I'd like to see a video of someone hand starting one of these ol' gals. Planets must have been aligned just right, hot oil or I pulled her through to the top just perfect. Push her on through and she started right up. Don't remember trying that when I put a kicker on my 78 FXE. Damn, missed an opportunity there.
I don't miss the old days,, it could be a real bitch on a cold damp day, far from home, to get moving out. No wonder all the cops let their Hogs idle to death all day. You could tell an old cop bike by the way it would whine from idling on the kickstand for hours. Pushing a button now makes a lot more sense.
Nice FLH!! I never use the electric start on my Shovel...Somethin about bringin it to life by hand bonds you to the bike. If it wants to start, it will start...Can't force these ol' girls to do what they don't want to. LOL It's like starting an old radial aircraft engine...Juice it and roll it through a couple times. Juice it again and give it fire! Usually they will lite off on the first or second kick!!
@RoadCaptainEntertain LOL!!! I sold a kicker to a kid at work once. I wrote out all of the rituals, hot, cold, flooded, etc for him. A week later he told me he didn't need that BS to start the bike, The next Monday, he came in with a limp and asked me very nicely if I could write it out for him again.
You either had a bigger leg or sprained ankle or thats the only use for a head bucket .Had a FLHP and this skinny little critter decided he wanted to kick it after we got off the ground from laughing so hard we took him for stiches and a beer LOL
@truckdawg43 The old girl has kicked back before and layed me out like a little girl! I've tried all the different styles of kick starting and I go between the standard style and this one. I learned this one from an old HD wrench that was about 125 lbs soaking wet.
@dawg141 He probably walks with a little extra on that right side ,and could kick Van Dame's head into next week too LOL .Its funny most of the old style riders have the best stories about these young pups trying to show us up and ending laid out .Stay old style and keep getting them stories smile wrinkles are the best brother
Putting a piston @ the beginning of a compression stroke before kicking is causing the slippage. Try easing it through to TDC and then give it a goose. Allows some of that (big!) flywheel inertia swing the other piston through the firing cycle. In fact, you came close to doing just that on the last attempt when it did finally light off.
@morgietheblackdog I've learned a lot since I made this video. I found out that I just need to feel a little compression, then kick her. BTW, the first 6 kicks were prime only with the ignition off. She lite on the first kick with the power on!
dawg have you adjusted the clutches or replaced them since this vid? their slipping so much they don't turn the engine on some kicks., Ive had them worn or not enough spring pressure myself.
I have always felt that HDs were female, especially the old ones. They can be hard to start, expensive, tempermental, and require lots of attention. But when they are warmed up and purring, OMG, is it good! What does that sound like?
lose the stock twin fire ignition and put in a single fire(easy to do).Getting rid of the points won't hurt either.After a while the condenser gets too hot and likes to crap out.Learned that one the hard way,and I was about 600 miles from home.
True! I have my "little street-fighting girl" (1988 XLH) for daily use.
I've been working on the old girl to make her more "user friendly". When I get her to the point that I want, I'll make a video of my girlfiend kick-starting her!
Your opinion is worth exactly what I paid for it. Nothing.
My bike is an awesome peice of machinery that makes me happy just by existing. LOL! You make anyone happy by existing? I mean, other than your pot dealer?
I have a 1973 Sportster. Kicking her is a job. But she sounds EXACTLY like your girl when she cranks! One of the happiest noises in the world! Anyone that can listen to that and not smile... Well... They dont own old iron.
She has to be treated just like yours. Cold start = 3 twists, hold half open with choke. When she starts she sounds exactly like yours and the air filter is the same round chrome.
Book says it is a bendexI6P12, but the mechanic I last used said Keihin. Carbs are not my thing. I do more of the electrical stuff myself (fortunately, cause apparently that is a weak area for a lot of mechanics!) Engine tweeking, I try to leave for the professionals.
You have a problem with the name of the guy that posted the vid? Or did you just not look that close? More than likely that is it. You have not indicated an abundance of analytical ability.
Great bike!!!!! You gotta love kick starting her. I had a 1961panhead for thirteen years that only kicked strarted. I wound up selling her to a friend and going a little newer and got a 83 wideglide with both eletric and kickstart. So with the wideglide when I'm feeling lazy I hit the bitch button otherwise I throw a leg down everyday and fire that baby up. My belief is that only a good harley is one with a kickstart. Knucleheads, Panheads and Shovelheads gotta love them
The points are spot on. She is just a typical old shovel head. Last Saturday she started easy, and purred around town, snapping heads everywhere she went. Sunday, she tried to kill me by not wanting to start. However I'm trying to tune in a new carb, so she is forgiven, again.
I've seen it done on a warm motor. Only once in all the years I've been riding. He was a machinest/mechanic and his shovel ran like a swiss watch.
dawg141 2 weeks ago
I'd like to see a video of someone hand starting one of these ol' gals. Planets must have been aligned just right, hot oil or I pulled her through to the top just perfect. Push her on through and she started right up. Don't remember trying that when I put a kicker on my 78 FXE. Damn, missed an opportunity there.
