Lets see your Harley Davidsons...

[GunarSailors]

Here is a Paughco rigid frame, 80 inch Evolution, 5 speed, that I put together about 10 years back. It has 40 degrees of rake in the neck, 3 degrees of rake in the triple trees, 2 inch over 41mm forks, and two inches of stretch up in the frames downtubes. I ordered a crate motor from Milwaukee and I put Keith Black 10:1 pistons in it, a Andrews EV27 cam in it, I ported and polished the heads, put a Crane HI-4 single fire ignition in it, put a S&S Super E carb on it, a Rivera Pro Clutch in it, Jay Brake handlebar controls (with matching Jay Brake mirror) and matching Jay Brake forward controls with Wilwood brakes front and rear. It's kind of hard to see the S&W logo on the rear fender, but it's there. Please show us yours.

[ordy]

That is AWESOME! You do really nice work and I'm jealous as hell. I rode in the dirt as a younger man and during my midlife crisis thought seriously about buying a nice street bike. I talked to my wife about it and her answer was, "you get the bike..I get the house in the divorce". She was deadly serious. After much discussion, the matter was settled. I'm still married.

[Vanilla Gorilla]

[GunarSailors]

Originally Posted by ordy

That is AWESOME! You do really nice work.

Thank you sir I rode it from Atlanta to northern Indiana, then down to Arkansas and then back to Atlanta in 10 days. It rained on the way back to Atlanta, and with no front fender it reminded me of standing in front of a shower head. It was a little rough, and by the time I made it back to Atlanta I thought I was going to be pee-ing blood. I didnt pee blood but I know every internal organ in my body was bruised. God I loved that thing

[Cocked & Locked]

1975 Shovelhead



1980 Ironhead

[Watchdog]

Well, if any of y'all are feelin' down this morning and in need of a grin, this ought to fix you right up.

I no longer have a Harley.

This is (to my knowledge) the only known photograph of me and my Harley back in 1975. 1200 cc engine, of course. I'd found an old wide glide front end in pieces, complete with headlight and drum brake, at a shop in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Can't remember the name of the place, but the guy sold it to me for $25.

I took the front end to a custom shop in Gastonia run by a guy named T-Bird, had the whole thing rechromed with 4-inch over stock tubes. Had the lower legs turned down a bit. You'll notice the absence of a front brake. They'd rechromed the old drum, but I just decided not to run it. Or a front fender. Also installed an S&S carb. No true Harley guy back then ran a stock Bendix carb. Oh, and absolutely no electric starter! You weren't a Harley guy back then unless you had a bruise on your right calf from where your foot had slipped off that kick starter and it kicked you back. And I seem to remember we called that style of handlebars "Longhorns", but I could be wrong. They were a pull-back style, but instead of coming straight back, they spread out a little, and were mounted in 3-inch risers. I ran a Dunlop racing tire on the rear.

I got hard up for money (story of my life) in 1977 and sold that Harley for the grand sum of $2500 cash to a guy I'd met in a biker bar. Another guy on what was basically a rat bike gave him a ride to my little duplex the next day, he gave me the cash, and rode away on the Harley that no longer belonged to me. Never saw him or the Harley again.

Almost forty years later, I still dream about that motorcycle...dream I walk out to the garage and it's sittin' there looking just like it did then. But it's just a dream. I don't even have a garage.

[g8rb8]

Originally Posted by GunarSailors

GunarSailors,
Nice work and beautiful bike. With no suspension under your bum, it's akin to a custom .500 S&W Magnum snubnose. Beautiful to gaze upon and fun for a couple of shots but not to shoot (ride) all day.

[ladder13]

Through the years.
74 XLH




75 FLH



2002 FLHTCI

[vrichard]

My 2006 Heritage Deluxe,the best Harley I ever had.

[Donna K]

'81 FXS 1340 Low Rider (no longer have)

[sasu]

This space intentionally left blank.

[bagga]

my 85 flhtc that was bought new. it's got about 100k miles on it and my 76 super glide.

[ditrina]

2003 UltraClassic.. with a " Little" work

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Through the years.
74 XLH




75 FLH

I'm thinking I can tell those are old photos of the '74 and '75. They're getting that look of where the colors begin to sort of desaturate and take on a bit of an orange-yellow tint, especially the one of the '75.

Your seat on the '74 is the same style mine was, but I didn't run the trident style sissy bar. People liked those King & Queen seats back then, though, didn't they?

I wish I still had some other photos of mine, but like so much more of my other stuff from the seventies, they're just gone. As if they and the people in them never existed.

Now I want one again. Almost...I said almost...wish I'd never clicked on this thread. It sure does bring back memories. Remember Easyriders? And Dave Mann? R.I.P., Dave.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

I'm thinking I can tell those are old photos of the '74 and '75. They're getting that look of where the colors begin to sort of desaturate and take on a bit of an orange-yellow tint, especially the one of the '75.

