This Ain't the Same Place!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 766
Likes: 651
From: Reno, NV
I found the HD forums when I was searching for information on DIY customizing and maintenance. Being new to the group (just over a year now) and to Harley Davidson (just over a year now) and not having any mentors (worth a damn)...I stumbled across this place. I found the initial welcome to be a bit offensive. Grouchy SOBs on this site seem to be the first to respond to any post I made. And the responses usually started with an analysis of my post count...like that has something to do with my value as a member.
But I'm still here. I still perform all my own maintenance and mods. I have a messy garage (which has been pointed out by members of HDF). I may not have the knowledge of HD, but I do have a mechanical background. My dad taught me to work on cars in the 70s. I was an auto mechanic in the 80s for a living. And I ride all sorts of gasoline powered toys...most of which I've owned and maintained myself for well over 20 years...even the toys I've added to my arsenal lately I tend to buy used knowing full well I can get them running myself and save money. Plus I enjoy the sense of pride in my workmanship.
So there's a few of us around. I expect that over the next few years I'll be more useful for advice to DIYers, but for now I'm the one seeking the knowledge. So share some pics...give me something to think about.
But I'm still here. I still perform all my own maintenance and mods. I have a messy garage (which has been pointed out by members of HDF). I may not have the knowledge of HD, but I do have a mechanical background. My dad taught me to work on cars in the 70s. I was an auto mechanic in the 80s for a living. And I ride all sorts of gasoline powered toys...most of which I've owned and maintained myself for well over 20 years...even the toys I've added to my arsenal lately I tend to buy used knowing full well I can get them running myself and save money. Plus I enjoy the sense of pride in my workmanship.
So there's a few of us around. I expect that over the next few years I'll be more useful for advice to DIYers, but for now I'm the one seeking the knowledge. So share some pics...give me something to think about.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,733
Likes: 9,242
From: Snow Hill, NC
10 years here and I have learned so much about a lot of useful and useless crap...I think I have contributed some as well. When I bought my FLHTC I was so afraid to do anything else than a oil change, then I started askin*, then I changed my own Cams and then this then that,. Then I asked about help on framing a building,somebody recommended the GarageJournal.com ...great place as well full of helpful folks...
We will always have the good and the bad but at least we have plenty of interaction...good and bad...
Glad to be here.
We will always have the good and the bad but at least we have plenty of interaction...good and bad...
Glad to be here.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 1,727
From: Dallas, Texas
YES, things change. Seems like there are more posts wanting an opinion about what handlebars look good on my bike. Or, better yet, where can I find a good mechanic. I think the Admins need to have prospective new members take a HD IQ Test.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
And that ain't necessarily a bad thing. Times change, technology changes, some of us get old(er), blah, blah, blah.
HDF has always been a good place for the exchange of ideas, tech help, educating new riders, get-togethers, and just plain ol' fun. It still has it in spades over other HD-type forums in that respect, mostly due to the sheer number of members and volume of posts. There doesn't seem to be as many who roll their own when it comes to maintenance, modifications, etc, though. Part of that is the newer bikes' design changes (government and less expensive assembly), and part is probably because society just doesn't get as deep into that as in the past. To use a very over-used and trite statement - It is what it is.
It gets harder to find the one-step-past typical DIY information, though. Again, not knocking the oil change, etc. how-tos - they're needed! Us geezers either learned things by screwing them up seven ways to Sunday, or we had a mentor, and sometimes a group of like-minded knuckleheads so we could really mess things up before figuring out the right way to do something.
One can still find good threads on the home-brew ways; just takes more digging. I like wading through the Classic and Evo sections. Seems to be more of that stuff in there, as expected.
Wonder if a Home Brew forum section would fly, LOL?
Ah well, back to the day-to-day of being retired and broke! Heading up the hill to start stripping down the '87 Sloptail back end and get it set up to install a lever "solenoid" and relay system. Thinking on changing out the rear fender so that it moves with swing arm; can't stand looking at the gap between the rear tire and fender. Want to do it without any welding, but not sure how just yet.
As a feller I know from another place says, "Ride 'em if you got 'em!"
HDF has always been a good place for the exchange of ideas, tech help, educating new riders, get-togethers, and just plain ol' fun. It still has it in spades over other HD-type forums in that respect, mostly due to the sheer number of members and volume of posts. There doesn't seem to be as many who roll their own when it comes to maintenance, modifications, etc, though. Part of that is the newer bikes' design changes (government and less expensive assembly), and part is probably because society just doesn't get as deep into that as in the past. To use a very over-used and trite statement - It is what it is.
It gets harder to find the one-step-past typical DIY information, though. Again, not knocking the oil change, etc. how-tos - they're needed! Us geezers either learned things by screwing them up seven ways to Sunday, or we had a mentor, and sometimes a group of like-minded knuckleheads so we could really mess things up before figuring out the right way to do something.
One can still find good threads on the home-brew ways; just takes more digging. I like wading through the Classic and Evo sections. Seems to be more of that stuff in there, as expected.
Wonder if a Home Brew forum section would fly, LOL?
Ah well, back to the day-to-day of being retired and broke! Heading up the hill to start stripping down the '87 Sloptail back end and get it set up to install a lever "solenoid" and relay system. Thinking on changing out the rear fender so that it moves with swing arm; can't stand looking at the gap between the rear tire and fender. Want to do it without any welding, but not sure how just yet.
As a feller I know from another place says, "Ride 'em if you got 'em!"
Yup, we're not that far apart in joining here and lots of things have changed, So I'll have to agree with ya. I miss the good ole days here and how people were then but I guess that part of life.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
LOL, yeah, and they even made me a moderator in the distant past. Motorcycle club bidness took up too much time so I had to more-or-less drop out for awhile.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Been a long haul since we first came here. Lotsa drama for awhile, too, LOL! Even remember a moderator who left and started his own forum. Fun times!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Yup good or bad, back then we were like family, sometimes a little disfunctional but still family. lol
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2,917
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
I, for one, am glad I found HDF.
I tried a different Harley forum but this one just seemed better.
It's been less than a year but it seems like I have gained a lifetime of knowledge!
I tried a different Harley forum but this one just seemed better.
It's been less than a year but it seems like I have gained a lifetime of knowledge!