This is my first vintage Harley build. I started with a 1979 XLH bobber I bought for $1800. The PO said he was going for the "Mad Max" look, and by letting all the tins rust and not washing her for a few years had achieved just that! Apparently these old Ironheads leak pretty bad, and that, in itself, made the "Mad Max" look. The bike ran, but I wasn't too sure about the safety aspect, so I got it home and washed/degreased it. Not a bad looking bike under all of that oil and dirt.
Then I started tearing it down. The PO stored it outside, so the rubber was starting to dry rot, so I ordered new Avons. Took off the tank and front forks, the 9" wide rusted-out trailer fender. Yes, 9" wide fender over the stock rear rim - looked bizarre.
Pulled the forks apart. First safety problem discovered - maybe 1/2 oz oil in each fork. The 79 forks use oil hydraulic pressure for fork tube rebound, so there's the first suspected safety issue! Also, I think the forks had never been disassembled or serviced, so the seals were literally fused to the lowers! Here's the original Showa lowers after dissassembly.
Sent the lowers off to Ryan at IronHeartCycles, since he's got a lathe, and here's what they looked like when he was done with them.
Nice, right? Re-assembled with 8" over tubes...
Fork back on and 21" with new tube/tire. Also replaced the bars with some chrome rabbit ears.
Then I started tearing it down. The PO stored it outside, so the rubber was starting to dry rot, so I ordered new Avons. Took off the tank and front forks, the 9" wide rusted-out trailer fender. Yes, 9" wide fender over the stock rear rim - looked bizarre.
Pulled the forks apart. First safety problem discovered - maybe 1/2 oz oil in each fork. The 79 forks use oil hydraulic pressure for fork tube rebound, so there's the first suspected safety issue! Also, I think the forks had never been disassembled or serviced, so the seals were literally fused to the lowers! Here's the original Showa lowers after dissassembly.
Sent the lowers off to Ryan at IronHeartCycles, since he's got a lathe, and here's what they looked like when he was done with them.
Nice, right? Re-assembled with 8" over tubes...
Fork back on and 21" with new tube/tire. Also replaced the bars with some chrome rabbit ears.
Comment