Your seat on the '74 is the same style mine was, but I didn't run the trident style sissy bar. People liked those King & Queen seats back then, though, didn't they?

I wish I still had some other photos of mine, but like so much more of my other stuff from the seventies, they're just gone. As if they and the people in them never existed.

Now I want one again. Almost...I said almost...wish I'd never clicked on this thread. It sure does bring back memories. Remember Easyriders? And Dave Mann? R.I.P., Dave.

I think the pics were taken with a Kodak 110, lol.
The seat, sissy bar, tubes, etc were the rage.
I had that Sporty for 1 year, ripped apart the whole motor and rebuilt it. Had no idea what I was doing , just young and dumb , and following the customizing crowd. I put the long tube on, changed the seat, chromed about everything, fat rear wheel with Avon rubber , etc
The bike ran better once I got it back together, don't know why though All the AMF leaks disappeared as well.
I sold it the next summer and bought the bagger, but left well enough alone on that one. I rode that one thru the winter, snow and all......young and dumb.

[JSR III]

When I attended the S&WCA convention in Milwaukee in 2003, we did a side trip to the HD plant. They had a bunch of their 100th anniversary bikes on display and one in particular caught my eye as it was Gun Metal Blue. I felt that the stars had to be in alignment to be at a gun related convention and find a 100th anniversary HD in Gun Metal Blue.

Needless to say, I was not able to "pull the trigger" at that time, but 10 years later, I found a Sportster for sale that had been in storage for most of it's life while the owner and his wife were over in the sandbox. It is a Colorado bike and only had like 3,000 miles on it when I discovered it. As they say, the rest is history.....

Double click the photo for a larger view.

[Maddog 521]

I rode this one all day today, minus the trailer. Great day for riding.

[Jimmyjones]

1995 Heritage, 120 CU Merch, Baker 6 speed, >200,000 on the frame.



2009 Road King Police(FLHP) from Boulder PD. Officer ticketed my Heritage, I bought his bike

[S&W Fan]

'14 FXDF, Stage 1 with a Bassani Road Rage Short exhaust. Love this bike, latest in a loooong line going back over 46 years. On the road to Palmer Lake for you Denver area guys.

[GunarSailors]

Since nobody has shared any pictures of FXRs, here is a picture of my first Harley. A 1987 FXRS.

And here is one that I just finished for a guy. It had been apart for 10 years. Nice to see it back together again and running. I used a late model FLT primary, clutch and starter along with a splined transmission mainshaft vs a tapered one.

[Fishinfool]

I have owned and ridden bikes since I was a kid, mostly HD's. Attached a couple pics of recent ones. A 2002 Low Rider, my current ride - A 2001 Road King, and a 100 inch hard tail chopper I built about 10 years ago that still goes for the occasional kidney busting ride.

Larry

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by Fishinfool

...a 100 inch hard tail chopper I built about 10 years ago that still goes for the occasional kidney busting ride.
Larry

This is not fair. Not fair at all. I'd love to have something like that. Love the rigid frame. How long are those fork tubes? Just curious. What a gorgeous scooter...classic and modern at the same time. Love to see some more photos of it.

[pawngal]

Not mine but get to put my bum on it. 2003 Centennial Road King. Not special or fancy just a nice ride.

[Chubbs103]

Here is my 2003 Softail Standard in the rain. I ordered this on deployment in 2002. Eight of us ordered bikes. Three of us took delivery. The wives cancelled the rest. I commute three or four days a week on it.

Chubbs

[lrb1200]

Been riding Harley's since 1973, had many over the years,
wouldn't even consider riding anything else. Because there really isn't anything else. Still have two in the garage.
This is my '98 Springer......personalized.

[Qball]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

I'm thinking I can tell those are old photos of the '74 and '75. They're getting that look of where the colors begin to sort of desaturate and take on a bit of an orange-yellow tint, especially the one of the '75.

Your seat on the '74 is the same style mine was, but I didn't run the trident style sissy bar. People liked those King & Queen seats back then, though, didn't they?

I wish I still had some other photos of mine, but like so much more of my other stuff from the seventies, they're just gone. As if they and the people in them never existed.

Now I want one again. Almost...I said almost...wish I'd never clicked on this thread. It sure does bring back memories. Remember Easyriders? And Dave Mann? R.I.P., Dave.

Love them good old days, (this one is from early -80) wish i could afford to get me a Harley again

[75Vette]

Here's my '82 FXE I've owned since '84. It was bone stock black when I bought it. It's been thru several changes over the years, had 18" apehangers on it for awhile until I rebuilt the motor and stroked the bottom end. I take it for a spin to keep the cobwebs out of it now and then, I need to sell it but never seem to get around to it.


