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From: Virginia dead center between DC and Richmond
New Flathead 45 Servi Car Owner
I brought home a 1969 HD Servi a few weeks back and have been adjusting to the learning curve of Flathead 45 and Three Wheel Ownership. It is an X Houston PD machine and showing 26K on the clock, of course that can in no way proven to be actual. It starts and runs decent but handling is another issue. It has a death wobble at speed that puts any Jeep I have ever owned to shame. I have improved it somewhat by playing with tire pressures and the steering damper. Currently it is in the process of getting a new front tire since the one on there is pretty worn and cupped. The head stock bearings appear to be in good shape just from a visual inspection, there is no play or rough spots no matter what the damper setting. The forks have good movement and I have not changed fluid yet after checking on how much of a fun experience that is, but that is on the to do list. I am hoping the new front tire and a static balance with probably 5 or 6 pounds of wheel weights will help but any suggestions or comments from other Servi owners would be greatly appreciated. I have to admit, ownership of this damn thing is the most fun I have had in long time with a motorcycle. There are a few other vintage bikes and my small garage and it is like I brought Baby Huey home from the cartoons concerning room, but we will adapt. I am looking forward to contributing when I can as a new member and gleaming as much information as possible from you guys........George
Welcome and congrats. I would not expect her to be any good above 45 MPH, but tons of smiles regardless. Change all the fluids, check your brakes and steering head bearings as well as wheel bearings are a good idea. Then see what you have, until you do the maintenance items you might be chasing your tail. Nothing on them is hard, dirty but not hard. Good luck.
I had a 1961 Servicar years ago and 40-45 around town was a comfortable and stable speed. Riding with others 2 wheeled bikes they said I got it up to 55-57 mph and was stable. But, it had a (rebuilt) 1973 narrow glide (FX) front end and car wheels and tires (wides that the stock wheels and tires) on the back. No wobble. I believe it had a 33 tooth engine sprocket, which was no fun from a stop.
Does the front end dive when braking with the rear brakes? Or make knocking noises when rebounding? The sliders have bronze bushings that wear out, leaving too much clearance with the tubes. When that happens the oil bypasses the dampeners and it responds like worn out shocks that have leaked all the oil out of them. Even when in good condition, the dampening on those early wide glide front ends wasn't great.
I use 20w fork oil in the early front ends, but lots of old timers say to use 30w oil. Especially if you have trouble with them. As said above, changing the fork oil isn't difficult, just messy.There are baffels on the top tube plug that make it difficult to add oil from the top. I prefer to remove each leg to drain it and then add the oil of choice back using a large syringe through the drain plug hole.
From: Virginia dead center between DC and Richmond
Thanks for the input Gentlemen
I hopefully will have the new tire mounted and balanced in the next week or so. I am slowed down currently by some medical issues and the year 2025 has been full of those gremlins, but at my age you deal with them and move on, still beats the alternative. I will probably do the fork oil change after I get the tire back on and have looked at several suggested methods, including using a syringe and refilling through the drain plug as Paul suggested. I love the instructions in the Harley service manual with the tin can, funnel, and rubber stopper suspended from the ceiling. I will have to admit I am used to changing fork oil in vintage Japanese and British machines where you do not have disassemble the entire front end of the bike to get to the caps. The worst problem with the process in a old Honda is the smell of 60 year fish oil which they used as fork lubricant for the forks from the factory back then. Attaching a photo of my Honda 305s I have brought back. I lusted for a CL77 Scrambler really bad in 1967 when I was getting out of High School, but being poor as a Church Mouse, could only afford a beat up old Triumph which I wish I had back today. Sorry, as you can see yes, the Progressive Ads concerning Old People are true, we tend to ramble...........
From: Virginia dead center between DC and Richmond
Shinko 270
The Shinko 270 looks pretty decent as a Servi front tire. I also painted the wheel black to match the rear wheels and eliminate a poor rattle can aluminum finish. Just had to touch up the brake drum allen bolts while I was at it. Going to try to get a good static balance and bolt it back up next week to see if there is any improvement in handling.......
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New Flathead 45 Servi Car Owner
