Good Deal Gone Bad but Redemption in the End

[Dave Swanson]

Allen's (amamet) musings about his Loop project that is taking a turn for the worse reminded me very much of a journey I went on.  I too was tempted by a "good deal".  Rather than clutter up Allen's thread with my "good deal" story, I will leave it here. 

An old high school buddy of mine after being away from motorcycles for over 30 years was gypped when he jumped back in and bought a bike.  He had found a custom "Harley" on Craigslist, and without asking for any advice drove out to pick it up.  It had been represented as "totally rebuilt".  After getting the bike home he soon learned it was a total piece of crap.   It had an aftermarket frame, a worn out Shovelhead engine, and a HD 4 speed tranny that was all but completely shot.  The transmission also had an obliterated serial number.  Once he fully realized how badly he was taken he shoved the bike in the corner and licked his wounds until he could afford to buy another bike.

One day when I was over to his place having a beer with him, I asked what he was going to do with the old POS.  He wanted to sell if for such a low price that I reluctantly brought it home with me.

Luckily I am proficient at overhauling Harley motors, because the engine was on its last legs.  By the time I was done with the project the only parts that were original to the pile I dragged home was;

frame - which was bent and ended up being repaired properly $$

engine cases, and heads - everything else was replaced

sissy bar

Even though I did all the work except paint this bike ended up costing a bundle!  The good part is I had a blast doing this bike.  I was accustomed to doing restorations which only require following the cookbook to the letter.  This was the first bike I had a free hand to do what I wanted.   To my amazement this bike also was invited to the Mama Tried motorcycle show in Milwaukee (invitation only show). They receive many hundreds of bike photos for consideration -having my bike invited to this event was a real shock to me.  Because this bike I have made many friends over the years that have enriched my life.  The bike was also awarded a Best in Show for the Ride In category at the 3rd Oily Souls bike show in Detroit.  I was blown away when my bike was chosen out of the other hundreds of bikes that were ridden in to that event. 

I never kept a tally of how much I spent, but it is safe to say I spent at least double what the bike could be sold for. 

So the moral of the story is that sometimes a money pit can lead to many unexpected good things. 


Before



During



After

[oldbike54]

 Cool 

 Dusty

[Perazzimx14]

Looks good but OMG does my back ache just looking at the hard tail.

[cliffrod]

That's a great looking Shovel, Dave. 

My wife and I were sitting on the couch last night watching WWE wrassling, talking about things we like to do.  We agreed we need to give our old Shovelhead a little attention so we can do some riding together. 

[Dave Swanson]

Looks good but OMG does my back ache just looking at the hard tail.

Its quite hard core, which is why the chopper jockeys like it.

It has a true foot "suicide" clutch, jockey shifter, no front brake, and an open belt primary.  Once mastered it is actually a lot of fun to ride as long as the ride is short! And it gives this old guy a little "cred" when I ride it over to hang with the young gun chopper heads in town.   



Notice the lack of accoutrements  on the handlebar.

[Dave Swanson]

That's a great looking Shovel, Dave. 

My wife and I were sitting on the couch last night watching WWE wrassling, talking about things we like to do.  We agreed we need to give our old Shovelhead a little attention so we can do some riding together.

Thanks!  What kind of old Shovel do you have? 

[80CX100]

Looks good but OMG does my back ache just looking at the hard tail.

     Yea but Dave wisely upgraded to that real plushy, comfortable looking seat, wtf ?   

     I'm sure Huzo will be along shortly to regale us with tales on how  those 2 tiny springs under the seat would make it ride like a velvety cloud, but I have my doubts 

     Hey Dave, tbh I'm not a HD guy, but if I saw the bike in the "before" picture with the external primary drive, I naively would have assumed the owner knew what he was doing, just like your friend did, fwiw.

      I hear you on that familiar song; sometimes free is too cheap,,, the money goes in far easier than it comes out 

      Very nice job on the final bike 

      Kelly

[cliffrod]

Thanks!  What kind of old Shovel do you have?

Just after we got married, we bought a nice original paint 1974 FLH in Jan/Feb 2001 for our 2-up riding.  It was sold new at Catello and Son in Berlin NH up near the Canadian Border.  We rode it all over VT & New England for a few years, then more down here.  It's been sitting for a while but still looks pretty good.  It's just a plain old bike.  I really enjoy it but these aren't as cheap & disposable as these once were.   The original top bag and windshield are hanging in the rafters.





