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Clunkmeister

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Everything posted by Clunkmeister

  1. Clunkmeister
    Ha, yep. Riding a big Harley fast can be done easily enough, but it’s a totally different technique. Sport bike riders often can’t break their old habits, and that’s where the reputation of them being real slugs arises. I’ll also point out that Harley-Davidson also manufactures several different chassis, most of which are completely different in design. They have the Softail, which looks all the world like a classic hardtail bike, with the big av-Twin, except it has a hidden rear suspension. I think Jeroen rides one, actually. Then the Dyna, which is an update of the old FXR, who’s frame layout was a clone of the classic mid 80’s Japanese style frame. The old FXRs were ugly to me, but are by far the nicest handling Harleys out there. They handle like a typical Japanese inline, but with the big Harley V-Twin. Harley now has an adventure tourer on/off road to compete with BMW, and it has the big V-Twin as well. Then the smaller Sportster, which is a hot rod around town. Only the big touring bikes like mine are the slow boats. You won’t find a more capable big bike than the FXR/Dyna. They corner like they’re on rails and I’m sure a 12 year old could ride the snot out of one. And depending how you set up your Softail, it’s either a low slung cruiser or a stripped down hell raiser. One of the nicest things about Harley is that even though they do depreciate like any vehicle, they are by far the best value in a mass produced vehicle. They cost more new, but are worth a ton more used.
  2. Clunkmeister
    Now my grand niece wanted some instruction in aeronautics, so, we went to her place and let the lessons begin.
  3. Clunkmeister
    So we got some work done tonight for the first time in a week. Last week, I had begun building up my nose gear leg, and When I went back to finish it, it was gone. Vanished, as in evaporated into thin air. So, for the first time in almost forever, I ordered a SAC replacement. I’ll use just the nose gear leg, as I expect the mains will bend and sag. The Mug-29 mains are attached at an angle, and they’ll certainly sag. So the nose gear is going together. Again. And, following Martin’s tip, I shortened up the main legs a bit to avoid the unloaded look. Some markings being applied by masking, then a coat of Future, now a couple hundred thousand stencils, then some light wash.
  4. Clunkmeister
    Yep, those cops sure know how to handle their big Harleys. They tried Kawasakis one year due to upfront cost savings, and they had all new Harleys again within 2 years. The Japanese bikes just didn’t hold up to the constant pounding like the Harleys do.
  5. Clunkmeister
    Yeah, they’re a handful on the twisties, if for no other reason than that they weigh over 60 stone. 800 lbs! But they’re nice handling bikes, and extremely nimble given their size. They’re more limited by lean angle than anything else. They’ll grind the inner board in an even moderately aggressive turn if you’re a straight up and down rider, so you learn to slide way off the seat inward to keep the bike upright, and then you can really run it through the sweepers.
  6. Clunkmeister
    Those are mighty cool, Rob. The bottom one I’ve never seen before. We have a huge land mass here, and these big Harleys are simply amazing at eating up the miles on the interstates. These certainly aren’t built to the same formula as, say, a Ducati or a Triumph triple, but they are all great in their own right. Not fun on tight city streets, though.
  7. Clunkmeister
    The bike was sold new as a Firefighter Tribute model at a reduced price to active duty firemen after 9-11. It has special badging test to that. I got it from the firefighter after he quit riding. Harley-Davidson certainly has the style down. It hasn’t changed in 65 years. 🤣
  8. Clunkmeister
    Martin, that looks awesome! The color is seriously cool, almost a German panzer grey.
  9. Clunkmeister
    It ain’t. It never was, and never will be. Besides, wearing that I kinda look like Sgt Schultz.
  10. Clunkmeister
    A more sociably acceptable helmet is in order. I’m certainly not a troublemaker anymore. 💩💩💩
  11. Clunkmeister
    You’re a rider, Harv. C’mon down and put some miles on it. It really needs to be taken out and ran long and hard. I’m doing some changes and improvements to it since this was last on the road. Technology has advanced and most of the old Harley problems have been solved 1. install a swing arm stabilizer to cure the dreaded Harley death wobble plus a new front engine mount. 2. Upgrade the cam tensioners from spring loaded to hydraulic, plus while in there, install a higher volume oil pump. Maybe beefier cams for even more bottom end grunt. This is the Twin Cam motor. 88 cid plus a 5 speed transmission and belt drive 3. Change to true duals with fishtail mufflers. Plus maybe get a more “socially acceptable” helmet for today’s sensibilities 😇 4. New tires. The old ones are 6 years old and these look best with wide whitewall tires anyway. It’ll just make it smoother, more rideable, safer, and much easier to live with. You hop on a Road King, you expect smooth and steady for 2000 miles. I also have the original air spring solo seat for it with compressor and gauge. Plus the rear fender chrome luggage rack and saddlebag chrome wrap around crash guards. You and Bev can come down and hop on. Slide on out to Cali and visit family. This thing’ll eat up the miles.
  12. Clunkmeister
    In the meantime, we dragged out another old clunker and cleaned it off. Still starts and runs well, but it really needs to be tightened up and serviced. I love big old American motorcycles. Big, brash, slow, noisy, leaky and smelly. Just like me 😀 This thing cruises along like you’re riding on a wheeled sofa. Incredible torque and power below 3500 RPM, and will run all day long at 150 KPH (90 mph) and not break a sweat. Not an Italian or Japanese superbike, but Harley Davidson pretty much invented the heavy touring bike market.
  13. Clunkmeister
    Martin, that Jeep is so amazingly cool! I’ve been wanting one, but I’ll wait till the market cools off a bit first…
  14. Clunkmeister
    Not just yes, but HELL YES!
  15. Clunkmeister
    Martin made me these masks, and oh boy do they work well. Thanks, bud! It’s coming alive now! 😎
  16. Clunkmeister
    kinda scary looking….
  17. Clunkmeister
    Buuut, like the man himself once said….
  18. Clunkmeister
    Ernie trying to build jets isn’t always the best use of his time. However, this one might be shaping up a bit. Super Secret Psychos Squadron.
  19. Clunkmeister
    It's some kinda ugly, ain't it?
  20. Clunkmeister
  21. Clunkmeister
    Thanks Carl. Even though this has been a quick build, I’m rather thrilled how the paint came out. Been doing the requisite touch ups the last few days, and I still have a couple dielectric panels to add, but after this, I think I’ll let the paint set up for a week or so so it’s good and hard, the hit it with some steel wool or fine paper to put some wear on it. It’s WAY to shiny right now.
  22. Clunkmeister
    DN Masks. I’m sold. And it’s great practice to get ready for the big Viggen.
  23. Clunkmeister
    Thanks Martin, but honestly I’m not a fan of the Akan stuff. It’s OK I suppose, but next time I think I’ll go back to Gunze. Airbrush settings are all different with this and it seems to prefer much more thinning to keep it from being grainy.
  24. Clunkmeister
    Much fun happening.
  25. Clunkmeister
    Well, big milestone and great success tonight. Some touch ups to do, and a bit of clean up, but the first big step was by far the most nerve wracking, and it turned out ok.
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