Celebrating Positives (offset of the Gripes Thread)

[rgmwa]

2 hours ago, old man emu said:

I hope that fact that I was wearing thongs, not workboots didn't destroy the illusion.

They would have assumed you drove a road train. If they were matching thongs they would have given you credit for being well dressed.

Edited December 23, 2024 by rgmwa

[onetrack]

Ooops, I must get a new keyboard, the letters are worn off this one.

[old man emu]

Well, my 2025 has got off to a great start!

 

My bike has been sitting, unused, since last July when I rode it in after getting it pink slip. I was afraid to ride it because over the years I have had breakdowns that left me in the poo. So there it sat, covered up to protect it from the elements. For the past week or so, I have been telling myself that I have to get it started. But I kept making excuses.

 

This morning, I procrastinated a while, then dragged my sorry arse out to it. I had to refill the oil since what had been in it had drained out because a check valve wasn't seated properly. I was amazed that the battery had held a charge for so long. I drained the remnants of the old fuel out of the tank. I pulled the spark plugs out and squirted some RP-7 into the cylinders. Then, with the plugs out so that there was no compression, I kicked the engine over about 20 times to get the oil circulating. Then I put some fuel in and refitted the spark plugs.

 

I looked to the heavens and made my plea to my late wife to remove her curse from the bike. I went through the sacred starting ritual, known only to owners of WLA Harleys, and designed to prevent the uninitiated from starting the bile and riding off. To my great joy, and amazement, the engine fired at the first kick. I was expecting to see clouds of white smoke coming from the exhaust as any oil film burned off, but there was none. Encouraged by the situation, I mounted the bike and rode from my place the couple of hundred yards to my sister's place where she was able to share my happiness.

 

I've parked the bike now, and will wait until things cool towards evening when I will get the hose out and wash the dust and spider webs from it. Tomorrow morning, early, I'll take it for a few short runs, back and forth on the highway for a km or so to settle things in and to see if there are any gremlins lurking  within.

[Marty_d]

7 minutes ago, old man emu said:

I went through the sacred starting ritual, known only to owners of WLA Harleys, and designed to prevent the uninitiated from starting the bile and riding off.

Hmmm... I remember the bikes I owned were a lot simpler... ignition on and push the start button.  (The V4 in the Honda VFR750 especially were very reliable!)

[old man emu]

14 minutes ago, Marty_d said:

ignition on and push the start button. 

Woosy boy!

[facthunter]

Don't use a hose on an old bike you care for.. I wouldn't even do it to a Lawn mower .  Nev

[old man emu]

Just saw a 1926 Indian Prince 350 cc for $25,000. Located in the next town to me.

 

18 minutes ago, facthunter said:

Don't use a hose on an old bike

I'll dribble the water out of it.

[Marty_d]

2 minutes ago, old man emu said:

Just saw a 1926 Indian Prince 350 cc for $25,000.

That's not like a Nigerian prince, is it?

[facthunter]

These "infidels" are treating us with contempt OME. You'd want a fairly good one for that price and a REALLY good one is worth MORE. There's an OHV version  and they even made an OHC, Patterned on the Velocette.  Post me a Pic if you wish. Nev

[onetrack]

Always remember that 90% of the Harleys ever built, are still on the road. The other 10% actually made it home. 😄

[old man emu]

40 minutes ago, facthunter said:

You'd want a fairly good one for that price

You'd be surprised how much these pre-WWII Yankee bikes are bringing. Can't send a picture because it wa on FB marketplace and I don't know how to download pix from FB. From the pix it looks complete and has been undercover for a long time. Said to have last run 20 years ago.

[onetrack]

This is the one? It's been on FB Marketplace for 21 weeks, so he might still be waiting a while for a buyer.

 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1002280831392625

 

Edited 11 hours ago by onetrack

[facthunter]

There weren't many bikes more reliable than the WLA at the time. The air cleaner was Oil bath and the Ignition system water tolerant.. They didn't lower their tolerances either or material specs. with the war models.  A bit low to the ground perhaps. The German built Zundapp outfit would be the most purpose built 2 wheel based thing around, the sidecar version having a driven sidecar wheel. The Norton 633 cc  Model 16H Side valve had a driven sidecar wheel option also but the bike , but apart from that Not particularly notable.. The Harley seat was particularly comfortable (Large Padded  well sprung steelpan and leather covered, and most English seats were rather ordinary, and the control cables Twist grip(single Piano wire sturdy and reliable) for throttle and ignition timing.  The front brake cable has a grease nipple. giving it a good service life also.. The generator and electrics were very reliable, especially when compared with the Lucas systems on most brit Bikes. Of course you had to get used to a foot clutch and a hand gear change ,but you can get them pretty quick with a bit of PRACTICE. robust but some would never like them. Nev

[facthunter]

OME the USA made, older bikes are holding their Prices quite well but that doesn't particularly apply to the smaller offerings which were not the usual BIG CUBES  sturdy tourer. The Harley pup is a similar bike which had a lot of success on the early speedway scene, ridden by notables such as Eddie Brink and the Bike became known as the "Peashooter".They handle very well and were noted for that feature at the time.  Don't tank slap. The OHV version is the  performance bike  and they also made a special single port Big Carb motor, but my ordinary 350 SV has surprised many people as to how performed in "standard" tune. Sold it about 5 years ago.  I was often asked is THAT THING a 500?

    .I can get you a 28 OHV two piper if you want. It was the first equipped with a" front " brake. but it's not that effective. Like many of the time.  Nev

[old man emu]

I'm happy with just the one bike. According to my insurer, my bike increases in value each year. That Prince would sell OK in the USA, but there are not many aficionados of the early USA bikes in Australia. The fact that it is complete and looks pretty good should sell, but below $20K.

 

Hand change/foot clutch is really easy to use, especially when you have a gate to move the gear lever through. I couldn't jump on a hand clutch/foot change bike and ride it. I'd never know what gear I was in. One thing you have to discipline yourself to do is to take things steadily. You'll never pop a mono with one of these biles.

[facthunter]

Unless you are hill climbing. Class "C" 750 Sv,vs500 OHV oval track was pretty fast.. Brits complained about the  Capacity difference so Tom Sifton got a Gold Star BSA and tuned it  and won the #1 Plate and said I've done it so stop whinging or something like that. Pre WW2 many Brit bikes were quite popular for oval track in the USA. It's all sideways and spectacular. to watch.   Nev