I've also got an 1984 iron Sportster and a 1990 Evo Electraglide Classic, both excellent unrestored original bikes.  A Harley isn't a Guzzi, but a Guzzi isn't a Harley.

[amamet]

Ha!  Thx Dave, I’m good here. I love tinkering and learning. It’s the unexpected that gets me, but I should know better working on old machines. The nut and bolt rebuild of my 77 lemans is almost finished. Paint is the last thing and that may be a while with what’s going on. I can live with it. I still think I got a good deal on the eldorado. 4ls front, solid metal, good wheels  and a title for $2400 along with  a wealth of knowledge that I’ll probably forget. After this I need to clean up my 74 ducati 750, a v1000 g5, 2 1963 rockola jukeboxes, a 69 bronco, my house and then move. Oy vey, I’m tired just thinking about all that
🤣

[Cam3512]

Looks good but OMG does my back ache just looking at the hard tail.

Back ache not close to what's gonna ache on the passenger!

[Dave Swanson]

Just after we got married, we bought a nice original paint 1974 FLH in Jan/Feb 2001 for our 2-up riding.  It was sold new at Catello and Son in Berlin NH up near the Canadian Border.  We rode it all over VT & New England for a few years, then more down here.  It's been sitting for a while but still looks pretty good.  It's just a plain old bike.  I really enjoy it but these aren't as cheap & disposable as these once were.   The original top bag and windshield are hanging in the rafters.

Wow!  You still have the original Comfort-Flex seat!  That along with the decent suspension gives a real Cadillac ride!

[Dave Swanson]

Back ache not close to what's gonna ache on the passenger!

No one has been brave enough to ask for a ride on it yet.     Notice the lack of passenger pegs.   

[slopokes]

This is the best that I can do for my shovels..

[bodine99]

Great job on a kickass rigid right down to the 4-plug heads!!

[cliffrod]

Wow!  You still have the original Comfort-Flex seat!  That along with the decent suspension gives a real Cadillac ride!

It's very comfortable to ride with two people.  It handles really rough roads without issues, short or long trips.  Not as cool as a bobber or chopper but good to ride.  This seat makes it tall compared to a frame mounted seat.

I like this seat with the two distinct rider & passenger seating positions better than the previous Buddy Seat version..  The backrest is hanging with the other bits.  Since we had out daughter, there's not many only-two-person trips anymore.  It's still a great bike, just waiting it's turn....

[Moparnut72]

Last fall I bought a 1965 Yamaha Santa Barbara 125 on line. It looked pretty good in the pictures, in person not so much. I wanted it because it was very similar to my first bike, a YG1T. Anyway I now have way too much money in it and it is a 20' bike, looks decent at 20'. And on top of that it sure isn't near as much fun to ride as I remember.  But it will be handy on the carrier on the back of the 5th wheel. Gotta use it for something, I will never get back near what I have in it.   
kk

[Dave Swanson]

I have always loved Shovelheads for some reason.  It make no rational sense. 

Besides the chop, I have a 69 FLH, 80 FXE, and 84 FLH. 

This 69 FLH is a real sweetheart and a sentimental favorite.  Driving out to Long Island to pick it up was the last road trip I was able to take with Gayle.


This 80 FXE is very unusual because it is still in original condition.  99% of them have seen the heavy hand of "customization".


The only Shovelhead I ever sold (1983 FXRS). I still regret selling to this day.   For me this was the most comfortable bike I ever had.  I could ride it all day without much fatigue or soreness. 


And my 84 FLH.  The restoration was a 7 year labor of love.  I always wanted a last year Shovel.  It took some doing to get it into the shape that I wanted it, but so worth it!

[cliffrod]

Man, Dave- those are all great looking bikes.  If I had my pick, not sure which one I would choose.  We're big shovel fans here & at the shop, too.  Shovels were the end of the old mix&match engines. Evo is technically a "better" engine, but is so different in many ways.   

We laugh about shovels being leaky vibrating junk and tractors and more, but they're high on our list of what we like- right up there with XR750s & iron sportsters, Guzzis, Nortons and Roundcase 750 Ducatis.  We're into what we like, not what other people like or any "lifestyle" stuff beyond motorcycles in general.

