Scratching the itch

[Colin1958]

I rode my first bike at the age of 6 and immediately crashed it. That was me hooked.

I have had many bikes, but never a Harley, so at the age of 66 I have finally acquired one. I had a 16-hour day to fetch it, including 2 hours to persuade Barclays to allow me to spend my own money and 6 hours riding back to Devon. Boy was I tired after that.

I am hoping that this purchase will qualify me for a key to the Gnarley Bar toilet, but maybe I have to get a bit fatter?

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

What a lovely looking Harley

Health to enjoy.

 

[TIJ650]

Great looking bike!
If you’re thin and still ride kinda fast - you might want to lose the boards and get some forward controls. Cause quite disconcerting when you ground first few times?! lol
If not, ignore and enjoy
Best subscribe to Autoglym for your 10% discount too!

 

[jonnie comet]

That looks great - It's just what you think of when you think of a Harley - Davidson..... . Nothing like those pug ugly dreadful big modern Glide heaps.

As an aside. I used to think that the 'getting harder to spend your own money' thing was conspiracy theorist bollocks, but it isn't is it? My (ex) bank firmly stopped me giving my eldest daughter a Christmas present.

 

[Doc]

Very nice and shiny. What year is it ?

 

[brut33]

Ah, a Softail Deluxe, lovely looking bike. I see it has beach bars, it may be an Idea to replace them for a set of Fat Boy bars if you feel they're a tad uncomfortable. Just a suggestion.
Enjoy.

 

[TIJ650]

Ah, a Softail Deluxe, lovely looking bike. I see it has beach bars, it may be an Idea to replace them for a set of Fat Boy bars if you feel they're a tad uncomfortable. Just a suggestion.
Enjoy.

Changing bars on a Harley can be quite a faff - especially for the novice. I know, cause I just changed mine. Also had to change clutch cable, brake line and throttle cables. Removing the electrical connectors - so you can feed internal wiring was a black art of its very own. My throttle cables were goosed anyway - that’s why I done it.
Started off a simple plan when I bought new bars……….then descended into a shit show!!
Just saying

 

[Colin1958]

Ah, a Softail Deluxe, lovely looking bike. I see it has beach bars, it may be an Idea to replace them for a set of Fat Boy bars if you feel they're a tad uncomfortable. Just a suggestion.
Enjoy.

They're not actually beach bars - they're wider than standard, but much narrower than beach bars - I found them to be just right.

 

[Colin1958]

Very nice and shiny. What year is it ?

2005 - it's only done 9700 miles

 

[Doc]

2005 - it's only done 9700 miles

Just run in.

 

[Smartbazza]

Funny that, I’m currently looking for a HD and had spotted that for sale. Looks lovely. Health to enjoy.

Barry

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Just run in.

Hmm… maybe… but I’d be checking the tensioner shoes straight away…

 

[TIJ650]

Hmm… maybe… but I’d be checking the tensioner shoes straight away…

Not the first time you’ve flexed your brain muscles on here!……..and definitely not your first rodeo?!
Anyway, I know those little nylon shoes are prone to wear and need checked often etc.
I pulled my cover off over winter and checked, but could only really see the outer one (which was fine). Many say the two wear equally and wanted to pick your brain on this. Would you agree??
I don’t have the tools or the appetite to pull everything off and check properly. I’ll pay someone like you to replace when the time comes.
PS. Do you know any good wrenches around Glasgow area. I’ve been an orphan since Colin Rutherford sadly died few years back.
Know you guys are well connected.

 

[Doc]

I just listen to Doris and pay someone to do as he says and all is good.

 

[TIJ650]

I just listen to Doris and pay someone to do as he says and all is good.

You’ve probably got deeper pockets than me and use your local official Harley dealer?!

 

[Doc]

You’ve probably got deeper pockets than me and use your local official Harley dealer?!

I do but not that local as it's Leeds but they do come in a nice Harley van to pick it up . Although I have just used a small local place for some new rear pads.
Not sure on the deeper pockets

 

[TIJ650]

Oh right, just noticed you’re from Slaithwaite!
………..and not Harrogate

 

[Doc]

Oh right, just noticed you’re from Slaithwaite!
………..and not Harrogate

I'm too posh for Harrogate.

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Not the first time you’ve flexed your brain muscles on here!……..and definitely not your first rodeo?!
Anyway, I know those little nylon shoes are prone to wear and need checked often etc.
I pulled my cover off over winter and checked, but could only really see the outer one (which was fine). Many say the two wear equally and wanted to pick your brain on this. Would you agree??
I don’t have the tools or the appetite to pull everything off and check properly. I’ll pay someone like you to replace when the time comes.
PS. Do you know any good wrenches around Glasgow area. I’ve been an orphan since Colin Rutherford sadly died few years back.
Know you guys are well connected.

I am but an enthusiastic amateur. I do have the good fortune to have a few friends who are not only incredibly talented, but quite happy for me to hang around and learn off… …I also have friends who don’t know the difference between a a spanner and a screwdriver..
What I have picked up over time is by a fair quantity of personal experience….which is then usually corrected by or added to by others.
The consensus is that inners wear quicker. Oddly, my first experience was contra this. Anyway replacement shoes are of far better quality than the originals.
Now, folks will tell you that “upgrading” to hydraulic tensioners or even gear drive is the way forward. Sure, if you’ve got the money and inclination. Replacing the old tensioners with later ones and keeping an eye on them is just fine, if you’re happy with the motor as it is.
Now, I wouldn’t normally suggest this, but have you considered joining a local group? There will be a wealth of local knowledge (as well as lots of opinions) and advice to who’s good with spanners in your area.

 

[donkeydoo]

Hmm… maybe… but I’d be checking the tensioner shoes straight away…

If the tools you need for the cam tensioners are the same as a 2003 Road King. I think I have them all from when I did mine. I am not too far from you in Somerset and you arer welcome to borrow them. The deepest I have ever gone into an engine before but I managed it myself the hardest part being removing the darn exhaust.