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old photo from Bob T.
BIKER/POLICE RELATIONS–Biker rolling through town on his custom, fastest bike in town. He’s going around a bend when he rolls up on a cop. The blue lights come on and out rolls the cop. The biker thinks, “He’ll never catch me in that car” and takes off. Several miles later the cop is still behind him as he pulls over.
The cop walks up to the biker and asks for his license. Then the cop says, “OK. I’ve had a crappy day, and I’m ready to head home. Come up with a good excuse for speeding away from me and I’ll let you go.”
The biker looks at the cop and replies, “The old lady left me last week for a cop. I was afraid it was you and you were trying to bring her back.”
Cop hands him his license and tells him to have a nice ride home.
–From Chris T.
AMAZING WIDE 21–Hallcraft’s has announced the availability of its new 21″ X 3″ wirewheel designed specifically for the new 120/70X21 tire. Introduced tomeet the market demand for a front wheel with greater stability andmaneuverability when used with the ever popular wide rear wheels. Theyare available in either 46 Texas Big Spoke radial, or 80 and 100 spokein cross laced or radial laced designs. These babies are guaranteedtubeless and featured Hallcraft’s exclusive factory balancing system.Suggested retail pricing starting at $1025.00.
For more information regarding Hallcraft’s quality products contact:Hallcraft’s Industries Corp. at PO Box 1036, Gainesville, TX 76241-1036or phone 940-668-0771 or e-mail hallcrafts@nortexinfo.net or visit ourweb site at www.hallcrafts.com.
LOST BIKERNET CV CARB TECH INFO–We recently lost a CV carb tech link on the site. Fortunately a reader jacked us about it and we scavanged until the article was located. Since a lot of riders run CV carbs and need them enhanced for modified engines we’ve placed it back on the home page.
Ron Trock is a strong source for reliable performance modifications and CV carb mods.
Trock Cycle
13N417 French Rd.
Hampshire, Il. 60104
PH. 1-847-683-4010
HIGH SPEED WOBBLE TRIBUTE– I want to pass something by you for your information. While on myrecent trip, and traveling at approximately 112 mph I let up on thethrottle because I had had enough at that speed. As I released thethrottle, my FLH went into a violent high speed front end wobble. FranklyI don’t know how I survived it. Anyone who has truly experienced such aviolent wobble, and lived to tell about it, can’t help but think long anhard about riding again and or about finding the cause. The cause may well bestupidity for the speed. and that’s the answer.
Now I have already determined that a cause was my poor judgment attraveling at such a high speed and loading up the front end by releasingthe throttle. However, after we get past that, we get to the part whereit’s not suppose to happen and Harley denies that it does. Well I am hereto tell you that’s pure bullshit. Now if you want to tell me that the FLHshouldn’t be ridden in excess of 80 mph , then tell me , but don’t put aspeedo with 120 on it, and then tell me its all my fault for going 120.
In any event, someone suggested that the gear changes could have, in someway, contributed to or caused the wobble by some change in the dynamics ofthe bike. Please understand I am not placing any blame, I am just tryingto examine all possibilities. If it boils down to my own poor judgment,then I accept that, but if there is any possibility the twist gearscontributed to it, then they are coming out because I don’t ever want toexperience that wobble again.
Thanks
The above letter was answered by John Siebenthaler who works with Johnson Engineering who manufacture Twist Gears.
Whoa – that’s a story. I can’t comment on the wisdom of running a dresserat that speed, but that’s why they make Buells. Taking into considerationframe geometry, aerodynamics, weight distribution, suspension, roadconditions, etc. I can flatly say the transmission had nothing to do withit. Neither did the battery or tour pak. Well, maybe the tour pak.
Touring Harleys at speed have long been an issue. Try any of the listservers for harley/wobble, and see what you come up with. Think aboutit…you’re riding a Barcolounger with the aerodynamics of a barn andthinking a shot at the land speed record. But the veryfirst item for consideration is the fork-hung fairing on an FLH and theframe mount of an FLT.
A couple of years ago, Fat Boy owners were blaming that same wobble on thesolid wheels. I don’t know, maybe there is something to that in a severecross wind, but try getting an admission from the motor company (I thinkthe element of informed consent has some bearing on their thinking, as doesthe huge range of riding ability). And as you well know, all they need isone rider who does that kind of speed routinely and your argument is moot.
To me a troubling aspect of the current crop of contemporary riders andtheir bikes is that the power to weight ratio has gone through the roof,without corresponding attention being paid to core aspects of frame andsuspension, which are absolutely critical for high speed operation, or,lets face it, rider abilities.
We’ve got a guy here who runs a big inch nitrous bagger at the drags, Ithink his times are in the low 120 range. And Gerry Merchant (Merch Motors)runs our TwistGear in his 131-inch baggers all over Canada. We redesigned theoil seal because of his high speed shenanigans, but never heard anythingabout wobble.
