1996 flht
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
I put high octane in mine just like the shovel. I've run 87 in it a time or two and it runs but it vibrates.
I ran aviation fuel in my ironhead a few times. Boy did it love that!
carl
I ran aviation fuel in my ironhead a few times. Boy did it love that!
carl
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Got 10 miles on the bike today. Ran it thru all the gears but made sure I did not get above 50/55 (that only for a very short duration). Came back after the first 3 to readjut the carb (running too lean). Made that adjustment and then the idle and took it out for another 7. Came home because it was commute time and folks use our surface streets to avoid the congestion on the freeway near us (and of course just gum up the surface streets). So called it a day.
Bike is a tad heavier it seems than my 84. Having a 5th gear is nice. Like the way it handles. Brakes are definitely an improvement over my other bikes. The seat is really comfy. Definitely needs the warm up time before taking off the choke. Rubber mount motor sure eliminates a lot of vibration and I can actually see out of my rearview mirrors.
Have a doctor's appointment over the hill from me tomorrow so I won't be able to take it out again until Wednesday. Going to keep it all surface streets. I'll make a few loops in the neighborhood and should be able to get another 25/30 miles. Figure I'll pull the pull the plugs after it cools down to check that I have the carb adjusted properly. So far only an occasional pop on decel, defintely not steady or consistent.
I've also got to see what I need to do to transfer the out of state title. I have AAA membership. Hopefully they can help me so that I don't get stuck in a long line at the local DMV.
Definitely appreciate all the advice and input to get the bike up to speed and back on the road. Took longer than I expected but alot was waiting time for parts to arrive.
Bike is a tad heavier it seems than my 84. Having a 5th gear is nice. Like the way it handles. Brakes are definitely an improvement over my other bikes. The seat is really comfy. Definitely needs the warm up time before taking off the choke. Rubber mount motor sure eliminates a lot of vibration and I can actually see out of my rearview mirrors.
Have a doctor's appointment over the hill from me tomorrow so I won't be able to take it out again until Wednesday. Going to keep it all surface streets. I'll make a few loops in the neighborhood and should be able to get another 25/30 miles. Figure I'll pull the pull the plugs after it cools down to check that I have the carb adjusted properly. So far only an occasional pop on decel, defintely not steady or consistent.
I've also got to see what I need to do to transfer the out of state title. I have AAA membership. Hopefully they can help me so that I don't get stuck in a long line at the local DMV.
Definitely appreciate all the advice and input to get the bike up to speed and back on the road. Took longer than I expected but alot was waiting time for parts to arrive.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
And the first start was one of those, "hold my breathe moments cuz I sure hoping I put it all back together correctly and didn' screw up".
Having the factory manual and guidance/input from members sure made it alot easier.
Reminds me of...
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Well I finally have insurance on the bike and got it past the local DMV inspection today. So now it has a license plate on it too.
At the 50 mile mark on the new build. The only thing I do not like is the associated noise from the exhaust system. Not the exhaust and muffler but all the clamps (11 of them) and the muffler clamps. Had some noise that I thought was coming from my valve train initiallty. Finally traced it to some of the positioning of the clamps and exhaust shields just barely touching places it shouldn't. Didn't really notice it at speed, just at lower rpms and at idle. Spent a good 45 minutes repositioning the clamps and sorta bending the exhaust a bit with a thick long bladed screwdriver. Ran out of daylight but the rattling (lack of it now) is much better. Going to put some freeway miles on it tomorrow and probably a few more adjustments.
The only leak is at the bottom of the outer primary and is a couple of steady drips from the bottom of the gasket area. And that really bugs me. It is a James gasket. Think Cometic makes one so when I dump oil I'm of a mind to change out the gasket as well.
At the 50 mile mark on the new build. The only thing I do not like is the associated noise from the exhaust system. Not the exhaust and muffler but all the clamps (11 of them) and the muffler clamps. Had some noise that I thought was coming from my valve train initiallty. Finally traced it to some of the positioning of the clamps and exhaust shields just barely touching places it shouldn't. Didn't really notice it at speed, just at lower rpms and at idle. Spent a good 45 minutes repositioning the clamps and sorta bending the exhaust a bit with a thick long bladed screwdriver. Ran out of daylight but the rattling (lack of it now) is much better. Going to put some freeway miles on it tomorrow and probably a few more adjustments.
The only leak is at the bottom of the outer primary and is a couple of steady drips from the bottom of the gasket area. And that really bugs me. It is a James gasket. Think Cometic makes one so when I dump oil I'm of a mind to change out the gasket as well.