A Pleasant Afternoon on the Side of the Road

[Jeff Higgins]

Not really...

The ignition switch failed on my old Sportster the other day while bombing along in the express lane of one of our local freeways. It turns out the rivet that holds the external post, where the hot wire from the battery attaches, failed and the post fell off. Once diagnosed, I was able to simply attach the positive lead directly to the ignition wire post on the switch and ride home. Not really a big deal, assuming one has a nice comfy place, like in the garage, to do this.

Next to the inside lane on the freeway, with virtually no shoulder (not wide enough to park a car), was not such a place. Cars ripping by at 75-80 mph. I parked the bike as close to the guardrail as possible, and was actually working on it from over the guardrail. There just wasn't room for both of us on the shoulder. I know modern vehicles are far more reliable, and "breakdown" lanes or shoulders are largely a thing of the past as we try to cram one more lane into old right of ways, but every now and then, someone might need one.

Another thing that strikes me, in regard to old motorcycles, is the lack of availability of quality parts for the little detail bits. Oh, we can buy engine, transmission, clutch, brake, and other parts that are actually superior in every way to original. But things like switches seem to be overlooked. I had rebuilt this one twice already, and don't really feel like buying another $12 cheap ass piece of crap that will fail again. I would gladly pay several times that for a quality switch. Seems no one wants my money, though, or there just isn't a market for them.

Oh well, I did find what many in the old Harley world declare to be "the one" on ebay. NOS, and the guy knows what he has, but did I mention I "would gladly pay several times that"? Well, here's my opportunity. Hopefully this is the last one I'll ever need.

[rwest]

Sucked to break down, but that feeling after you made a bandage fix and got back running makes it almost worth it!

[pwd72s]

Makes me wonder about today's lack of emergency shoulders...and drivers not yielding some space.

[Bill Douglas]

I'm pleased you didn't get run over Jeff.

It's a scary thing being stopped in the breakdown lane

[Bugsinrugs]

In my old age I try and drive on the right. Closer to an emergency lane or exit ramp. I ran over something many years ago causing two flats on the right side of me van . Was able to get to the right emergency lane but the bigs going by made it shaky to get her up on a jack.

[Chocaholic]

Hey...at least it wasn’t raining! Or was it?

Glad it all worked out. The demand for early 70’s Sporty parts isn’t what it once was.

[masraum]

Yep, the side of the interstate/freeway is not a fun place to be under any circumstances. Glad you managed to get going and get out of there without any incident.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Hey...at least it wasn’t raining! Or was it?

Glad it all worked out. The demand for early 70’s Sporty parts isn’t what it once was.

Even if it was, the quality of the new one wouldn't be the same as the original. Modern times.

[Jeff Higgins]

"Could be worse... could be raining..."

It was actually a beautiful, sunny afternoon. Being in semi-retirement, the old girl only has to come out on nice days anymore. But, yeah, that would have been even more fun...

Old bike parts are kind of a mixed bag. Everything, literally everything is still available. The bigger ticket items are still profitable enough to attract the big players, like S&S, Andrews, Wiseco, Kibblewhite, Progressive Suspension, Vance and Hines, Keith Black, etc. Parts that are actually better than OEM. It's the little stuff, like this ignition switch, handlebar controls, sheet metal, lights and indicators, etc. where there are few quality options. We usually have to find used, or if we get really lucky NOS. And then pay through the nose for it.

I do have to say that most everybody who went by tried their best to inch to their right a bit to give me some room. All lanes were packed, so moving over a lane wasn't really an option for them, but most did their best to give me space. I was actually rather heartened to see such consideration. Seems we gripe an awful lot sometimes about how rude folks have gotten, but in this case, seeing a guy in a rather perilous situation appeared to bring out the best in most. I really appreciated their efforts.

[A930Rocket]

Reminds me of the time when we lived in Westport, Connecticut. John Meyers and I drove my 74 Super Beatle to Jones Beach on long island. On the way back, the gas pedal went to the floor and we had no power. I had to move over a lane and climb what seem like a 12 curb to get off the highway. For whatever reason, I had a pair of needle nose vice grips in the glove box, which I was able to lock onto the broken cable at the gas pedal and going to the carburetor. The RPMs at idle were high, but it got us home.

[Jeff Higgins]

Gratuitous pic, from a happier ride:

[Chocaholic]

I agree with your assessment of passers-by Jeff. Picked up a flat in the rear of my R9T last summer. A spoked wheel with a tube...so not much I could do besides wait for the wife to show up with our trailer. While waiting there must have been at least a dozen people stop to offer assistance.

The vast majority of people are good and considerate. Unfortunately it’s the rare a-hole that gets all the press!

[asphaltgambler]

Glad you made it safely home

[Baz]

I just cleaned out the inside of my Silverado due to having the headliner replaced.

In doing so it provided an opportunity to review said contents before re-insertion.

This is an extended cab model, back seat up, entire rear floorboard filled with stuff - much of it tools of the trade.

I also keep items to help with emergency truck repairs. Fuses, tubeless tire repair kit, air compressor, fix-a-flat, wrenches, cable ties, etc. etc.

And a small plastic orange safety cone. I can't remember the last time I used that little cone. But alas, it went back in. Just in case.

Glad you were able to effect necessary repairs and return home safely, Jeff. Good story!

[motorstereo]

Reminds me of the time my trusty old Beemer quit on me, I was on a side road so I had lots of shoulder to work on and a good tool kit. Turns out when I put the timing cover on, I mis-routed the points wire and it was pinched between the case and the cover. When it warmed up and expanded, it quit! Eventually a dim light went on (in my head, not on the bike LOL)




https://youtu.be/DHoKsm8vXHE

[Tobra]

Yes, but if it were raining, you would probably not have been out there in the first place.

[Rusty Heap]

glad you made it home Jeff! being stranded ain't no fun! Good thing Boy Scout mode kicked in......

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Yes, but if it were raining, you would probably not have been out there in the first place.

Rain is a fact of life up here. If you don't do anything in the rain, you don't do anything.

[URY914]

I don't know how many times I broke down in my old VW or 914 and just got out my tools and worked on it until I fixed it. With new cars, forget it and call for a pick up.

[Jeff Higgins]

The new switch arrived today. Boy, what a difference in quality, even from just a cursory visual assessment. The old switch (CAD plated body) has external posts attached with hollow rivets where the new one has what appears to be one piece posts that go all the way through. The old switch has the base held on by staking over the metal housing in three places, the new switch is roll crimped all the way around. The chrome plating on it is very well done, and the detents are much more positive when the key is turned. I think this ought to do it:







And yes, Mike, I couldn't agree more - the vast majority out there are good people. I'm convinced that the only reason no one stopped is because there is just no safe place to do so.