Posts by BKL

  • Flat bottom steering wheel question

    Quote from Bigdog

    Which quick release mechanism is the best one?

    Good question. Some q-r mechanisms are labeled for off-road use only or not legal for street use. All of the quick-release mechanisms move the steering wheel closer top the driver, making it a little more awkward for some folks to use the turn signal/high-beam switch (an adapter is available). Somebody will hopefully offer their evaluations.

  • Flat bottom steering wheel question

    I have a D-shaped steering wheel and like it a lot. The flat bottom provides extra room for getting in and out. I bought this one used from a forum member - Polaris Slingshot Flat Bottom Steering Wheel - Slingshot Only. It's roughly 320 mm from the flat spot to the top of the wheel and about 340 mm wide across the center, compared to an overall diameter of roughly 350 mm for the stock wheel. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry when I installed the steering wheel and had some difficulty getting the screws to line up with the hub, so I enlarged the holes , but now it feels a little loose. I'm thinking about designing a plate with properly centered holes that I could then screw to the steering wheel and then use that to reinstall the wheel properly, but that's a lot of work & expense w/potential for error and no guarantee I'd fix the looseness. I think my impatience and quickness to drill the mounting holes led to the loose feeling. :(
    Assuming I may need to replace the wheel I screwed up, I found some less expensive steering wheels, but I have no idea how good they are. Search Results. I like the flat-bottom one in the first picture and emailed them about it, but I can't remember if I asked them if it's really off-center or just a funny picture.
    Be careful when purchasing steering wheels from vendors other than the main Polaris Slingshot aftermarket sellers, since many of the cheaper wheels have zero reviews or reviews that claim they're poorly made and of question reliability.

  • Fumoto oil drain plug

    Mush as I hate to agree with @Bigdog :D , I went thru the same experience the first time I tried to install the F-107N valve I currently have installed. I used their lookup tool searching for the correct valve for a 2008 Pontiac Solstice 2.4L engine. Since I had to provide the manufacturer and model info, they should have included the info about the adapter being needed. I ended up paying 2 shipping fees.

  • top

    I thought about the shorter side panels, but they were too expensive for my wallet. D-shaped steering wheel does wonders and I also use the Top to lift and contort myself as I get in/out.

  • Fumoto oil drain plug

    I have the Fumoto oil valve shown in the first post in the link referred to above. That particular valve required an extension to clear the recess in the oil pan the drain plug fits into. Fumoto has a newer style valve the SX series that uses a large hollow bolt that holds the valve in place and allows the valve to be positioned as needed. SX Series Fumoto® Engine Oil Drain Valves | Fumoto® USA. The SX valve still needs an adapter because of the oil pan recess - ADP-107SX | Fumoto® Engine Oil Drain Valves
    You can order direct from Fumoto or buy on EBay. You'll need the F107SX valve and the ADP-107SX adapter. A little over $40 with shipping for both.
    My F-107 valve is currently mounted upside down, I assume due to the way the threads were cut into the pan and I intend to upgrade the F-107SX/ADP-107SX at some point.

  • Thinking of going this route...

    Quote from War Hoop

    It's only 7 inches tall so it would be fairly low profile (not even to the top of the windshield). It's 18 inches long. Install could take some special skills.Front inlet opening is 5-3/4" Wide x 3-1/2" Tall.

    Thinking along those lines, maybe expanding the existing opening so it's a little higher and maybe even wider, but keeping the top of the opening no higher than the overall lines of the hood, wouldn't look too bad. Of course, with a larger air intake opening, you also run the risk of having more rain getting sucked into the air intake.
    Imagine an expanded mouth for the hood with straight sides & top going back into the hood. Kinda like these pics-

    The first pic looks a little oversized, but the second would probably make a decent Ram Opening.

  • Delaware, Dc, Virginia law

    When I do wear a helmet, it's usually because I want additional eye protection due to windy/dusty conditions or I need to get somewhere despite rain and then I do so as slowly as traffic allows.

  • Small turbo, 5lbs boost... 2" WP Dual ok to run?

