keep a straight line.






Here's a pix of those "ratcheting washers", actually, the black one went on the bottom. I just transposed them in this pix so you could see both of them.




Here's the order that  the bolt/washers/spacer/washer/nut  goes back in once you have the vent back into the lower. Both "ratcheting washers" go below the plastic cubby and there are square holes that those fit into.


Finished product.

[/quote]

[Cvostu]

 seems like alot of work to me,.,,  i probably wont see my lowers back on till i sell it.. The ride is better and its a whole  lot  cooler.. You are just trying to do what Fungoul and I already accomplished.. Comfort!   i still have my highway pegs tho  

[grc]

Comfort is a lot more than just a little less heat.  Those lowers protect your legs and feet from flying road debris, they also keep your feet and legs much drier when you get caught in the rain, and they are kind of nice when the mercury is below 50°F and you want to keep your feet and lower legs warm.  I've ridden many bikes without lowers, and I've ridden a couple with them including my current ride.  I have absolutely no intention of removing them based on my experience.  I guess if you live in So Cal and it never rains and never gets cold enough to freeze your toes, lowers might not seem important.  But I still like the idea of those rocks thrown up by other vehicles not banging off my shins, and I think those are fairly common no matter where a person lives or rides.


JMHO - Jerry

[Cvostu]

I hear ya loud n clear Jerry.  In s florida in the summer, it's easy to lose those luxuries when it's in the 90s every day. Sitting on 110 in that heat, you will try anything.   I like the bike without them really.  Just sayin. 

[Texas Fat Boy]

seems like alot of work to me,.,,  ...............................:

No work at all, I did it while I was house bound recovering from some surgery.....and I'm a weeney. lol
You already have your lowers off, so you're half way there already.

I understand you don't like lowers, but to me they make the ride so much more comfy.
Did you notice hearing the radio worse since you took off the lowers with the speaker pods?
I just figured they help a lot. I do mean with speeds of around 70 mph.

[FUNGOUL]

highway pegs? what are those? lololol

[Wayne G]

I live in west central Fl. and have been toying with the idea of removing the vents for the summer.  But I just might remove the lowers as an assembly with the engine guard (4 bolts, 2 harness connectors) and put on a guard I took off my 09 SG.

 Has anyone removed the lowers as an assembly?

 Is it more of a pain in the A$$ than its worth?

Wayne

[Ironhorse]

Looking at the two sets of pictures, it appears that BigTow didn't cut off as much material as Texas Fat Boy. I am tempted to do that to mine too.

[MAT]

 After taking to 110Mofo about this subject and per his suggestion I just removed my vents as he did. It has been many miles ago and I have ridden in the rain and cold weather and have no regrets.
 But...we do live in Cali., I do think it keeps the engine much cooler.
 Also did not want to remove the lowers and what they provide.

[dirtdobber]

Has anyone took em off-lowers that is and tried the modified version so you can see the difference between the 2.
I removed mine because of the heat and it made a very huge difference. My wife stopped complaining after taking them about the heat but complained about the woofers being gone.
Go figure

dd

[Cvostu]

Just wanted to reply about losing the lowers speakers.    I really think the system is over rated.  And really there is not much at all I am losing because the speakers aren't there.   They don't really add a big difference at all.  So with out them there, I really don't miss them.  The added comfort is totally worth it to me. 

[dirtdobber]

We could tell a difference in sound. The tunes we listen to has a lot of thump bass and I did lose that. At red lights and folks would stare at us.

[Cvostu]

Now they won't stare 

[North Georgia Hawg]

But Stuey... part of the FUN of HAVING a CVO is for people to STARE!!!

I may do this cutting of the vents... they are ugly as they are, and my Dremel is just ITCHING to do more cutting!

[dirtdobber]

Now they won't stare 

no they won't LOL

[rheiner]

I took my vents off my 2010 CVO UC and noticed no differnece in oil temps. Same with my 2011 CVO SG.

