Another new (to me) bike!

[ManitoulinLad]

Love the retro

I love the 'old' look' guess that why my bike is 30 yrs old. But, an older look (whitewalls, studs etc) like yours reminds me of the bikes from the 40 & 50's & thats the momma man! To me anyways. Great ride, If I had the bucks I'd b right there with ya, maybe someday. To me you just can't beat the old look, its got character, something you can't get with every bike, & that bikes got it man. I'd walk across the parking lot to check it out - Dan

[fredintoon]

After doing a little wrangline around, I finally ended up with a big road bike for the wife and I to do a little two up on. Bags, ride, and all the rest, I found a deal on this that I could not pass up: - - -

Hi T99,
while my own circumstances won't let me buy ~800 lbs of pure unaffordium, congratulations on your purchase.
However, you won't travel very far 2-up with your wife perched on that nasty little (and now detachable) flapper bracket, eh?
I've seen Hogley-Poodlesons (and to be fair, Honda Lead Sleds too) wearing throne-like pillion seats complete with arm rests, backrests and stereo systems; anyone who can lash out $500 to change his 'bars could surely afford to install one of those to keep his wife comfy for the long haul?

[tom clisham]

Congratulations on the nice ride!

Although I never had a softtail, I'm the PO of an '84 ironhead, a '59 flh full dresser, an '87 FXR ( the best motorcycle HD ever made), & a full dress (all the plastic, bat wing, etc) 98 FLH.

To all those salivating xs'ers, I now own 4 xs1100's & never had a better motorcycle. Don't let the legend fool you.

[T99Ford]

Thanks, Fred! I actually have a sissy bar and stuff for the rear, but she asked that I take it off. It turns out that she has an eye for aesthetics, as well!!

Tom,
I don't think anyone is blindly worshipping the bar and shield here. It turns out that motorcycles are like tools in a tool box. A screw driver is not a hammer, though they are both tools. You might even have a multitool, which does the job of many tools, though not as well as the dedicated item.
In the case of motorcycles, you have cruisers and sportbikes, or the multitool--the XS. Having had them all as well, I can tell you the Harley is the better cruiser, my VTR is a much better sportbike, and the XS can abley do a good average of both, though not as well specifically as either of the others.
For me personally, the XS was not fast enough and did not have good enough handling at speed to be an effective sportbike (believe me, I tried). Likewise, it was not big enough for me in the capacity of a full on road bike. I understand that there are many out there for which the XS is both fast and large enough to achieve their intended riding experience. What I describe is for me and my preference only. I had a truly good experience with my XS, and it never let me down.

It turns out, you just have to have one of all of them!

[tom clisham]

Hey, no offense man.

It's just that some younger riders think that they have to ASPIRE to a Harley
even though they're frequently not financially feasible. Truth is, I guess until
you have one you'll never know.

I just don't want xs'ers to think less of the xs1100. It is a great bike.

Enjoy that softtail, it's a beauty. Looks very much like my old '59 FLH. I spose that's why they named it the Heritage.

[Elevener]

love that shirt

[T99Ford]

Tom--No offense taken I agree in your assessment that a Harley is not the Holy Grail to be aspired to. It is a purpose oriented machine, and I wanted a cruiser. Certainly not knocking the 11, which is a great bike in its own right. I would love to see pics of your '59 if you have some!

Elevener--I just don't think you will let me live this down, will you Don't worry, I am planning a RADICAL build for the winter. Just a hint, but I am building the frame and everything, and the seat base is the gas tank Oh, and no fairings, either

[jwhughes3]

What is your job?

What do you do for a living that gives you this kind of shop time?

Retired?

Independently wealthy?

Lottery?

Inquiring minds want to know!!

I want this job...



John

[T99Ford]

Ha, I am a humble heavy diesel mechanic. Actually, more specifically, I now run an ag diesel shop, so I pretty much live and work in the shop all the time. The bikes are just a diversion from that reality.

The projects are pretty cheap for the most part. Buy 'em wrecked and make them all new from scratch. Since I am lucky enough to have the facility and the tools, it is pretty easy.

The Harley is a splurge, born of from the sale of several other bikes into one!

No kids, a great understanding wife, and a severe case of ADD, make it all work out