Author Topic: Bl@@dy HD's  (Read 3890 times)

Online muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11457
  • Karma: 137
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Bl@@dy HD's
« on: 19.06. 2025 11:13 »
G'day Fellas.
A few weeks ago I did a service on a mates 1999 HD Evo Fatboy. When done I sprayed a bit of WD around the Y inlet manifold. Yep it has an air leak at the front cylinder. I said I'll order rubbers to fit later. Rubbers arrived a coupla days ago so pulled the manifold off. Surprise surprise the front rubber was skew iff and came from the factory like that (he bought the bike new and manifold had never been off). He had V&H pipes fitted years ago and the shop said they had to re-jet the carb. So it was tuned to the leaky manifold. Now the leak is fixed it is doughy up top and pops on decel (too rich). So carb back off tomorrow (only takes an hour  *eek*) and lucky I have a few jets.
On a brighter note the new float needles for the Cafe will be here tomorrow so I might be able to finish her.
Cheers
ps: Deb says if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any!
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline sean

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 546
  • Karma: 7
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #1 on: 19.06. 2025 21:53 »
couple of HD dealers in my area are closing one has been in business since the 50s .
Harley lost a few dealers years ago when they told them they had to move closer to main highways so they could sell more t shirts and clothing to touring customers , many of those dealers went independent and are still doing a good trade .
HD invested a lot of money in electric bikes no one wants to buy I have yet to see one on the road .
sold mine a few years ago just the BSA now .

Online muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11457
  • Karma: 137
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #2 on: 02.12. 2025 07:43 »
G'day Fellas.
It's back with an air leak again  *pull hair out*.
I've had the manifold off and on at least 6 times so far with new flanges & rubbers. I've tried everything, mounting it dry, with Inox, with grease, with silastic and last night Permatex 29132. left it set o/night and fired her up this morning. It sealed so threw the tanks back on and took it for a blast. It only just made it up my test hill at 100kph after opening the throttle 1/2 way up! My HD (11 years older) will add another 20kph at the top. Got home and sprayed the manifold and yes it's still leaking. GMF'd. Tomorrow I'll pull it all off AGAIN, but I can't see anything wrong.  *problem*
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Online RDfella

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2017
  • Posts: 2300
  • Karma: 15
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #3 on: 02.12. 2025 18:08 »
Know the feeling.
My latest vee wouldn't return oil to tank. Checked pipes, took timing cover off, changed oil pump for a NOS (it's Triumph) etc. No flow. Checked feed from sump, timing case off again (at least 3 or 4 times) and couldn't see anything wrong. After last strip (didn't do anything, just re-assembled in despair) it now pumps like a fire engine. At last.

'49 B31, '49 M21, '53 DOT, '58 Flash, '62 Flash special, '00 Firestorm, Weslake sprint bike.

Online berger

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2017
  • Posts: 3752
  • Karma: 24
  • 5oo cafe , berger build norbsa ,
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #4 on: 02.12. 2025 19:26 »
RD fella i bet it had worty's cam trough  ball bearing knocking about  *lol* i have opened the bar can you tell *beer* *wave*

Online Rex

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 2051
  • Karma: 10
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #5 on: 02.12. 2025 21:23 »
Should've bought an Indian Musky....
"Harleys Harleys made of tin, ride 'em out and push 'em in" as they used to say. ;)

Online muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11457
  • Karma: 137
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: Bl@@dy HD's
« Reply #6 on: 02.12. 2025 22:36 »
G'day Rex.
It's not mine. I should just stop offering to help mates!
Got it all apart again. The manifold is original with no marks or cracks. New flanges (Midusa) and James rubbers (last pair).
I've posted on the HD forum. Head scratching there.
Ho Hum here we go again.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7