See the interior of the engine in operation: Clarity RSD Tapas

That is clear
One of the fundamental differences between motorcycles and other vehicles is the special link established between man and the machine, just like the Indian warriors did it with their horses.
The engine literally hugs, forming 1 single unit between it and our body, and both move in unison to achieve control of the set.
From that special union the need to know our machine is born, since somehow it is part of us, in fact most bikers have notions of mechanics related to their mount superior to car drivers.
This need for knowledge derives in an attraction to know what happens inside the engine: we would like to see it.

The invention
Many of you will remember photos of an ancient Harley with Motor and Metacrylate Primary covers in an American journal of the '80, or some acquaintance who had replaced inspection tapas in his ducati with ballistic glass to be able to see the inside of the camera of live combustion.
With this spirit and using current roland sands, it offers us a very ingenious product, its line of Clarity tapas, which allow to see the internal operation of the engine running.
It is a series of motor tapas made by computerized milling machine (CNC) from an aluminum block (Billet) that directly replace the original motor covers. These new tapas have been equipped with transparent polycarbonate windows through which the inside of the engine can be divided.
To obtain maximum reliability, the windows are sealed internally and their surface has been treated chemically so that oil and fat do not adhere allowing us to enjoy the views of the heart of our machine. As if this were not enough, they also incorporate a film resistant to UV rays and abrasion, which prevents polycarbonate from yellowing or spoiling.

Of tapas (installing the tapas)
RSD currently manufactures a variety of this type of Clarity tapas, we have for example:

• Balance box tapas

• Clutch covers
• Air filter tapas

• Transmission box covers

• Clutch actuator tapas

• Camshaft and distribution tapas

All these tapas are manufactured in chromed, black (Black OPS) and combined both (contrast cut).
In our case we are going to replace the clutch covers and camshafts of a softer model with a pair of clarity black tapas.
The installation is really simple, we will start with the distribution cover. As always security is the first, so we will disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting. After putting a tray to collect the oil that can fall (not much) we loosen the screws of the "boring" original cover.

We drop the oil and clean the surface well,

After which we install our Clarity cover with a new joint. We squeeze the screws at 16nm

And we already have the right part of our personalized engine.

We will repeat the operation with the clutch cover,

We will install the Clarity cover by tightening of the screws this time at 11nm.

"Tip": we will use one AFTERMARKET BOARD Or we will cut the center of the original board, so that it can be seen through the window.

With transparency
It is time to connect the battery again, start the engine and check that there is no leak. When hot we check the oil level of the compartments with which we have worked (motor, primary or transmission) and we can already turn around, or rather, sit down to see how the interior of the heart of our mounting mount works, with An almost hypnotic, relaxing cadence that will clarify our mind ...

Frank Burguera

#mecanicaharley