Two things I hate...

[cueball]

just goes to show, the age old hogley versus rest arguement still gets em in. once again proves that some people don't have much of a sense of humour, and others still take themselves too seriously. two qoutes come to mind. first is from The Eagles "lighten up while you still can, you may never be here again". second from the Divine Miss M (Bette Midler) "F$%^ em if they can't take a joke"

[cueball]

your last blue dog must have had a momentary brain fade to bite w.i.f.e. (washing, ironing. f%^*#+g. etc). saddle idea not too bad as long as no spurs involved.

[b.walker5]

just goes to show, the age old hogley versus rest arguement still gets em in. once again proves that some people don't have much of a sense of humour, and others still take themselves too seriously. two qoutes come to mind. first is from The Eagles "lighten up while you still can, you may never be here again". second from the Divine Miss M (Bette Midler) "F$%^ em if they can't take a joke"

Amen to that, brother.

your last blue dog must have had a momentary brain fade to bite w.i.f.e. (washing, ironing. f%^*#+g. etc)

Used to have a poster of that before I was married, but in those days it was Washing, Ironing, Food and Entertainment. I wasnt game to hang it up after marriage. Probably would now though, 24 years later.

[cueball]

seems to be something to do with the attitude of aussies or k1's, we are far more able to take the piss and not get upset about it when someone takes it out of. maybe if you looked on the net for that poster. if you find one and hang it up let me know how you get on.

[Montreux_Blue]

Anyone want a Harley blanket???

[Ivan]

Did you miss that part where I said 'they market what sells'? They must be doing something right, as they've been copied by nearly every other maker, and as they say, imatation is the sincerest form of flattery...

They have been imitated. True. Harley puts more into marketing than into development, then someone else capitalizes on their marketing and sells bikes that fit Harley's look. That doesn't mean they market what sells. They sell what they make through incessant marketing. Most of the ads (balnket statement for you there... ) I have seen for Harley DO NOT highlight the strong points of a Harley, like their great chrome plating, but take shots at other manufacturers saying that they aren't unique in some way, and Harley is THE unique scoot. All fifty million of them, that look like every other one on the road.

You obviously weren't listening to him, just arguing. After your 'the rear cylinder runs hot' statement (which isn't true), now you come up with this, also not true. Sure, they fire both cylinders at the same time; just like the XS fires two at a time (not to mention other bikes and some cars). Is there only one spark per revolution? Of course not; each cylinder gets it's own timed spark, but both plugs are fired due to the single coil. The single-fire ignitions (each one fired by itself, separate coils) are popular for the guys with BIG cams with lots of overlap as it cleans up the idle and slightly improves low-end power by reducing intake reversion.

Nope, I did listen. Harley runs a waste spark system. It fires both plugs at the same time. That would be great if the pistons were both at the same place in the stroke, but they aren't. A waste spark system is not what a dual cylinder radial engine needs. I listened, and listened. I argued, and I learned. Single fire ignitions would be a great addition to a Harley design engine because both cylinders would fire at the same timing. All of what you said would be true then. If it weren't why would you increase the timing on one cylinder? A waste spark system would work if the cylinders were opposed and used a single throw. Its a bad design. I think you are just skimming over the high parts of what I wrote and not taking the time to understand what i have to say. If that is my fault because I am not concise in my wording, I apologize.

Also, when did I say the rear cylinder runs hot? I just said turning it sideways defeats the purpose of a radial engine. If you are going to take shots at my intelligence, at least read what I said. No need to get emotional because I have formulated a very strong and valid opinion due to the evidence I have encountered.

There you go again; making a sweeping statement with no basis in fact. Not everybody is a 'checkbook' biker. Sure, there's lots of those guys out there (and Harley doesn't have a patent on 'em), but not every Harley owner is like that. I'm finishing a Sportster right now that the only visible completely stock parts left on it are the cases, handgrips, headlight trim rings, and the gas cap; and the number of 'custom' aftermarket parts I bought I can count on my fingers. So you ain't got nuthin' on me.

How much of your stuff was taken from raw stock you procured? What type of lather and mill did you use? CNC? Manual? I make my stuff during the times I am running really hard stuff like PH-15 and Ti6Al4V that takes forever to cut. When the CNC machine is on the 6 hour cycle time, I cut parts for people's hobbies. Racing Lawnmowers, model airplanes, and yes motorcycles, occasionally my own. If you do this and not just paint some prefabbed tank, kudos. Judging by your last statement, I am rightfully under the impression that you merely bolted it on and gave it new paint, since you did say that upgrades for Harleys are nearly unlimited. I hope I am wrong.

I didn't say you were ignorant because you won't ride a Harley. Hey, everybody gets to ride what they want and/or can afford, and that's good. No, ignorance is slamming somebody else's ride when you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

So what are you going to invent to refute me this time?

Now, you are getting personal. I do in fact know what I am talking about, but I suspect you didn't take the time to read what I wrote, as evidenced by saying that I said the rear cylinder runs hotter. I am not just an anti-Harley street punk. I formulate opinions based on the encounters I have.

