Old Dude, First Harley
Harley Evo SportsterDiscuss Old Dude, First Harley in the Harley Sportster & Buell forums; Hey Bob,
Very nice to hear from someone in my age bracket, who appreciates getting back in the game, on classic iron.
I remember when that Kawasaki triple came out. ...
Very nice to hear from someone in my age bracket, who appreciates getting back in the game, on classic iron.
I remember when that Kawasaki triple came out. That was king of the road for awhile. Light and quick. A neighbor kid had one, and he neglected it. I offered to get it running. I ratcheted the kick lever to a comfortable height, heaved down in it with everything my 790 (Routt big bore) Triumph required, and damn near put my foot through concrete floor. I think the kickstart ratchet didn’t catch. God, my knee hurt for weeks.
When I became “domesticated” (wife, kid, you know) and quit touring, I traded down from a Honda CB750 to a Yamaha RD350, a “pocket rocket” similar to your Kaw. What a blast, to wind up in second gear, and have the front wheel just lift off!
My ’68 Triumph 790 scattered on the interstate. I was doing a high speed plug check to find out why it ran so crappy. The previous owner had never changed jets when he converted to the big-bore. My fault, really. I rebuilt it, over-revved it once (showing off), broke it again. When I rebuilt it as a 650, it was a sweet machine. When I showed the next owner (who I had been giving free tune-ups to) the well-concealed, welded crack in the case, he never came back. It was a jerky thing for me to do. His bubble was burst, and I lost a buddy. It really was a nice bike though; I did good work.
(Now, why could I upload big .bmp pics 2 days ago, and now I am only allowed to upload a teeny?)
Welcome back to motorcycles and to the new (to you) world of Harley-Davidson. If you liked the old Triumph motorcycle (and who wouldn't?) the Sportster is a good choice for you.
How about posting some photos of your new bike here?
It makes sense considering the Sportster was initially conceived to compete with Triumph. It was made to look and sit in a similar fashion and Harley even went as far as to put the shifter on the left side like Triumph. The Sporty was a real fire-breather at that time. They took a lot of licks (verbally) from the old school however.
Hey Twinpeaks,
Yes. But one little detail: Early Sportsters and Triumphs both had the shifter on the right. Here's my '67 TR6. Hope it's not a teeny picture; couple days ago I could load big ones, now you need a microscope. Someone tell me the secret.
Jim
Re: Old Dude, First Harley
Sounds like we may be twins separated at birth. I'll be 69 in May. I started with a Kawasaki 500 Triple. Then a Triumph 650 Bonneville. I haven't owned a bike in about 30 years. I just bought my first Harley. A Sportster 1200C. Best wishes and good luck with you new ride. Regards Bob
Yes Bob, we have many brothers. Now, what was I gonna say just now? I forget. Oh yea, I replied to you yesterday when your post was new, but it got pigeon-holed somehow.
Those Kawasaki triples were king for a short time. I tried kick-starting one once. I came down on that pedal with all the gusto I needed to start my 790cc Routt big-bore, and damn-near broke the pavement with my heel. God, my knee hurt for a week. I think the pawl slipped. And, you don't start those ring-dings the same way, anyway.
When I got domesticated (married, kid, etc.) I downsized to a Yamaha RD350 "pocket rocket". I'm sure you remember the thrill of holding the throttle open in 2nd, and feel the front go airborn!
Well, ride hard, wash often. When something hurts or breaks, find an ointment or a solution, and then ride some more. I highly recommend finding bars that fit, and a comfortable saddle.
Hey Twinpeaks,
Yes. But one little detail: Early Sportsters and Triumphs both had the shifter on the right. Here's my '67 TR6. Hope it's not a teeny picture; couple days ago I could load big ones, now you need a microscope. Someone tell me the secret.
Jim
I was referring to the 50's, 67 is a lifetime later.
What are you calling the right side?
I was referring to the 50's, 67 is a lifetime later.
What are you calling the right side?
Oh Man, there was a whole world of Harleys and Triumphs before I took notice. But, my Illustrated Buyer's Guide says the Sportster was introduced in 1957, and it had right-side shifting. Brando shifted his old (1953?) Thunderbird with his right boot, I believe.
Jim
Oh Man, there was a whole world of Harleys and Triumphs before I took notice. But, my Illustrated Buyer's Guide says the Sportster was introduced in 1957, and it had right-side shifting. Brando shifted his old (1953?) Thunderbird with his right boot, I believe.
Jim
Yes, and the other Harleys were left sided shifting, I meant to say right in the 1st post - I'm old too!! !LOL!!!
I fixed up an old BSA Shooting Star for dirt work, and it had left side shift. I thought it would be impossible to keep my control reflexes straight, since the Triumph shifted right. But it took no time at all. Whatever bike I jumped on, it had a sort of "automatic transmission".
Jim (I would love to show a pix of the dirt bike, but I'm still bedevelled by the download protocol.)
Re: Old Dude, First Harley 
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