Author Topic: For Vintage Sportster Geeks  (Read 2514 times)

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #30 on: October 03, 2022, 08:47:23 AM »
At long last the restoration is now completed.  I gassed it up and had my first ride on it in 20 years.  It runs very well! 









Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

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Offline vintage53

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #31 on: October 03, 2022, 09:10:08 AM »
Dave,


You get an A++.  keep up the great work.

As time permits, I will begin posting my progress.  TY 
1977 Lemans 1.2 "Project"
2004 V11 Coppa Italia
2010 California Vintage
2021 Vespa 75th Anniversary Primavera 150

Online Tkelly

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #32 on: October 03, 2022, 09:16:43 AM »
Congratulations Dave,beautiful work!You now have the 2 bikes that I lusted over as I saved up to buy a cycle,this and the BSA.Unfortunately I bought a Honda Dream and never had the opportunity to develop your mechanical skills.

Offline BrotherJim

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #33 on: October 03, 2022, 09:21:52 AM »
Incredible work as always, Dave.  I have a similar plan for my Grandpa's '67.  It may even take 20 years!



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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #33 on: October 03, 2022, 09:21:52 AM »

Online Tkelly

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #34 on: October 03, 2022, 01:24:45 PM »
The couple that have the cycle campground and shop outside Interlochen MI rode their Sportsters to Daytona in 1968.They have a newspaper article and photo of them as the we’re heading out,you can see the snow piles in the background.He told me they spent around$50 for gas on the trip.She was a contestant in the Motor Maids beauty contest,There is a poster for the contest in the shop.If she didn’t win she should have.Shirley and Steve Moore hosted the MI Guzzi rally for many years there.

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #35 on: October 03, 2022, 05:51:31 PM »
The couple that have the cycle campground and shop outside Interlochen MI rode their Sportsters to Daytona in 1968.They have a newspaper article and photo of them as the we’re heading out,you can see the snow piles in the background.He told me they spent around$50 for gas on the trip.She was a contestant in the Motor Maids beauty contest,There is a poster for the contest in the shop.If she didn’t win she should have.Shirley and Steve Moore hosted the MI Guzzi rally for many years there.

Great story Tom.  Would love to meet them one day and check out that picture!
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Online Scout63

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #36 on: October 03, 2022, 09:24:22 PM »
Stunning Dave. Your work is matched only by your ability to find and choose the most beautiful bikes.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline larrys

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #37 on: October 04, 2022, 07:04:38 AM »
She's a purty thang...
Larry
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Offline s1120

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #38 on: October 04, 2022, 07:18:08 AM »
WOW!  Looks amazing? SO how was the ride? As good as hopped for?
Paul B

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #39 on: October 04, 2022, 08:55:15 AM »
SO how was the ride? As good as hoped for?

It rides quite well for a bike of it's vintage.  It feels like you could imagine a brand new 64 Sportster should feel.  Since I rebuilt the engine from the crankpin out, I was most interested in how it performed - really nice torque and climbs the hills in the neighborhood in 3rd gear like they are nothing.  I am quite happy with how it turned out. 
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #40 on: October 07, 2022, 08:16:02 AM »
Cool little story about the amazing seat on the 64 XLCH.

At least 15 years ago when I was still a wage slave, a coworker and I were discussing our motor head hobbies. He was building a 57 Chevy hot rod. I told him about the 64 Sportster restoration. He then told me about an old Sportster seat he had stashed away for 40 years!! Of course I was all ears! The seat was removed from an old Sportster to swap with something "cooler" back in the day, but he decided to carefully wrap the seat in pillowcases and stash it in a special hiding place away from any prying eyes and fingers. After hearing about my restoration, he decided I should have it and we agreed on a price. I promptly brought it home, wrapped it in pillowcases and kept it carefully stashed away for 15 years. It is one of the best parts on the bike. Finding an original seat in this condition is quite rare today.

After 55 years of being hidden away, the seat now is back where it belongs.

« Last Edit: October 07, 2022, 08:28:57 AM by Dave Swanson »
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Online blu guzz

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #41 on: October 07, 2022, 10:10:53 AM »
They didn't look that good when they were new.  Well done sir.
Blue Guzz

Online cliffrod

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #42 on: October 07, 2022, 01:57:08 PM »
That’s a gorgeous bike, Dave.  I like how you keep moving the end of the ruler.  Very cool and and very impressive restoration.  Thanks for posting. 
1973 V7 Sport  "Now THAT'S a motorcycle!"-  Master Sculptor Giuliano Cecchinelli
1967 V700 Corsa Record
1981 Lemans CX100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExX3YmQel_Q
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Offline s1120

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #43 on: October 08, 2022, 07:27:55 AM »
Cool story about the seat. Im sure most were just tossed away in the day because who kept a old Sportster stock?
Paul B

Offline twodogs

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #44 on: October 08, 2022, 08:21:44 AM »
Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀  :boozing:
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Online Dave Swanson

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #45 on: October 25, 2022, 08:33:00 AM »
Wow, you are a master at bringing them back to life, can I bring my convert over and turn you loose on it 😀  :boozing:

I have to get my Convert done first  :laugh:

Most likely the last XLCH ride of the year.  Now on to the next project - Honda CL350.



« Last Edit: October 25, 2022, 08:40:24 AM by Dave Swanson »
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Offline twodogs

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #46 on: October 25, 2022, 09:19:41 AM »
Lol you could practice on mine till your ready to do yours, can't wait to see your Honda done. Cl 350 or 450?
Bruce
2-2023 Yamaha TW200
2022 Triumph 850 sport

Offline LaGrasta

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Re: For Vintage Sportster Geeks
« Reply #47 on: October 25, 2022, 03:30:30 PM »
Beautiful resto, love the seat story too!
It was my 1998 XL883 that made me a V-Twin die-hard. I fell in love with the power delivery, and it reminded me again how much I loved my 1985 VFR500. I don't have an HD or the VFR any longer, but I do have numerous Vs in the garage!  :bike-037:
You can buy style, but you have to build character.

'10 Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic
'03 Moto Guzzi VII Sport
'14 Kawasaki KLX250S
'89 Honda GB500tt
'82 Honda GL500 bobber
…and two step-through scooters too.

 

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