Hi everyone, The Name's Cris aka The Don , 52, bought my first Harley in 82. It was an 81 FXEF I got from Burglars and Stealers in Auburn. Took the bike to Dubbo for a run the weekend after buying it and ran on the front pot only between Bathurst and Orange. Stayed at a mate's place and we fixed it up the next morning. They hadn't locked up the pushrods at Burlo's when I picked her up.Anyway, within a month I had her apart as I took it to a mate (Country) who found that the pistons were that sloppy we needed to go .20 thow over to fix her up. Powdercoated the frame, put an old pre 72 swingarm ,Wide Glide front end I picked up from Metho Tom when he was Harley-Nostalgia, Forged pistons, velva touch lifters, Phase 3 belt primary and got rid of the electric starter (never worked anyway.). Lots of other bits and pieces got modified, improved or tinkered with. Did a hip on it in 84 (argument with a tray top, I lost! ) and it took 3 months before I could get it back on the road. Being a kicker only it took that long for my leg to do the job. Loved that bike, knew every nut and bolt. Come 2002 the birth of the third son broke the bank and I had to move from Sydney. Needed dough to move and all I had to sell was the Shovel. Still miss it. Went to port Stephens, it took 4 years but had to get back on the road, the missus said I was getting unbearable to live with. Bought an 89 Heritage with a blown motor, took me 8 months to get the parts( and time to work on it) but with a bit of help, (thanks to Branko's magic with the bottom end and getting the new cylinders and pistons matched up.) and I'm back on the road. Of course since I've been a tinkerer from way back lots of things have been modified, mostly subtly, but I know.
Welcome to the forum m8, sounds like it's been a long road but you got there.
welcome to our wierd and wacky forum The Don.... sounds like an intersting life with the Shovel mate....
Hey noit... you lived a sheltered life in WA mate.... lovely part of the central coast of NSW
Welcome Cris and enjoy the site
Welcome Cris hope you enjoy the forum and stay safe out there.
Welcome to the nuthouse mate. Enjoy the rantings from the inmates.
G'day Cris & welcome M8
Thanks guys,
One good thing about the Road, it's always there. One may get older, sometimes wiser. Only difference I've noticed is one's ability to tolerate bull**** diminishes with age. And on the getting wiser bit, the Heritage is lecky start only. Miss the old kickstart but my leg doesn't !!!. At least I got to know this bike well from the start, I've always worked on them myself. Unless I didn't have the equipment to do the job. That's why Branko had to fit the new rods and hone the new cylinders. I didn't have the gear to pull the cases apart. I'm glad he did the job though, it was absolutely schmick. I'm riding it at the moment cause the weather is good but as soon as iI can I'm swapping to 12 inch apes and getting rid of the running boards. I've got a set of 2" over forward controls to put on and Stainless bars with 4" risers and i'll run internal wires. Brakes are next but I'll wait for winter before I start. Got a lot of catching up riding to do (about 5 years worth).
Nil Desperandum (don't let the bastards get you down!)
Cris
Whats it cost these days to get a hit......
Welcome to the forum
Hi guys,
Pics 1 The ol' Shovel 1981 FXEF modified over 20 years. 2 The 89 Heritage as it was 2 weeks after purchase, I'm starting to strip stuff. 3 and 4 close ups of the motor area. 5 As she was when re registered. It's slightly different now, V & H Shortshots, Chrome primary , timing cone and tranny cover.
Still to happen Brakes, Front 4 piston, front and rear S/S Rotors, EV-46 cam (already have roller rockers in and adjustable pushrods), 10 inch Apes with 4 inch risers, Chrome rocker covers and a slight re-wire.
I looooove tinkering, but only when the weather's crook.
hey don /cris----enjoy m8 --and yeah nice bikes
Welcome