[Texas Fat Boy]

I took my vents off my 2010 CVO UC and noticed no differnece in oil temps. Same with my 2011 CVO SG.

My concern is my "leg temps", it helps with that.

[OBB]

My concern is my "leg temps", it helps with that.

X2

[North Georgia Hawg]

Well, I took the plunge and trimmed Buster's vents this afternoon. I cut them even more, so the edge is completely flush with the fairing lowers when open.

And yeah, I know he needs a BATH really bad... but it just proves I've been RIDING more than WASHING!

Open:



Half Open:



Closed:

[Chains]

I can only assume the trimming is being done since the vents do not stay in place 90% of the time? I have tightened mine up and they hold pretty well.

[grc]

I can only assume the trimming is being done since the vents do not stay in place 90% of the time? I have tightened mine up and they hold pretty well.

Nope, that's not the reason (even though lots of them don't stay where you put them).  This is just an alternative for those who actually remove the lowers or the vents completely in hot weather to get more air to their legs.  As you mentioned, if you carefully tighten the nut to increase the tension on the ratcheting mechanism the vents will stay where you put them.  Just be careful not to strip out the plastic in the vent that holds the square of the carriage bolt, or you will have one heck of a time loosening or tightening the nut.


Jerry

[Cvostu]

I'm not missing them at all when it's 90 plus out there.  

[Cyclegirl]

That really does open the space more

[FAST380]

Funny, timing is everything, I brought this up about 6 months ago and nobody commented at all. I did mine with a table saw, nice straight cut.

[Boatman]

Funny, timing is everything, I brought this up about 6 months ago and nobody commented at all. I did mine with a table saw, nice straight cut.

You did a nice job.

[North Georgia Hawg]

Funny, timing is everything, I brought this up about 6 months ago and nobody commented at all. I did mine with a table saw, nice straight cut.

Six months ago would have been the middle of WINTER, Boatman! We weren't interested in trimming our vents when it was COLD... but now that it's HOT, we are!

[Robmay]

Not knocking the idea's mentioned previously, but it really doesn't take that much time (minutes) to remove or install the lowers. It is the ONLY THING that gives us relief in the hotter months. I run with the vents completely removed in the winter and lowers removed in the summer.

[OBB]

Not knocking the idea's mentioned previously, but it really doesn't take that much time (minutes) to remove or install the lowers. It is the ONLY THING that gives us relief in the hotter months. I run with the vents completely removed in the winter and lowers removed in the summer.

I need to figure out how to do that for my buddy's bike (just like yours) for him. He's not the greatest with a wrench and hasn't had any exhaust or tuning done on his yet.

[Cvostu]

Rob.  I totally agree.  I don't miss the lowers at all.   And I like the room too.  .

[dirtdobber]

Agter running around with no lowers for a week I decided to cut the vets as others has done to see the difference.
It does add more air but not near as much as the lowers removed. The passenger seems ok with them cut but I am still getting more heat than I want.
I will wait until I get a good ride in, around Wednesday most likely, to see if I am going to keep them or remove them again. My passenger can hear the tunes much better with th elowers on according to her. I can tell a slight improvement except when we are listening to some bass thumping tunes.
Which is often,

[oldnavydude]

after reading everyone's comments, i'll ask a stupid question. can't i just remove the vent sliders 

[FAST380]

yeppers, but then you can't slide them shut if you want to......

[oldnavydude]

but six to one or a half dozen to the other. still get to keep the lowers but have more air and hopefully less heat

[oldnavydude]

do any of y'all have a part number for the plugs that you put on the wires, after you remove the lowers?

[Fxr4Rider]

   i went and trimmed the vent doors on the lowers and found it made no real noticeable improvement.!  I am actually curious if removing that curved piece was detrimental and possibly had some reverse effect?

I was considering taking them off for the summer, and keeping a set of removable crash bar covers for the crappy weather in the saddle bags.

The lowers are still on, and really like them! O what to do!! O What to do !!! 

