2 Shovels back on the road...1 Pan to finish

[Panhead Boris]

Yesterday saw 2 shovels that I have been working on for a while returned to the road.

My 77 Low Rider has had a major service, new chain, brake pads, some wiring sorted, and generally a good pampering after several years of reliable service with only minor maintenance.

Taz’s 1980 Wide Glide had been off the road for about 18 months as it kept dropping the front cylinder as soon as it got warm. The top end has been stripped, measured, and carefully (slowly!) rebuilt. The mystery clutch prob seems to be cured – real black art! At the same time it has had bucketloads of black powdercoat, softtail forward controls, plus a modern softtail rear brake fitted.

Taz has been a bit poorly and only got the OK to ride again on Monday. So he booked an MoT for yesterday – mainly so he could ride it home from my place. I suggested a trailer, but those that know Taz can already guess his reply to me! The compromise was that I would follow in case there were any probs. I had planned to use my LandRover, which has full tools, recovery equipment, etc. but decided that my shovel needed road proving as well.

A great feeling to be riding a shovel again. The thrill of not being sure that you will arrive without incident, etc………………………………………………





2 kicks each...










The reason I want my workshop cleared…….an old friend that has been neglected for the last 5 years or so. Hopefully ready for the National, but more realistically for Essex Poker Run…..

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Panhead Boris

A great feeling to be riding a shovel again. The thrill of not being sure that you will arrive without incident, etc………………………………………………

I know exactly what you mean. For all that the 1200R's a superb bike and did the Triple last weekend, I got an even bigger kick from taking the 45 up to Mallory and back, almost without incident.

Nice to see Taz is on the mend too. Presume he's back to being his usual polite, reserved and quiet self?

[taz]

Really big thanks to Boris for all the time he put in on my Shovel ,even though he really wanted to work on his Pan, to get it ready for the national. Just like to thank him and Vicky for all there support and for everyone else in the club for there concern and support.


P.S. Just to let Kev know...........I'm not yet back to being myself, but the national is 5 weeks away yet........LMAO...........F**K OFF!!!!!!!!!!

[Shifty]

Lovely bikes, them

[BaZa®]

Nice one Boris you're a good mate to Taz.

See you both at the international.

[dantheman]

3 beutiful lookin bikes mate

[kiwidave]

thanks for the great pix, you guys have some awesome street furniture there. Is the FXS as original as it appears to be? Very tasty.

What WAS the issue with the FXWG cylinder cutting out? Glad Taz is able to enjoy riding it. I will post pix of my own tarted-up 1980 FXWG when I get back to Aussie....cosmetics are being undertaken in my absence.

[45Brit]

always good to see this kind of machinery back in the land of the living.

what's this about 'almost' without incident, Kev? - hope you like the new signature, by the way

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by 45Brit

what's this about 'almost' without incident, Kev? -

Remember I told you at Mallory about the shenannigans I had with the clutch arm; that the locating bolts had in effect been fitted "back to front"?

I'd refitted the front one properly, checking all the pics on Pa's thread on FHP; it stayed in place till somewhere between Llandeilo and home and decided that it was happier in a ditch beside the A40, and this time I wasn't going back to look for it!

The rear bolt, which is still wrongly fitted, hasn't moved; go figure!

New Colony kit coming tomorrow from Krazy Horse; I think I'll weld the bloody inserts in this time!

[Panhead Boris]

I appreciate your comments. This Club is still an inspiration to me - I had intended to provide updates in case they were of interest to others. Unfortunately online time is time not spent in the workshop!

Originally Posted by BaZa ®

Nice one Boris you're a good mate to Taz.

See you both at the international.

Defo see you there mate. BTW Taz is also a good mate, karma going round and all that

Originally Posted by kiwidave

thanks for the great pix, you guys have some awesome street furniture there. Is the FXS as original as it appears to be? Very tasty.

What WAS the issue with the FXWG cylinder cutting out? Glad Taz is able to enjoy riding it. I will post pix of my own tarted-up 1980 FXWG when I get back to Aussie....cosmetics are being undertaken in my absence.

The FXS is pretty original - even has the 74" motor. I have the original carb and air cleaner on my shelf. The seat and exhausts are not original, along with the primary, derby, and points cover. Fun machine though.

The FXWG had a sticking valve guide for sure, plus possibly a couple of lesser things that didn't help.

Originally Posted by kevscrivener

I know exactly what you mean. For all that the 1200R's a superb bike and did the Triple last weekend, I got an even bigger kick from taking the 45 up to Mallory and back, almost without incident.

Nice to see Taz is on the mend too. Presume he's back to being his usual polite, reserved and quiet self?

To clarify Kev, we covered 20 miles without incident, Taz got MoT pass, and I did about 30 mile trip home. How boring! I keep thinking I need a 45 project next.