Caution: Old guys reminiscing
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 592
Likes: 46
From: Connecticut
Well, I'm not really part of this conversation, but I see a bunch of parallels to me as a kid. Late '80s riding around in a '59 CJ-5. I learned to fix a lot of crap on the side of the road. But like a Harley, most of it could be done with hand tools. Thought it would be better years later when I went from the ****** era to the AMC era.
Of course, you can guess where that really went. I don't know Lucas, but I got electical parts from 3 different car companies under the hood, all with AMC stickers slapped on them, and duct-taped wire looms, not from a PO, but from the factory. I had to rip out all the wiring and put in all new. No other way to fix an electrical system that apparenlty has a brother from another mother on the other side of the pond.
Of course, you can guess where that really went. I don't know Lucas, but I got electical parts from 3 different car companies under the hood, all with AMC stickers slapped on them, and duct-taped wire looms, not from a PO, but from the factory. I had to rip out all the wiring and put in all new. No other way to fix an electrical system that apparenlty has a brother from another mother on the other side of the pond.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'm that guy today I still have the big cast iron flywheel truing jig, the granite plate and all the balancing goodies , the kwikway valve seat cutter set, the cast iron lapping plate for flattening head gasket surfaces on the heads and a drawer full of odd specialty tools & sockets just for the old iron. Even have the homemade holding jig so you get the 400lbs of torque on those crankpin nuts on the old shovels & pans.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 275
Likes: 19
From: north east S.D.
Remember when dealerships had some ol' greybeard sumbitch workin the counter? If you asked greybeard a technical question he answered you without consulting the internet or a computer. He had dirt under his nails and grease stains on his clothes, the place smelled like motor oil and cigarette smoke, there was maybe 3 or 4 shirts for sale and maybe a hat or two. Rarely saw a new bike sitting on the showroom floor, maybe 4 or 5 used ones were for sale. Parts laying here and there, some new, some used ones in the backroom.
Supporter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 113
Likes: 17
From: Menifee Ca.
How about being made to leave your knives at the door? I remember working all Friday night on a 1954 Ariel Square 4 just to ride it to the Easy Rider Redo in L.A. Some different times back 20, 30 years ago. Was building and riding Harley's when I meet my wife to be. Her favorite saying was they harley ever run. Soo not funny back then.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
Never had the problem back in the day, prolly 'cause I grew up in NYC & they didn't have that redneck mentality there then.
I remember when Easyriders was the most righteous mag you could buy. It was for men & ONLY men, and was as politically incorrect as you could get.
I remember when Easyriders was the most righteous mag you could buy. It was for men & ONLY men, and was as politically incorrect as you could get.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
While we're all waxing nostalgic about the good ol' days...it wasn't always that good. Sure there were the indy shops with the grizzled old guy behind the greasy old counter, and another grizzled old guy wrenching on some greasy old knuckle, but trust me, there were times when you'd walk in and if you didn't look right, there was no welcome.
It was "wtf do you want, gtfo".
And sometimes that was at a dealer.
It was "wtf do you want, gtfo".
And sometimes that was at a dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
It's hard to believe that in one more year, I'll have been in the wind for 50 years! Lots of stories, and a few mistakes. When chopping my '70 Bonneville I cut all the tabs off my fork lowers, had them chromed, and when reassembling I discovered I had no place to mount the brake stay for the 5" Hallcraft brake.
I also found out that when you remove all the rubber grommets from a Triumph Twin, you can expect parts to vibrate themselves to death!
I also found out that when you remove all the rubber grommets from a Triumph Twin, you can expect parts to vibrate themselves to death!