Bigger Tank on the Sportster
Yesterday wasn't a total loss. The night before I went on the www.XLforum.net and asked about the fuel line routing because the new tank had the petcock on the left as opposed to the right side like the peanut. There were several replies from other owners who said the lines on theirs went between the cylinders to the other side. So off again came the stock tank. Putting the fat bobs on to mock up everything to see what else was needed for the installation, I stood back and then did a walk around. The longer bolt that was needed for the front mount turned out to be to short. The coil mount needed for relocation to fit the larger tank came with the bike. This part of the installation went easy with only one wire having to be rerouted to reach the new location. A zip tie (or cable tie) was procured from the shop to tidy up the wires on the back bone. Easy enough job there. Now it was off to find a longer bolt - seems no matter how many fasteners I have, the right one can never be found - so off to the local auto parts store. They didn't have what I needed so it was over to Lowes. The style being sought wasn't long enough but there was another that would work. Got a couple of nylon shims to go along with it for the gap at the front tank mounts. After getting the tank back on - loosely bolted up - some new 1/4 inch rubber fuel line was measured up for fitment. Not wanting to have the line running so close to the cylinders it was routed just under the back bone and over the ignition switch. This put the line in a parallel plane with no kinks or sharp bends and away from the cylinders. Next was removing the petcock from the old tank and mounting it on the new one. It wasn't known if the threads were the same so a call to a friend at his motorcycle shop assured that the thing would work. Guess what, it was the same thread so thanks John. (Remember I've not done wrenching like this for a while ) Took this opportunity to clean the filter screen while it was out. The newer tank looks like brand spanking new inside with no rust. This thing must not of had more than a tank full or two of gas in it if any at all before.
Now during all of this I kept saying to myself not to forget to hook up the cross over line. With the petcock mounted the tank was adjusted front and back to make sure it was not riding on the cylinder head of fins. There is very little clearance but it touches nothing. The petcock had to be angled just slightly out to the left to clear the ignition bracket but it fits nicely under the tank out of the way. The fuel line to the carb comes straight down and does not interfere with the choke lever. This tank is just a little longer than the peanut so the seat rides up on it ever so slightly, this will mean a new seat in the future. I like the old seat but the look of the solo set up with pillion pad is more the look that's wanted.
Final tightening of all the fasteners and time to stand back and marvel at the look. That's what I was looking for. It was here a short break was in order before continuing on. After the break I poured a spot of fuel in to check for fuel line leakage. Then all of a sudden fuel starts pouring out onto the engine at the front. Dooh! The cross over line, the cross over line was never hooked up and fuel was spilling out. Trying to stop the leakage and get the line hooked up meant gas running down my arm under my jacket and soaking the sleeve and my shirt sleeve. What a Gomer. The line was attached and the clamp tightened up then the fuel was cleaned up. Dooh!
After everything was dry enough more fuel was poured in again and no leaks. All righty then!
Now it was time to give the old girl a crank. This engine has such high compression and being cold outside really taxed the system. She wouldn't crank over fast enough to start. Need to check the starter button to as the connection doesn't seem like it's good or something. But the tank sure does look great.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Ace Speedway Fall Shootout Event a BUST!
I had posted about this event coming up on November 29th, with gates opening at 12 noon; what a disappointment.
This was something that was being looked forward to going to for over two weeks. After driving to a nearby town to pick up one of my sons friends, we headed back to my home before heading to the track. We all sat down and had some turkey sandwiches then made sure everyone had something warm to wear. It would be colder out there in the sticks than here at the house. Packing up and heading to the track around eleven thirty there was a round of jokes, new, old and tired ones and we were getting pumped about the day.
When we arrived at the track just before twelve the gates were still closed up tight. Thinking that they would open shortly and that we were the first ones there we waited. Inside there could be seen a couple of vehicles. We waited but nobody came. Now I knew the date was right because I had checked it double and triple before we left for the event. Trying the numbers for the track got us nothing but answering machines. I was a tad pissed off by now but didn't want to show it to the kids. Deciding to give it some more time we went for a twenty minute ride thinking they were just running behind for whatever reason. But upon arrival back at the track the gates were still locked up tight. On the way to the track we had seen a few trucks loaded with motorcycles and atv's heading the other way and some at a country gas station.