I bought this '04 Swift new and rode it for 6 years until I met pavement at 75 mph one day. I somehow walked away with only a bad case of road rash and decided to put an end to almost 30 years of riding.

[Mickey D]

I've been building bikes for many years.

Here are a couple I still have.

1948 Pan chopper and '76 Shovel (formally an FXE)



Road bike, '01 RoadKing



The last one I finished and sold before moving.
'46 UL 74"

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by sasu

This space intentionally left blank.

For hope and dreams?

[Mickey D]

My first Harley in '78
A 1973 Sportster XL (kick only) Before they were called "Iron Heads"

[WuzzFuzz]

From my younger days..(When I could).

58 Sportster..Second year of the Sportster..900CC Iron head. And with 9 to 1 compression it was tempermental starting, kick start only. It was all original, down to the hard bags with the over the fender mounting bracket. (Yes it was hard on the knees kicking it over))


.DSC00013.jpg

DSC00007.jpg


Thew in a picture of my coupe....for the "Hell" of it. It was on the same string of pictures as the Harley.
DSC00014.jpg


WuzzFuzz

[Fishinfool]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

This is not fair. Not fair at all. I'd love to have something like that. Love the rigid frame. How long are those fork tubes? Just curious. What a gorgeous scooter...classic and modern at the same time. Love to see some more photos of it.

12 inch over on the front forks. Between the neck and triple trees, total rake at 52 degrees, if I remember right. Plenty stable at speed, just don't try to make any sharp turns. As you can see, I like red... Used to watch a lot of American Chopper. Figured if those knuckleheads could do it, I could. Other than farming out the frames powder coating, went through a lot of parts catalogs, and did the rest myself

Larry

[Fishslayer]

Kind of an old photo... started life as a '78 Lowrider I bought in 1980.

[Faulkner]

Here's my 2014 Ultra Classic.

[GunarSailors]

Great looking bikes ladies and gentlemen. Here is a Road King that I changed the bars on. Lengthened the handlebar control wiring and ran them inside the new bars. I think they look pretty good. I also put Progressive lowered fork springs and installed chrome lower legs while I was at it. Of course I changed the brake lines and clutch cable (throttle was electronic and the wires wet inside the handlebars. The front brake line was a tad bit long once I lowered it. Still looks better

[HKB]

Old pictures of my 98 Springer Heritage, it's since been re-painted just black.

[DWFAN]

This started out as a 1962 sporty. Welded hard tail section. Blew up the 900. It didn't like the S&S stroker fly wheels I put in it. Found a set of '73 cases and a '71 top end and started over. 96 HP on the dyno. This pic is the first quarter mile it ever saw and I had to make wheely bars for it. Ran high tens low elevens like magic and never broke anything I couldn't fix quick.


This one is a 78 1/2 FLH that I restored from the ground up. First time I ever let someone do the paint for me. 80 incher, S&S E series carb and Andrews AB grind cam. Gets out of its own way pretty good for a big bike.



I still have both.

Another side pic of the sporster and me and the old women about 30 years ago.







DW

[GunarSailors]

Here is how the rigid looked right after i finished it, when I got it titled. I originally ran
this stretched gas tank but ended up going with the other gas tank. Also ended up going
with a solid wheel in the back.

[turbo38gn]

Wow, thanks Gunar..... looks like you and I have similar tastes in our Harleys, love my 88 FXR, had it since 89 and been through many changes and "upgrades" over the years. The last motor work just over 20 years ago was a custom 98" S&S stroker kit, making over 120HP to the rear wheel, unheard of back then... still have my 68 XLCH Sporty, I bought in a basket back in "72" while stationed in Puerto Rico.. lots of bikes in between, and all Harleys..

after I built it in PR..., in front of our off-base house, the below pic is of my 1st bike I bought in PR, a Yamahahaha 650, loved that bike, taken in front of ship in dry dock in Old San Juan...


here it is in it's current form in 2014.. do that math.. a little stroker motor, the old Invader rear mag, XLR drag pipes and an old S&S E carb... back in 72 it came with the nastiest motor parts available, can't remember all the names.. I just remember assembling it all, painting it and having a ball at 19 years old..



Here's my old 09 Ultra... love this one, 10" Baggar Bars, Rhinehart exhaust, Fuelpak, and SE open air filter... for now... maybe the 117CI top end and a cam this winter..



This is my ole 2003V-rod I had for about a year, I took it in payment for a motor job we did on an 87Grand National... neat bike, I really liked it, but with 3 Harleys now, I just had no where secure I could keep it....



and here's my baby... my 88FXR.... love this bike, tons of giddy up.. and tons of fun.... my wife even likes riding on the back almost as must as on the back of the dresser... I'm gonna work on getting a few pics up from my phone, more current one..



