T-Sport: Personalizing the T

Purple trim ring just didn't do it for me.

I originally tried to jazz up the motor by ordering a color matched trim ring for the air cleaner, but unfortunately it may have actually had the opposite effect. As I pondered what to try next, a new part became available from Screamin' Eagle. So I purchased the Chrome Teardrop Air Cleaner Cover, and I think it made a huge difference to the look. Installation was pretty simple, only complicated by the fact that I had an earlier v ersion of the High Flow Air Cleaner Kit and needed new mounting studs as well. This, of

Chrome tear drop cover - much better.

course, I learned only from the "enclosed" instruction sheet, which meant another trip to the dealership to obtain the upgraded studs. The parts were a non-stock item, so with a further delay and a third trip, I finally had everything installed.

I think that my deviation from my prime directive of no chrome was totally justified in this case. Even though the cover was quite pricy, it was well worth the price and I think it improved the looks of the right side of the bike considerably.

Keeping Tabs on What's Behind

Since Harley builds what its customers want, I can only assume that most of us are more concerned about how the product looks rather than how it works. Why else would we get mirrors that more often than not provide us with ample views of our shoulders and arms, and little else? Or perhaps is it because the vibration in the past would have blurred any image these mirrors would have reflected to such a point as to making them near useless anyway?

I initially tolerated this deficient design by adjusting myself to gain an unobstructed line of sight to the rear, but I knew it would be only a matter time before I could no longer tolerate this inconvenience. Harley was obviously well aware that some riders demanded more since I found long stem mirrors available in their catalog. Better still, they were finished in black just like the short stemmed ones that came with my bike. Granted, the longer ones do stick out a bit further, but not so much as to look awkward, or out of place. Some vibration does get to them as well despite the rubber mounted motor. Functionally, they are far superior to the short stem versions and make keeping an eye on what's happening behind me so much easier. With their help, I can hopefully avoid a squad car from ever sneaking up on me. Much more importantly, should a following driver ever try to steamroller over me, I will at least be able to try to take evasive action.