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This bike is pretty special to me. It has a decent story so I thought I'd share a little history and what she's up to now. To start this is my dad with the bike in 87' and me when I got it in 18'. Were both right about 40 here.
My dad bought it new. Sometime in the early 90's he painted it and did some engine work but it always seemed to be a work in progress. I'm not sure about the specifics but it's a stroker and the heads were done by Head Quarters. I think I have a dyno test from when he first got it back together. Going to dig through papers to see what I can find.
He had other bikes before and after but this one always stuck around. He would let me ride it up and down our dead end street. I remember dreaming of the day I would actually get to run with the big dogs. At 17 he decided I was ready so I rode with a group from Colorado to Montana. I had never rode in a group prior to this. We weren't 3 miles from the house before I got too far behind and he's swerving and waiving his arms like a mad man for me to hold a position in the lane just behind him. We met up with a few more bikes and I learned quickly. I went to Sturgis the next two summers and that was the end of my motorcycle riding days. The deal was he would give me the bike if I were to graduate college.. I never did. My parents divorced in 05 and he decided it was time to sell the bike. He gave me the first opportunity to purchase it and I jumped on it. Took the bike home and realized I had no money. I contemplated offering him $20 a month but I didn't feel that was the right thing to considering the circumstances at the time so I returned it and he sold it. Thankfully he sold it to a very good friend of his. Every time I saw him I'd ask if he was taking care of "MY" bike. He'd laugh and tell me she's in good hands..
My dad passed away Labor Day weekend of 2018. There were several bikes at his service but most importantly this old girl was there. I hadn't seen it since he sold it but aside from the wears and tears of service she looked exactly the same. Once again I was given the opportunity to buy it and it this stage in my life I was actually able to make it happen.
My dad bought it new. Sometime in the early 90's he painted it and did some engine work but it always seemed to be a work in progress. I'm not sure about the specifics but it's a stroker and the heads were done by Head Quarters. I think I have a dyno test from when he first got it back together. Going to dig through papers to see what I can find.
He had other bikes before and after but this one always stuck around. He would let me ride it up and down our dead end street. I remember dreaming of the day I would actually get to run with the big dogs. At 17 he decided I was ready so I rode with a group from Colorado to Montana. I had never rode in a group prior to this. We weren't 3 miles from the house before I got too far behind and he's swerving and waiving his arms like a mad man for me to hold a position in the lane just behind him. We met up with a few more bikes and I learned quickly. I went to Sturgis the next two summers and that was the end of my motorcycle riding days. The deal was he would give me the bike if I were to graduate college.. I never did. My parents divorced in 05 and he decided it was time to sell the bike. He gave me the first opportunity to purchase it and I jumped on it. Took the bike home and realized I had no money. I contemplated offering him $20 a month but I didn't feel that was the right thing to considering the circumstances at the time so I returned it and he sold it. Thankfully he sold it to a very good friend of his. Every time I saw him I'd ask if he was taking care of "MY" bike. He'd laugh and tell me she's in good hands..
My dad passed away Labor Day weekend of 2018. There were several bikes at his service but most importantly this old girl was there. I hadn't seen it since he sold it but aside from the wears and tears of service she looked exactly the same. Once again I was given the opportunity to buy it and it this stage in my life I was actually able to make it happen.
Nice looking bike, but what's even better is the history. Glad you were able to get the bike back. I'm sure your Dad is smiling every time you ride it.
I've had the bike for 3 years now and haven't rode it much at all. Pretty much limited to a handful of 15 min trips the first 2 summers. This past summer the only time I rode it was to move it from our old house to the new one. There are some wiring issues that need to be dealt with. I'd get a few min from the house and it would die. I made some repairs that first year but never felt confident enough to get very far from home. I've done a few minor things over the past few years and I'm currently in the middle of properly fixing the wiring. I love the wealth of info forums provide. When I dove into the wiring I knew I was getting in over my head and I was going to need more info and help. That's what landed me here.
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Dad's 87 FLST
