Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Triumph gods forgive me

For I have bought a Harley....

Ha! So...which one? Pics or it didn't happen...

Why?

Even I learned in the end not to do that .

Say what. 🤪

OMG. Talk about going to the Dark side.😳

I wasn't being smart, I am actually curious as to why you bought one. In my case I would buy certain HD models if I came across a good deal to add to my collection.

Enjoy! What did you get?

I miss my old 80's FXRS low glide (a lot) and my recent super glide custom. Both great bikes. Had the FXRS for 30 - 35,000 miles. no issues. except the grin.

Still have your Triumph?

I suppose it just seemed like the thing to do at the time.I had been tinkering with a buddies 63/72/74 combo Sportster/ chopper looking thing and I was checking into some parts when I stumbled across an old '83 Sportster, mostly original, in dire need of some TLC... rough looking ole unit that has been sitting for awhile but i picked it up cheap. I think it has a lot of potential.

It's very likely I will too...

I kept thinking there was a punchline coming where you had picked up an old harley push mower or outboard motor. Maybe a can of coffee or beef jerky with the Bar and Shield logo.

But that's cool man. If the price was right I don't blame you.
Heck I love all kinds of motorcycles. Post up a video

Nope.. went all in on this one. I need another motorcycle.. or project like I need a hole in my head but for some reason pieces just fell into place so I went with. I guess time will tell.

I've just bought my Speedmaster on the same basis...didn't need one ...but wanted one and there it was.
Sometimes you just have to go with it

I still remember back when I was a kid, that old black and white pic of a Sportster I had cut out of a magazine that hung on my wall for years. It was right next to the full size B&W poster of Raquel Welch from the movie BC.. man I miss that poster.. anyways I started saving pennies. I always called it my Harley fund. I just never could quite get ahead in the game and gave it up years ago.
Actually I was thinking just the other day about how lucky I am to be in a position where I can do something like this.. I have been a very fortunate man in this life and I try to remind myself of that fact everyday.
I'm really excited actually.. been doing some research and found Sportsters to have a very interesting history. I like this one because it has my must haves.. carburetors, spoke wheels, chain drive and disc brakes. '83 was the first year for the optional larger fuel tank and the bench type seat.. it makes a big difference in the looks of the bike and the engines have always looked pretty cool.
But hey, I am a Triumph guy.. I just thought it would be a cool project and a chance to experience something new.

Chy, I thought you've owned a nice old ironhead Sporty for years now, haven't you?

Seems I recall seein' some pix of it which had been taken during one of your rallies there in GA, or was I just dreamin' that?

(...nice lookin' Sporty here too, btw)

I have always thought the lines of the Road King are nice. Never been a fairing guy, but like the windscreens. That is what lead me to purchase the Rocket 3 Touring.Triumph really do not have anything in the Touring category atm. have heard rumors that there is something coming.

I agree it is always good to have a backup ride. Live a little. Enjoy. the worst that could happen is you put a needy bike back on the road. Never a bad thing.

No, I have never owned a harley.. they were always a little too rich for my blood. What i like most about this one, is mostly original.. I'm thinking it's going to make a nice looking bike with a lot of time and elbow grease. Since it's a survivor bike, I don't think I'm going to paint the tank and fenders.... just touch them up and buff them out and see what happens.

A concern on those is the cam design, there are 4 and they ride in the outer case and that tended to crack.

Thanks for the heads up.. so to speak.. I'm flying blind on this one. The engines on these things are different.. maybe not different in 1957 when it was designed but different. Fascinating that they don't have fuses.. apparently they use circuit breakers instead of fuses, of course i suppose a fuse is a circuit breaker isn't it?

Yes, been using circuit breakers in big trucks for years. It surprises me that they never caught on in most vehicles. Another thing with them that isn't really a problem unless you need to dive in there is the transmissions are also over complicated.

Ah! I guess that nice old ironhead Sporty I thought I remembered seeing a pic of years ago and taken during one of your rallies must have belonged to some Harley "interloper", eh?!

(...well, good luck with this Sporty...overall, it looks to be in pretty good shape...I've always had a soft spot in my heart for 'em ya know, and ever since I watched Michael Parks on TV ridin' around the country on one back in '69)

Great looking old sporty Chy. Enjoy.

Yep.. same here. Bronson was too cool. I loved that show.

I too have a soft spot for them.
It's a peat bog in Ireland.
( Only joking folks... couldn't resist it)

Apparently there is some secret HD memo somewhere that says if you have any electrical issues, just eliminate all circuit breakers and hot wire everything straight to the battery. I have worked on two of these now and they are both wired straight to the battery.. no fuses.. no circuit breakers.. no fusible link. Nuthin. Oh except for the turn signals and and warning lights.. those they just left disconnected.
Are Sporster fires a common thing? If not I am very surprised.

Funny, I actually know of 2!

Reminds me of my old '76 XLCH. It had a much modified engine so a ton up was easy to do. I averaged 90 to 110 Kmiles to a top end rebuild but after the fourth one the bottom end started getting loose. The OL talked me into giving it to my grandson.

have not been on the site in ages, hope all is going well with the sporty project

For the most part, the Sporty is done.. I've ridden it over a hundred miles now, even had the opportunity to indulge in a joy ride.. not just another test ride.
It runs pretty strong but still tweaking the carb a bit trying to get a more stable idle.. all the electrics work great. Can't seem to fix the oil leak at the transmission drain plug and the rear tire bounces pretty badly on the road. I can see it's out of round but have as of yet to get into serious diagnostics. I laced both wheels.. my first time for that so that may be an issue bit I still think that cheapo Dunlop tire may be playing a part in it.
Of course the oil light comes on at idle when warm.. better since changing to straight 50w oil but still there. From what I've read, that may just be the nature of the beast. Since they have roller bearings they really don't build oil pressure to speak of so I'm not overly concerned at this point.
Cooler weather has set in so I let it join the rest in the motorcycle shed for awhile.. still tinkering with my buddies old 75 Sporty now and then as he has decided to try to revive it after 10-15 years of sitting so still lots to do.

Congrats on your Sporty project Chy! Sounds like you've made some real progress.