Thanks for starting this thread..... still love my Harleys after all these years, wish I had pics of all the bikes I had over the years, including my 94 RK, and my 97 Buel S1 Lightening PM... wish I kept both of those.. dammit..... But the fire still burns... been lookin at an old 90's police bike for sale down the street all summer, they were asking $5,000 for it... still there, got a call saying they'll take $3500... I'm beginning to get crazy this morning thinking about it.... specially since I delivered 2 GN's yesterday and am sitting on about 10 grand cash.. I'm really going to try and stay in the house today... .... need to deposit that and pay some shop bills bad..

[turbo38gn]

Here's a couple more.... I'm trying to find a couple more, one from Daytona in like 1992 or 3, another from this summer..

shoot... gotta fix the pics...

here we go.... oh ya... I have to split the cases this winter... broke the main shaft that drives the cam and oil pump.... was having lots of fun when it happened..




and a few more recent pics..

[GunarSailors]

Here is the same bike, only with a Sportster tank, spoked wheel and a little less black powder coating, before the rear fender struts. Just a little extra insurance for the bigger gals Believe it or not, I actually had girls willing to ride!

[Art Doc]

A 1979 FXE. The 80" motor was a mid-year intro and I bought the first one in town. That was in July of 1979. Still have it. Mildly customized with a 21" front wheel, forward controls, a little extra chrome and the little sissy bar in a style you no longer see everyday. First HD to lack the kick starter so I had it added. People point at it now and ask what it is.

Had it painted in original all black about 8 years ago. The HD decals on tank no longer to be found so painter hand lettered it on but couldn't remember if original decal was in gold or silver. Guessed silver. They were gold. Oh well.

About 3 years ago had some engine work done. All bearings, seals and rings replaced, valve job and new springs, a little porting thrown in for good measure. Added Andrews cam, S&S carburator, and the drag pipes were on after the first month of ownership. Originally rated at 60 HP I guess it now runs about 80-85 HP. Feels a lot faster for sure.

I like the look and stance of the bike. You'd expect a big guy like me to have a dresser, but I prefer the lean and lithe look on this one.

[sureshotbob]

My first new H.D. and my courant ride a 2006 Ultra Classic.

My first H.D. was a 1949 Pan Head that I owned for about 15 years and rebuilt 3 times over the years this is a picture of it just before I blew the bottom end.

[Marshwheeling]

...Nope....

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by sureshotbob

My first new H.D. was my courant ride a 2006 Ultra Classic.

My first H.D. was a 1949 Pan Head that I owned for about 15 years and rebuilt 3 times over the years this is a picture of it just before I blew the bottom end.

Love that Pan

[sureshotbob]

When I first bought the 49 Pan I was 19 years old.
It looked a lot like a 60's chopper with a 22" over girder front end with a sportster gas tank and a tall b---- bar with a red velvet king and queen seat. I never did get any pictures
The bottom end burned up on a 6 hour trip up to a friends property 45 miles from Malone N.Y.
Once I retire I hope to restore a 1957 and 1949 H.D. Hummer that I have packed away in my garage.

[GunarSailors]

The good ole Girder... the world's worst springer front end.

[Rastoff]

OK, allow me to drift this a little....

I may be in the market for a new(or just new to me) bike. I've put over 300K on motorcycles, but sold my last one several years ago for various reasons. I met my wife at a bike rally. Anyone that is a true biker will understand that I'm missing some two wheel freedom.

I did own a '79 Super Glide which I tore completely down and rebuilt including powder coat on the frame and new paint on everything else. I traded it for another bike which was traded for another...

I'm curious as to what you guys might want or suggest. I generally jump in with both feet whenever I do anything. So, this bike won't be a garage queen and I expect to put at least 10K a year on it. This time around, I'm considering an Ultra Classic, but I've never owned one. I'm also considering just building one from scratch. Nothing special, but it would be a fun project for my son and I.

Any suggestions from the collective?

[S&W Fan]

Well.......how patient are you? Nothing would be cooler than the build with your son. Lots of "win" going that way plus you can have exactly what you want.

The flip side in buying a new bike is that you're riding right after you sign the papers. No doubt the machines are very nice. I had a '99 Road King I sold at 87k miles in '08. I would get a new one in a heartbeat if I had the money and my body could handle long rides again.

[Kinman]

This a great picture taken of my father-in-law on his Harley, the dog belonged to his step-dad his name was Doogan. My fil bore a striking resemblance to James Dean, so much so that once he got kicked out of Las Vegas for impersonating James Dean and was being allowed all kinds of special treatment until they found out they had made a mistake and the only way they could keep face was to kick him out of town.