It’s amazing how you can find the time to do something you love and as soon as you start the time disappears. December and January were real slow. I think it’s been slow for everyone from what I hear. Economy and all. People talking recession and depression. Seems to me as far back as I can remember December and January were always the slow months. Soon as I got the bike in boxes and started ordering parts and three jobs rolled in. Guess I gotta be thankful. Truth is I really needed the work. Things usually start picking up in February. People start spending again. That’s what this economy needs. Spending. That way people like me and the regular Joe can feel some trickledown effect.
One thing is crazy to me. Harley Davidson builds one of the best items in the market that a man can buy. As we all know a bike can last over fifty years, and only get more valuable as time goes on. Try getting parts for a motorcycle over twenty years old. I found everything I needed either after market or out of my brother Double J’s garage. J is sort of a pack rat and has saved every single thing he ever got since high school. It’s just a trip when you call a dealership and ask for a part and they tell you it’s obsolete. What do you mean obsolete? I am looking at the bike right here!
New gaskets, chrome bolt kit, new rubber mounts, fork springs, Thunderheader, cables, wheel bearings, fork springs, brake pads, even after market this stuff ain’t cheap, that’s not counting paint, chrome. You never get what you put into these machines, financially I mean. But the joy I get from being in the wind is priceless. It’s a labor of love. Been awhile since I did a ground up rebuild. Gonna wet sand and polish the motor. You can get aluminum shiny like chrome if you take the time. Takes about a week to get all those fins. Five days at least.
That’s all I got for now. Gotta get back under that welding hood, hopefully I will be free this weekend and the parts will be in to start assembly. I’ll let you know. Till then be safe, have fun, go for a ride, it’s a beautiful day.
FAT BOB SPOKES MC
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Got a 79 shovel that has been a labor of love for the last 24 months. I have yet to find an HD dealer that has any parts for this bike!
By Roy on April 25th, 2009 at 11:15 amI think they’re better when they’re older. That is a matter of taste and lifestyle. Though I just saw Steve McQueen’s last auction bike, a D model with the vertical generator and small cases, pictures if you wish,- That’s a collectors bike. Maybe as far back as a UL, WL or a pre war knuck can be made to ride.
By Ron on June 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pmMy friends that build and repair for a livelyhood are getting some business, I hope it’s the same for you. Best, Ron
I have a ‘81 shovel that I got about 4 years ago.I don’t think my wife understood when I told her I didn’t want a new one,even though we could have,but she tries real hard to understand me when I tell that new bikes don’t have the character the old ones do.Yes,sometimes you have to hunt for parts,but to me it’s worth it.
By grant johnson on August 2nd, 2009 at 5:32 pm