Subject: RE: She's gettin a few mods..
Author: Les Lampman
Date: Apr 8, 2004, 9:37 PM
Post ID: 1716509553
Hi Lannis and all,
Thanks for all the good info. I've got a list (who doesn't) of things I
need/want to do. My starter button is located ok but the horn button and
hi/low light switch need to be placed elsewhere (they're between the bar
risers at the moment). I was looking at this site:
http://epfguzzi.com/SWITCHES.HTM; they have a fairly nice left switch setup
for about $65; I also found some at MG Cycle here:
http://www.mgcycle.com/HANDLEBARSWITCHES.HTML; I like the metal body version
at the bottom of the page but they're a bit spendy.
I don't have a turn signal switch yet; no turn signals either! That's one
of the reasons I'm looking at the switch assemblies as I'm going to add turn
signals. Any one have any comments about the bar end turn signals?
The headlight switch is under the seat on the right side of the bike; it
would be nice to have that up on the left cluster too. I might go for one
of the cool billet switches (like EP&F has) to mount on the bar for the
spotlight switch (it's under the seat with the headlamp switch right now).
I'm going through the mirror thing myself; I've looked at the bar-end
mirrors (I have the standard handle bars) but I've never had a bike with
them and I'm not sure I'd like the location. I'll probably pick up some of
those long-armed clamp-on style mirrors. There's one short clamp-on mirror
on the bike now but I haven't figured out how to place it so I can see
anything; I'm too wide a load I guess!
I need to add a windshield (yup; Imma wimp!). I'm thinking of the police
style shield; any comments about the mounts, windshield size, style, etc?
Did I see something here about notches (or none) in the instrument housing
for windshields? What's that about?
And...I need to find a seat. Does anyone have a standard flat loop seat
they want to get outta the garage? I don't need anything real fancy; or
even particularly good looking. The bucket seat-style touring saddle that's
on there now just isn't going to work for me; I figure the best thing is
just the standard flat seat so I can move around a figure out where I need
to sit for the most comfort and easiest access to the shifter and brake.
Les Lampman
Whidbey Island
Washington
'72 Ambassador
| Les - I'm getting used to mine too; I'll ride the Eldo three or four days, then ride the Centauro and realize what a difference 23 years of technology makes. Doesn't make the Eldo any less fun though. I've taken it down for a bit though. The controls and switches just weren't right. The starter button was mounted too far back, couldn't reach it with my hand on the throttle. The Tommaseli front brake lever clamp was slid way too far up the handlebar because the switch mounts wouldn't let it get closer. The turn signal switch couldn't be reached without taking your hand off the grip. With the sprung seat, and the footboards with the heel/toe shifter, and the brake pedal where you have to pick your foot up to press it, I would sometimes find myself with both feet off the footboards working the pedals, one hand off the bars reaching for the turnsignal, and the rest of me floating on the sprung seat. I felt like I wasn't even connected to the bike sometimes, just travelling along above it. I can fix part of that anyway. By the way, I have a strong respect for the cops that used to ride these bikes 90 MPH weaving through traffic chasing speeders, or those stuntriders in Magnum Force spinning donuts and stuff. I guess it's just experience and familiarity and a pair of bronze goolies. I'm going to: 1) Make a new mounting plate for the starter button to move it out where I can just slide my thumb over and press it. 2) Find an old Japanese switch cluster, or maybe buy a Baja Designs dirt-bike street kit switch cluster (thanks Ron K.!), and wire the high-beam, signals, horn, and lights where I can get to them. Wish I could find a switch cluster the same as on my Centauro; it's real nice and easy to use. 3) Find a better mirror and put two of them on. The one I have has a good, long, solid shaft and pivot and a good clamp, but it's old and has gone dark on me. Is there a decent brand of clamp-on mirror that's not one of these cheap $13.95 Emgo types that dangles like a dead sunflower after 2 months? I use Napoleon bar-ends on my other bikes but those won't work on the police bars. 4) Take the starter off and have it looked after. When cold, she'll spin all day long. When hot, you have to bump it 10 times to "rock" it over compression and then she'll fire in half a turn. The timing's spot-on per the strobe, clean solenoid contacts, clean wiring, new relay. It's a Bosch, and my VW bug guy tells me it looks exactly like a VW starter, so I'm hoping the local starter rebuilder (who's done hundreds of veedub starters) won't choke at the sight of it. Hey, who's that bidding against me for those Wixom bags with Eldo mounts on Ebay? I'm costing someone some money. I didn't hear back about a tank bag, so I'm bidding on one of those too. Eldo'll be down for a bit, but lots of miles planned for this summer... Lannis |