Automotive bug and tar remover and a soft microfiber cloth. You can use "goof off" in the tin can but wash it off with water after. it is paint safe as long as you don't just leave it on there and it takes that residue off quickly. Use goof off with a soft paper towel, then wash it off with some water, then finish up with some paint cleaner or rubbing compound on a microfiber cloth.

Sure you can do the thumb rubbing but if there is any dust at all on the glue or your thumb, you'll have surface paint abrasions. Although a little swirl mark remover / buffing compound on a microfiber cloth takes those light abrasions right off. My favorite is the 3M Fine Cut compound in the small black bottle, if you can find it.

To remove badges I use a heat gun on low setting, warm up the badge really good (as if it were say, sitting out in the summer desert heat), then use some string dental floss to saw through the adhesive behind it. the "tape floss" usually leaves surface scratches as does fishing line. but the badges come off pretty easy once warmed up. I use either goof off or bug/tar remover on any residue, then rinse with water, then buff with compound on a microfiber cloth, then wax. Same process works for the ugly reflectors

 

Really glad to hear you had such dramatic and good results. All the credit should go to the tuner- He made the magic happen for you.

So what you just discovered is the diff between a canned tune (DJ, FM) and a tune which is more skillfully set up based on years of tuning knowledge and engine building experience.

I found that out for myself last week

 

I definitely agree and am indebted to the tuner for his amazing work. He is unquestionably a stand-up guy and I couldn't be more impressed with the tune, especially since it was a "from spec" build. He clearly knows his stuff.

That being said, I still appreciate all of your help

 

Glad to have helped- just keep the shiny side up ok?

 

ok so here is the result of my "ol lady backrest" modification- I took a Deuce backrest kit and a Kuryakyn plug-n-play bracket for HD, and cut / welded them together, sanded off the chrome and hit with primer + gloss black lacquer. I cut the Deuce backrest pad down to a mini size and had it recovered with some matching grain leather. it's pretty solid, the ol lady likes it, does not look to horrible either. PS if you notice the three chrome bolts on the back and the one black bolt, I'm just trying to decide whether I want chrome or black bolts in the back. Maybe I'll get a "WillieG" skull logo or something to fill up the blank space on rear of backrest.

 

Looks good. I think the bolts look good black. I have to get some kind of back rest and seat for the wife eventually. I sat on that seat and it's like sitting on a brick.

 

I had a seat shop re-stuff it with nice gel memory foam, a bit extra in the middle and towards rear, plus they widened the foam about 1.5"- the stock cover fits back on no prob. if you look close the seat cushion is about 1" taller than normal. wifee likes it.

 

I think it looks great, nice work.

 

I really like the looks of your backrest. It looks nice with your bike. The HD one that I have is to bulky. Maybe I'll try your setup. Go with the black bolts and definitely get a Willie G. skull to complete the look. Nice job.

 

thanks- yeh I hated the look of the regular HD setup, and I don't want a 12" chopper sissy bar. I'm still shocked that HD has not come out with something nicer for the Breakout. I put some basic instructions on making this in this forum somewhere- i'll dig it up and post the link.