Some Changes

Over the past several weeks, decided to make a few changes to Dusty.  First thing was to change the straight pipes...they were a tad LOUD.  Tried putting baffles in them and that helped but, after a few weeks, one of the baffles fell out.  However, we managed to get a set of stock pipes, complete with mufflers, that fit with just a minor bit of bracket fabrication accomplished by Curtis.  Big improvement!  Next, decided to change out the handle bars to apes.  Again, Curtis was able to come through with the perfect set.  Installed them today with his help and am very pleased with the results.  Dusty looks better and the ride is more comfortable.

Another Spin with "The Kid"

Over the past several weeks I've been getting out on Dusty on a fairly regular basis. There have been no real problems other than discovering that the charging system in a 44 year old bike doesn't quite have the capacity to keep up with a new modern headlight.  The battery tends to discharge if I ride with the headlight on but doesn't if only the taillight/brake light are used.  So, I can either replace the charging system with one as used in an Evo engine or switch the headlight for an older type sealed beam.  Probably going to try the latter as it is the cheapest and easiest.  Had a great ride today with Junior.  Probably rode for at least 40 miles with no issues.  Dusty is proving to be very reliable.

Parking lot at the A&W in Sooke, BC

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)

Off to Born Free

Now that Dusty is finished and running well, it's time to truck on down to Southern California to the Born Free show in Silverado, CA.  Loading both Dusty and the Gypsy Prince (Curt's bike) into the back of the truck took some doing and some ingenuity on Curt's part but they are ready for the trip.  Tomorrow, we will head south for the show with a momentary stop in Port Angeles, Wa. to pick up Curt's girlfriend then off we go.  Hope to see plenty of amazing bikes and take lots of pictures for the blog.  With Dusty finished, I'm going to change the blog from documenting the build to "adventures with Dusty"....stay tuned

 Not much room for gear

Finally...the bike (aka "Dusty") is done

As with all builds there were a few issues to resolve.  Leaky seals for the most part but they were resolved fairly easily.  One that was a little puzzling was the bike would not stop running after the ignition was switched off.  Turned out the coil was retaining enough energy to keep firing the bike!  Who would have thought?   However, incorporating a "kill" switch into the coil circuit solved the problem.  Also, the "hi temp" clear paint applied to the exhaust pipes wasn't so hi temp and promptly burned a hideous shade of brown.  Off to the glass beading shop we went with the pipes and $18.00 later the pipes were again a nice clean metal color.  A careful application of flat black header paint good to 2000 degrees resulted in some nice looking pipes and the paint truly is "hi temp".  So after nearly a year, the pile of rusty, dirty parts has been completely transformed.