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Author Topic: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS  (Read 3408 times)

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walstibsf

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NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« on: July 06, 2011, 01:01:54 PM »

Hey gang:  time to take off the lowers again, maybe.  I've had good success running cooler without them before.  Here is the question, though:  I had read that some folks had removed the adjustable baffles and wonder how you did it.  I remember looking at them, but it seemed too compromising to the overall gain, so I let it go last time.

Thoughts........?

Survey says......?

Thanks and laters......
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DesertHOG

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2011, 05:13:55 PM »

Leave the desert and move North ?

Seriously, I have not considered removing the louver or the lower. At 99c out, the right side gets hot, even with the CAT removed and the pipe wrapped. So, my alternative has been to hang my right foot out on the foot peg that's attached to the engine guard. That seems to do the trick but in city traffic it look pecular at stoplights  :P
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Midnight Rider

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2011, 05:19:16 PM »

I'd just like to see some actual proof that removing the lowers reduces cylinder/head temperatures instead of subjective remarks because when you're moving you feel more air on your body than with the lowers attached.
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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2011, 05:25:27 PM »

Can't help you there Terry, because my SESG, which doesn't have lowers, runs about the same temp as my SERGU with the lowers in the same type of riding conditions.   I see no practical reason to remove the lowers, other than for looks.

:devil:
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faceracer

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2011, 05:37:41 PM »

I had a set on my 07 Street glide. Loved them in the winter (I ride down to 40 degrees), Hated them in the summer. I also test rode an Ultra at Sturgis with Lowers. When I returned the moco rep. smiled and asked "are ready to get back on that low rider?" To which I replied much to his supprise "Hell Yes my damn legs are cooking!" My jeans were wet from the knees down, socks soaked! It was around 100' that day. I have now discovered underarmor cold gear and no longer need lowers in the winter. underarmor $100 or Lowers $800? No Brainer to me! JMO
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dayne66

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2011, 05:47:32 PM »

I've got mine on with the HD quick removal kit.....less than 5 mins off...less than 10 on....also have the storage bag to keep them from getting bumped......with a thermometer dipped in the oil, there has been no noticable diff in oil temp.
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beechflyr

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2011, 07:47:40 PM »

I'd just like to see some actual proof that removing the lowers reduces cylinder/head temperatures instead of subjective remarks because when you're moving you feel more air on your body than with the lowers attached.

All I can give you is subjective result. 105-110*. Took off lowers
and wife says right foot is warm but not burning up as before.
Pipe tts tuner. Much less heat on my right leg. You're probably right.
Total temps may not be any different but the airflow gets rid of that heat
better.
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icufltrn

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2011, 08:09:04 PM »

 I have the louvers removed and it is definitely better when moving. I don't know that it makes any difference in the engine temp but I definitely notice the difference. Still sucks when stopped but removing the lowers won't help you in that situation either
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Cvostu

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #8 on: July 07, 2011, 02:42:12 AM »

I live in Fla... I keep mine off all the time.
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Robmay

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NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #9 on: July 07, 2011, 06:08:19 AM »

I live in Florida and would rather keep them on all the time. However, I took mine off for the first time this year since having my 07. I don't know why it wouldn't help the engine (the air cooled engine) run cooler (having more air and all). All I know is that on my new RG there is MUCH more wind without them on and me and my wife are MUCH cooler.

I would think that would be the ultimate goal. Who cares if the engine is actually cooler as long as you are?
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LRebel

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #10 on: July 07, 2011, 11:30:58 AM »

I can't speak about the engine temps with/without the lowers, but I can speak about my comfort.  Here in Oklahoma we are on our 18th day at or above 100 degrees... 105 yesterday (it was 86 degrees at 8:30 this morning).
I've tried with and without the lowers in the summer.  My conclusion:  I can't see how anyone can stand to ride in the summer with the lowers on, unless they just can't figure out how to take them off.  My bike cooks my legs without the lowers... I would be well-done with the lowers on.
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Rooster

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2011, 11:58:36 AM »

I took my lowers off and didn't like the way the extra wind hit me. So just took the doors off and much better. The doors seem to move sometimes while riding and I don't really need them in the cooler time of the year. I seem to get a little more air to the motor without the doors and I no longer need to keep checking them when I get back on the bike.
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dayne66

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2011, 12:08:12 PM »

A dab of hot glue would keep them in the open position for the summer...and easily peal off come fall.
I took my lowers off and didn't like the way the extra wind hit me. So just took the doors off and much better. The doors seem to move sometimes while riding and I don't really need them in the cooler time of the year. I seem to get a little more air to the motor without the doors and I no longer need to keep checking them when I get back on the bike.
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Rooster

