Older Bikers, Remember when??
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
Remember using my dad's bulk role of igntion wire and grabbing his box of terminal ends and making my own spark plug wires. Still have the spark plug sand blaster that gets the occassional use.
Made handmade gaskets too.
Changed many a car tire, breaking the bead and working the bead off the rim all by hand. Then installing the new tire by hand as well.
Still have my dad's old tire irons.
Matter of fact I have his first snap on tool box from the 40's. I keep most of all his old/antique tools in that box.
Made handmade gaskets too.
Changed many a car tire, breaking the bead and working the bead off the rim all by hand. Then installing the new tire by hand as well.
Still have my dad's old tire irons.
Matter of fact I have his first snap on tool box from the 40's. I keep most of all his old/antique tools in that box.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I remember a little gizmo I bought that had alligator clips that you could hook to the battery. it came with a small bag of sand you you could stick a plug in it and clean it on the side of the road. Can't remember where I got it but it seems like something that J.C. Whitney would have sold.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Using rope (or twine) to tie luggage (duffle bag or just stuff wrapped in a blanket) to the bike.
Not being concerned with what you (or anyone else) wore.
Walking to get to a phone.
Not being concerned with what you (or anyone else) wore.
Walking to get to a phone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Push starting my pan cause the Kicker Arm broke in two in the middle of a kick (happened 3 times in the 15 years I had that bike). The last time it happened the jagged edge on the bottom half that was still attached to the shaft cut the **** outa my calf....Those was some good times there fur sure. Yup
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Those must be the good old days. I've done the vise grips on the shifter arm after breaking the lever in the middle of nowhere. Had a friend stuff his tire with weeds and bushes to get to the next town once.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,571
Likes: 121
From: Mpls, MN
Being young enough to remember the good old days..
Manual advance used to get me every so often, usually after about 6 beers.
What I miss most probably was being able to wave at a on coming bike and not get the finger because it was different brand than your bike.
Al
Manual advance used to get me every so often, usually after about 6 beers.
What I miss most probably was being able to wave at a on coming bike and not get the finger because it was different brand than your bike.
Al
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 7
From: Somewhere, PA
While I may not be old, wrenching on Pans and Shovels is a hobby of mine and a lot of these things continue to be the norm for me! I guess I just like to tell my computer-ran, machine-built, electronically-loaded, laser-measured, fuel-injected, air-shock suspensioned, cd-equipped Harley to go to hell every now and then while I ride on of my old bikes. That way I can manually adjust the fuel, manually adjust the timing, manually kickstart the beast, and the only noise I hear is the engine rattling through the pipes! Afterwards I manually clean up a few oil spots, have a beer, and be glad that I don't have to go through all of that EVERY time I want to ride. 