Finally rode a Shovel for the first time & Queries

[Strawhead]

Well finally managed to go up and see the FXWG, left at 0630 this morning and arrived near to Leicester at 1100 after stopping for breakfast, having completed 190 miles

I was quite impressed with the bike, all the ally in great condition, S&S super B carb, and only a small oil leak, either from the gear box or from a pipe connected as possibly an over flow/ [pressure release.

It was a cold morning and she started first time, had been on an optimate and had been started night before but even still appeared to be a better starter than my old evo!

managed to go for a quick 5 mile run, plenty of power, and a very smooth delivery, far better than what i expected, the only issue i had was minor carb farting, but as the temperature was about 8'c i put it down to carb icing as the Super B manifold is quite long. the only other oddity was the gear box, which again was quiet but with a large throw between gears.

certainly no more vibrations than my evo fatty, possibly even less

hopefully will be picking it up in the next few weeks, really looking forward to owning it.

the only real query i have is that there are currently no indicators, the owner has stated that it has passed the MOT without, how can this be as it is a 1981 model, Us Imported though if it makes any difference?

with thanks

[kevscrivener]

Not sure of the exact legislation (it's under Construction & Use somewhere) but I think you're OK up to the mid-1990's where that's concerned.

Useful tip with older bikes; find out where your local Vintage Motor Cycle Club meets (PM me your location and I can give you a contact number) go to one of their meetings and find out where they get their bikes tested.

As your bike's over 25 years old it qualifies under their criteria as a classic, giving you access to Carole Nash's very cheap insurance if you're a VMCC member. Well worth the money IMHO.

[Gray]

Originally Posted by kevscrivener

As your bike's over 25 years old it qualifies under their criteria as a classic, giving you access to Carole Nash's very cheap insurance if you're a VMCC member. Well worth the money IMHO.

Didn't Carole Nash extend that to include Clubs such as our own fine institution, Kev. Hard to remember because I was in both when the Ferrous flyer became of age.

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Gray

Didn't Carole Nash extend that to include Clubs such as our own fine institution, Kev. Hard to remember because I was in both when the Ferrous flyer became of age.

Yes; but the VMCC get a better discount. Trick is to have the oldie as your "first" bike, and add the modern one (mind you in Strawhead's case it's an Evo so not that modern ) there's no mileage limit, it's basically a "rider" policy although all bikes must be declared. Excess is £25 on the old 'uns and £200 (I think) on others.

There's also an agreed value facility, and you get recovery and legal cover thrown in. I've been with them for years, never any hassles.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Strawhead

The only issue i had was minor carb farting, but as the temperature was about 8'c i put it down to carb icing as the Super B manifold is quite long.

Gonna have to live with that, as the B doesn`t have an accelerator pump.

[Gray]

Originally Posted by kevscrivener

There's also an agreed value facility, and you get recovery and legal cover thrown in. I've been with them for years, never any hassles.

Do they do the agreed Value on the modern bang up to date cutting edge Evo? When I first got my eGlide I rang Carole Nash to get it included with the Sporty and the telephone bloke had a coughing fit when I told him the value I wanted agreed. Mind you they made no fuss about the value I put on my Sporty which was cool of them.

The no indicators isnt a problem on that bike as long as there is no sign of any indicator bits at all.
If you want some I took mine off my 75 FX and have them in a box as I am quite happy with various hand signals and robust road positioning.

The spitting can be overcome, but you have to use a S and S E carb, easy to set up and gives good results, and you wont have any probs with carb icing at all with that carb.

Good luck with it.

[Panhead Boris]

Glad you enjoyed it.

I'm pretty sure cut-off for no indicators is pre- 1986. Why bother with them, they tend to wind themselves loose anyway?

The gearbox should feel like long travel compared to an evo, just don't try to hurry shifting and they're normally fine.

The Super B is not great IMHO, and can make starting a bit hit and miss. Super E is straight forward replacement.

Have fun with it.

[kiwidave]

Boris is right re indicators. I removed 'em on my 85 FXEF. Still legal.

Even a CV Evo carb might be a better choice than that S&S B......accelerator pumps are very handy.

Keep us posted on your progress......look forward to seeing the bike.

BTW, tranmission oil leaks/weeps come as standard on all four-speeds owing to mainshaft bushing wear among other things. All sorts of band-aids about....just live with it and accept it is ''marking its spot'', as so many say.

[Kiwi]

superbowl make an acccelerator pump kit for the super B

re insurance insure my bikes through carol nash, no problem at and my Evo is now classed as a classic bike