When it comes to vision, my wife has a good eye, and she's been around bikes a lot, so it's not all ribbons and lace to her, lol. She looked at it from a couple of angles both ways, and said lower looked more like an old bike should look. While I was holding it for her, I got a couple of different perspectives too, and had to agree. It looked to me like an old sporty turtle tank, so that settled it!
I got right to work and installed the mount on the right side. Then I took pictures of doing the left side. I measured the right emblem to the front of the tank, and made a mark for the left side. Then I used a square to find the widest point and made a mark for the front and back of the mounting plate. I checked them against the height of the other side and they matched! The aftermarket mounts have to be bent to follow the contour of the tank, then you peel and stick them in place:
There it is!
I used a sewing tape to measure around the curve of the tank so both of the emblems are the same distance from the front:
Doesn't it look like a 70-71 Sportster tank? I'll put the emblems on after I finish cleaning the tank and install the petcock.
(the pink ribbon is to remind me to align the wheel and tighten the axle nut)
Emblem placement is as you described, all by eye, what looks good or right. I have found that after I get the first one done, the best place to eye ball the other side is from sitting on the bike. Real good perspective to check front to back, then have another set of eyes checking elevation and you are good to go. Measurements on the round tend to be useless. Good job.
First I had to clean out the rust and peeling gas tank liner - so a handful of nuts and some kerosene and it was ready to use. Polished, waxed and then install the emblems!
I needed a new gas filter, so yesterday I went to the Harley dealer, thinking it's pretty common, they should have one. HaHaHa, they said they could order it from Drag Specialties if I wanted.
So today I got creative - I had a filter but it doesn't have the reserve tube in it like the old one did. A little cutting and I was in business:
Gas tank mount is not stock - the previous owner used a kitchen sponge, I used rubber sheet:
I was on a mission to ride today so didn't take any other pictures. I put the gas tank on the bike, and needed a friend's help to get the spring connected in the back. Then we hooked up the front brakes and bled them. We aligned the back wheel with a 4-foot straight edge, and adjusted the chain with him sitting on the bike. That made a lot more difference than I expected! Oil and gas in the tanks, and the big moment!
I gave it a couple of kicks to make sure there wasn't going to be any problems, and get the oil circulation started:
Then I pushed the starter button, and the battery was too weak to turn it over...
I got out the jump pack, and then it started up pretty quickly! I left the oil tank cap off so I could see the return oil. There was plenty, so much that it over filled the filter before I could shut it off. Cleaned up that mess, and put the cap and the seat on. Now I was ready to get serious. Started it again, and off I went!
Everything checked out; we lubed the warm chain with chain wax and I went up and down the road - total of 10 miles now! Battery still not good, so I kick started it. I'll have to buy a new battery, because even three tries kicking is a lot when you're my age. One more video of it running.
All in all I'm pretty happy. On the last part of the long run, the bike misfired a couple times - I think there is a loose ignition wire. Also, the clutch is grabbing, hopefully re-adjusting it will fix that. I still have to polish the front brake master cylinder, and figure out if the right caliper is leaking or it's just residual mess from bleeding it.
Thanks, guys, I am really happy! I have played those videos a dozen times already. The sound of a shovelhead is like no other. I have to help prepare for family visiting this week, but next week I'll be back on it. I'm bringing it to the local bike night a few miles away, and then I want to ride it to work and show it off before riding season is over.
09-13-2018, 10:07 PM
