Shortly after I returned from T.R.A.M.P. 2014 I received a call from the dealer I purchased my still unnamed 800 XC from. The accessories had arrived. 
So I asked if they would ship them to me but due to the size of the boxes they weren’t willing to do so unless I paid the freight cost. So. . . Can you say Road Trip? I figured I would ride over and let them do the install, set up an appointment and was all ready to go and this stinking tropical weather started moving in. I thought about calling and getting my appointment rescheduled but decided I would cancel it and just jump in the truck and head over there. Besides, I really wanted to do the install myself.
So I make the trip and half way there I’m glad I’m in the truck. The bottom fell out and I was driving thru a rain like I haven’t seen since Tropical Storm Allison hit Houston on June 5, 2001. The six-day rainfall in Houston amounted to 38.6 inches (980 mm).
The above photo might not look too bad but that’s not a bayou or river below the bridge, it’s the major north-south freeway heading into & out of the south side of Houston. When the water receded there were two or three 18-Wheelers under the bridge.
Ok, back on topic. The rains were heavy enough I almost turned around and headed back home due to a couple low areas I still had to go thru to reach Killeen. But just as I decided to turn around I noticed the rains up ahead appeared to be getting lighter so I pressed on. And almost a quick as the rains had started to fall several miles back, they ended. The rest of the trip was just a drive thru the country in a gas sucking Hemi powered truck.
While I was at the dealership I figured I was going to look at everything again especially since it’s a three hour drive to get there and another 3 back. While there I made several of the employees jealous. . . I was showing them photos from T.R.A.M.P. 2014 and talking about doing it again next year. While I was there this cute, BACK THE TRUCK UP CUTE young lady came up to me and asked: “Mr. Massey?” Yes. “Can you give me your address?” YES!!! “Great, here’s your license plate.” Dang it, I thought I had found the first member of my Texas Harem.
So after looking at everything in the dealership and ogling all the sweet young things I headed home. No rain on the way home.
With the rains causing limited windows of ride opportunity I decided to start the installs. First was the adjustable high screen. Shortly after finishing the weather cleared up so I hit the road to test it out. With the stock screen I did experience a little buffeting but nothing too severe. Started with the screen in the lower position and found it to be pretty good. Made a couple adjustments and reacted the point it wasn’t to my liking. Started adjusting back down and found the sweet spot. I know a lot of folks cuss and gripe about Harley Davidson and their products but I’m here to tell you they do know a thing or four about screen adjustments. I did not use HD’s instructions (I know them by heart), instead I played with the adjustment on my own and in the end the screen was adjusted to the HD recommended height.
My next install wasn’t really a planned addition; it just sort of popped up. One of the national bike parts/accessory shops was running a sale on paddock stands so I ran down to their local store and picked up a rear stand and a set of bobbins. I had to do a little modifying to the bobbins so they would fit the swingarm. The stand is built to use the bobbins or just slip under the swingarm so I didn’t really need the bobbins but seeing as how I can be like a bull in a china shop, I went with the bobbins.
The two remaining accessories I picked up were the heated grips and the top box. I’m holding off on the grips at this time, still not sure I’m going to keep the stock bars. I’m starting to get used to the stock bars so I just might keep them. If I do, I’ll add the heated grips later.
So on to the top box. For some reason before I got started on the install, I picked up the instructions to see if it had a list of needed tools. Sure enough, I did not have one of the needed tools, a 25mm drill bit or hole-saw. After hitting up several of the local tool shops I could not locate a 25mm anywhere. After about 2 hours of looking and just as I was ready to head home and order one I thought. . . 25mm is about 1 inch.
So I head back into the last store and grabbed the 1 inch I had moved out of the way to get a better look at the sizes behind it.
