Dim Deal - Harley Forum

Buzz Kanter · #1 08-31-2008, 08:18 AM

The only ride I had while at Harley's 105th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee was my 1948 Crustoration Panhead. While the bike ran fine most of the time I really did not look forward to riding it back at night for the 10 miles or so from the downtown action to my hotel.

As I said the bike ran fine but the wimpy 6-volt headlights were almost useless. And every night they would be almost nothing by the time I rolled into the hotel parking lot.

I found the bike ran great with the lights off, but suspect I will have to go through the charging system when I get home.

Last night was the worst. I left the Bruce Springsteen concert with decent headlights. Within 2 miles they had gotten quite dim. A couple of miles later they were out totally, and then the bike began to stall at low engine speeds.

I did manage to keep it running long enough to get back to the hotel but I sure was nervous about getting run over or stopped by the police.

I never thought much about having a good charging system and decent headlights as much as I did riding home last night in the dark on roads I did not know.

shovelmike · #2 08-31-2008, 01:33 PM

Glad you made it back OK, Buzz. Other than the charging system issues I hope the event was enjoyable for you. Ride safe and God bless. Sincerely: Shovelmike.

Fenderplayer · #3 09-01-2008, 09:49 AM

"Power is everything..." - quoted from the movie Apollo 13. Glad you made it home safe.

47knuck · #4 09-01-2008, 12:03 PM

Photos please.

And think of it as just another adventure and good story to tell in years to come.

rcd · #5 10-07-2008, 08:31 PM

This sounds nutty, but that's one of things I love about riding an older bike...that sense of adventure. Will I get home or not? But the greatest stories are the ones where you didn't and what you had to do to get home. Crazy!

MR.MF · #6 03-12-2009, 12:20 PM

Rcd S&M run in the family?the old bikes breaking down, and the crap you have to go through to get home safe, and in one piece, are the greatest stories some are funny, some are scary, some sad, but to me when i go out, and get a nice trouble free ride in, and come home safe no road rash broken bones or busted up bike, thats much better in my book! To be fair and honest you can't appreciate the good time's neer as much if you hav'nt had a few bad time's.