Kewlmetal Kewlock Review

Kewlmetal Kewlock Review

My Mistress, a 2003 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic, came with Kuryakyn ISO grips and a pair of Kewlmetal Kewlocks already installed when I purchased her used. I must say that I have found the Kewlocks one of the most useful accessories on the bike, especially since purchasing a Scorpion EXO-1000 full face helmet for winter and rain riding. It gets used almost every day during the winter now.

Here is a shot of the Scorpion EXO-1000 hanging from the Kewlock, (click on all photos for larger image).

On the V-Star the factory helmet lock is ingeniously located on the left rear fender so that if you install a set of saddlebags it renders it absolutely useless. Makes you wonder just what the engineers were thinking, or smoking, when they designed the bike. Anyway, Kewlmetal has designed a useful accessory to add a helmet lock to the end of one or both sides of your handlebars or grips called a Kewlock.

I know she needs a bath, but keep in mind I almost always ride and its winter.

You can get installation directions online at their website to see how they are installed. Once they are installed they are simple to use. They come with a key which fits into the end of the lock. When the key is turned in the lock a center spring loaded pin pops out about ¼ an inch which opens the slot in the side of the lock. You simply slide in one of the metal rings from your helmet strap into the slot and push the pin back into the lock and it automatically locks the pin in place with the helmet ring inside.

Close up of Kewlock side view of lock with pin in center.

If you do not have a ring that will fit up into the Kewlock slot they make extenders that make it easier to attach. The extenders are a 1 ½ inch thin piece of metal that can be slid into your helmet ring and has a hole on the opposite end that fits easily into the Kewlock. I have not had to use an extender but I do have to turn the helmet rings sideways to get them to fit up into the lock far enough to lock in. Kewlmetal also has neat designer helmet lock extensions on their website.

Closer shot of the helmet ring inside Kewlock.

I usually do not lock up my half helmet at work or at home in the garage; I just lean it on the right saddlebag or hang it on the right handlebar. I do lock it up anytime I go someplace public. My full face helmet I always lock up, the darned things are just too danged expensive. The only disadvantage to using the Kewlocks that I have found is that if your bike happens to get caught out in a shower your helmet gets soaked inside. Don’t ask me how I know. However, that can happen even when not using Kewlocks though.

You can store your gloves & other headgear inside your helmet.

Kewlmetal Kewlocks are a simple tool that makes riding much more convenient and when left unattended, your helmet much more secure. Torch gives the Kewlmetal Kewlocks a M.M.M. Rating of 9.5 on a scale of 1-10.

Ride on,
Torch

Note: All picture except the top one taken with an old little Sony DSC-S650 7.2 Mega Pixel camera.

Yamalube Black Leather Polish Review

Yamalube Black Leather Polish Review

When I first got my V-Star I noticed the Custom Classic Hard Leather Bolt On Saddle Bags needed some attention. The leather was drying out and the black color was starting to fade. So, I went shopping for some leather treatment.

The first thing I tried was some Blue Magic Leather Cream Conditioner. It is a watery liquid in a spray bottle and the leather bags just soaked it up almost as fast I could spray it. However, this did not help with the fading issue. Next I tried some Pro Clean Leather Lotion. It is the same watery liquid but is dispensed from a squirt bottle. It too helped with the moisturizing the leather, but not with the bleached black issue.

After a year of commuting to work and my Mistress being parked out in the hot Texan sun for 12 hours at a time the black fading got even worse. I was browsing my local Yamaha Dealer when I spotted some Yamalube Black Leather Polish on a shelf. It came in a small round container about the size of a tobacco dip can. I bought it to try it out.

A few days before I tried it out I sprayed the saddle bags down real good with the Leather Cream Conditioner to let it soak in and moisturize the leather. Finally the day came when I gave the bike an extensive cleansing. After it was dried off I got out the Black Polish out and started the application. The Yamaha website says:

Black Leather Polish

Use to restore black leather to its natural luster by putting color back into the leather. Can be used for black leather jackets, boots, bags, etc.

I opened the small container of Black Leather Polish and found that it resembled black shoe polish in color. In consistency it was a lot thinner paste than shoe polish, more like a cream. I applied it using a soft cotton rag, translation, old T-Shirt. After rubbing the Black Polish into the leather I immediately noticed the black color was back on the section I had applied it.

Wow, what a difference the Yamalube Polish made in the color of the bags. I was really impressed with the difference from before and after. I really wished I could have found the camera that day to show you, but it was in one of my other vehicles, not at home at the time.

The soft consistency of the Leather Polish made it really easy to apply, even into the leather braiding my bags have. The Yamalube Black Polish sure surprised me with how well it made the saddle bags look. Torch gives the Yamalube Black Polish a M.M.M. Rating of 9.5.