    AFAIK, a typical Stage 1 turbo system probably doesn't use an intercooler, but 5 lbs boost is generally the transition point where folks start using an intercooler and larger exhaust pipes. This would lead me to think a larger exhaust would probably be better, but you might be able to get by with the 2" Welter. It would probably slightly increase backpressure and might even result in slightly less boost compared to the Welter 2.5" exhaust. I know they're talking about a SC instead of a TC, but DDMWorks does say you can run their SC with a smaller exhaust at some loss of power, IIRC.
    This article - Exhaust Systems for Supercharged and Turbocharged Applications - has this to say about turbo exhaust systems - On the other hand, a turbocharged system does require larger-diameter exhaust piping, which is critical for both engine durability and the production of horsepower and torque. In general terms, a V-8 engine that runs a single turbo in the range of 6 to 15 pounds of boost requires a minimum 3-inch exhaust, while a twin-turbo setup exhaust pipe requires only a 2.5-inch exhaust. As you increase boost, the exhaust pipe diameter needs to increase proportionately. Running an exhaust pipe that is larger than necessary doesn’t hurt, but running a too-small exhaust will be detrimental to both power and the engine’s maximum RPM. A safe rule of thumb is to run turbo exhaust piping in as large a diameter as practically fits in the available space along the chassis. The article is referring to a V8 at higher boost levels than you mention, so, again, you might be OK using the 2" exhaust you already have.
    These Google Searches might help (or just confuse) -
    turbo exhaust size calculator - Google Search


    exhaust sizing for boosted motors - Google Search


    can I use a 2" exhaust on a 2.4L engine boosted to 5 lbs - Google Search


    Exhaust Design – COBB Support


    Ideally, email Welter Performance or the manufacturer of the turbo kit, (if possible).

  • Yamaha Three-Wheel motorcycle pricing info

    Quote from wjfyfe

    But, does it improve handling or other ridability issues?
    Bill

    Given any motorcycle's relatively small contact patch of the tires with the road and the importance of maintaining traction for the front tire when entering a turn, especially on cobblestone surfaces common in Europe and other places outside the USA, having a second front wheel provides added stability and control by (hopefully) allowing one wheel to maintain grip and control in the event the other should experience reduced grip. There were several times when I was on 2 wheels and encountered some unexpected crud on the road that made the bike feel like it might slide out from under me. Fortunately, that never happened, but I can understand the intent of adding that second front wheel.
    Unfortunately, using two front wheels spaced far enough apart to effectively provide traction for one wheel when the other slips is very hard to do on a motorcycle due to the large wheel sizes typically used. Here is a pic showing the Piaggio MP3 scooter and the Yamaha Niken motorcycle -

    The Piaggio MP3 at least has part of its nose sticking down to help visually fill-in the gap between the wheels, something the Yamaha Niken does lacks. I feel the gap is a significant drawback to the looks of the bike. The purpose of such a design includes many of the factors which appeal to a lot of older Slingshot owners who no longer feel comfortable on two wheels. I assume Yamaha is targeting riders who no longer feel comfortable balancing on two wheels. I also assume the goal was increased cornering stability because I can't envision any designer choosing such a look for pure aesthetics! Better stability? Probably. Better looking? Uh, NO!
    Maybe in a few years and after we start seeing more of them on the road, we'll start feeling the Niken is looking more normal, but now, it's just too different.

  • Yamaha Three-Wheel motorcycle pricing info

    Quote from dangerdarrell

    I don’t know @BKL. In 3 years of owning my SS I have only had one person say they didn’t like the way it looked. When Niken was shown before I showed pics to a bunch of my two wheel friends and none of them liked it. One devoted Harley buddy said if that was his only choice he would never ride again.

    I'm not overly impressed with the Niken's looks either and feel Piaggio did a much better job styling the MP3, but larger motorcycle tires on a reverse trike motorcycle are going to look awkward unless the designer sacrifices handling for looks.
    I originally felt the Slingshot was too much flash and not enough dash, especially the (to me) overstated nature of the front end and lower wing. I can't help but feel that the lower wing is a contributor to the poor aerodynamics that limit the Slingshot's speed to 130. I've heard more than one Slingshot owner refer to the Slingshot being the aerodynamic equivalent of a brick. :D