Harley Snobs: RANT - Page 5

**Henryinva** · 07-17-2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagie

I can't knock harley to much, half my bike is HD parts. LOL... next bike is going to be a steampunk project. Threw the idea at my wife who thinks it would be cool... More like an art project that I could ride.

I got a pic for you dude!! Not at the house so I cant upload it right now...old Honda moped like thingy...c70 or something like that..youll have a cow when ya see the pic...

**cagie** · 07-17-2010, 09:49 AM

I think I know the one you're talking about, I think he actually turned it into an electric. This it?

**J-Adix** · 07-17-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkyardDog

A "real" Triumph Bonneville is a bike to die for, but the prices are insane, and I would hate to see one cut up. I would go for the Sportster, they are cheap and plentiful right now, they have the right look, the right sound, and any kind of parts you could possibly ever want are and always will be available for them. I'd get one, but they are a bit small for me, I'm saving my money for an EVO powered Electra Glide.

The Shadow VLX600 is chain drive, and always have been. There are 2 versions, the '88-'98, and the '99-'08. If I were going to get one, I would go for the '99 up, because they have just one carb. I actually like the style of the earlier models a bit better, but if you are going to customize it anyway, it shouldn't matter much. I currently own a v-twin with dual carbs, and while it is a great bike to ride, the carbs are an absolute nightmare to get to and work on. They also make the entire intake system twice as complicated as it needs to be. I personally will NEVER own a dual carb v-twin again.

If you are just looking for a project, and don't intend to keep it forever, a late model Japanese bike is fine. But as Japanese bikes get older, parts become harder and harder to find, until eventually there are none available anymore. That will never happen with a Harley. Also, most Japanese engines were never designed to be rebuilt, and even if the parts are available, the cost can easily exceed the bikes value. Harley engines can be rebuilt several times, and don't require a new crank, rods, cam, and heads everytime like Japanese engines do, with their pressed together cranks, non removable rods, no cam bearings, etc.

Basically, Japanese bikes=disposable, while a Harley can be kept going forever without it costing a fortune, at least the EVO and older engines.

I love old Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs, etc. and they too can be rebuilt, but the prices are just too high anymore. Jerry.

My mistake about the vlx600 shadows, you're right though, they are all chain driven. I misread something on another site that states the first shadows, from '83-'87, are 5-speed and have a drive shaft. The info about the single and dual carbs is good to know also. I don't want to have to wrestle around with hard to get to carbs. If I were able to find a nice old English bike I'd probably do a budget cafe until I actually had a garage that I could restore it in, instead of the side yard. I didn't know the stuff about Japanese vs. Harley engines, very interesting though. It makes me lean more towards a Harley now. I'm 5'-9", 180lbs, and have only been riding for a few months, so a sporty should suit my needs. Plus the infinite available parts make it even more appealing. I'm going to go check out a custom bike for sale today. It's a custom built rigid frame, made for a cb750 motor and trans which are included. It also has wheels, tires, triple tree, and a box of parts, all for 500 obo. The frame is totally a "chopper" style, and I'm not a huge chopper guy, but IMO choppers make better two seaters than bobbers. Have you heard anything about the cb750 bore kits? Just been curious about those. The thing I like about the cb750s is that it seems like there are still a lot of parts for them, especially when compared to the Yamaha xs650.

**Guba** · 07-17-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagie

I think I know the one you're talking about, I think he actually turned it into an electric. This it?

Intresting, I didn't know Jules Verne was a biker.

**twitch** · 07-17-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guba

Intresting, I didn't know Jules Verne was a biker.

FTW!

**Buickguy** · 07-17-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guba

Intresting, I didn't know Jules Verne was a biker.

It was either Jules Verne or H.G. Wells!

**jduff8505** · 07-26-2010, 05:50 PM

Twitch,

After reading your rant and reply to the snobs. I thought back to when I was a young man who had just joined the Navy and had inadvertantly rode my 450 Rebel to a bike week in SC. A lot of big Harley's and guys and gals that could just squash me, anyway a group of them ride up next to me at a stop light and start asking me about my Rebel and I told them it was my first bike and a few of them said they had learned on something similar to that size and told me to ride safe and have a good time. So I guess there's all types out there, some will help and some won't.

About the dealership issue, I only have my tires changed at a Suzuki/Triumph dealership here in Oklahoma City because I believe they are "Hands Down" the best service department in the city.

Jeff

**mavreix** · 07-30-2010, 05:12 PM

When I got into bikes this last year I knew hardly anything about the whole scene. I rode hodna dirtbieks for years and loved them. I found this 99 250 rebel on craigslist with 23,000 miles on it for a little over a grand-- whenI first heard it crank up I fell in love. Since then Ive taken half the bike apart and put back together by myself with the aid of a little manual and this forums users. Ive put more then 5,000 miles on that bike in the last 6 months. I ride in jeans and T-shirts, Im not riding to impress anyone, i ride because i love it and if someone doesnt like it thats there problem. Just ignore them if they are gonna give you a hard time, just say you dont wanna take out a mortgage for a bike XD

**mavreix** · 07-30-2010, 05:14 PM

BTW your letting em' win if you get mad about it!

**Bigyor** · 08-20-2010, 07:14 PM

Everyone who I've met have pretty much had the philosophy: Who cares what you ride as long as you are putting on miles.

Guys in my shop are always taking rides up and down the east coast, and we all have different rides. Nobody really pays much attention to what each other ride as long as we aren't a danger on the road.