Get your motor runnin'... head out on the HIGHway!

[macdobhran]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh... <--

I finally talked to guys at the bike shop yesterday. The reason they didn't tell me they were done was because they weren't. Technically. They got all the cables on except for the brake line. Either they ordered the wrong one or they got shipped the wrong one because the lower connector was wrong. So they ordered a new one but managed to fabricate me a long, black one just so I could pick up the bike.

As far as workmanship goes, it's pretty good. The cables look nice and they even adjusted the front brake so that the lever is easier to grab. They did sort of "forget" to give me my original bars and cables until I asked for them though. If you saw the shop you'd probably assume they wanted to keep them to use on other projects, much like I did. Unfortunately for them, Homie don't play that! I always want my original equipment back when something is repaired, especially if it's just a cosmetic swap.

Now I bet you're wondering what it looks like, right? Well you're just going to have to wait until tonight. When I first saw it, I thought "Wow! Those bars are HIGH!" I was briefly worried they were going to be too high. After about 20 minutes of riding I got used to them. I did have to torque down the bolts in the handlebar clamp because the first time I did a hard stop at a light the bars rotated about 8-inches down and towards me*. Being the highly experienced RUB that I am, I was prepared with my trusty, official, Harley Davidson tool kit! I will admit that my shoulders were a little stiff this morning but I figure, like most things, I'll get used to it eventually.


* - That might seem strange if you've never ridden a motorcycle or a horse. You'd think if you're stopping, the bars would rotate away from you because of the forward momentum. Actually though when trying to stop a bike or horse quickly you tend to grip with your knees (sometimes your whole ass if the stop is quick enough!) and lean back. Think: pulling back on the reins. That's why the bars rotated towards me instead of away.

Comments

[ilostonjeopardy.livejournal.com]

I don't need no steenkin' peecture.

I've SEEN it!

[fairefifi.livejournal.com]

WooHoo!! Glad you got your baby back....I wouldn't have peg you for the ape hanger type!! :)

[sweetpea86.livejournal.com]

"I was prepared with my trusty, official, Harley Davidson tool kit."

That's hot.

Harleys

[eemooretx.livejournal.com]

We've just upgraded and our new baby is on its way...should be here May 5. The Custom 1200 just isn't comfy enough for long trips, and David wants to ride to Sturgis. So, we've upgraded to the Electraglide. WOOHOO! I can't wait!

Re: Harleys

[macdobhran.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's quite an upgrade. You went from baby Harley, skipped right over the mid-size cruisers, all the way to Geezerglide! heh. I've never ridden one but a friend of mine has two of them (1974 & 2004). cellymcfae rode on the back of his 2004 and said it was awesome. I think her butt still longs for that seat. ;)

Re: Harleys

[eemooretx.livejournal.com]

Yeppers - we thought about the Night Train in the black cherry, but figured that since that's the hot new color, everybody would have it. We talked to several folks here who ride a lot and they recommended the Electraglide. Once it's here, we've already got the graphic to put on it and as soon as it's done, I'll post a pic someplace. You'll love it.

Re: Harleys

[whizzrjohn.livejournal.com]

I'm the aforementioned 1974/2004 rider, and I highly recommend the new 'Glide for comfortable distance riding. I use mine for my 30-mile commute whenever the weather permits, and it's a terrific ride. It's not quite the turn-burner that your Sporty is, nor is it the badass old-schooler that my 93-inch shovelhead is, but it gets me there and leaves me still able to walk upright after a couple hundred miles.

If you haven't ridden one before, the one thing that'll take some getting used to - apart from the ovious size difference - is that the fairing tends to get buffeted in the crosswinds, which makes the front end feel a little squirmy on the highway. In spite of this, it's a pretty stable ride even at :::mumblemumbleeightyishsomumble::: mph; you get used to it.

Good luck with her, and ride safe. :-)

[whizzrjohn.livejournal.com]

Glad everything worked out for you. On the right bike - particularly the fat rear/skinny front chopper-style like the WideGlide - and done properly, apes can look pretty good. My brother put them on his Heritage last year and I was prepared not to like them, but I was surprised at how good they looked.

I think your shoulders are just sore because it's the beginning of riding season and you're not broken in yet. Mine felt the same way for a bit last week. Here's hoping for good weather for you to shake it down properly. I'd also be interested to know if you feel like it makes you inclined to go any slower on the highway with the greater exposure to the wind.

Hooray for Modifications!!!

[inkygypsy.livejournal.com]

Isn't it great to put new stuff on your bike?!

I wanna see a pic. :)

My ride goes in next week for a newly jetted carb and much needed V&H Big Shots. That's been my only gripe about the VTX 1300...typically quiet.

But not after next week.

VRRRRROOOOMMMMGRRRRROOOWWWWLLLLL!!!!!!