So the day was a fricken bust and disappointment for myself and the kids. Not to mention the wasted gas and time. The ride out was fun but the ride back home was not so fun.
Now I think that I remember why we quit going to this track some six years ago.
Were the event cards I had printed up wrong and never pulled?
Back at home the event card was double checked again at home and yep, it said November the 29 th.
I had posted about this event coming up on November 29th, with gates opening at 12 noon; what a disappointment.
This was something that was being looked forward to going to for over two weeks. After driving to a nearby town to pick up one of my sons friends, we headed back to my home before heading to the track. We all sat down and had some turkey sandwiches then made sure everyone had something warm to wear. It would be colder out there in the sticks than here at the house. Packing up and heading to the track around eleven thirty there was a round of jokes, new, old and tired ones and we were getting pumped about the day.
When we arrived at the track just before twelve the gates were still closed up tight. Thinking that they would open shortly and that we were the first ones there we waited. Inside there could be seen a couple of vehicles. We waited but nobody came. Now I knew the date was right because I had checked it double and triple before we left for the event. Trying the numbers for the track got us nothing but answering machines. I was a tad pissed off by now but didn't want to show it to the kids. Deciding to give it some more time we went for a twenty minute ride thinking they were just running behind for whatever reason. But upon arrival back at the track the gates were still locked up tight. On the way to the track we had seen a few trucks loaded with motorcycles and atv's heading the other way and some at a country gas station.
So the day was a fricken bust and disappointment for myself and the kids. Not to mention the wasted gas and time. The ride out was fun but the ride back home was not so fun.
Now I think that I remember why we quit going to this track some six years ago.
Were the event cards I had printed up wrong and never pulled?
Back at home the event card was double checked again at home and yep, it said November the 29 th.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Going to Sleep with a Smile on my Face ... and I hadn't Even Had Sex
The last few nights I went to bed with a huge smile on my face. It was because of thinking about my little Honda SL70 I had when I was a kid. Even had a really good dream about it just before waking up the other morning. Today I was out messing with my Harley trying to mount the fatbob on to get more range - and the look I'm after - only to find the petcock is on the left side and won't clear the top of the engine. I wondered about going ahead with it but running the fuel line between the cylinders just seemed like something not to do. Besides, the fuel in the line routed that way would probably atomize before getting to the carburetor causing vapor lock.
Even though this three gallon tank won't work, having to put the original back on was fun. Just the whole thing about working on it was fun. Even though the whole plan for the moment was foiled I had fun.
As I was sitting in the garage taking the petcock off the bobs and putting it back on the stock tank, it hit me. Doing this sort of thing is what I have missed doing for a very long time. Day dreaming back to my younger days working on this motorcycle or that brought me many hours of enjoyment. It's probably what I should have continued doing for all these years because it makes me happy. Why do I have to explain why something makes me happy to justify it to someone else? Why do we, as people these days, feel like we have to not do something we enjoy because others don't approve of it? As long as it's not illegal by law or in your own gut then do it for gods sake. Time is to short to worry if others don't approve of what makes you happy, right? Working on different motorcycles in years past gave me the butterfly tinkles during the whole thing. Tear down, repaint, top end rebuilds, fork rebuilding, bearing replacement, carburetor rebuilding etc. Having friends or brothers helping out were some of the best times I can actually remember. Though building my 600+ hp big block Camaro and 390 Ford in my twenties was a gas it wasn't as enjoyable as working on my motorcycles.
There are very few things and memories that I can recall that can bring back a hearty smile to my mug than remembering the nights - winter or summer - spent in my folks basement, a friends carport, my brothers and my first apartment working on motorcycles. There's nothing as good as eating Ramon noodles for a week because you needed the grocery money for that part. The smell of gasoline on your hands, WD40 or fresh paint drying on a frame. Feeling the components of mixed textures of rough and smooth in your hands as you work on the machine. Grease under your fingernails from packing bearings or fresh oil on your hands as you slide new pistons and rings into a freshly honed cylinder is exciting. Then there is the huge sense of pride and accomplishment of knowing you took that dead machine and brought it back to life. The smells wafting through the air of an engines virgin and old parts working in unison and emitting an aromatic perfume no one can ever put in a bottle. Having that machine live again by ones own hands is an orgasmic eruption of the senses nobody else can touch.