6806goats1 2 weeks ago
I don't miss the old days,, it could be a real bitch on a cold damp day, far from home, to get moving out. No wonder all the cops let their Hogs idle to death all day. You could tell an old cop bike by the way it would whine from idling on the kickstand for hours. Pushing a button now makes a lot more sense.
hfa555 5 months ago
Get rid of that man purse
rekaten1966 6 months ago
that bike sucks
Jakeisgoth 7 months ago
@Jakeisgoth u suck
xmasterT 6 months ago
yep nice . i own the same year and model bike and mine starts just about the same way cool bike
gzrmember1976 8 months ago
Ah the anticipation
ybot1983 9 months ago
Nice FLH!! I never use the electric start on my Shovel...Somethin about bringin it to life by hand bonds you to the bike. If it wants to start, it will start...Can't force these ol' girls to do what they don't want to. LOL It's like starting an old radial aircraft engine...Juice it and roll it through a couple times. Juice it again and give it fire! Usually they will lite off on the first or second kick!!
c5dave1999 9 months ago
Reminds me of the old '64 Duo-Glide. Prime it then light it up.
You had to hop up and down on her a little more on a cold day.
One of my Honda riding buds wanted to start it......the heel of his boot flew out the front of the garage and his knee hit him in the mouth.
Manual spark advance is not for kiddies.
RoadCaptainEntertain 10 months ago
@RoadCaptainEntertain LOL!!! I sold a kicker to a kid at work once. I wrote out all of the rituals, hot, cold, flooded, etc for him. A week later he told me he didn't need that BS to start the bike, The next Monday, he came in with a limp and asked me very nicely if I could write it out for him again.
dawg141 9 months ago 3
You either had a bigger leg or sprained ankle or thats the only use for a head bucket .Had a FLHP and this skinny little critter decided he wanted to kick it after we got off the ground from laughing so hard we took him for stiches and a beer LOL
truckdawg43 11 months ago
@truckdawg43 The old girl has kicked back before and layed me out like a little girl! I've tried all the different styles of kick starting and I go between the standard style and this one. I learned this one from an old HD wrench that was about 125 lbs soaking wet.
dawg141 11 months ago
@dawg141 He probably walks with a little extra on that right side ,and could kick Van Dame's head into next week too LOL .Its funny most of the old style riders have the best stories about these young pups trying to show us up and ending laid out .Stay old style and keep getting them stories smile wrinkles are the best brother
truckdawg43 11 months ago
Lol, watching your video, I remember my young days, one leg bigger than the other......take care, great bike...
Mr05021948 1 year ago
Putting a piston @ the beginning of a compression stroke before kicking is causing the slippage. Try easing it through to TDC and then give it a goose. Allows some of that (big!) flywheel inertia swing the other piston through the firing cycle. In fact, you came close to doing just that on the last attempt when it did finally light off.
Ride safe.
morgietheblackdog 1 year ago
@morgietheblackdog I've learned a lot since I made this video. I found out that I just need to feel a little compression, then kick her. BTW, the first 6 kicks were prime only with the ignition off. She lite on the first kick with the power on!
dawg141 1 year ago 2
dawg have you adjusted the clutches or replaced them since this vid? their slipping so much they don't turn the engine on some kicks., Ive had them worn or not enough spring pressure myself.
rockouttaline05 1 year ago
@rockouttaline05 Put a fresh clutch in not too long ago.
dawg141 1 year ago
thats one sexy bike!
onlyford70 1 year ago
Man, I can't imagine if you had to do this in an emergency! Haha!
Foolhollow 1 year ago
@Foolhollow
That is why the old bikers were so tough! You couldn't run!
dawg141 1 year ago 9
@dawg141
Hahaha! Touche!
Foolhollow 1 year ago
@dawg141 :)))
sarelle500gr 1 year ago
@dawg141 see thats just badass =]
NASTYTHEBOY 1 year ago
Old "girl?" I thought all Harleys were masculine. Feminine bikes would be Vespas or Piaggios, would they not?
EgaoNoGenki 1 year ago
I have always felt that HDs were female, especially the old ones. They can be hard to start, expensive, tempermental, and require lots of attention. But when they are warmed up and purring, OMG, is it good! What does that sound like?
dawg141 1 year ago 6
@dawg141
a girl on her period but then it goes away and you have nice sexy time
dumapies 1 year ago
LOL!!!!! Good one!!!!!!
dawg141 1 year ago
@dawg141 Sounds like that David Allan Coe song "Panheads Forever". I love that song and I never had the pleasure of owning a Panhead.
