Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

joshbob, I know what you mean about time. I am going down first weekend, can't take the whole week. Gonna put that weekend in the middle of the trip. I'll spend more time riding there and back as I will there. Think about it for next year... we could meet and ride down.. just a thought...

Good idea.
I was just looking at the Museum Thru Time and it will be open in April Thursdays thru Mondays. Odd taking the middle of the week off. I have a block of time off from the 6th thru the 15th - Easter break. I'd still like to come over and check it out, probably sometime toward the last weekend of my break. Saturday, the 14th would be the best day and would give me Sunday to get home. 'Course all this depends on the weather!

Far as I know that is good for me... PM me when it gets closer and you know for sure. You can stay here and save a few bucks. I'll take a day off and show you some rides. Let me know... Wheels through time is featured in American Iron this month for their Kick Start rides... right down your alley...

I'll get a copy. I read bike magazines of all kinds. I also like Street Chopper and GKM (Greasy Kulture Magazine). GKM is $10 a pop and comes out bi-monthly and features home built bikes. My kind of mag!

It's raining and the temps are gonna DROP to the low 40s and stay there all day - next ride opportunity looks like Thursday or Friday. I'm going in the shop today and listen to an oldies station and shine up the beast! Been thinking of repainting a flying pig on the gas tank . . . .

Went for a 50 mile ride today - speeds up to 55MPH. Still taking it easy on the motor. Boy, it (the motor) sounds good! I expect the carb must be spot on - no coughing, hesitation, backfires or decel popping. I'm going out to the shop this evening to take a look at the plugs . . . .
The ol' eyes teared up quite a bit - still waiting for my RX goggles to show up - maybe another week. That'll make a BIG difference. Had fun and drew a small crowd at the local gas pump.
Here's something that surprised me: the wind was blowing so loud I hardly noticed the pipes at all. I was wearing my half helmet so my ears were wide open.

Glad the bike is running so good Joshbob, been a long tunnel but I'am sure you're thinkin it was worth it now that u can see the light at the end. I bought a cheap pair of riding glasses with the foam inserts, they work great no tears at all and cheap enough for a tinted and clear pair. I find them less bulky then the goggles, but to each his own

I know 50 miles isn't a lot by you guy's standards, but I gotta start somewhere! Sure was a lot of fun! Lots of body parts have to get used to riding again! Ha-ha! I will gradually go for longer and longer rides. The springer seat rode very well, BTW.

I think the Bobster goggles are going to be okay - they are prescription with photo grey lenses - dark in the sun and clear at night. I'm probably going to look like an insect wearing them! Not as cool looking as the WileyX streamlined ones, but very affordable - under 2 bills. I'll post a pic as soon as they arrive.

One thing I noticed during this particular ride was that I really missed a front brake - not only for more stopping power, but for riding around town with all the stops one has to make. I'm looking into Fab Kevin's brake systems - he knows his stuff . . . .

Good for you Josh ... been a long time coming ... so cool, I am glad for you. Now, ride man ride!!

I'm with HRK. Not goin's a problem,not stoppin is a BIG PROBLEM

It stops, just not as well as I'd like it to. Fabricator Kevin has a builder's kit with matching Tokico 4 piston calipers and custom brackets, including all the parts needed. I'm going to replace the rear banana caliper as well.

I just need to find another lower leg with brake bungs. I'll post with all the particulars in the buy & sell section.

Wouldn't a couple of 4" stainless hose clamps. Use them to hold the caliper onto the fork leg. Maybe 3 of 'em?!

You're joking, right?

I just found a pair of nice looking used lower legs for $100 on Ebay. Used my mother-in-laws credit card as I don't have such things - just handed her the cash. There are perks to having my mother-in-law living with us! She is a sweet old lady, gonna be 84 soon, still healthy and in her right mind - plus she has warmed up to the idea of me having a bike. What more could I ask for?

When I inspected my plugs after my ride yesterday, the front one was a light grey and the back one was only a little darker - perfect! It's unheard of to have a #46 pilot jet on a CV carb on the shovelheadUSA forum - they all have #48 to #50 pilots, at least the ones I have read about. Ken told me if you have to use the larger pilots, then you must be fighting a vacuum leak and/or have the wrong needle. Thanks again, Ken!

I'm with HRK as well, bike will stop with just rear, but not near as quickly and in control if something happens. Safety most important. Loose a lot with no front brake. Plus a pain at stops in town on a slope.

As I've said before, I hate cluttering up my bars with an ugly ass master cylinder sticking up there. Ugh! That's why I wanted to originally go with a nice classic front drum brake set up - But the only ones I've been able to locate so far are new aftermarket ones. Big bucks. I can get a used 19" wheel with stainless spokes and a vintage star hub for $350. Sounds high to me.

I understand ... I like clean look too... but safer is safer... just saying ...

Was gonna ride the Beast to my chiropractor this afternoon after school, but it's sprinkling and the wind is gusting. Sky is turning darker as I write . . . oh, well, there will be other opportunities . . .

Here's a little tidbit for you shovel owners or someone who has owned a shovel in the past. I'm having trouble trying to get the shift lever adjusted right. Seems no matter where it is, I have to lift my leg and foot off the foot rest peg to upshift and the same for down shifting. I asked Tattoo about this and he said it was normal for 4 speeds. Normal? Is this because of forward controls? If I adjust the lever low enough so I don't have to take my foot off the foot rest peg, I can't get my boot under it. If I adjust it high enough to get my boot under it, I have to lift my entire leg to shift. Frustrating - and my leg is very sore from shifting this way. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe my shifter is too short? I don't know . . . but "normal" just doesn't cut it, boys.