At the last dealer I worked at, I was the wrecked bike guy for 11 yrs. of my time there. I was the dealers collision center basically, which is pretty much a full time job itself at a Harley dealer in a large market. So, a lot of frame up rebuilds and frame replacements. The bikes don't come apart or go back together one piece at a time, but rather in large assemblies.
When I build stuff, I try not to build a jig saw puzzle that needs complete disassembly just to gain access to things. Needed access to the pocket under the axle block, so wheel off, then 5 nuts and bolts and the whole thing comes right off in one heavy piece.
Trying not to sweat on all the bare metal, 106 today, but only 100 in the garage, all good. With a little cutting and sanding, fit 13.2 lbs. of steel into the pocket, It's captured by the axle block, but a tiny bit of 3M emblem tape will keep it there for like 100 yrs.
Rough estimates here, bike at about 450 lbs. everything hanging off of it at about 125 lbs. the whole rig comes in at about the weight of a rubber mount evo sportster.
Now me added to it. The way I'm built now, if I don't keep putting in the effort everyday, to keep my flexibility and weight in an optimum place, I'll be in a wheelchair again right quick. So I try to be at 175 lbs. ready to ride these days.
So not a heavy package. Work is fun.
At least it's a DRY heat 😆
How do you like the ride? Fairly comfortable, for a rigid setup? Not too wiggly over bumps?
It is looking great. Hope it rides the same. 😎
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Comfort? I heard that stuff is pricey so I didn't install any. Ride? Like a really, really fast Schwinn Stingray on worn cobblestone, it floats. Any discomfort is canceled by how much fun it is to ride, and I do like the way it handles, it's better than the first chassis.How do you like the ride? Fairly comfortable, for a rigid setup? Not too wiggly over bumps?
It is looking great. Hope it rides the same. 😎
Sweat on primer is even tough
Kind of an update. I only had time to hit the road on this thing about 7 or 8 times over the summer, and other than adding the weight, and the fork rebuild, I haven't touched it. It does ride fine for me, and I don't plan any changes except for designing and building some kind of cargo rack.
On 1 of those rides the bag of tools tried to bail on me, so now two Harley shipping straps hold it on. Last year PG&E spent months replacing all the gas lines in my part of town, leaving a lot of debris in the streets, so I put a fender on the front. This year all the streets they had to tear up and repair got slurry sealed, which leaves smooth, jet black streets, but also a bazillion asphalt/polymer nuggets. So I added a bit more protection behind the front tire from the gooey things.
This year I set aside most of my time to complete many tasks that I wasn't physically ready for earlier, and figuring out how to get them done primarily one handed. Plus I'm really slow these days.
The highlights. Rewired all my garage lights to ballast bypass LED's. I can see in there again. I have 2 large sheds in the backyard that had to be emptied out to gain access to 12 skylights that were breaking apart. Repaired them one by one and reinstalled them, (a lot of ladder time). Moved many things from the sheds to the garage, my big cabinets and a couple hundred pounds of bike parts mainly. Reorganized the sheds, and added to the junk piles in the side yard. Removed the lid from my outdoor workbench to make it less rat friendly. A couple weeks ago, a local guy spent 4 hours removing and hauling away 20 years of junk from that side yard and left it spotless, so no more refuge for feral cats there.
I was also promoted by the SSA a couple months before I turned 67 in Aug. They moved me from disabled status to retired status. That I liked, I work hard at not appearing as disabled as I am, (I returned to my 4 day a week workouts after the strenuous jobs were finished). Just retired now.
Chris, I love it....BUT....with it being Halloween, I expected to find a scarecrow in the backyard.
Maybe the Flying Monkeys of Woodland swooped down and snagged your scarecrow, and flew off with it.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Perhaps, we have frequent visitors there. Like swarming bees, or what our dog thinks is a really ugly cat.Chris, I love it....BUT....with it being Halloween, I expected to find a scarecrow in the backyard.
Maybe the Flying Monkeys of Woodland swooped down and snagged your scarecrow, and flew off with it.
Halloween is more of an anniversary of sorts here. We received the keys for the house on Halloween of 1998.
I saw that Harley unveiled their latest single yesterday. Got me thinking about how many singles they have offered over 123 years. It could be more than their v-twins. Then I remembered the coolest tip I ever got from a customer.
So I'm down for a bit because my stupid AFIB kicked in, and I'm parked at the confuser looking at rigs for sale. One I find is something I would consider, (as a project) except for the ridiculous asking price. Of course, the seller provides a glowing description of his rig and it's upkeep, also many photos. I can zoom in to a photo of the rigs front wheel, and read the date code on the tire, well, a 25 yr. old Dunlop. So much for that glowing description.
Here's how to read a Dunlop date code, this indicates a manufacture date on the third week of 2025.
Like a fine wine... 🤣
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