Forgot to mention, take pictures, even if just with your cell phone (and copy them to your computer; things happen to cell phones occasionally), and from more than one angle, when you're taking things apart. Too many times a manual will say put part A and B in C... and not mention what order, flat side up or down; you'll appreciate pics of how everything fits. And where that odd shaped little bit goes that isn't in any pics in the manual. I must have over 100 pics of this one coming apart - a whole bunch just around this rat's nest -



Hold the camera under things, too, a perspective from every angle doesn't hurt; might find a few more things you want to tinker with; unfortunately, I did.

Is that 3D textured paint on the tank? Can't really tell by the pic. By that, I mean does the tank have a sculptured feel, with the paint layers built up unevenly. It looks like such a good paint job, it'd be a shame to do away with it. I'm not crazy about the graphics on my 883's custom paint, but it's such a good job I've left it alone. You get used to it. Or grow to hate it...

Maybe after this one, you'll feel like tackling an antique. Every nut and bolt is getting photographed on this old Russian thing when I tinker with a different part of it. Sometimes I wish I'd spent more money and got another Harley instead. Sometimes meaning every time I touch it...
And yes, I'm gonna clean up the wiring on this one, too!



That loose front end... might want to drop the triple tree down and check the fork bearings; if not real clean with smooth grease, clean it and use a good quality synthetic grease - not the buck 98 stuff. If I haven't previously installed them, I always pop a plastic seal off the wheel bearings and check them, too. Any doubt at all about wheel bearings and I replace them. I don't know off hand when Harley went to sealed bearings; mine has the old tapered bearings, but those were really fine bearings, not a bad thing. I also don't use bearings with plastic ball cages, and they're out there - I bought a new front wheel for my 1200 last year, with bearings in it, and they had plastic. Never hit the road... If you do tackle wheel bearings and haven't done them before, mention it before you try pulling them; there are folks here with helpful tips. I've done several.

You have spoke wheels - a quick check for loose wheels is to lightly tap each spoke with a screwdriver blade or small wrench; tight spokes should have some ring to them, thuds are either loose or not enough torque. Spokes out of true can make the front end feel weird, too. Chances are it's the old tires, though; those Dunlops get real hard in 10 years, ride bad and make asphalt feel wet on a hot dry day. The tire brands you mentioned should ride and handle great; I use Avons on mine.

 

There will be ABSOLUTELY NO FRIGGING PINK anywhere. I promise. Not even a pink bling bell. If it was pink, I'd have to rattle can it at least.

I like the old school-ish look but not the purple. I am digging the white and never thought I would.

I like black myself. Can't beat classic black and chrome. My sporty is black. Gets tiring polishing it though. The FatBoy is red but leaves tomorrow for his new home. Then I'll have room to bring this purple thing in and get to work.

 

W-Girl, just added to my previous post.

 

But I don't think it's like pretty in pink pretty, more like and old acquaintance of mine, I knew a tough/pretty girl with an SS 396, 69 chevelle, it was her......and 3" over would be longer front tubes (chopper) if you shoulder could handle it cause it can affect the handling.... you could probably photo shop it to get an idea.

 

Thanks for the pics. We like EVO ****. Definitely a chick paint job. Bike looks clean though. I couldn't live with that paint for long. Maybe if you put some neon lights under the tank.... :-)

 

Pictures are going to be a must for me and I plan to take plenty. I suck at it anyway so I figure if I can get one clear shot out of five I'll be doing something good. My biggest foreseeable obstacle besides muscle with this is going to be time. Between 60-70 hours at work each week, being on call 24-7 and working on a masters degree, this project is going to take all winter. If it's done by March or April I'll be happy. If I don't have pictures, I'll be totally lost when it has to wait a week or two.

I broke down recently and got an iPhone. I love taking pictures with it and using the zoom so I can see. My close eyesight is going and blowing stuff up with the phone really helps. No way I could read a wiring schematic or carb jet size otherwise.

You have mess! I see you like painter's tape too! Nice stuff that and I use the heck out of it for marking wires or anything else. That and duct tape. I'll take a sheet of butcher's paper, tape some duct tape onto it sticky side up and mark out left, right, top, bottom. Then use the sticky side to lay out bolts, fasteners, whatever. Comes in handy with axle spacers to keep me from mixing them up or swapping positions. Another piece over the top and the whole thing can get rolled up and set aside without losing anything.

The paint job is smooth as can be. There's not a lot of depth to it visually in person either but I doubt it was cheap. If it grows on me, I'll keep it. Bad thing about that is everyone will know that non-riding jack wad poser is ME! LOL.

I always wanted a Ural. Don't know why but I think they're cool. Is that what your Russian antique is or is it the beer cooler?

I'll bring whiskey, you provide cake. I'll come help you sort the spaghetti.

 

Nice motosickle you got there....like you said....gotta love an EVO !!! oh and JD's

 

THAT is my kinda car! Never could afford it. Wrecked a green 71 Chevy something or other off a bridge when I was 15. Got dumped by that boyfriend the next day. Never did understand why. He bought the beer.

Messed up the shoulder years ago bull riding. One of those stupid "here hold my tequila and watch this" moments of youth. Yeah, that kind of girl.

Hmm..... 3" over might be doable and that would be sweet! I can mock something up and see if it's feasible. If I keep it about boob high I'm OK. Not hard to swap bars and risers....

Oh lord, more money. Gonna need a bigger purse.

 

Imold...

I'm planning and budgeting for a whole front end redo. Probably has the factory fork oil in it. I've got a decent indy to take care of wheel bearings and mounting new tires. I thought neck bearings or something with the floppy front end. Might just need to clean, grease, tighten and torque stuff. I hope! Probably not. Oh well, it's just nuts and bolts.

Spokes are a tad rusty on the rear. Front is ok. The wheels will get a good cleaning a check over when I pull them. They seem pretty true but if not, I'll have that taken care of as well. New wheels are not in the budget this year unless absolutely necessary. Maybe next but I like the old school spokes.

Dunlops suck. Why Harley keeps the contract with them when they blow goats is beyond me. Best thing I ever did to Tubby and the sporty was get rid of them. Even if these were brand new they'd be coming off.

 

Sounds like that would work ok. I keep zip lock bags that didn't have something messy in them and drop the hardware in them with a note what it is. Easy to add to or take stuff out, too.

One and the same. Got it this summer, pretty cheap 'cause the guy selling it never could get it to run. I got it running quick enough, but it needs everything adjusted, someone worked on it that must not have been real mechanically inclined. Got it running good enough to take my 5 year old grandson riding, what I wanted it for. Next year it will hopefully be my shopping machine, never get more groceries than will fit in it.

Was fun on Halloween, too. I'd like to get a skeleton for next year, ride around with it in the tub and scare kids. It looks almost new in the photo, but not in person.



Video with the little guy. He loves it. There's a lid for the trunk, just didn't have it on at the time.

http://s1158.photobucket.com/user/im...?sort=3&page=1