On many forums, including XLF, there is a lot of information that is useful in maintaining whatever the subject of the forum is. In XLF's case Sportster and Buells.

A lot of times the really useful information is difficult to find and a lot of unnecessary information and comments are intertwined with the useful info. Many threads that ask for help on a specific problem have solutions but the solution is hard to find without wading through numerous unrelated posts.

I am currently exploring ways of consolidating good information (problems/solutions) into a type of Project Management feature here so that it can be used a reference.

What I foresee is an area of XLF where you can peruse a list of symptoms and once the symptom is clicked on numerous solutions to that symptoms would be shown and a "first check this" or flowchart thingamaggigy.

Basic Maintenance
I.E. Title: Change oil on a 2000-2003 Sportster
Tasks
1. Remove Oil Tank Dipstick.
2. etc...

or / and

Troubleshooting
Title: Brake light does not work on a 1985-2003 Sportster
Task.
1. Remove triangular panel to expose fuse box
2. Inspect fuse #___
2a. Replace blown fuse with fuse type .....
3. Replace blown fuse
4. Remove taillight cover
5. Inspect bulb
5a. Replace bulb with bulb type.....
6. Check brake switch in right side handle bar cover (see disassembly of handle bar cover
etc....

This could be used to create our own Service/Parts/Electrical manuals.

Do you think this is a good idea and if so what features would you like to see in a program like this? If something like this was available do you think you would use it?

Should I look into a Helpdesk type, Wiki type, or Project Manager type software?

Bert,

I think this is a great idea! Like you've stated, you can find the info here but, sometimes it takes a long time to sift thru the garbage. I think the easiest, and probably the simplest to maintain would be the wiki format. Perhaps you could also link, or include info on best and least expensive places to find required parts for specific jobs and or mods.

Hi BP

I can see it as an invaluable asset at many levels especially as it would continue to evolve and expand into a compendeum of practical solutions and reference material.

It would be like a series of pre-approved and structured 'stickys' and the idea of generating a trouble shooting algorithm for each set of symtoms would be make the service functional even for the novice. With adequate hyper-links the viewer could always drill down to the level needed to understand the solution and the tools/parts needed to correct it.

Notwithstanding any copyright infringements it would be ideal to have schematics (high resolution) and exploded diagrams for the syatem assemblies attached to each section. I know many users would be more than willing to upload their scans of the relevant material but you would ultimately need to make sure it did not cause you any legal infringement hassels as the administrator. Possibly it would be best to hyperlink the protected references to a discrete " Library Site" that was paid for and managed by the OEM and aftermarket vendors. That way it could possibly be self sustaining and contain every possible diagram/schematic for each year and model.

I could see some serious vying for the next step which would be to hyperlink the parts number to THEIR OWN supply url with price and order forms all ready to go. You should of course get a royalty fee for every hit that results in a purchase as it will after all be driven from this site being successful and having full rights to the leads.

Firstly, I guess it starts with your search engine parsing out all the salient information then setting up the architecture and compartments that best suit the history and problems of the individual XL owner.

All the best BP in gathering ideas and I look forward to seeing how it proceeds.

Cheers;

Lots of good ideas. Of course I could not allow copyrighted material to be uploaded to any part of the forum or domain but there is nothing stopping up from creating our own content to include parts manuals and schematics.

The idea of finding a vendor who would provide a parts manual with links to their products is a great idea. I don't know if there is anyone who is providing this type of service though. I will start looking into it.

The "tools needed" is also a very good idea.

Sounds like a great idea to me Bert. I don't have an opinion on the programs you mentioned as I don't know anything about them. But I think anytime a member can search this forum and find useful information for their needs, sure to be a good thing. Good luck with your new thoughts/project Bert & thanks for all you do. Said it before, this is the greatest forum on the net!