Well I had to put the install on hold, time to head for work and a night run but as soon as the night run was over I’m in the garage to finish (actually get started) with the install. I’ve got all the parts laid out making sure I knew what each was and that each part was there. So I pick up the instructions and the first thing I see past the tool requirements is “Get the lock barrel from the customer.” What lock barrel? So I check the bike over again to see if in my earlier inspections I had over looked a lock barrel. Nope, no additional lock barrel(s) anywhere on the bike. So I head inside to call the dealer but it’s still too early, they haven’t opened yet. I fire off an email to the salesman and then head down to Chik Fil A for some breakfast from the young lady that must be sweet on me; she always gives me a 10% discount. She must think I’m a high school or college senior since the receipt always says Senior Discount. I know it’s not age related, I’m not old enough for the old folk’s discount.
While I’m sitting there enjoy breakfast and the view, the salesman gives me a call. He said there should have been three lock barrels in the blue folder that came with the bike. Nope, only the owner’s manual, key ring and a RAT brochure was in the folder. So he said he would check with the service department and get back with me. Before I had finished with breakfast he calls back, says they will have to order me another set and has given the bike details to the parts department and they will get me a set. Yesterday, a week later, I get a phone call from the salesman. My lock barrels are in. This time they will be sending them to me.
On the Friday before Father’s day, Kim said order whatever you want for Father’s Day so I ordered a set of engine guards. Well it appears my luck wasn’t any better on the guards. I hadn’t checked my emails on my home computer and didn’t realize I had never heard from the company I had ordered the guards from. After a couple emails to the company earlier this week I found out the guards were on backorder and not expected in until yesterday. I was assured they would be shipped to me as soon as they arrived. Well I checked last night and no email stating they had been shipped. Maybe they will arrive at the same time as my lock barrels.
So here I sit at work on a beautiful Saturday morning, rain approaching for this afternoon and evening. If only I could be out enjoying the weather at this time. Oh well, the rains are expected back at on Tuesday but the long range forecast looks good for the set of days off I have starting next Friday morning. Of course I will want to ride instead of work in the garage so it may be a while before I get back to finish this report and add photos.
So I asked if they would ship them to me but due to the size of the boxes they weren’t willing to do so unless I paid the freight cost. So. . . Can you say Road Trip? I figured I would ride over and let them do the install, set up an appointment and was all ready to go and this stinking tropical weather started moving in. I thought about calling and getting my appointment rescheduled but decided I would cancel it and just jump in the truck and head over there. Besides, I really wanted to do the install myself.So I make the trip and half way there I’m glad I’m in the truck. The bottom fell out and I was driving thru a rain like I haven’t seen since Tropical Storm Allison hit Houston on June 5, 2001. The six-day rainfall in Houston amounted to 38.6 inches (980 mm).
The above photo might not look too bad but that’s not a bayou or river below the bridge, it’s the major north-south freeway heading into & out of the south side of Houston. When the water receded there were two or three 18-Wheelers under the bridge.
Ok, back on topic. The rains were heavy enough I almost turned around and headed back home due to a couple low areas I still had to go thru to reach Killeen. But just as I decided to turn around I noticed the rains up ahead appeared to be getting lighter so I pressed on. And almost a quick as the rains had started to fall several miles back, they ended. The rest of the trip was just a drive thru the country in a gas sucking Hemi powered truck.
While I was at the dealership I figured I was going to look at everything again especially since it’s a three hour drive to get there and another 3 back. While there I made several of the employees jealous. . . I was showing them photos from T.R.A.M.P. 2014 and talking about doing it again next year. While I was there this cute, BACK THE TRUCK UP CUTE young lady came up to me and asked: “Mr. Massey?” Yes. “Can you give me your address?” YES!!! “Great, here’s your license plate.” Dang it, I thought I had found the first member of my Texas Harem.
So after looking at everything in the dealership and ogling all the sweet young things I headed home. No rain on the way home.
