He's BACK.... Now with added R80RT

[daz]

Look closer... it's not a knob. It's a hole to rest the massive huevos required to ride the Harley at it's designed parameters.

I'm so embarrassed. And that's with my glasses on. Am I wrong about the shifter too?

[Major Softie]

I'm so embarrassed. And that's with my glasses on. Am I wrong about the shifter too?

Only about it being changed: the XR is built with the shift on the right, since your left foot is wearing the steel shoe and sliding in the dirt. This one, converted to street, has both front and rear brake - even a rear brake was optional on the XR, and they had no front brake. I have no idea how this rear brake is actuated, as I see no brake (or shift) lever on the left side. Perhaps the handlebar MC is feeding both front and rear brake.

This lovely example is at the Barber Museum. You can see it has no left foot lever, and no right hand lever. Simple simple simple. Right-Click and View Image and you'll get one that fits your screen but can also be zoomed in for details. This one seems to be sans ball-sack portal.

[dougie]

Look closer... it's not a knob. It's a hole to rest the massive huevos required to ride the Harley at it's designed parameters.

Yes.
The "knob" is the guy who sits on the seat.

[melville]

I'm so embarrassed. And that's with my glasses on. Am I wrong about the shifter too?

Only about it being changed: the XR is built with the shift on the right, since your left foot is wearing the steel shoe and sliding in the dirt. This one, converted to street, has both front and rear brake - even a rear brake was optional on the XR, and they had no front brake. I have no idea how this rear brake is actuated, as I see no brake (or shift) lever on the left side. Perhaps the handlebar MC is feeding both front and rear brake.

This lovely example is at the Barber Museum. You can see it has no left foot lever, and no right hand lever. Simple simple simple. Right-Click and View Image and you'll get one that fits your screen but can also be zoomed in for details. This one seems to be sans ball-sack portal.

The K model was Harley's first foot shift bike, and they put the shifter on the right because that's where the Brit bikes it was built to sell against had the shifter. The right side shifter persisted through the mid 70s on the Sportster until US laws required a left side shifter. The XR is just an interesting development of the K and XL motor.

[Major Softie]

The K model was Harley's first foot shift bike, and they put the shifter on the right because that's where the Brit bikes it was built to sell against had the shifter. The right side shifter persisted through the mid 70s on the Sportster until US laws required a left side shifter. The XR is just an interesting development of the K and XL motor.

XL, yes. It's based on that motor. Much closer ties there than the K, even though it's the K that it replaced.

Obviously, they could have made it left-shift if they wanted to - they were designing a new motor, and the Big twins already had their shifters on the left for decades. Probably the only reason the Big Twins were left shift is because they started as hand shift, which was obviously more appropriate on the non-throttle side.

I don't now which way they would have gone if they had started "ground-up, but, since they started with the Sportster, you're right, it was simpler to just go with that existing design. The Harley history I've read all says that the K's right shift, and then the XR's, was designed specifically for flat track, rather than sticking with the left-side shifters that were designed into the big twins. Whether that's true, or if it's just guesswork, it's still a much better choice than shifting with that metal shoe. I suspect it's rather difficult to be certain today which was cause and which was effect in making that choice.

[Ross]

Hey take ya harley thread highjack elsewhere

[Major Softie]

Lonnie, I need you!

[Ross]

Hey this thread is about me...

Tomorrow oil changes. Engine, gearbox, drive train. Getting closer.

[Airbear]

Another one that inspires where I am going...

That is a particularly clean, sexy looking bike and great fun to ride, I imagine. I like the ergonomics (well suited to the gentleman of sensible height). You'd have to see it as a fair weather fun bike but that isn't an issue if you have other wheels. Are you going to register it and do a rolling makeover or alter it first, then register?

Do enjoy the designing and making. Self indulgence at its best, I reckon.

[Ross]

Another one that inspires where I am going...

That is a particularly clean, sexy looking bike and great fun to ride, I imagine. I like the ergonomics (well suited to the gentleman of sensible height). You'd have to see it as a fair weather fun bike but that isn't an issue if you have other wheels. Are you going to register it and do a rolling makeover or alter it first, then register?

Do enjoy the designing and making. Self indulgence at its best, I reckon.

Rego first. But having said that I changed the bars (Renthal Ultra Lows in black) and mirrors today as well as changing all oils. Engine, gearbox and final drive.
These were all changed a few years back, ridden once and then parked up. All the oils were clean.
On startup today she was making a lot of blue smoke.
Went for a short ride. Engine nice and hot. Less smoke.
Waited an hour or so. Restated no smoke. Considering it's been parked up for years I don't wonder some oil has gotten into the firing chamber.



Engine sump plug - No sparkles from the engine.



Gearbox plug - very fine metal paste. Nothing to stress about.



How I refill the gearbox with oil. The filler hole is just above the shift lever.