[Huzo]

I'm sure Huzo will be along shortly to regale us with tales on how  those 2 tiny springs under the seat would make it ride like a velvety cloud, but I have my doubts 

I can’t imagine why you’d think I would say that, when I’ve never extolled the virtues of a rigid frame..
I will say however, that Dave’s workmanship is exemplary and as for the rigid frame...?
He seems like a nice and genuine Guy.

[Dave Swanson]

Man, Dave- those are all great looking bikes.  If I had my pick, not sure which one I would choose.  We're big shovel fans here & at the shop, too.  Shovels were the end of the old mix&match engines. Evo is technically a "better" engine, but is so different in many ways.   

We laugh about shovels being leaky vibrating junk and tractors and more, but they're high on our list of what we like- right up there with XR750s & iron sportsters, Guzzis, Nortons and Roundcase 750 Ducatis.  We're into what we like, not what other people like or any "lifestyle" stuff beyond motorcycles in general.

Here is a little video of my 84 to get you in the mood. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4U5a3SVfAM&t=5s

[moto-uno]

  This thread puts quite the smile on my face . Over the years (and there were many) I worked on pretty much every
one of those different models when they were brand new bikes ! Is that scary or what .   Peter

[Dave Swanson]

And a little video of the Chop at idle.   I had rebuilt the old S&S B that came with the pile but I couldn't get it to idle correctly.  I found this NOS B on eBay put it on the bike - perfection.  So I ended up not being able to salvage the carb from the original pile either $$$

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUOH9ZLXt4M

[Huzo]

Jeez, you have tham running beautifully Dave, they sound happy and so should you be.
I have not one shred of desire to own one, but on an American Highway, blasting through the Midwest or up the Californian Coastline, with the Stars and Stripes on the back and Springsteen or Jon Mellencamp on the stereo..?
There’d be no better time to be alive or place to be..

[cliffrod]

Here is a little video of my 84 to get you in the mood. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4U5a3SVfAM&t=5s

Very cool. 

So I start watching the video.  Wife is on the phone, a few feet away.  She hears the video, looks up at me, says "who's here?  Are you expecting someone?  That sounds like our bike..."

The honey-do list might be shifting a little.   

[Tom H]

No one has been brave enough to ask for a ride on it yet.     Notice the lack of passenger pegs.

Who need passenger pegs. Go old school, she just wraps her legs around your waist!

If you have shocks, the top of the shocks make great pegs

Tom

[80CX100]

I can’t imagine why you’d think I would say that,

     Just poking fun at you; I was thinking about that shock preload post a while back where you had my head spinning with shock spring compression rebound theory 

[LesP]

Allen's (amamet) musings about his Loop project that is taking a turn for the worse reminded me very much of a journey I went on.  I too was tempted by a "good deal".  Rather than clutter up Allen's thread with my "good deal" story, I will leave it here. 

I was reading one of the posts thinking Ohh boy.

I think a lot of folk have a story with things that did not quite turn out as expected and mine is all (well most of) in the build thread.

I figured paying more for a low mileage bike (15000 original miles) was the right way to go... oil change, Gilardoni's and ride.

Someone saw these once and said it came up great, I had to reply that is the before/sale pictures.





Left of the original bike.

Engine. (main parts)
Block.
Crankshaft (2nd under size now)
L/H cylinder head.
Timing chain wheels.
Flywheel.
Sundry covers.

Gearbox.
The main case and end cover.

Final drive.
The housing, bearing flange and sump.

What a lovely old motorcycle that deserved another lease on life... but to this day how it could be so neglected and butchered under the surface is beyond me.
I read 'amamet's post on the rounded gearbox output shaft nut, in my case that area was a sea of orange silicone and I removed the nut by hand, it was that loose., yet the cam shaft nut had been tightened (rattle gun ?) so much it had split the 16 mm thread at the root and left like that.

It was only later I realised the seller had swapped the seats over.
As they say $hit happens and time and $ fix it.
It actually saw the light of day on its wheels today, first time since 2012.

[Huzo]

     Just poking fun at you; I was thinking about that shock preload post a while back where you had my head spinning with shock spring compression rebound theory 

No worries mate, I understand that..

[s1120]

I gotta say the "before" pic DOES look nice.  I can see why your buddy was blinded.  The "after" is stunning though.  It really is a tasteful chop...  not hacked for the sake of hacking that so many are these days.

[larrys]

Back ache not close to what's gonna ache on the passenger!

That's why we called 'em bitch pads... Nice old school chop!
Larry