Hello Everybody
I've read a few threads, and had to join to do some searches, so I thought I'd go the next step and introduce myself. When you hear my story, you'll agree that it is inevitable that I'll be posting a lot of requests for help
I live in southcentral PA, been riding street bikes for twenty years off and on, Yamaha 250, Suzuki 550, Honda 750, and lastly a Suzuki 450 that I couldn't pass up for $150. Still got the 450 (it was an easy fix as I suspected) but I'm kinda big for it, so I never put many miles on it.
Lo and behold, my Father-in-law has decided that he's done riding (claims he liked the lifestyle more than the actual riding) so he has given (yes, given) me his 1973 FLH!!!!! Two weeks ago, I used some old frequent flyer miles I had laying around, flew down to Florida, and trailered the bike back to my house.
Even though I've always wanted a Harley (deep down inside - who doesn't??), I have always have been insulted by the exorbitant prices, "lifestyle" marketing, and boutique-ish dealers. Being a seasoned mechanical engineer, the huge flywheels, pushrods, dry sumps, vibrations, etc, etc have also contributed to the feeling that i'd never actually have one.
Well, that is all in the past. I love this bike. It is pretty ratty and in need of a lot of attention, but I am already committed. I got it started Wednesday night for the first time and it sounds like the sweetest music I've ever heard (like really, really frickin LOUD:brows It sat for about 5 years prior to this, so I have already rebuilt the carb, replaced all the fuel lines, flushed the tanks, repaired the front brake, changed the oil, replaced the petcock, cleaned the points, and (temporarily) recovered the seat.
There are quite a few mysterious modifications done on the bike along with some stuff in obvious need of replacement so I expect to be hangin' around here pretty regularly........ I already got some questions that I couldn't find answers for, so I'm sure any of you that hang out in the "pre-evolution" (love that name) forum will get to know me better, soon enough.
Peace,
Step
I've read a few threads, and had to join to do some searches, so I thought I'd go the next step and introduce myself. When you hear my story, you'll agree that it is inevitable that I'll be posting a lot of requests for help
I live in southcentral PA, been riding street bikes for twenty years off and on, Yamaha 250, Suzuki 550, Honda 750, and lastly a Suzuki 450 that I couldn't pass up for $150. Still got the 450 (it was an easy fix as I suspected) but I'm kinda big for it, so I never put many miles on it.
Lo and behold, my Father-in-law has decided that he's done riding (claims he liked the lifestyle more than the actual riding) so he has given (yes, given) me his 1973 FLH!!!!! Two weeks ago, I used some old frequent flyer miles I had laying around, flew down to Florida, and trailered the bike back to my house.
Even though I've always wanted a Harley (deep down inside - who doesn't??), I have always have been insulted by the exorbitant prices, "lifestyle" marketing, and boutique-ish dealers. Being a seasoned mechanical engineer, the huge flywheels, pushrods, dry sumps, vibrations, etc, etc have also contributed to the feeling that i'd never actually have one.
Well, that is all in the past. I love this bike. It is pretty ratty and in need of a lot of attention, but I am already committed. I got it started Wednesday night for the first time and it sounds like the sweetest music I've ever heard (like really, really frickin LOUD:brows
It sat for about 5 years prior to this, so I have already rebuilt the carb, replaced all the fuel lines, flushed the tanks, repaired the front brake, changed the oil, replaced the petcock, cleaned the points, and (temporarily) recovered the seat. There are quite a few mysterious modifications done on the bike along with some stuff in obvious need of replacement so I expect to be hangin' around here pretty regularly........ I already got some questions that I couldn't find answers for, so I'm sure any of you that hang out in the "pre-evolution" (love that name) forum will get to know me better, soon enough.
Peace,
Step
