Saw this Quality H.D. on the way home today.

[Mr.Black]

Was that bike from Florida? The reason I ask is because of the "Charles H Bronson Agriculture commissioner" sticker on it.

Nope. Ma. I will add at this time, I had a good talk with the guy who owned this. It reminded me of my '80 FX.  I thoroughly enjoyed the constant tinkering, adjusting and repairing that machine required. I am qualified to remark on this subject in any way I see fit. This is a quality HD as stated in my title. I prefer at this time in my life to have the performance and reliability of my Bandit.


Carry on with your squabbling amongst yourselves.
 

[PhilBiker]

Oh my.  "Andre The Giant Has a Posse".  Fantastic.

[Hardware]

I'm curious.

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?
I see comments like "he didn't just bolt stuff on but built it himself", "that's a Harley I like" etc.  And yet these comments come from people riding safe, comfortable, generic turnkey bikes with bolt on accessories themselves.

How's that make you any different from a dood riding a new Harley with an FI kit and slip on pipes?

Shouldn't you lot at least be riding beat to hell, leaking, mid 1970s Japanese UJMs?  Otherwise what are you appreciating?  And if you appreciate it so much, get rid of your modern plastic, hit up craigslist and get a $300 basket case and be cool to.

Otherwise, quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

Discuss.

Valid question considering, I guess, that you're saying I'm full of crap.  

While I said I almost like that Harley, as someone else mentioned, it doesn't mean I would necessarily own that bike.

But I can appreciate that interpretation of the Harley marque better then the blinged out, over-priced versions that are so popular.

If I could afford insurance on three or four bikes and had for myself: a sport-touring bike; a big dual-purpose; a sporting standard; and was then to look at some type of cruiser - that bike indicates the path I might take.  Probably the only way I'll ever own a Harley - and I don't say this to pass judgement or bash - is if I were to restore or build one as a project and it would likely be a slightly cleaner minimalistic version of the bike in the OP.

[badcat]

I'm curious.

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?
I see comments like "he didn't just bolt stuff on but built it himself", "that's a Harley I like" etc.  And yet these comments come from people riding safe, comfortable, generic turnkey bikes with bolt on accessories themselves.

How's that make you any different from a dood riding a new Harley with an FI kit and slip on pipes?

Shouldn't you lot at least be riding beat to hell, leaking, mid 1970s Japanese UJMs?  Otherwise what are you appreciating?  And if you appreciate it so much, get rid of your modern plastic, hit up craigslist and get a $300 basket case and be cool to.

Otherwise, quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

Discuss.

I said I liked it. I never said I'd ride it. Discuss.

[atadaskew]

Guilty as charged... but post up a pic of an astronaut doing his/her thing, and I'll say that's badass.  Doesn't mean I'm going to be, or even going to try to be an astronaut.  Everyone needs a hero, but at the same time, most are satisfied with sitcoms and sodapop.

Da ting iz, unless you are astronaut too, but riding in a more modern space ship, the point is not valid.

What we have here is a fellow motorcyclist.  Of which we are too.  So it's funny when people here on new BMWs, Ducatis, Suzukis etc pass judgment that that leaky old POS Harley - cuz don't pretend for a moment that it isn't - is cool but new one's aren't.

As they then tootle off on Vstroms or whatever that look like they rode down the aisle of pep boys with the crap magnet on full blast.

And the two of you who have taken offense because you do actually walk the walk and enjoy leaky old japanese nails.  Well, there's exceptions to every rule.
 

Discuss.

Posted on: September 12, 2010, 12:38:00 PM

I said I liked it. I never said I'd ride it. Discuss.

Really?  What about it do you like, especially seeing that the bike you ride - a $15K BMW F800st - is the anti version of it?

I look at that Harley and think I'd need a tetanus shot if I got too close to it.

[Dan K]

Da ting iz, unless you are astronaut too, but riding in a more modern space ship, the point is not valid.

What we have here is a fellow motorcyclist.  Of which we are too.  So it's funny when people here on new BMWs, Ducatis, Suzukis etc pass judgment that that leaky old POS Harley - cuz don't pretend for a moment that it isn't - is cool but new one's aren't.