With the rains causing limited windows of ride opportunity I decided to start the installs. First was the adjustable high screen. Shortly after finishing the weather cleared up so I hit the road to test it out. With the stock screen I did experience a little buffeting but nothing too severe. Started with the screen in the lower position and found it to be pretty good. Made a couple adjustments and reacted the point it wasn’t to my liking. Started adjusting back down and found the sweet spot. I know a lot of folks cuss and gripe about Harley Davidson and their products but I’m here to tell you they do know a thing or four about screen adjustments. I did not use HD’s instructions (I know them by heart), instead I played with the adjustment on my own and in the end the screen was adjusted to the HD recommended height.
My next install wasn’t really a planned addition; it just sort of popped up. One of the national bike parts/accessory shops was running a sale on paddock stands so I ran down to their local store and picked up a rear stand and a set of bobbins. I had to do a little modifying to the bobbins so they would fit the swingarm. The stand is built to use the bobbins or just slip under the swingarm so I didn’t really need the bobbins but seeing as how I can be like a bull in a china shop, I went with the bobbins.
The two remaining accessories I picked up were the heated grips and the top box. I’m holding off on the grips at this time, still not sure I’m going to keep the stock bars. I’m starting to get used to the stock bars so I just might keep them. If I do, I’ll add the heated grips later.
So on to the top box. For some reason before I got started on the install, I picked up the instructions to see if it had a list of needed tools. Sure enough, I did not have one of the needed tools, a 25mm drill bit or hole-saw. After hitting up several of the local tool shops I could not locate a 25mm anywhere. After about 2 hours of looking and just as I was ready to head home and order one I thought. . . 25mm is about 1 inch.
So I head back into the last store and grabbed the 1 inch I had moved out of the way to get a better look at the sizes behind it. Well I had to put the install on hold, time to head for work and a night run but as soon as the night run was over I’m in the garage to finish (actually get started) with the install. I’ve got all the parts laid out making sure I knew what each was and that each part was there. So I pick up the instructions and the first thing I see past the tool requirements is “Get the lock barrel from the customer.” What lock barrel? So I check the bike over again to see if in my earlier inspections I had over looked a lock barrel. Nope, no additional lock barrel(s) anywhere on the bike. So I head inside to call the dealer but it’s still too early, they haven’t opened yet. I fire off an email to the salesman and then head down to Chik Fil A for some breakfast from the young lady that must be sweet on me; she always gives me a 10% discount. She must think I’m a high school or college senior since the receipt always says Senior Discount. I know it’s not age related, I’m not old enough for the old folk’s discount.
While I’m sitting there enjoy breakfast and the view, the salesman gives me a call. He said there should have been three lock barrels in the blue folder that came with the bike. Nope, only the owner’s manual, key ring and a RAT brochure was in the folder. So he said he would check with the service department and get back with me. Before I had finished with breakfast he calls back, says they will have to order me another set and has given the bike details to the parts department and they will get me a set. Yesterday, a week later, I get a phone call from the salesman. My lock barrels are in. This time they will be sending them to me.
On the Friday before Father’s day, Kim said order whatever you want for Father’s Day so I ordered a set of engine guards. Well it appears my luck wasn’t any better on the guards. I hadn’t checked my emails on my home computer and didn’t realize I had never heard from the company I had ordered the guards from. After a couple emails to the company earlier this week I found out the guards were on backorder and not expected in until yesterday. I was assured they would be shipped to me as soon as they arrived. Well I checked last night and no email stating they had been shipped. Maybe they will arrive at the same time as my lock barrels.
So here I sit at work on a beautiful Saturday morning, rain approaching for this afternoon and evening. If only I could be out enjoying the weather at this time. Oh well, the rains are expected back at on Tuesday but the long range forecast looks good for the set of days off I have starting next Friday morning. Of course I will want to ride instead of work in the garage so it may be a while before I get back to finish this report and add photos.
The lock barrels came in today and the Givi Engine Guards are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. 
Looks like I will have a few things to do on my next set of days off. 
Dang it, FedEx hadn't showed up when I left for work. Oh well, I couldn't do anything with for a few more days.
