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Took the Ironhead out for a ride....

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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 07:27 PM
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Default Took the Ironhead out for a ride....

I haven't had it out in quite a while. Changed the oil to Quicksilver 20-50 Synthetic & it runs cooler & quieter. 109 degrees in the shade & the oil temp maxed out at 205 riding to Squaw Valley & back . With dino oil it would have been 235-240 & clattering like a Maytag washing machine on spin cycle. Dog is happy, too.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 08:35 PM
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Nice bike but wait till she starts bleeding on you, old iron and synthetics are not a good mix unless every gasket & seal are spanking new. Syn wants out and the old bikes give it way too many opportunities to do it.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Nice bike but wait till she starts bleeding on you, old iron and synthetics are not a good mix unless every gasket & seal are spanking new. Syn wants out and the old bikes give it way too many opportunities to do it.
Last change was synthetic, too. Motor is not a leaker. The Baisley heads have stem seals so no problem running 20-50 either.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 10:34 PM
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Nice, every time I've tried syn in an iron motor they leaked like an old panhead.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2017 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Nice, every time I've tried syn in an iron motor they leaked like an old panhead.
The front rocker box is seeping a little but it was doing that with dino oil. Me and this Sportster have been through a lot of wild times in the 36 years I've owned it. It's aging better, though.....;-)
 
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Old Jul 11, 2017 | 05:47 AM
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Good looking old (75-76?) Ironhead. I normally like laced wheels on the old stuff but those wheels are sharp. She looks well fed and cared for.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2017 | 06:25 AM
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Gorgeous bike. I took mine out for a couple hours last weekend. I think I finally got that stupid intake seal nailed down. After being spoiled on my road couch I got quite a reminder on how stiff the old sporty is.

carl
 
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Old Jul 11, 2017 | 07:24 AM
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Great looking bike. Love the wheels.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2017 | 07:47 AM
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That's a great lookin' Sportster Tommy! Looks well cared for too. Maybe I'll get to see it in person one of these days.

I've got an old Sportster I'm working on as a project. With these hotter'n hell days here in the central valley, even though I have a bit of time, I just can't find the ambition to work on it. Not nearly as nice as yours, it'll be a short range deal that's sure to **** off the neighbors!
 
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Old Jul 11, 2017 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by AJSHOVEL
Good looking old (75-76?) Ironhead. I normally like laced wheels on the old stuff but those wheels are sharp. She looks well fed and cared for.
It's actually a 1974. I put the 75-76 shifting linkage & brake setup on it so it shifts on the left like my other bikes. The wheels are Lester wheels. I ordered rocker box gaskets for it last night so I'll get her sealed up tight again. You guys are an inspiration & thanks for the kind words.
 
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