ShadowACE1998 9 months ago
lose the stock twin fire ignition and put in a single fire(easy to do).Getting rid of the points won't hurt either.After a while the condenser gets too hot and likes to crap out.Learned that one the hard way,and I was about 600 miles from home.
daddyman4350973 1 year ago
i like my electric start on my bike ... But i do wish it had a Kickstart back up
Dezerado 1 year ago
You can do a static timing on it and it will start on the first kick.
RoadKen53 1 year ago
POS
Train4Life78 1 year ago
@Train4Life78
harley1450000 1 year ago
wow..
CAIO1971 2 years ago
That ist art!
morpheus843 2 years ago
It's a nice bike, but i'd bet it's a real pain in the neck if you use it on a daily basis
FunnyStuff231 2 years ago
True! I have my "little street-fighting girl" (1988 XLH) for daily use.
I've been working on the old girl to make her more "user friendly". When I get her to the point that I want, I'll make a video of my girlfiend kick-starting her!
dawg141 2 years ago
nice. love kickers. im 23 and am from the electric start fuel injected era tho lol. nice bike man.
speakerboxxP 2 years ago
the yung kids is better
rbeagle99 2 years ago
Nice Bike Cuz.. I bet you thought I'd never check your videos out.. That bike has a great sound to it.. Nice job...
FIESTYBABE4EVER 2 years ago
That sounds really nice! :)
tufmandan 2 years ago
I fav'd this so I could listen to that beautiful sound anytime I wanted to! Like good sex, it just makes me want to laugh for pure unadulterated joy!
Leonid3s 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You dont have a bike. because your on welfare Leonid
mancfan2 2 years ago
M:
Your opinion is worth exactly what I paid for it. Nothing.
My bike is an awesome peice of machinery that makes me happy just by existing. LOL! You make anyone happy by existing? I mean, other than your pot dealer?
Leonid3s 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
DAWG!!! Thats great
mancfan2 2 years ago
Whats with flooding the engine before the first 4 or 5 kicks? Do you really need 3 throttle twists each time?
cbrandom 2 years ago
With that CV carb, that was the cold starting ritual! And if you varied from it, you would spend all day kicking with no luck.
dawg141 2 years ago
Agreeing with you Dawg!
I have a 1973 Sportster. Kicking her is a job. But she sounds EXACTLY like your girl when she cranks! One of the happiest noises in the world! Anyone that can listen to that and not smile... Well... They dont own old iron.
WTG!!!
Leonid3s 2 years ago
A '73 XLCH! I know you get a workout with that girl! But I've always liked Ironheads, they ROCK!
BTW, what kind of carb are you running on your XLCH?
dawg141 2 years ago
Honestly, I have no idea.
She has to be treated just like yours. Cold start = 3 twists, hold half open with choke. When she starts she sounds exactly like yours and the air filter is the same round chrome.
Book says it is a bendexI6P12, but the mechanic I last used said Keihin. Carbs are not my thing. I do more of the electrical stuff myself (fortunately, cause apparently that is a weak area for a lot of mechanics!) Engine tweeking, I try to leave for the professionals.
Live to Ride!
Leonid3s 2 years ago
Do you have a fake motercyle also Leonid?
mancfan2 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
DAWG?
mancfan2 2 years ago
M and alts:
You have a problem with the name of the guy that posted the vid? Or did you just not look that close? More than likely that is it. You have not indicated an abundance of analytical ability.
Leonid3s 2 years ago
very nice
theinfamousroc 2 years ago
How cool that shes been yours since new. I own a 77 FLH (I posted), I wish I had owned her since birth...but at least I have her now.
13bluesbender 2 years ago
Great bike!!!!! You gotta love kick starting her. I had a 1961panhead for thirteen years that only kicked strarted. I wound up selling her to a friend and going a little newer and got a 83 wideglide with both eletric and kickstart. So with the wideglide when I'm feeling lazy I hit the bitch button otherwise I throw a leg down everyday and fire that baby up. My belief is that only a good harley is one with a kickstart. Knucleheads, Panheads and Shovelheads gotta love them
fxwgmike 2 years ago
Thanks! I'm a big fan of kickers. There is something about kicking one to life VS pressing a button.
dawg141 2 years ago
sounds great!
Have you tried adjusting your points? Once set, she'll purr like a kitten everytime! ;)
harleyjoel73 2 years ago
The points are spot on. She is just a typical old shovel head. Last Saturday she started easy, and purred around town, snapping heads everywhere she went. Sunday, she tried to kill me by not wanting to start. However I'm trying to tune in a new carb, so she is forgiven, again.
dawg141 2 years ago
i say kick start away buddy this bike has some dam good memories and u must just love the old girl.
5Lbennett 2 years ago
I do love the old girl, and she is just like a woman. One day she purrs like a kitten, the next OMG, the bitch from hell! Never a dull moment.
dawg141 2 years ago
good luck budy i wouldnt get kickstarter again after owning one
serb1a79 3 years ago