I've re found my passion for older Iron because a new machine I can't massage life into is boring unless I take something off and fix it. So it's messing with motorcycles that gives me the most joy and has me smiling when I go to bed. Is that sick or what?
The last few nights I went to bed with a huge smile on my face. It was because of thinking about my little Honda SL70 I had when I was a kid. Even had a really good dream about it just before waking up the other morning. Today I was out messing with my Harley trying to mount the fatbob on to get more range - and the look I'm after - only to find the petcock is on the left side and won't clear the top of the engine. I wondered about going ahead with it but running the fuel line between the cylinders just seemed like something not to do. Besides, the fuel in the line routed that way would probably atomize before getting to the carburetor causing vapor lock.
Even though this three gallon tank won't work, having to put the original back on was fun. Just the whole thing about working on it was fun. Even though the whole plan for the moment was foiled I had fun.
As I was sitting in the garage taking the petcock off the bobs and putting it back on the stock tank, it hit me. Doing this sort of thing is what I have missed doing for a very long time. Day dreaming back to my younger days working on this motorcycle or that brought me many hours of enjoyment. It's probably what I should have continued doing for all these years because it makes me happy. Why do I have to explain why something makes me happy to justify it to someone else? Why do we, as people these days, feel like we have to not do something we enjoy because others don't approve of it? As long as it's not illegal by law or in your own gut then do it for gods sake. Time is to short to worry if others don't approve of what makes you happy, right? Working on different motorcycles in years past gave me the butterfly tinkles during the whole thing. Tear down, repaint, top end rebuilds, fork rebuilding, bearing replacement, carburetor rebuilding etc. Having friends or brothers helping out were some of the best times I can actually remember. Though building my 600+ hp big block Camaro and 390 Ford in my twenties was a gas it wasn't as enjoyable as working on my motorcycles.
There are very few things and memories that I can recall that can bring back a hearty smile to my mug than remembering the nights - winter or summer - spent in my folks basement, a friends carport, my brothers and my first apartment working on motorcycles. There's nothing as good as eating Ramon noodles for a week because you needed the grocery money for that part. The smell of gasoline on your hands, WD40 or fresh paint drying on a frame. Feeling the components of mixed textures of rough and smooth in your hands as you work on the machine. Grease under your fingernails from packing bearings or fresh oil on your hands as you slide new pistons and rings into a freshly honed cylinder is exciting. Then there is the huge sense of pride and accomplishment of knowing you took that dead machine and brought it back to life. The smells wafting through the air of an engines virgin and old parts working in unison and emitting an aromatic perfume no one can ever put in a bottle. Having that machine live again by ones own hands is an orgasmic eruption of the senses nobody else can touch.
I've re found my passion for older Iron because a new machine I can't massage life into is boring unless I take something off and fix it. So it's messing with motorcycles that gives me the most joy and has me smiling when I go to bed. Is that sick or what?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I can remember feeling just like this with my first motorcycle. Didn't have a manual to go by and just had to figuire it out as I went along. This was when I was fourteen and my first motorcycle was a Honda 1971 SL70 Ko, ruby red and free from a neighbor who'd out grown it and was in college. It did not run when it made it's way to my house but my brother, his friends and I got it to run and from there I was on my way. Being the type of kid I was, I tore the whole thing apart several times to the frame and reassembled it. I was fascinated by everything about it and wanted to see how it went togehter and worked. Funny, one time after doing the engine it wouldn't fire off. Anything else that I did to it worked the first time but for some reason this time it just wouldn't fire. I coasted down hil trying to jumpstart it , nothing. Checked the gas and the wire harness for anything left disconnected, nothing. It's been the better part of a day and she wouldn't run. Frustrated with it and at wits end one of my brothers came home and saw how angry I was getting. He pushed me up and down the road a couple of times and still nothing. He got to looking around and found the problem; in my haste, and not even noticing it, I'd never hooked up the spark plug cable. What a DUH Huh moment. He snapped on the wire, turned on the gas, gave the kicker one kick and she fired right up. Did I feel like a Moe? You bet I did.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sportsterconnection.com / Sportsterconnection.net and Sportsterconnection.org
Ever hear of them? Well, you will and their all mine I tell ya. All mine. It's tough finding sportster parts. Sifting through all the catalogs of Big Twin pieces and bits trying to find Sportster parts is time consuming. Wouldn't you like a one place Sportster shopping spot for all your parts without going through all the other big twin parts?
