Riding With Junior

Decided to take the Shovelheads out for a run today.  Had a great ride including lunch at the 17 Mile Pub.  Both bikes ran great except Dusty didn't want to start when we stopped for gas.  Determined the problem was a loose battery connection which must have been loose for a while as the voltage was too low to turn over the electric start.  Good thing Dusty has a kick start because otherwise I might still be at that gas station.  Checked to make sure the voltage regulator was working and (thankfully) it seems to be because the volts increase as they should when reving the bike.  Now that the connections are all tight again it'll probably take a few runs to get the battery back up to where it should be.

Stopped for Lunch

Cruising along the Ocean

The Transformation

Since getting back from Born Free #8, I've been riding "Dusty" around town a bit.  There have been a few issues but nothing serious.  All have been attended to.  The bike runs really well and even I can kick start it when I want.  It usually fires up after one or two kicks and settles into a typical Harley idle.  The transmission might need some work in the future as it is a bit "notchy" when down shifting.  Of course the fact that the shift pattern is reversed from the norm could be a factor.  All in all, "Dusty" is fun to ride and surprisingly comfortable.  It's really hard to believe that the bike was indeed just a pile of dirty parts just one year ago as the following picture will attest.  The transformation has been dramatic.

Dusty Then

Dusty Now

Born Free 8

After 2 and a half days and navigating Los Angeles traffic, we arrived in Silverado for Born Free #8.  It was amazing!!  The imagination shown by a number of builders as far as their bikes were concerned was mind blowing.  We didn't win any awards but both bikes garnered a lot of attention and admiration.  Many people took pictures of our bikes so they may appear in some magazines in the future.  One photographer approached me and asked if he could use my bike in a shoot for a Tee shirt ad he was doing. I, of course said yes and he had his model sit on Dusty for a few photos. I got to talk to Willie G Davidson who was in attendance but missed Brad Pitt who was also there checking out the bikes.  It was a great time and I'm glad we went.

 Getting ready to unload in Silverado

 Waiting to head into the show

 And away we go

 Just some of the bikes

 Camp Born Free (our tent in foreground at right)