Finally got a Big Twin

[SS336]

Sweet!

This is my girly euro-bike, and I wouldn't trade it for a harley even under torture.

Like you Guzzi, very nice. I had a 72 850 Eldorado and this 83 Lemans III for most 90's.

 

[SS336]

Nice bike G-Mac, like the color scheme. Hope you enjoy it for many years.

 

[sceva]

This is my Great Grandfathers Twin; A 1919 Indian Twin. Photo probably taken in the mid to late 1920's

 

[zeke]

Like you Guzzi, very nice. I had a 72 850 Eldorado and this 83 Lemans III for most 90's.

Always wanted to try a Moto Guzzi, unfortunately never had the opportunity.

 

[JohnHL]

Many years ago, I had a Moto-Guzzi "Convertible" (torque converter instead of a clutch) come in to the shop that wouldn't move under its own power.

It had a failed torque converter.

I've pulled and replaced too many engines to count, but the Guzzi was the only one where I mounted the engine on a stand, pulled the rear wheel and swing arm, un-bolted the engine, and lifted the frame off the engine, and rolled it forward on the front wheel, like a wheel barrow!

Didn't take the engine out of the frame, I removed the frame from the engine.

Unusual, to say the least.

Also, like BMWs, Guzzis tend to "torque" (lean opposite to the crankshaft rotation).

It was a fun business to be in.

Motorcycles attract girls!

I could tell you stories, but I would get banned...

John

 

[G-Mac]

Quit riding after a new hip. Hard to get on and off.

I've had a hip and knee replacement. No problem swinging a leg over the Harley, but it is difficult getting on my Beta dirt bike. Most modern dirt bikes are tall and I'm short. I actually raced amateur vintage motocross events a couple of times after the hip replacement and probably will again.

 

[wood714]

When the air intake, fuel delivery system and exhaust are done in concert, significant horsepower or torque improvements can be made. Air cooled v-twins are an outdated design (aka classic/elemental) design that loses considerably to modern emission standards. Just changing the exhaust can make it louder to varying degrees, but without accompanying air intake/fuel changes, performance may not improve much.

Remember back in the day all you had to do was buy a new set of mufflers, air cleaner, and a jet for your carburetor?

When I bought my 14 Street Glide, I had to buy a complete exhaust system, new backing plate and filter for my AC...I wanted it to keep the stock look, and a computer type tuner for it. Probably cost around $2,500 just to make it sound like a Harley should.

 

[wood714]

When I lived in Ohio a neighbor of mine was a true old school biker. In 1940 him and a friend rode their Indians from Cincinnati to San Francisco and back. He let me scan a few pics they took on the way.

How close were gas stations back then? Looks like some of the trip was unpaved roads.

 

[zeke]

Remember back in the day all you had to do was buy a new set of mufflers, air cleaner, and a jet for your carburetor?

When I bought my 14 Street Glide, I had to buy a complete exhaust system, new backing plate and filter for my AC...I wanted it to keep the stock look, and a computer type tuner for it. Probably cost around $2,500 just to make it sound like a Harley should.

The 73 XLCH learned on had a man start, no oil filter, split bars, grab and pray brakes (sporty's first front disc) and greatly simplified electrics. Never was much of a mechanic, but fortunately the previous owner had it set up pretty good with a new carb. It also had drag pipes with a single cross baffle (now called a torque plate?).

The 48 sportster owned has slip ons with quiet baffles, K&N filter element and cheap air/fuel adj. The increase in torque is noticeable, and only loud if i twist it hard. When i first got it, couldn't ride 30 miles at speed without getting a headache, and i wear a full face.

 

[G-Mac]

Here's a pic of my 1988 Sportster XLH-883 Standard. Doesn't look to bad for being 35 years old. Original paint.

 

[zeke]

Here's a pic of my 1988 Sportster XLH-883 Standard. Doesn't look to bad for being 35 years old. Original paint.

looks good for it's age!

 

[wood714]

Here's a pic of my 1988 Sportster XLH-883 Standard. Doesn't look to bad for being 35 years old. Original paint.

Here ya go. Fixed the pic for ya.

 

[Bald1]

Wood714, those pics are great. Love the kidney belts/back brace.

 

[G-Mac]

Here ya go. Fixed the pic for ya.

Thank you! The first time I tried, it was upside down. Went back into "My Pictures", flipped it upside down, and tried posting again. It was still upside down! I gave up.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I recently sold my trike, which I bought to haul a a big girl around. I sold a Road King Police bike to buy the trike. After I sold the trike I bought a Dyna Switchback. Not a Road King but it's two hundred pounds lighter and has saddle bags and a windshield.

 

[mmb617]

In 1988, I bought a brand new Harley Davidson Sportster. Thirty-five years later, I still have it.

It just so happens that I also bought a brand new Sportster in 1988 and I still have mine too. I don't ride it much anymore but here's a pic taken last year.

 

[delcrossv]

… or a girly Sportster, the Porsche Boxter of the Harley family

I don't know where that comes from. That attitude sure wasn't prevalent in the 80's when I was riding the '74 XLCH. Must be some poser thing.

S&S "special application" cases and dual carb STD stage 3 heads for the new 116" sporty build I'm putting together with #1 son.
Axtell 4" bore cylinders on order.
and yeah, I know it's sitting on the case backwards

 

[JohnHL]

I've never heard of an XL series (Sportster) being called a "Porsche Boxster", but way back in the early 1970s, when I first got into the motorcycle business, I did hear hear "Big Twin" riders refer to Sportsters as "your sister's bike".

But it was good natured ribbing.

John

 

[yaktamer]

When I saw the thread title I thought the OP was Danny DeVito talking about Schwarzenegger.

 

[zeke]

I don't know where that comes from. That attitude sure wasn't prevalent in the 80's when I was riding the '74 XLCH. Must be some poser thing.

Always admire people who can do things that will be forever beyond me.

While have seen various references to sporty's over the years, none to my face. While not comfortable by any stretch of the imagination, my 73 XLCH could easily pick it's wheel off the ground shifting to second gear. Attributed this to it's light weight (almost 100 lbs lighter than current versions) and lower gearing. I was young, and it was fun (excepting hwy cruising).

Some people may not be old enough to realize that 1200cc's was the size of the older "big twins". On the roads am preferring now a days, very rare to see any other motorcicles, let alone any larger ones or ones with a skinny front tire and high handlebars. Fortunately there are various options for varying purposes/styles. Then again, am not seeing many sportsters on the interstates up here.