 

[Texas Fat Boy]

 i went and trimmed the vent doors on the lowers and found it made no real noticeable improvement.!   I am actually curious if removing that curved piece was detrimental and possibly had some reverse effect?

I was considering taking them off for the summer, and keeping a set of removable crash bar covers for the crappy weather in the saddle bags.

The lowers are still on, and really like them! O what to do!! O What to do !!!  

 

I agree, it was only a slight improvement, but it was an improvement I could tell for me.

[trwtow]

took my vent doors off today. good chance their never goin back on.

[Robmay]

yeppers, but then you can't slide them shut if you want to......

Hear my heart on this....but why would you ever want to close them?

[FAST380]

I am in California, but it isn't alway sunny and warm here. When it is wet or cold it is nice to close the vents and tuck your feet into the lowers

[Robmay]

I am in California, but it isn't alway sunny and warm here. When it is wet or cold it is nice to close the vents and tuck your feet into the lowers

I hear ya. I just think these things are so hot, it doesn't make that much difference between the slider vents being open, closed or removed. Removing the lowers.....big difference.

[oldnavydude]

okay y'all
i'm in the process of removing the lowers. wires, easy. lower bolt on the highway bar, easy. speakers, no sweat. BUT, the nuts holding the cap to the top of the highway bar, what the heck tried needle nose, no luck. what did you folks use to remove them

[Texas Fat Boy]

okay y'all
i'm in the process of removing the lowers. wires, easy. lower bolt on the highway bar, easy. speakers, no sweat. BUT, the nuts holding the cap to the top of the highway bar, what the heck tried needle nose, no luck. what did you folks use to remove them

I just found a socket that works and an extention bar to get the ratchet outside the box.
They ain't on there that tight.

[oldnavydude]

thanks, got them off 7/16" 12 point deep well

[Cvostu]

Told ya Joe. 

[willyB]

Just wanted to reply about losing the lowers speakers.    I really think the system is over rated.  And really there is not much at all I am losing because the speakers aren't there.   They don't really add a big difference at all.  So with out them there, I really don't miss them.  The added comfort is totally worth it to me. 

I have to agree. I consider myself a stereo sound guy and if I lost anything at all it didn't make a difference.

My lowers come off when daytime temps get above 70-75 F and they go back on when below that. Takes no time at all. (15-20 Minutes)

[OBB]

After todays ride in the 90+ range, I'm considering taking the lowers off for the rest of the summer. Anyone got any good pix of the process or can point me to a thread to do this?

[oldnavydude]

95+ here also the lowers are gone and in the really nice bag, that HD sells
my scoot is a SESG, so i had to remove the speakers. here is how i did it
(1) follow the speaker wires up under the fairing and unplug and install the plugs, supplied with the bike. if you were lucky enough to get them. (2) remove the speakers with a T20 star driver. (3) use a 7/16 deep well and remove the two upper nuts. (4) remove the lower bolt that holds the lowers to the highway bar. REMOVE LOWERS. hope this helps.  

[OBB]

95+ here also the lowers are gone and in the really nice bag, that HD sells
my scoot is a SESG, so i had to remove the speakers. here is how i did it
(1) follow the speaker wires up under the fairing and unplug and install the plugs, supplied with the bike. if you were lucky enough to get them. (2) remove the speakers with a T20 star driver. (3) use a 7/16 deep well and remove the two upper nuts. (4) remove the lower bolt that holds the lowers to the highway bar. REMOVE LOWERS. hope this helps.  

no lower speakers in mine so it should be a little easier. Thanks for the help.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[Cvostu]

hey Joe,, you are an ole pro at this now

[Texas Fat Boy]

no lower speakers in mine so it should be a little easier. Thanks for the help.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

(with no speakers) it's two nuts inside the glove box and one bolt on the highway bar at the bottom.
It really couldn't be much easier.

[Bowman1836]

How hard is it to remove the lowers ?

[OBB]

How hard is it to remove the lowers ?

Mine doesn't have speakers in them, Took 15 minutes and it was the first time I had ever removed a set.