It's finally road worthy

[badmotorscooter]

After 2 months to the day I have fixed enough sh*t to make this roadworthy. I purchased this 2006 SS after I first waited an entire month before negotiating with the seller. I was hesitant on making the leap based on initial inspection, but decided screw it I'll just fix whatever it needs. I rode it briefly right after purchase to give it a shake down before tearing into it. It still needs a full top end gasket kit, but that will wait until next winter. For now I'm just waiting on receipt of an inner stone guard, and a set of TechSpec grippers. A busy life puts a damper on getting things done in a timely manner. I wrench all my own stuff, so it tends to take longer.


Thus far I replaced...

rear wheel bearings
rear tire
rear brake pads
idler pulley bearings
belt
rear sprocket
front wheel bearings
front tire
front rotor
front brake pads
Renthal ultra low bars
Oury grips
mirrors

and a big THANK YOU to John (Lunatic) for some parts and advice

of course pics or it didn't happen...

 

[TPEHAK]

How do you know it needs top end gaskets kit?

 

[badmotorscooter]

How do you know it needs top end gaskets kit?

Because the rear base gasket shows sign of blowby, both push rod covers show signs of leaking. I been around HDs long enough to know the signs. I'm not worried about it right now though.

 

[Cooter]

My old shop teacher always said "it ain't a leak if it doesn't touch the ground":applause:

Looking good! Get some miles on that pretty thing


*And it's not a "Harley". It's a Buell.

 

[submax]

Looks great! And, I get what you mean about it taking longer doing your own wrenching coupled with a busy life...two months is pretty darn good. Is the writing on your tire sidewalls tinted? Or is that just the way the light is reflecting off them? It looks pretty cool with the rest of the bike!

 

[badmotorscooter]

Looks great! And, I get what you mean about it taking longer doing your own wrenching coupled with a busy life...two months is pretty darn good. Is the writing on your tire sidewalls tinted? Or is that just the way the light is reflecting off them? It looks pretty cool with the rest of the bike!

I used a silver paint pen to color the letters. Next set of tires I'll pay a 10 spot for a child to do it.

 

[user_deleted]

and a big THANK YOU to John (Lunatic) for some parts and advice

that's a beauty! love red bikes and that turned out wonderfully. you should be proud of all that work and the results. well done.

 

[Outlaw]

My old shop teacher always said "it ain't a leak if it doesn't touch the ground":applause:

Looking good! Get some miles on that pretty thing


*And it's not a "Harley". It's a Buell.

It's got the heart of a Harley

 

[JeffY]

Really nice bike!!

 

[Cooter]

It's got the heart of a Harley

The engine architecture, no argument there. But with the extensive time and engineering put into the ones in the Buells (especially the Thunderstorm), I think Erik would take offense to that:upset:

Ironically, I've never had much issues with my Buells leaking. The '09 Sporty always marked it's territory. Odd for having 'the same engine'.... I'm sure it's in the DNA:black_eyed:

 

[badmotorscooter]

The engine architecture, no argument there. But with the extensive time and engineering put into the ones in the Buells (especially the Thunderstorm), I think Erik would take offense to that:upset:

Ironically, I've never had much issues with my Buells leaking. The '09 Sporty always marked it's territory. Odd for having 'the same engine'.... I'm sure it's in the DNA:black_eyed:

I used to think the common leaks were always owner induced. As an example possibly from some owners using improper warm up time before really getting on it. Without any obvious issues, I really think it just comes down to tolerance in the mating surfaces, and or total stack up tolerances with gaskets. Luck of the draw as they say...

 

[Cooter]

You are right about that! Engine design is a big part as well, don't split a seam thats under pressure or fluid (duh). Old Chevys leak, new ones don't, and to give "The Motor Company" credit the newly designed Harleys don't either:up:

 

[njloco]

I used to take my 1970 trumpet chopper, and deliberately park next to the Harley guys, then I would take a white cotton towel and lay it under the bike and, just walk away. When I got back, the Harley guys would still be looking at the totally white towel with out a speck of oil on it and then they would say, hey man, like how do you do that ? I would answer, well, I could tell you if you road a triumph and then laughed and gave them the info after all, I didn't want to get my butt kicked.

 

[2ovals]

Jeebus that's purdy! Hopefully I can do mine in about the same time, great job man!!

 

[sinikl]

Looks great! Hard work pays off.