When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I know what you mean - i went to Alcoholics Anonymous once - its total bullshit i knew everyone there
My wife asked me to quit and I told her to hit the road. After 3 weeks of bar ******, beer and JD I called her at closing time and she came and got me. That was 30 years ago and I never once looked back or was tempted. Non of the people from the bars ever called me even once to say hi. Fair weather friends but we had fun at the time.
Oh the drinking days... I can't remember how much fun I had. ...Well mostly I can.
And the near misses on bikes. Seeing sparks in my rear view mirror... Got lucky a few times. I enjoy the sobriety now. Glad to be here.
We all learn.
Throw in some easy cruisin' on a Shovel and this era is pretty good.
I did a 175 mile ride yesterday... beauty day in the PNW. I had a change of gear and tools along in my tailbag. Now I can go places.
Riding at mostly 65 mph, I did punch it out to 80 mph once.
I can handle being in the wind, but we did have a 20 mile section of nasty headwinds, it about tore my head off...
The 4 speed gets it done adequately and my clutch kicks ***. I was expecting a grabby dry clutch, but it engages seamlessly. I can holeshot lol.
Ya and then there's the oil leak.... maybe at the base of my oil line going to the head. A distorted rubber seal?? Oil is leaking onto my pipe.
Tightening a few bolts, and ready to adjust the chain. No markings on the swingarm so chain tension & wheel alignment might be guesswork.
Its all good on the old mixed up '73 Shovel.
Two bits of info for you: 1. the rubber seals in aftermarket oil line kits are too thin. You can easily make longer ones out of rubber vacuum or windshield washer hose the right size. That will give a better seal.
2. since you don't appear to have a chain guard, the easiest way to check wheel alignment is to look along the chain and see that the sprocket is centered front to back. I do it with the rear wheel off the ground and slowly rotating it by hand.
Thanks Joe. Good tips on the rubber seals. I think my indy has oem ones in stock.
I'll keep the teeth centered in the chain also.
I'm getting 140 miles to a tank so far and not hitting reserve, which I'm happy with. Not sure what a shovelhead would typically get with 5 gallon tanks...
Two bits of info for you: 1. the rubber seals in aftermarket oil line kits are too thin. You can easily make longer ones out of rubber vacuum or windshield washer hose the right size. That will give a better seal.
2. since you don't appear to have a chain guard, the easiest way to check wheel alignment is to look along the chain and see that the sprocket is centered front to back. I do it with the rear wheel off the ground and slowly rotating it by hand.
Enjoy many more miles on that beauty
i had forgotten about that getting old really sucks some times - but then a grandma winks at you no wonder i forget ****
Shovels tuned perfect can do 40 but its like riding with grandma watching your every move - but 35 like your getting is a gift
Excellent. I calculated at 38, and pretty decent IMO. And thats with punching it up an on ramp, hitting 75 a couple of times, and holding a grade or two at 65.
Trying not to wear out the old horse. ...Thanks for the feedback all.
Got a better roll bag for my bike this week. Waxed canvas like my jacket. I rolled a plastic sheet into it so it would hold its shape.
Giving the bike a rest for a bit... I have some maintenance to give it. Its all I have been riding.
The old Duo Glide tins are losing their fasteners and rattling away. Oil leak and chain tension. Guess I will powder coat the luggage rack black.
The bike is a riot, enjoying the heck out of it.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
