Goin' to the dark side

**crazy steve** · 02-09-2010, 12:55 PM

Geez, another apostate XS11 owner....

I suppose that technically you could include me (3 Sportsters), but I have to tell you that on my Sportster list, buying a BigTwin is considered the 'Dark Side'....

'78E original owner

**cywelchjr** · 02-09-2010, 12:58 PM

Gee, and I thought you were putting a car tire on the back of your 11.

I got no problem with HD's, other than how much they cost, and the loud pipes they put on them. Other than that, since the AMF days they are good machines, and they even keep the oil inside now.

**fredintoon** · 02-09-2010, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by oldbiker648

- - - How many other members have a Harley in the stable? - - - -

Hi John,
my first thought was "the ones with more money than sense." but that's just envious and spiteful.
Good luck and ride safe with your new Harley.

**oldbiker648** · 02-09-2010, 01:07 PM

In my defense, I had no interest in buying a big V-twin until my buddy decided to part with his. I wasn't in the market for this bike, it just sort of fell into my lap and at a very good price as well.

**cywelchjr** · 02-09-2010, 01:15 PM

In additional defense for you, I am on the short list to be possibly given an HD (very few miles on it) by someone who it was given too who has no use for it and wants to give it to someone who will not get crazy with it (she is 86 Years Old) I told her she should put a sidecar on it and ride like Fred does, but she's not going to it.

So, it's possible I might end up with an HD, and I won't throw it away or sell it, I'll ride it at times (might even put a sidecar on it if I get it, it might make a really good sidecar rig).

**oldbiker648** · 02-09-2010, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by fredintoon

Hi John,
my first thought was "the ones with more money than sense." but that's just envious and spiteful.
Good luck and ride safe with your new Harley.

Fred, trust me, I don't have a lot of money, and there are those who would also say I'm a little short of sense. This is going to be a new experience for me. I have ridden a half-dozen Harley's but never owned one. Maybe I'll post a pic when I bring her back to the barn. Thanks for your kind comment.

**fredintoon** · 02-09-2010, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by cywelchjr

- - -So, it's possible I might end up with an HD, and I won't throw it away or sell it, I'll ride it at times (might even put a sidecar on it if I get it, it might make a really good sidecar rig).

Hi Cy,
kinda like an XS11, sidecarring a Harley bypasses it's mediocre handling and they do make great tugs.
Harley's own sidecar frame design (the H-D sidecar has a rigid wheel and a suspended body like it was still 1947) even has theoretical advantages on left-hand turns.

**dpotter58** · 02-09-2010, 01:32 PM

Those Road Kings are nice bikes. It will be a nice change of pace ride for you.
I don't own one but along with my 11s I have a Passat and a f-150. I love the Pasatt and the 150 is a nice change up once in a while. Like right now with 20 f()C*ing inches of snow on the ground and more on the way.

**mmarquis** · 02-09-2010, 01:35 PM

To the guy who bought a Harley

You know when you have crossed over to the dark side when you notice all the stormtroopers hanging out with you ,and that your lightsaber has turned red.

**fredintoon** · 02-09-2010, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by mmarquis

You know when you have crossed over to the dark side when you notice all the stormtroopers hanging out with you and that your lightsaber has turned red.

Hi Mark,
real men can put up with that easily enough.
It'd be having to do all that heavy breathing that'd spoil the dark side for me.

**crazy steve** · 02-09-2010, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by fredintoon

Hi Cy,
kinda like an XS11, sidecarring a Harley bypasses it's mediocre handling and they do make great tugs.

There was an old woman that used to live in Olympia Washington that drove a Harley sidecar rig on every nice day. I saw her often over 4-5 years, and I talked very briefly to her one day at a stoplight. She said it had been her husbands who was now dead; they had traveled all over on motorcycles, and saw no reason to quit riding as long as she could. If you could have seen the gleam in her eye....

The interesting part is she must have been at least in her 70s at this time and was crippled up; every time time I saw her riding around, there was always a set of crutches in the sidecar.

Whoever ended up with it after she died surely had to redo the top end; I never saw her going faster than 35 mph.

'78E original owner

**ManitoulinLad** · 02-09-2010, 02:22 PM

Hey Olebiker: Doesn't matter - you still have the XS11 your still part of the XS gang. As long as you have a scoot to ride is the main thing. Hell, I'm the only one I know of for miles & miles with my XS1100 - never even seen one in real life till I bought mine. Everyone I know has a different bike around here - I mean no two the same. I think its great to have more than one - if I could I would. I even like those CBR 125's - does that make me evil? hehehe I haven't seen one for real yet - but would love to try one out - it must be the lighting fast moped thing - Always keep the XS its a lost classic - Dan

**oldbiker648** · 02-09-2010, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by ManitoulinLad

Hey Olebiker: Doesn't matter - you still have the XS11 your still part of the XS gang. As long as you have a scoot to ride is the main thing. Hell, I'm the only one I know of for miles & miles with my XS1100 - never even seen one in real life till I bought mine. Everyone I know has a different bike around here - I mean no two the same. I think its great to have more than one - if I could I would. I even like those CBR 125's - does that make me evil? hehehe I haven't seen one for real yet - but would love to try one out - it must be the lighting fast moped thing - Always keep the XS its a lost classic - Dan

Don't worry, Dan, this won't change a thing with my XS's. When I finish the full dress fuul fairing '81, that's the ride I'm taking cross country.

**trbig** · 02-09-2010, 04:32 PM

that's the ride I'm taking cross country.

...Until you realize how comfortable those Roadking seats are. And the Barcolounger for a back seat... SWMBO might even come along.

Tod

Goin' to the dark side

Goin' to the dark side

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