Freedom Machine Friday

Normally, I would not subject you to pics of fairly stock Sporty's...

But this one is mine.

We are on a journey...

More metaphysical than physical, at this point.

We are getting to know each other...

I told you I sold off the Model T and showed you pics of this thing before.

Here we are at the blank slate moment.

The miles of garish vinyl spin stripes have been peeled away.

The goofy reflectors are now shaved.

Dumb paint on aluminum has been sanded off to a polished shine.

Parts that needed replaced out of neglect or poor taste have been replaced.

These bikes are chock full of potential for being something cool. It just takes some effort to get them there.

The Sportster has always been the the bike overlooked, disregarded...

It is the cheap bike in the Harley line up.

That may have been why it was favored in early "biker" culture.

It is the gateway drug.

But that seems too simple...

It was also favored for the fact that it had some ability to handle curves, with the early Bay Area motorcycle club crowd. It fit their needs.

Went fast, cornered, did what it was supposed to...

That is part of the reason this one is here.

The Sportster hasn't really changed much, in the last forty years...

Sure, technology has caught up with it.

There have been improvements...

But it is still the baseline, the common denominator among biker dudes.

The motorcycle bikers buy for their wives.

The Lady Hump.

Well, this one is mine...

I am sharing it with you just because.

I have dealt with the initial crap I just couldn't stand...

Folks have mentioned that they are curious what I will do with this thing, given the effort that went into the T.

The shorts of it, I don't quite know yet.

We are just getting to know each other...

We are staring at each other, wondering what might reveal itself.

Machines tell you what they need, if you listen hard.

There are factors to consider...

I need to be able to haul as on it.

My own, but also KVC's.

The man has some rules here.

The things I would tear off are required, here.

So, this thing has it's initial shave of shit.

There are some things to be done to make it more legal.

Things to be done to make it more right...

We are just getting started.

Things that are on the list-

I need to make a belt guard for KVC and the man. The original is missing, but it looked like ass so I am fine with doing some work.

I need to have a speedo. I will modify the stock one and move it down by the tank.

The license plate needs to mount to something less like a drag chute mount.

Some manner of smaller air cleaner, something less like a bundt cake pan. This one is better than the original but still seems huge.

I guess I need a mirror, according to Pennsylvania. Fucking assholes.

Suspension work, to make it handle less like an over-ripe banana.

A fork brace, see above.

Maybe it should hunker down more on the back end, again, see above.

The exhaust might get a two into one treatment, just because.

Perhaps a slice on that rear fender.

I am trying to keep things simple and business like in my planning.

Something that can take some city abuse and be good at it...

But also something that can knock back a few hundred miles, as needed.

A freedom machine...