Topic: Harley plant in KC bites the dust

[MikeSimon]

From what I read, the only thing about the new GW that I would call a significant improvement is a 4-valve head(s).

While I own 4 BMWs and 6 Hondas and am a Honda fan deep down inside, the GW never did anything for me. I bought a K1600.
Years ago, I said I wasn't old enough for a bike with floorboards.... ... I am still not there.

[754]

I ain't old enough for electric starter..yet..

[Don R]

If I wasn't holding at 8 bikes now there's a 92 electra glide for 4K an hours drive away. Seller is distressed, needs money for ex wife troubles. It's satin black with a decent pinstripe job on the backs of the bags.

 I always wanted a big Harley. Never bad enough to borrow money for it.

You got a Firebird that needs some lovin' !!   

This is true. And I doubt I'd make any firebird money on a Harley. It's interesting the used ones are becoming more affordable. I guess everyone that wants one has one and they're just trading up.

[Bailgang]

Years ago, I said I wasn't old enough for a bike with floorboards.... ... I am still not there.

That's why my 83 interstate has foot pegs. I rode a friends GL 1200 Aspy, an all around decent bike but it's floorboards turned me off. It's all personal preference I guess.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

REALLY BIG Panhead fan...can be rebuilt forever and parts are EVERYWHERE...I would like to ride a Milwaukee 8 though, just to see if the hype is warranted

I agree with you about the panhead. The best looking Harley engine to my eye too.  I still think about my '64 Duo Glide and wish I had it today, but back then it gave me a lot of trouble and I wanted to ride, not be working on it all the time.  So I sold it in 1977 not long before I bought the 750. You may be impressed by the Milwaukee 8.  I was, so made the jump.  I've been thinking about another Harley for a long time, but was always put off by how doggy they were.  This one isn't.

She's still sitting down in the shed with a dust cover over her.
The bike, not Ev that is.

Great story either way.

Completely understand the rationale Greg. I bought a new 2001 Fat Boy. First time I went to pass a couple cars and I almost got strung out in the oncoming lane due to it's anemic engine. Other than that it was a great bike once I realized it's limitation. When I got it's replacement, 2003 Fat Boy, I knew to spend the extra and get some engine work done. 45,000 carefree oil leak free problem free miles. Damn shame you have/had to spend the additional $$ for a little bottled up performance but it would easily run circles around the 2001. Just ask my buddy who HAD been beating me on his 2002 VTX 1800  Can't let yer buds get anything over on you.   

[Yamahawk]

Back when I had my V65 Sabre, I was next to a friend of mine who had another guy's 110 C.I. Harley, built up and really fast. He rolled on it about 30mph, and downshifted a gear, trying to race me... well, I dropped a gear in the Sabre, and it was really close... until the Sabre hit stride at redline. The Harley was Left Behind...That 1984 Honda V65 Sabre was one Fast Bike. I wish I still had it, as it was very nice for just about any type of riding you wanted to do.... and then some. It had the sport touring full frame mount fairing, like the CBX's fairing, and I eventually mounted some Craig Vetter Hondaline bags and trunk on it, and painted the lids to match the Sabre. It looked really nice!
Charlie

[MikeSimon]

. It had the sport touring full frame mount fairing, like the CBX's fairing, a
Charlie

That was the very common Hondaline fairing. It also came on a CB900F2 Bold d'Or - at least in Europe.
The only difference from bike to bike were the lowers.

[Yamahawk]

. It had the sport touring full frame mount fairing, like the CBX's fairing, a
Charlie

That was the very common Hondaline fairing. It also came on a CB900F2 Bold d'Or - at least in Europe.
The only difference from bike to bike were the lowers.

Yeah, the lowers were all made for the specific models they mounted the fairing on. I really liked that fairing, it worked well. The lowers were, of course ABS and old, so there was some cracking, but using the Plastic Welder cement from either Permatex or Duro, (I stay away from the JB brand of it, its not near as good), I was able to repair the cracks from the inside, and they were nearly invisible. I found the same repair technique worked as well on the 1983 and 1989 Yamaha Venture Royale lowers, and fairing also. I usually took a dremel burr and grooved the inner part of the crack,a nd then roughed up the ABS around it, then spread a nice layer in the groove, and into the roughed up area. It would NEVER break there again.
Charlie

[ekpent]

  I mentioned earlier that my buddy had a new Goldwing on order. It has finally arrived. Comes in a big box as seen in the first pic  He is hoping to bring it home Saturday.  Dealer also had a new Kaw 900 on the floor and the nicer root beer colored one was still in the crate to get unpacked.