Ever hear of them? Well, you will and their all mine I tell ya. All mine. It's tough finding sportster parts. Sifting through all the catalogs of Big Twin pieces and bits trying to find Sportster parts is time consuming. Wouldn't you like a one place Sportster shopping spot for all your parts without going through all the other big twin parts?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Does it All Really Matter?
In the course of less than one month, I've lost two family members. One of my uncles died of a massive heart attack friday at 5:30 pm. He and my aunt had been out with friends having a good time. After returning home my uncle got up to go to the restroom and when he got there he collapsed. Just like that and he's gone. He wasn't feeling ill or having any problems. Just gone.
In life, we all find things and situations that make us angry. Simple everyday stuff like a dirty dish left in another room, a car in front of you going five miles under the limit, the person in the grocery check out line who can't quit talking to the cashier. We let everyday little things drive us nuts and make us crazy and for what? Just think about some things that piss you off and ask yourself "Does it all really matter."
Give those nearest to you some time, a hug, a kind word, a phone call during the day just to say "hi.", maybe just enjoying being together doing nothing at all, or just a plain and simple pat on the back can say volumes. Sit back and let someone else do the talking while you just listen. Talk about good things instead of harping on all the bad shit. Try thinking about anothers good points instead of harping on the bad. "Can't see the forest because of the trees" kind of thing.
Does it all really matter in the overall. Sit and think to yourself about what's upsetting you because in the long run it's really nothing. Years from now are you going to remember it? Or, are you going to remember times spent with good friends and family?
When you get word another family member has passed on, what will you be thinking? The good times and conversations or the paper napkin they forgot to throw away? Me. I'm thinking about how they made me laugh and how enjoyable conversations were.
(and to the person who likes to make snide comments and point fingers when visiting my blog ... I've a good idea who you are but I try to overlook that in you).
In the course of less than one month, I've lost two family members. One of my uncles died of a massive heart attack friday at 5:30 pm. He and my aunt had been out with friends having a good time. After returning home my uncle got up to go to the restroom and when he got there he collapsed. Just like that and he's gone. He wasn't feeling ill or having any problems. Just gone.
In life, we all find things and situations that make us angry. Simple everyday stuff like a dirty dish left in another room, a car in front of you going five miles under the limit, the person in the grocery check out line who can't quit talking to the cashier. We let everyday little things drive us nuts and make us crazy and for what? Just think about some things that piss you off and ask yourself "Does it all really matter."
Give those nearest to you some time, a hug, a kind word, a phone call during the day just to say "hi.", maybe just enjoying being together doing nothing at all, or just a plain and simple pat on the back can say volumes. Sit back and let someone else do the talking while you just listen. Talk about good things instead of harping on all the bad shit. Try thinking about anothers good points instead of harping on the bad. "Can't see the forest because of the trees" kind of thing.
Does it all really matter in the overall. Sit and think to yourself about what's upsetting you because in the long run it's really nothing. Years from now are you going to remember it? Or, are you going to remember times spent with good friends and family?
When you get word another family member has passed on, what will you be thinking? The good times and conversations or the paper napkin they forgot to throw away? Me. I'm thinking about how they made me laugh and how enjoyable conversations were.
(and to the person who likes to make snide comments and point fingers when visiting my blog ... I've a good idea who you are but I try to overlook that in you).
Thursday, November 13, 2008
North Carolina Dirt Drags Fall Shootout
Classes for all bikes and ATVS. Cash prizes awarded, Trophies for kids.
Saturday, November 29 @ 12:00 PM.
