MTC's Modest Mods

[Elipten_imp]

A write up on installing the hand warmers would be greatly appreciated by many.


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[emptysea]

Here's a quick write-up, Elipten:

1. Have your son drop your bike and bend the bars.
2. Have your Honda dealer install the warmers when they are replacing the bars.

LOL

Seriously, I installed these same warmers on my wife's CTX and the instructions on the Heat Demon website are perfect. The only tricky part for me was running the electric from the battery or fuse box. I did not have experience with that, but a friend did and he helped.

Just be prepared for an all-afternoon project and have all your parts and tools ready before you start. Use a compressor and a small flat tool (like a coat hanger) to help remove and replace the grips and less=more with the grip glue.

They work great, but frankly, if I had to install them myself again, and if I hadn't already purchased the product, I'd just spend the money on heated grips rather than these "grip warmers". PM me if you'd like to discuss it further.

Matt

[CIP57_imp]

Looks good ES, really like the looks of the Yoshi. It would be a good idea to put the small extension on the front fender. The pipes will get pitted from road debris once you put some miles on them, nothing real bad but wish I'd put one on.

[emptysea]

Thanks CIP. I'll look into that. Oh, and I'm going to order that HRC plate, too. How did you remove the original Yosh emblem?

[CIP57_imp]

Thanks CIP. I'll look into that. Oh, and I'm going to order that HRC plate, too. How did you remove the original Yosh emblem?

Use a straight edge razor on one of the bottom edges to lift it and then just peel it comes right off

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Are you running a PC-V or similar device to adjust for the new exhaust system? Did you have a professional tune-up or did you handle things yourself? Inquiring minds want to know...

[emptysea]

The service dept. at my Honda dealer did the install. I did not change anything else mechanically, but the did block whatever the hose is called that would cause popping if left open..

[metallyguitarded_imp]

The service dept. at my Honda dealer did the install. I did not change anything else mechanically, but the did block whatever the hose is called that would cause popping if left open..

Interesting. From what I've read (and experienced changing out an exhaust on a cruiser I used to own), our bikes tend to run lean from the factory and then even leaner once we get more efficient, direct flow from an aftermarket exhaust. This can have the effect of making your engine run hot. Especially with an air-cooled (some oil) engine such as ours, that danger seems particularly increased. This could effect the health and longevity of our bike's engine. Performance may also suffer or, at a minimum, not reach its potential given a less than ideal air:fuel ratio. It's because of all of this that adding some type of air:fuel management system whenever modifying the exhaust system (including changing to a higher flow air filter) is highly recommended.

I've interpreted that to mean either getting something like the Power Commander V and applying the appropriate map that accounts for the exhaust system you're running, taking the bike for a professional dyno tune with the modifications in place, or, having the ECU flashed taking into account the exhaust modifications. It seems to me that one of those three is a necessity to optimize performance and minimize or eliminate any damage from the modification.

Hopefully, others here with more knowledge and experience than I have can weigh in on this as I'm planning on going the same route you've gone. I realize the ECU reflash, dyno tune and PC-V have other benefits that shoudl be considered but I'm more interested in avoiding harm to the bike from the failure to do one of them when adding an aftermarket exhaust system.

Any thoughts?

[emptysea]

There are definitely folks who know more about this than I and I hope that they chime in here. With things mechanical, I tend to agree that you often cannot change one thing without needing to tweak something else, but I have been assured by both hey Honda guy and at least two people on this forum that no further tweaking would be needed. It will be interesting to see what othe folks think.

[the_undecider_imp]

I am really interested in whether the stock handlebar weights (what fits inside the handlebar) were retained. The stock bar end weights certainly appear to be. Per the Heat Demon installation video, the heating elements and all the wiring fits inside the bars. The rubber isolators that go around the internal weights are already a snug fit. I really love how clean these heated grips install without cluttering the bars. It would be nice to know if they play nice with all the OEM parts.