Nice looking kiddie hauler when the sidecar arrives! Happy New Year.

Nice looking knucklehead. Is that the original paint color?

Beautiful Wayne!

Wear a helmet...don't be a knucklehead on a knucklehead.

Good looking bike and only an hour away,

Congrats Wayne! Beautiful bike.

Welcome to the dark side! ;)

This is your first motorcycle Wayne?!


I flipped my first motorcycle. Multiple times.

Protip: Don't do that with this one.

Been a while since I saw one of those. I hope you know how to kick start a motorcycle as most all my students that have the newer Harleys all have an electric start. I'd also recommend getting a large metal drip pan to keep underneath as everyone I saw leaked a bit, just a matter of how much...... Great bike

Go to this. California Motorcyclist Safety Program

That bike will be hard to start, handle terribly, leak like crazy and will be super uncomfortable.

from what I've learned from the two i've owned, if a harley doesn't leak oil, it doesn't have any

Welcome to the bizarro world of sidecars.

Don't know if you have your heart set on a period correct hack. But you'd save a tremendous amount of crap just getting a new Steib from blue moon.

Interesting choice for a first bike. Subscribed. Be very careful turning right with an empty side-car attached. Just sayin'.

It has leading links, a plus with a sidecar.
Don't worry about any lack of motorcycle experience, hacks are another world. You're going to have a great time with it.
Jim

That's not leaking, that's marking its territory. ;)

Nice knuck.

Very nice ride Wayne. Congrats and we're all looking forward to lots of pictures.

It's been asked already but... you have prior experience riding 2 wheeled motors right? If not please pickup something less amazing to gain experience with - a simple dual sport would do the trick.

+1.

I get 28 new knuckleheads in my classroom every second month! Nyuk nyuk nyuk...

Nice ride, Wayne.

Talk about jumping in with both feet - Wayne, you are definitely in the deep end of the pool on this one. Good thing you know your way around mechanically, and a doubly good thing these things are so darn simple.

They are, for the most part, "reliable" - but that meant something far different back then. They will test you at times. The one key thing to keep in mind at all times is that they vibrate, and vibrate enough to be a real issue mechanically. I think it's fair to say the majority of mechanical issues can be traced to the level of vibration these things create. Work on it with that in mind at all times, and allow for it, take measures to secure items against it (Loctite, lock nuts, lock washers, safety wire, etc.), and you will be far more successful in your relationship with this machine than if you don't.

That's a new one for me....how much $$$ did you make and what kind of bike?

Can't wait to read the latest Projects book...

Enjoy those knees while you still have them! One bad kick start and you will wish you had bought a 65 pan head.

LOL, I wish someone paid me!

I had a CR125 that I highsided on pavement, bike got into the air and bounced a few times pieces while I came down in a ditch. After I got it back together I was riding trails and slid the rear tire into a tree stump that sent it and me end over end. It's like that bike didn't want to stay on the ground.



I think riding on dirt teaches you a lot of things that... you wouldn't want to try and learn on the street.

Wayne, once you get into riding more, go check out these guys:
Supermoto | Adams MotorSports Park

I don't see it on their website, but I am pretty sure they still offer a supermoto class; they'll give you a bike, you bring the gear, and you go at it. Stupid fun, and not a bad price for track time.

Isn't that thing a jockey shift, and foot clutch?

Does Pelican have a succession plan in place ? :D Be safe out there !!!

Count me in the club that suggests picking up a affordable modern era bike to learn on. Handling, brakes and suspension have come a long way and do contribute to rider safety.

Good for you Wayne ! Now if your gonna get a "hack".. ya might want to consider an Earls fork for the front end, stock has too much rake for proper control & turning on three wheels. Riding with a hack is a whole new world than two wheeling. Best of luck, your gonna enjoy it.

Or ankles, have seen several fractures repaired. Don't stand on kick starter after giving it a good kick.

You guys are making way too much out of kicking over an old Knuck. Don't try to scare poor old Wayne; you can start those things with your hand if everything is right. Very low compression, very relaxed valve timing, and an ignition that can be retarded for starting - nothing at all to fear.

This is true. I've just been around more knuckleheads than I have Evo and newer. When things aren't all in order and you get that backfire (can happen to even a perfect bike) is when you'll wish you hadn't stood on that kicker...

That said: the 65 pan is the perfect and most sought after "vintage" rider Harley. It's got all then scents and sounds of the really early bikes but are a 1 year only electric start. Rare and expensive but worth it. I'd like one if I ever get interested in 2'wheels again.

Hold on, I thought pelican moderators were referred to as "poopy-heads" .....



This is different? OK never mind.