If whoever suggested the Sophist connection between transmission and frontend cares to convince me that all things green are grass, I’ll listen.However, we’d have to run down everything else in between first, like wheelspacers, tire pressure, tire and wheel balance, wind conditions, etc. I’m not takingshots, but think what happens when you back suddenly out of the throttle atthat speed and rewind what you’ve seen on the Speed Channel of the Daytona200 as they approach the chicane coming out of turn four. Then we’ll cutopen a goat and read the entrails for signs.
My theory is a combination of several of the above, plus tire deflectionthat would have to occur as a large amount of weight is instantaneouslyshifted from the rear of the bike to the front, along with severe forkcompression. Just a windage guess, but weight distribution probably wentfrom something like 30-70 to 80-20 in a fraction of a second as the bikeunloaded and downforce caught the fairing.
–John
We spoke to John this morning and discovered more research on handling. The two most important aspects of handling according to a mystery expert, are wheel construction and tire pressure. We’ll bring you more data in the near future.
GASOLINE ALLEY NYC–Deep in the heart of Brooklyn, NY’s industrial waterfront district lies Indian Larry’s GASOLINE ALLEY NYC. Neatly tucked between warehouses and commercial buildings, magic is being made daily.
TBear caught up with the gang recently and shot a feature on one of their bikes. Watch for it to be launched over the weekend.
TECH INFO ON BIKERNET–We try our damnest to answer tech questions within 24 hours. If I don’t know the solution, I turn Frank Kaisler (long time motorcycle mag editor and tech head), Pablo, a master mechanic from Charlotte Harley-Davidson, or any number of master mechanics, Hamsters, antique motorcycle enthusiasts or manufactures. We endeavor to squeeze the answere our of someone.
A reader recently asked about removing the legs from a ’02 touring bike. Here’s Pablo’s response:
“Do you mean the the sliders/lower legs not the tubes?? Also when you say dresser you mean the FLHT models and not Road Kings?? This depends on the year. Air assist yes, for sure. Newer 02 FLHT’s and later models have a cartridge dampner in one side and H-D adiosed the air system. The air system made it easy to put fork oil back in the legs. You used vacuum to do this task.
Now you have to take apart the forks to fill them. This means removing the hole damn fork tube ass’y from each side. There are other ways to do this which are not recomended byH-D. You can use vacuum to draw up the fork oil but still need take off a bunch of plastic/switch etc. to get to the fork tube caps. That process needs a lenghty splaination. I use that vacuum device I made. That was in a tech article awhile back, remember??”
–Pablo
First, I asked the question without enough information. That lead to the above garbled explanation. I’ll try again.
BIKERNET SEXUAL ADVICE–Two guys are talking over a beer, discussing various sex positions.The first guy says his favorite position is the “rodeo”.
The other guy asks what the position is, and how to do it?
The first guy says, “You tell your wife to get on the bed on allfours and then do it doggy style. Once things start to get underway andshe’s really enjoying it, lean forward and whisper in her ear –
‘Your sister likes this position too’…..
Then try to hang on for 8 seconds.”
DEAL OF THE WEEK–Just got the following e-mail from Mike Cole. Selling a bike. If anyone’s interested contact him directly at mikecole@bright.net.
“Hey, I’m trying to sell my bike, and thought I’d see if you could get the word out. It’s an 01 Road Glide w/some extras. 18” tires[130 if., 150 r.] chrome wheels w/ rotors, and pulley to match, Thunderheader, extra chrome, etc. I have 18k invested. I’ll let the windshield, derby cvr. stay, and I’ll sell for 18k. Luxury Rich Red. Buy! Buy!Buy!
I have it paid for and I can use the money for material. I’ll buy a new one, and make the payments. Thanks in advance.”
–Mike Cole
BIKERNET SPORTING ADVICE–A man is in his back yard trying to fly a kite. He keeps throwing itinto the air, where the wind catches it for a few seconds before itcomes crashing down.
Watching him from the kitchen window, his wife mutters how men haveto be told how to do everything. So she opens the window and yells,”You need more tail!”
He shouts back, “Make up your mind! Last night you told me to go fly a kite!”
–from Nuttboy
IT’S BEEN A GOOD DAY–The bike at the head of the news was built by Rick Fairless and his crew at Strokers in Dallas, for Bikernet. The bike began as a 1984 Mexican Police bike that I purchased from Arlen Ness.
Watch for a full feature on the bike in the near future. The engine was built by JIMS machine. They also rebuilt the transmission. Harold Pontarelli painted the 5-Ball logo and the sheet metal. The frame and rims were powdercoated by Custom Powder Coating in Dallas. The rigid frame is a Paughco. Damn, it’s a hot little 1928 Shovelhead. Nice work.
Have a helluva weekend.
–Bandit