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #13 on: July 07, 2011, 12:12:44 PM »

Thanks dayne, but I am happy without them and the hardest part of taking the lowers off to me was prying those felt pocket liners in and out. ;D
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dayne66

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #14 on: July 07, 2011, 12:51:55 PM »

I too, have the felt liners....but, with the detachable kit the liners don't need to be removed.  I poked through them from the front...then drilled them out to fit the 'shaft' of the quick connect 'nuts'.
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spydglide

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #15 on: July 07, 2011, 06:35:50 PM »

Thanks dayne, but I am happy without them and the hardest part of taking the lowers off to me was prying those felt pocket liners in and out. ;D
Felt pocket liners........don't they get wet & hold moisture when washing the bike?  spyder
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Rooster

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2011, 11:37:59 AM »

Never found them wet before  :nixweiss:
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walstibsf

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2011, 12:09:03 PM »

So, rooster and icufltrn and anyone:  how did yous guys remove the "doors" out of the lowers?  I am thinking that the lowers might actually improve airflow with the doors removed, acting as wind directors or scoops almost.

I know there IS something to effect the airflow to the motor with the doors closed because on my 09, I would sometimes forget to re-open the doors and upon slight hills and acceleration the engine would detonate.  Nice reminder, huh?
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Robmay

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2011, 04:34:51 PM »

So, rooster and icufltrn and anyone:  how did yous guys remove the "doors" out of the lowers?  I am thinking that the lowers might actually improve airflow with the doors removed, acting as wind directors or scoops almost.

I know there IS something to effect the airflow to the motor with the doors closed because on my 09, I would sometimes forget to re-open the doors and upon slight hills and acceleration the engine would detonate.  Nice reminder, huh?

I was going to show a pictorial showing how to do so as I did with my stock 2010 Ultra but ran into a snag....







This is where the "snag" comes in. EDIT.....I figured it out...pics coming.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2011, 04:45:49 PM by Robmay »
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Robmay

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2011, 04:51:14 PM »

You just need to go a little further...





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Rooster

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #20 on: July 09, 2011, 01:37:50 AM »

I didn't go that far. Removed the main bolt then just slid the door off the part that rides in the slot top of the door. Guess I sort of cheated.
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icufltrn

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #21 on: July 09, 2011, 09:43:42 AM »

Yeah I just loosened the nuts a little and slid the door out.
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roadking71865

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2011, 10:23:46 PM »

All I can say is that my wife is 1000% happier with the lowers off in the summer and that's all that matters to me!!! :apple:
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Robmay

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #23 on: July 10, 2011, 11:45:54 AM »

Well, I just got my bike back from having some work done. Added a D&D, middle baffle, Outlawz mini apes (12" I think), SSERT with tune, and a Cee Bailey 14" dark smoke shield. Now me and Kenny Lee are Twinkies! Except for the lowers. I rode the bike yesterday morning for about 80 miles. Open road thru the Ocala National Forest then back into town for a bit to test the heat. I had the exhaust pipe wrapped with some exhaust tape before adding the heat shields. It ran better than any bike I have had to date and there was virtually no heat. Remember my lowers are off.

So then I put the lowers on with the sliding door removed and took her for another spin last night after the rains subsided. It was a perfect late afternoon for a bike ride! Nice and coolish in the 70's. Ran almost 60 miles. Same as before, out into the forest and then back in town to test the heat. The heat on the open road was way more than before and back in town it made me want to park the bike.

So....I took them back off this morning and just got back from another 80 mile jont. I will not be putting these puppies back on until winter for sure.


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Beagle

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #24 on: July 10, 2011, 02:38:32 PM »

Removed the air baffles in the lowers, made a noticable difference. Not nearly as hot when moving, and Harley normal when stopped.                                Beagle
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Robmay

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #25 on: July 10, 2011, 07:28:15 PM »

I didn't go that far. Removed the main bolt then just slid the door off the part that rides in the slot top of the door. Guess I sort of cheated.

I already had them off.  :P
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walstibsf

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Re: NO...NOT AGAIN....LOWERS
« Reply #26 on: July 10, 2011, 09:11:47 PM »

WOW!!!  A how-to-pic-guided tour AND a full road test.  Rob, brother, you got game!  Thanks to everyone else that threw in, too.  Sounds like we're just not going to beat the full removal of the lowers for summer.
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