Excited to hear the sound from my repack job, I installed the new battery and tried to fire it up. Ugh… it barely cranked over one revolution. Guess something else is wrong. First on the list is the starter motor. Looked up procedure. Drain coolant, oil, remove alternator cover and flywheel, then timing gears. There goes the rest of this season. So I broke out Big Blue for the ride to work today. I savor every mile on this bike. Just turned 8,660mi. I did get a set of CBR1000RR inverted forks for it. Just need some research and the Duc off the lift and I’ll transform it to a more modern look with killer brakes and hopefully 6 spoke wheels. Also talked to bike shop boss. Ordered new tires for it. Picked Michelin Power5’s. We also talked about me buying his tire machine and balancer. Really hoping this deal pulls through!
Back in the 90's I had a Virago (I think it was my second bike). I bought it used and not nearly in that good of shape. I rode it for a couple of seasons and then had a wrist injury (PT once it healed, later required surgery with more PT) that I thought ended my riding so I sold it. Then in 2008 I decided to try riding again even though I still had restrictions with my wrist, but at least was used to the pain. Started back out with the Intruders cousin, Suzuki C50 (the re-dubbed Volusia). Turns out that the twisting of the throttle started to loosened the scar tissue attached to my wrist tendon
Today was The Slimey Crud Run made famous by the writings of one Peter Egan. BTW Pete lives ten miles from me and I was looking forward to visiting with him today but I couldn’t find him in a sea of at least 1000 bikes. Anyway. A few pics. In the Beemer category we have a police, a cruiser, a Dakar, and a Bumble Bee. I love me some Hondas and almost bought a 5 year old Tourist Trophy at a large discount in the crate but backed out.
This Yamahopper fat tire had no plate and the guy rode it in I rode my Big Ruckus and it was a 200 mile day. She never missed a beat but it is a Honda,,,
Well, this barn find story gets even better. I sold the side car right away, but the Tow Pac InstaTrike kit has been for sale on Facebook Marketplace since I brought the Sportster home, despite several prospective buyers who were “on their way with cash” but never materialized. This week a disabled guy out of state contacted me who desperately wanted the trike kit because he broke his back and can’t steady his 2003 Sportster, and my trike kit is a direct fit for his 2003. Problem is, he’s on disability and has no cash. And can’t currently drive and has no way to get here. But … he asked if I would be willing to take a 1980 Sportster 1000 with clear title in trade, if I would deliver the trike kit to him? It runs but needs some rewiring completed. It will be a 750 mile round trip to go get it so I’d be investing my time, a couple tanks of gas, and the cost of a UHaul motorcycle rental. But I was only asking $500 for the trike kit so this seems like a no brainer.
This Sportster is going to need a LOT of work! Fortunately I already found all the original parts I need from another Sportster that was torn apart to build a chopper.
I added some hard luggage to my Z900rs. I went with a Shad 39 liter top case and a set of Shad 23 liter side cases. There definitely are some supply chain issues in the motorcycle parts world these days. The selection of available top cases was pretty slim, the brackets were in stock, but it took for ever for the side cases to get here. I hope to start piling on the miles next year... Brackets only.... Just side cases... All together... I think the next couple of projects will be to hard wire in a pigtail for a battery tender, and maybe some heated grips.
Those look pretty good. Very stealthy when off the bike. The brackets don't detract from the styling at all IMO.
After 11 years in a barn under a tarp, my ‘91 Sportster 1200 finally starts, runs and idles. I finally had a chance to put the rebuilt carb back on it and it started right up. https://youtube.com/shorts/ug4Kjk8deb4?feature=share
Started digging in to the starter today. FSM told me to remove the flywheel and timing gears. Glad I didn’t have to! Cover removal tool screws to cover and pushes on the crank. No gasket, just sealant. Cover off. Manual stated two screws needed removed. I found otherwise. Glad for it too. Flywheel nut is 250ft lbs and has thread adhesive. Now I just need to either buy a new one or take mine for repair.
No idea. I’ve not had good luck working on electric motors. I’ve replaced brushes where they had easy access, this ain’t one of those.
Colder weather is here and I was looking for a way to extend my riding season so I added a set of Barkbusters Blizzard Handguards. They're a semi rigid material that keeps it's shape and makes a pocket for your hand. It's supposed to keep the wind off them, thereby keeping your hands warmer. I haven't had a chance to test them out yet, but I will soon.
Looks like it should do a pretty good job. I put on a set of rigid wind deflectors on my Suzuki C50 (similar to these), and they helped. But the wrap-around version you have should do much better. I also like that they are semi-rigid instead of rigid. Bit still, during cold weather, those grips are going to be cold no matter what. I have small hands and I couldn't use thick winter gloves and still reach the clutch (even without gloves, I had to really reach to get 2 fingers there), which is why I really enjoyed my heated grips when I moved to the Street Glides.
I had a chance to try out the Barkbuster Blizzards today. It was 35º this morning when I left home. I was riding for about 2 hours, on both 55mph black top and some back woods gravel roads at 45 mph. I had on my insulated and flannel lined jeans, a hoodie and my textile riding jacket with liner, a full face helmet, boots, and some allegedly "winter" weight motorcycling gloves. The gloves never really were very warm, and riding in even 50º weather was always uncomfortable in them. Today it was different. I could feel a little of the cold, but the Blizzards really blocked most of it! If I had heated grips on the bike, I'd probably be able to ride in my light weight summer gloves in temps where a snowmobile would be a better choice. I'd consider putting something like them on my z900rs, but it won't be long and the county will start spraying chemicals on the roads and I don't want to drive the new bike through that stuff. The riding season is quickly coming to an end, we've had a few snow falls already but it was always gone the next day. The weather guessers are saying highs in the 20's by the weekend. Overall, I happy with them...