The gates at the Ace Speedway grounds will open at 12pm with practice beginning at 12:30 PM, then the races start at 1:30 and go until elimination rounds. This will be a day and evening of awesome non-stop ground pounding, dirt slinging dust cloud (or Mud) producing mayhem. These four wheeled motorcycle powered dirt dragsters are frigging wicked looking and sounding machines. You gotta see this things.
It's $10 to be a spectator and the cost to practice is $10 for those racing with a $20 fee to enter eliminations. Kids twelve and under get in for free. Bring your friends and your friends friends out to the track, hell, bring your motorcycle or ATV if your game enough.
For directions and more cool stuff go here: www.acespeedway.com
Classes for all bikes and ATVS. Cash prizes awarded, Trophies for kids.
Saturday, November 29 @ 12:00 PM.
The gates at the Ace Speedway grounds will open at 12pm with practice beginning at 12:30 PM, then the races start at 1:30 and go until elimination rounds. This will be a day and evening of awesome non-stop ground pounding, dirt slinging dust cloud (or Mud) producing mayhem. These four wheeled motorcycle powered dirt dragsters are frigging wicked looking and sounding machines. You gotta see this things.
It's $10 to be a spectator and the cost to practice is $10 for those racing with a $20 fee to enter eliminations. Kids twelve and under get in for free. Bring your friends and your friends friends out to the track, hell, bring your motorcycle or ATV if your game enough.
For directions and more cool stuff go here: www.acespeedway.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Way of The Wind
This title will be the name of my column if everything goes as I'm planning with a motorcycle magazine. It's a print magazine from out of state that tried to expand here but couldn't find anyone to head it up. The process of finding out what is needed to get this gig is in the infant stages right now. I can do non-geographical articles for them and already sent one in that they want to use. At first they politely turned me down because of the lack of coverage they have in my state; I sent a thanks anyway note but also sent a sample article so they could see my writing. That's when they sent me another note that "hey! that's the kind of stuff were looking for."
Haven't got it yet but I'm doggin 'em about expanding here.
This title will be the name of my column if everything goes as I'm planning with a motorcycle magazine. It's a print magazine from out of state that tried to expand here but couldn't find anyone to head it up. The process of finding out what is needed to get this gig is in the infant stages right now. I can do non-geographical articles for them and already sent one in that they want to use. At first they politely turned me down because of the lack of coverage they have in my state; I sent a thanks anyway note but also sent a sample article so they could see my writing. That's when they sent me another note that "hey! that's the kind of stuff were looking for."
Haven't got it yet but I'm doggin 'em about expanding here.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Stolen Street Plane
(Update: Plane recovered)
Read it here: http://bloggingpoet.squarespace.com/bloggingpoetcom/wackemall-1-recovered-intact.html?lastPage=true#comment2318832
My friend over at bloggingpoet .com has this plane that has been featured in numerous magazines and on Discovery Channel in Canada. It has been all over Greensboro North Carolina with Billy at the controls until now. Someone has stolen the plane that Billy used for advertising and in parades. This is a one of a kind plane unlike any other in the world so if you see it ,even in another color, it's still the same plane. This would be a hard item to sell off and most likely will wind up abondoned somewhere in Greensboro. If you see it call your local Police Department. Please check out the link below for more information
http://bloggingpoet.squarespace.com/bloggingpoetcom/please-help.html
(Update: Plane recovered)
Read it here: http://bloggingpoet.squarespace.com/bloggingpoetcom/wackemall-1-recovered-intact.html?lastPage=true#comment2318832
My friend over at bloggingpoet .com has this plane that has been featured in numerous magazines and on Discovery Channel in Canada. It has been all over Greensboro North Carolina with Billy at the controls until now. Someone has stolen the plane that Billy used for advertising and in parades. This is a one of a kind plane unlike any other in the world so if you see it ,even in another color, it's still the same plane. This would be a hard item to sell off and most likely will wind up abondoned somewhere in Greensboro. If you see it call your local Police Department. Please check out the link below for more information
http://bloggingpoet.squarespace.com/bloggingpoetcom/please-help.html
Monday, November 03, 2008
Wheels Through Time Museum
Maggie Valley NC
This is a place that I have been wanting to see ever since they opened up. It's here in my own state and I've not been yet. For Shame. I had a couple of raffle tickets to win one of the restored bikes but I didn't win it. This place is so cool sounding and I have to get up there soon and see these old machines. Dale -- the owner -- restores all of the bikes and most of them now run. Most museums just have the machines on display for you to look at but Dales bikes run and he likes to prove it I've heard. Sometimes he even let's people touch 'em and get close to them for the real experience of a life time.