Ride on,
Torch

A Variety of Bikes at Work

Several people where I work ride motorcycles. Some of them are what I call "Fair Weather Riders", they ride their bikes only when the weather is nice. A few, like myself, ride rain or shine. Either way they ride, and their motorcycles are all sharp. The bikes are a mix of all brands and styles and as unique as their personalities. I thought I would share some photos of some of the different motorcycles:

Kim's '94 Gold Wing. He just added chrome mirror trim rings with turn signals built in. He also has a '76 Gold Wing named, "Old Yeller", because of the bright yellow color. Old Yeller has a matching trailer as well.

David's 2004 Suzuki Hayabusa: 4 into 1 Yashimura Exhaust, Yoshi Program, TRE System, Custom Paint, Frame Sliders, Billit & Chrome Accessories, Mini Stalk Rear Blinkers, BMC Air-filter, BMC High Performance Coils, Blue Neon Light Kit, Steel Braided Brake Lines

Craig's Honda VTX 1800N: Cobra Exhaust, Power Commander, Blue light Kit, Riding Lights, Windshield, and more coming...

Gilberto's Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT. His wife rides a Honda Shadow.

Danny's '08 Honda VTX 1800T: Cobra Exhaust, Blue Light Kit, Lindby Engine Guards

My '03 V-Star 1100 Classic, "Mistress": See her list of adornments here.

There are several others that were not available at the time I was scouting for photos.

Ride on,
Torch

My Mistress

My Mistress is my motorcycle. It was time to take stock of what all this bike had on her. I believe that I am the third owner and the previous owners had really decked her out. It was a 2003 Yamaha Star V-Star 1100 Classic with 26,000 miles on it. Although a Classic model, She looked more like a Silverado because of all the accessories. Every time I looked at it I discovered something new. I had been keeping a running tally of all the accessories for quite some time and here is the list as best as I can discern, not in any particular order:

SS Customs Mid Range 420 Cam Kit (includes: Chubby Air Kit, Needles, and Jets)

Jardine Chrome Oil Filter Relocation Kit

Progressive Front Fork Springs

Progressive Rear Suspension Spring

Corbin Dual Touring Seat with Front & Rear Removable Backrests

Audiovox CCS100 Universal Vacuum Cruise Control

Kuryakyn Hypercharger for V-Star 1100 (vacuum is hooked up, but just for looks)

Kuryakyn ISO Grips

Kewl Metal Kewlock Grip End Helmet Locks

Star Motorcycles Floorboards with Heel & Toe Shifter

Kuryakyn Chrome Floorboard Covers

Star Motorcycles Billet Brake Brake Pedal Cover

Star Motorcycles Rear Luggage Rack

Barons Customs Sport Board Adjustable Passenger Floorboards

Star Motorcycles front Light Bar

Star Motorcycles Headlamp, Front Passing, and Front and Rear Turn Signal Visors

Clear Alternatives Clear Front Turn Signal Lenses & Amber Bulbs

Clear Alternatives Smoke Rear Turn Signal Lenses

Radiantz LED Rear Turn Signal Conversion Kit

Kuryakyn 7" Halogen Headlight Wave Cut Tri-bar with Black Dot

Kuryakyn Chrome Brake Master Cylinder Cap

Chrome Rear Brake Fluid Reservoir Cover

Kuryakyn Magnum Plus Mirrors

Kuryakyn Billet Chrome State Inspection Plate

Cobra Speedster Longs Exhaust

Memphis Shades Windshield

Memphis Shades Lowers

Laminar Lip on Windshield

Leather Three Pocket Windshield Bag With Braiding

Star Motorcycles Front Fender Trim Bumper

Custom Classic Hard Leather Bolt On Saddle Bags with Braid & Pocket

Easy Brackets Saddle Bag Quick Detachable Brackets.

Kuryakyn Chrome Neck Covers

Clocks 4 Bikes Chrome Handlebar Clock, Original Mount with White Faceplate

Clocks 4 Bikes Chrome Handlebar Thermometer, Original Mount with White Faceplate

Kuryakyn Chrome Mid-Frame Cover

Kuryakyn Lighted License Plate Frame

Kuryakyn Chrome Boomerang Frame Trim

Kuryakyn Chrome Handlebar Control Covers

Show Chrome Celestar Rear Brake Master Cylinder Cover

Kuryakyn Phantom Swingarm Chrome Cover

Avon Venom-R Tyres

Here is the list of things I have added or upgraded since I purchased her:

Replaced the OEM horn with a Black Fiamm Freeway Blaster Low Note Horn

Binetto YTX14-BS High Performance AGM ATV/Motorcycle Battery

Stebel Nautilus Compact Chrome Air Horn

Kuryakyn X-Tension Pegs

Replaced front Avon Venom-R Tyre with Metzler ME 880 Marathon

Replaced worn/missing Star Motorcycle Billet Brake Pedal Cover Rubber Inserts

Replaced one Cobra Dragster Long Exhaust tip, lost while riding

Battery Tender Connector to battery for Battery Tender Jr.

I will be writing reviews and stories of these projects and upgrades in the future. I will also be reviewing the riding gear I have picked up and used along the way.

Ride on,

Torch