I took the Panhead bobber out for about 100 miles yesterday. I had
been having starting problems for a couple of years and had some
issues with S&S intake manifold adapters to plumber style heads.
Since the last decent ride, I pulled the heads, only to learn that
they were 51-52 heads anyway. The threads inside the intake nipples
weren't very good either.
Because there is virtually nothing original on the entire bike, I
opted for the expensive solution... Brandy new heads with a little
better casting technology and intake nipples designed to work with a
stock S&S manifold.
So... Now, with an intake manifold that doesn't leak, I figured I
would have solved the starting problem. Nope. Cold startups were a
breeze but warm startups just weren't happening.
I pulled the tin primary cover (dry primary with narrow belt) and
watched it while I kicked the bike.
DUH!!! The clutch was slipping when I was kicking it.
I still need a new clutch, but I cranked the nuts down a little too
far and it starts right up, cold, warm or hot.
Rochester HD (a division of Seacoast HD) was having an open house
with music and free eats. I couldn't pass up a chance to show off,
so I stopped by for a cup of coffee. There were a couple hundred
bikes in the parking lot, but nothing of note. The most interesting
thing I saw was the selection of Genuine Scooter Company of Chicago
(genuinescooters.com) cheap Chinese scooters. Since my Stella from
Hell is one of theirs, I asked the service guys if they had anybody
that was qualified to work on it. They looked at me like I had two
heads. They have only seen the plastic scooters. They weren't aware
that Genuine still sells 2 stroke, steel body Vespa PX clones.
I finished my coffee. I was mostly unsuccessful at showing off. Of
the 200 or so people at the dealer, only one or two noticed the
Panhead.
Having failed at posing successfully, I continued on to the north,
stopping at the Hawg's Pen in Farmington to see if it was still in
operation after the owner shot a couple of holes in the wall of his
house and while he is still in the clink for said transgression.
Yup. I can still get Panhead parts locally.
Next, on to the Ammo Dump. No .380 ammo for three weeks and no
estimate when there will be more. I should have stocked up earlier.
It's a good thing I have lots of reloading supplies for my major
calibers.
North around Lake Winnepesaukee through Moultonboro and back down
through Sanbornville. The Poor People's Pub was doing a mighty good
biker business, as was the Yankee Smokehouse in Ossipee, that many
of you have enjoyed in the past.
The Panhead ran perfectly all the way around. Spring riding on a
hardtail is an interesting experience in New Hampshire. For those of
you that know the term "frost heaves", you know what I mean.
I figure I kicked the bike over at least 10 times on Saturday and it
started well all day. Another season is underway!
There were so many bikes out that waving at them all was out of the
question. The mix was about 80% Harley to 20% everything else.
Squids were few and far between. The Beemer crowd seemed to be the
largest group after HD.
Not much waving and not enough posing,
The Poser
___
Cogito Ergo Spam - I think therefore I ham
>> I was mostly unsuccessful at showing off. Of the 200 or so people at the
>> dealer, only one or two noticed the Panhead. <<
Win friends and influence people with burnouts.
112
wrote:
>:Win friends and influence people with burnouts.
>I've got an old style chain. I'd snap the master link.
>I guess I should have leaked more oil. The crowd must have thought
>it was a Japanese copy.
ok that was better than the "new head" comment I made
>___
>Cogito Ergo Spam - I think therefore I ham
--
Screw Spell checkers, Deal with it or tno.........
>I took the Panhead bobber out for about 100 miles yesterday. I had
> been having starting problems for a couple of years and had some
> issues with S&S intake manifold adapters to plumber style heads.
> Since the last decent ride, I pulled the heads, only to learn that
> they were 51-52 heads anyway. The threads inside the intake nipples
> weren't very good either.
> Because there is virtually nothing original on the entire bike, I
> opted for the expensive solution... Brandy new heads with a little
> better casting technology and intake nipples designed to work with a
> stock S&S manifold.
> So... Now, with an intake manifold that doesn't leak, I figured I
> would have solved the starting problem. Nope. Cold startups were a
> breeze but warm startups just weren't happening.
> I pulled the tin primary cover (dry primary with narrow belt) and
> watched it while I kicked the bike.
> DUH!!! The clutch was slipping when I was kicking it.
> I still need a new clutch, but I cranked the nuts down a little too
> far and it starts right up, cold, warm or hot.
> Rochester HD (a division of Seacoast HD) was having an open house
> with music and free eats. I couldn't pass up a chance to show off,
> so I stopped by for a cup of coffee. There were a couple hundred
> bikes in the parking lot, but nothing of note. The most interesting
> thing I saw was the selection of Genuine Scooter Company of Chicago
> (genuinescooters.com) cheap Chinese scooters. Since my Stella from
> Hell is one of theirs, I asked the service guys if they had anybody
> that was qualified to work on it. They looked at me like I had two
> heads. They have only seen the plastic scooters. They weren't aware
> that Genuine still sells 2 stroke, steel body Vespa PX clones.
> I finished my coffee. I was mostly unsuccessful at showing off. Of
> the 200 or so people at the dealer, only one or two noticed the
> Panhead.
> Having failed at posing successfully, I continued on to the north,
> stopping at the Hawg's Pen in Farmington to see if it was still in
> operation after the owner shot a couple of holes in the wall of his
> house and while he is still in the clink for said transgression.
> Yup. I can still get Panhead parts locally.
> Next, on to the Ammo Dump. No .380 ammo for three weeks and no
> estimate when there will be more. I should have stocked up earlier.
> It's a good thing I have lots of reloading supplies for my major
> calibers.
> North around Lake Winnepesaukee through Moultonboro and back down
> through Sanbornville. The Poor People's Pub was doing a mighty good
> biker business, as was the Yankee Smokehouse in Ossipee, that many
> of you have enjoyed in the past.
> The Panhead ran perfectly all the way around. Spring riding on a
> hardtail is an interesting experience in New Hampshire. For those of
> you that know the term "frost heaves", you know what I mean.
> I figure I kicked the bike over at least 10 times on Saturday and it
> started well all day. Another season is underway!
> There were so many bikes out that waving at them all was out of the
> question. The mix was about 80% Harley to 20% everything else.
> Squids were few and far between. The Beemer crowd seemed to be the
> largest group after HD.
> Not much waving and not enough posing,
Nice report. I'm toying w/the idea of popping up for LBW this year. It's
been awhile. Maybe I can convince some other Scum to hit the Smokehouse
again, good stuff. Frost heaves suck for sure Steve. I recall back in my
school days heading up to NH for some skiing and stole a Beware: Frost
Heaves road sign which made a mighty fine dormroom art statement. Ahhh,
'twas good to be 20, stupid & high. I'm only one of those now.
In other Schmoenews while I'm carrying on...Mrs. Schmoe is set to take the
MSF course in June. I'm excited with the idea that she wants to learn but a
bit nervous if she likes it, passes and wants to hit the road. It would be
very nice though. She'd never make big trips herself but day rides & local I
could envision. Getting back on topic, I like it when she poses. Her
waving's nothing to write home about though. <sfsf>
--
#128
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>> dealer, only one or two noticed the Panhead. <<