Dixie Biker magazine did a nice write up on the place which should be plenty enough to peak your interest to go visit.
Read Dixie Biker article here: http://www.dixiebiker.com/mbwheels.html
Maggie Valley NC
This is a place that I have been wanting to see ever since they opened up. It's here in my own state and I've not been yet. For Shame. I had a couple of raffle tickets to win one of the restored bikes but I didn't win it. This place is so cool sounding and I have to get up there soon and see these old machines. Dale -- the owner -- restores all of the bikes and most of them now run. Most museums just have the machines on display for you to look at but Dales bikes run and he likes to prove it I've heard. Sometimes he even let's people touch 'em and get close to them for the real experience of a life time.
Dixie Biker magazine did a nice write up on the place which should be plenty enough to peak your interest to go visit.
Read Dixie Biker article here: http://www.dixiebiker.com/mbwheels.html
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Indian Motorcycle Again?
I was happy to know that Indian would be brought back from the ashes once again. I had at one time sent an email to Stephen Julius of Stellican Limited requesting the company look at our area for a factory. He did send back a reply but they had said nothing was in the works at the time. Seems to me that something was in the works but nobody wants to bring a business to this shit hole it seems. We have all types and sizes of vacant buildings/properties just right for manufacturing AND the work force who want a decent paying wage job. The city council is more into making things tougher on small business's rather than getting off their big fat asses to bring something new here.
Indian Motorcycle had it's grand opening down Charlotte way October Fourth to a huge crowd of people wanting to see and tour the facility. You would think that a company would be - perhaps - making some more affordable form of bike to compete with H-D. Hell, even the Jap bikes are whooping the crap out of the cruiser industry with their affordable reliable machines. Trying to restart a company in this time in history with the lowest priced machine of $31,000 is totally whacked out. Putting all your eggs in a millionaires target market is just ... not to smart. The motorcycle manufacturing companies that offer reasonably priced bikes along with the pricier ones are the ones who stay afloat during economic down turns. Triumph is one such company who knows how to appeal to a wide market which keeps sales humming along. A bike that meets various income levels makes more sense. I hope that Indian makes it, I really do, because the history of the machine and the whole mystic idea behind them is fascinating. Perhaps they do have something on the drawing board for a lower priced model. One can only hope that after all the hype dies down that they can keep the factory interest in their machines alive.
I was happy to know that Indian would be brought back from the ashes once again. I had at one time sent an email to Stephen Julius of Stellican Limited requesting the company look at our area for a factory. He did send back a reply but they had said nothing was in the works at the time. Seems to me that something was in the works but nobody wants to bring a business to this shit hole it seems. We have all types and sizes of vacant buildings/properties just right for manufacturing AND the work force who want a decent paying wage job. The city council is more into making things tougher on small business's rather than getting off their big fat asses to bring something new here.
Indian Motorcycle had it's grand opening down Charlotte way October Fourth to a huge crowd of people wanting to see and tour the facility. You would think that a company would be - perhaps - making some more affordable form of bike to compete with H-D. Hell, even the Jap bikes are whooping the crap out of the cruiser industry with their affordable reliable machines. Trying to restart a company in this time in history with the lowest priced machine of $31,000 is totally whacked out. Putting all your eggs in a millionaires target market is just ... not to smart. The motorcycle manufacturing companies that offer reasonably priced bikes along with the pricier ones are the ones who stay afloat during economic down turns. Triumph is one such company who knows how to appeal to a wide market which keeps sales humming along. A bike that meets various income levels makes more sense. I hope that Indian makes it, I really do, because the history of the machine and the whole mystic idea behind them is fascinating. Perhaps they do have something on the drawing board for a lower priced model. One can only hope that after all the hype dies down that they can keep the factory interest in their machines alive.
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