Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

Going out today for a ride - a little longer this time. Still breaking the motor and tranny in, so I'm taking it easy. Also breaking in some muscles I didn't know I had! Ha-ha!

Coming back in after the ride, I'm going to be a little leary steering the Beast through all that soft, uneven ground and up that short ramp. Going out is easy - I just coast down the ramp and start it up outside. It's going up and back in that's scary. With both doors open I only have about 11" of clearance on either side of the bars. It looks like you're threading a needle! Not having a front brake makes it more difficult. But I did saw off about 3" of the tree root that was sticking up and in the way. That should help some.

One option would be to build a new enclosed wing coming off the side of the shop. Could pour a slab floor. I'd have good, level access then. Another advantage would be that I could move everything motorcyle related (tools, parts, etc.) out there and move my woodworking stuff back into the main shop (table saw, etc.).

A few times in and out and you'll figure it out, just slip the clutch a little going up the ramp, you could try and find an old style drum brake for the front, no fluid reservoir needed then.
Nail a block of wood on the floor where you want the front end to stop.
11" each side?
lay some plywood down for a side walk until you can get something better.

All good advice, boys, thanks. Just as I was getting ready to go for a ride, Mac calls and I have to go pick her up at work. Then we have to go food shopping. I don't think there'll be time for a ride by the time I get back.

Hate to hear that, weather better your end of the state. Rain in this afternoon, but rode this morning and back home about an hour before the rain. Rain tomorrow, so glad I got a ride in today.

It's supposed to be nice today, mid 50s. I'll go for a ride this afternoon. I got the parts from CVP yesterday (idle mix needle & idle speed screw) and put them on the carb. Makes adjustments so much easier, as you all know. I shouldn't have to do anything else to it. I started the Beast up last night and checked for leaks, etc. Everything looks good to go.

I'm thinking seriously of getting a drum brake for the front, but I would also have to get another set of lower legs as I shaved all the lugs off. Rob's had a complete '66 front end for $1500 but that was way out of my budget.

No front brake? You must have b--ls. I'm a sissy. Whole different world without front brake, I bet.

Charlie46, it is a different world. Bike stops pretty good because it's so light, but I found myself missing that front brake sometimes! Suppose I'll get used to it.

I think my front hub came off a Sportster. My wheels & front end is Harley.

JB,Back in the 70's when 'Real' choppers where being made, at home, like yours. there where small custom disc units that could be had. Even my first bike, a Honda 450 wouldn't stop worth a damn without using front brake. Just worry about that a__h_le in the cage that slams on his brakes in front of you.JMO

My 2nd bike was a Honda 450 - I think it was the first bike to have double overhead cams. After riding it awhile, I traded up to a '72 ironhead (first year of the 1000cc's). Wow, what a difference! Loved Harleys ever since.

I try to keep extra distance between me and the vehicle in front. Good idea anyway in case the cage goes over an obstacle like a brick or road kill or whatever - would have more time to react. My bike is fairly nimble, like a sporty or even a smaller bike.

Well, no ride yesterday - wrenched the ol' back doing yard work. Picked up something I shouldn'ta. That's okay, I've decided to put a bigger ramp on my porch first. Think I'll use a full sheet of 4x8 exterior plywood with 4 2x4's underneath to brace it. Should be getting my truck back from the tranny shop soon . . . .

It's raining this morning and cold, but the next 3 days are going up into the low 60s again with rain on Wednesday. It's been dry here so the rain is a good thing.

A few strips of roofing shingles on the plywood will keep it from being slippery when wetand dry