Now, just ask yourself this: Do you really think that because of your apoplectic ranting I am one step closer to believing you? Do I want a Harley anymore than I did before?

Honestly, If I wanted to (not could) afford a Harley, I wouldn't buy it. I would go for something better designed with better looks. I would spend my money much more wisely. Maybe a Monster, or a Honda Wing or ST. FJRs look like they would be neat. I'd go after a Valkrye or a Rune except I don't like their looks, but I think the HO engine is kinda cool. What i would really like is a new VMax. Sex on wheels I tell you, and fast. But, I have promised my self I wouldn't finance a toy. Seeing how a mid 70s harley bare frame around here goes for close to $4k, I highly suspect buying Harley is buying a name. I really think your fit and finish comment is not really valid, since most any bike being sold have great fit and finish, save some of the korean or chineese stuff I have seen. Durability? Not Harley's strong point, or if it is, it isn't as strong as you say. I have more miles on my XS since last August when I bought it than I have seen on a Harley. I have said before, they are probably out there, but they are few enough that I have not seen it. Most of them have 5-7 k on the odo, and not much more. 10 year old ones might have 15k. Anything can be durable if it sits in the garage 90% of the time.

So, since I am inventing things, and not saying stuff you claim I am, its probably time to let this one slide. I have a standard rule: "Arguing with a Harley fanboy is like wrestling with a pig in $h!t. It's kinda fun at first, until you realize you'll never win, and the pig actually enjoys it."

I won't invest anymore of my energies here, won't even read the notification e-mail of your reply. You have not said anything other than what I have heard before from countless other Harley riders, and you probably won't. Lastly, thanks for helping to cement my opinion of Harleys.

[cueball]

Well said Ivan!

[b.walker5]

End of thread (about a cat and a car)

[trbig]

I'm coming into this late.. but...

the Sportster a great bike. I know for a fact I could ditch my XS in the twisties without much effort

All I gotta say is.. you aren't riding the XS to it's potential then. I'd sure try to get up a whole bunch of money if I got a chance to put my XJ up against one in the twisties.


Tod

Oh... and I've had much better luck from Ford than GM.. but have had good luck from both!

[cueball]

will be driving a ford truck today and tomorrow, heading out to blackfella country.does that count? will let you know if i get any (cats that is).

[b.walker5]

Reminds me of a joke about Pauline Hanson and Crocodile Hunting.... and the bait.

[cueball]

"Please explain" seems to me this is a political correctness free zone, good stuff. we need more plain talk.

[b.walker5]

Should be in the JOTD thread but here goes;

The Pope was touring Australia & took out a couple of days from
his itinerary to visit the northern tropics and the outback. Deep
into his visit, his 4WD Popemobile was driving alongside a river, when he
heard some splashing up ahead.

As he drew close, the Pope observed in the river, an Aboriginal
man struggling frantically with a crocodile, who had grasped the
poor guy in its powerful jaws.

At that moment, from around the river bend, a speedboat roared
into view, containing three people - Bruce Ruxton, Arthur Tunstall and
Pauline Hanson.

As the speedboat neared the struggling figures, Pauline Hanson
took aim and fired a harpoon into the crocodile's hide. Then Ruxton and
Tunstall pulled the man from the jaws of the crocodile and using long
clubs, beat the crocodile to death.

They bundled the semi-conscious man onto the speedboat, as well
as the dead croc and then approached the riverbank. The Pope was impressed
by what he had witnessed, so he went up to greet them. I give you my
blessings for your brave actions, he said. I had heard that there were some
racist xenophobic people trying to divide Australia's community - but now I
can see that your society is a truly enlightened example of racial harmony
and could serve as a model for other nations to follow.

As the Popemobile drove off, Pauline Hanson asked the others:
Who was that? Ruxton answered That was His Holiness the Pope. He is in
direct contact with God and has access to all God?s wisdom. Pauline
remarked, Well, he knows sweet f*ck-all about crocodile hunting!

What condition is the bait in?

[cueball]

best hing about p hanson was that she brought all of the racist rednecks out of their little closets, other than that was no more than another political joke that got elected. on way home from sydney yesterday (truck driver) missed great photo opportunity. turbo charger porsche, yuppy wanker standing nearby, looking unhappy (boo hoo) very unhealthy amount of oil coloured smoke pouring from zorst pipe. could not get to camera in time. bugger!

[b.walker5]

Seen a similair thing last year. Wife and I hired a camper and took a 10 day drive from Sydney to Brisbane, up the Newell. Stopped for a night in Bathurst and next day did the obligatory "lap of the track" (two actually, in a Mercedes camper van) On the second lap some clown in a WRX fancied himself as a bit of a racer, tore off past us up mountain straight like a dog shot in the arse, we found him resting up against the wall at forest elbow, with smoke and steam pouring out of every orifice, and lots of panel damage on the left side. Seems he bounced his way through the esses and had lost brakes by the elbow. He reckoned he didnt need any help so we called him a silly boy and drove on. Had a camera but didnt use it. Have kicked myself a few times since then.