As they then tootle off on Vstroms or whatever that look like they rode down the aisle of pep boys with the crap magnet on full blast.

And the two of you who have taken offense because you do actually walk the walk and enjoy leaky old japanese nails.  Well, there's exceptions to every rule.
 

Discuss.

Posted on: September 12, 2010, 12:38:00 PM

Really?  What about it do you like, especially seeing that the bike you ride - a $15K BMW F800st - is the anti version of it?

I look at that Harley and think I'd need a tetanus shot if I got too close to it.

This guy rides this bike for one of two reasons - 1. He doesn't have the cash to upgrade; or 2. By choice.

If the answer is 2, he chooses to keep a leaky old hard tail POS, that means his passion for the bike outweighs his practicality, making it cool.  Also, his creativity in the bike, building with parts like wrenches in the bike, and having a foot clutch and hand shifter make it cool in its own regard.  Passion for bikes is something we all have and can relate to.  This guy APPEARS to have it in spades.  

Note - to me, that makes the rider cool, not the bike...it's still a hardtail I wouldn't do more than a testride on.  

- Dan

[atadaskew]

Passion for bikes is something we all have and can relate to.  

Agreed, butt what is entertaining is how some people here comment that that POS Harley is cool but new ones aren't.
While most of them ride new nondescript bikes themselves... (bolting on heated grips and a nav system does not make the bike descript   )

It's like a dood in a minivan giving the thumbs up to a guy in a beat up smoke belching 1955 CJ5 Jeep, while at the same time deriding someone else's new 2010 Wrangler ..

[chesthing]

I'm curious.

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?
I see comments like "he didn't just bolt stuff on but built it himself", "that's a Harley I like" etc.  And yet these comments come from people riding safe, comfortable, generic turnkey bikes with bolt on accessories themselves.

How's that make you any different from a dood riding a new Harley with an FI kit and slip on pipes?

Shouldn't you lot at least be riding beat to hell, leaking, mid 1970s Japanese UJMs?  Otherwise what are you appreciating?  And if you appreciate it so much, get rid of your modern plastic, hit up craigslist and get a $300 basket case and be cool to.

Otherwise, quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

Discuss.

I agree with everything you're saying here. I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit I see pieces of shit like this all the time aroud here and look away quickly. Kind of like not wanting to stare too long at a really ugly, nasty person.

[Dan K]

Agreed, butt what is entertaining is how some people here comment that that POS Harley is cool but new ones aren't.
While most of them ride new nondescript bikes themselves... (bolting on heated grips and a nav system does not make the bike descript   )

It's like a dood in a minivan giving the thumbs up to a guy in a beat up smoke belching 1955 CJ5 Jeep, while at the same time deriding someone else's new 2010 Wrangler ..

More people can afford an old Harley than can afford a new one.  Some people tend to cast aspersions on what they can't have - sour grapes.

Some people respect this guy's work on the bike and think his choices are cool - that makes it WAY different from a new Harley - makes it unique and makes it his bike - not a new chromed out Harley with readily available bolt on parts.  This guy figured out to use shit on his own. That makes it a cool bike. 

As for what people ride at home, so what?  People see women and appreciate their fine posteriors - doesn't mean they have a wife/woman at home with a nice ass either, you know?

- Dan

[ironmike]

Coolness is as definable as is beauty - both lie within the purview of the beholder.

I, for one, am always appreciative of any old bike that the owner has managed to keep running, be it a museum quality antique or a rat bike.   It takes a certain level of commitment (to include skill and resources) to own and maintain the vehicle.  

Now, when I see creative applications, provided they support or enhance the function of the vehicle, I am interested and intrigued.   As a general rule, the more diverse and unanticipated the creative application - bearing in mind the standard dictum of function over form - the more I appreciate the endeavor... and that is what I find cool.

 

[JamesG]

I'm curious.

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?

Because the people here are often contrarian and quite quirky.

And FYI, that isn't a beater. Its actually a pretty careful and meticulously cultured look called the "chopped rat". You have to go out of your way to make a bike look that neglected and it still function.   And its looks don't  mean much. It (and its owner) could have less miles than a chrome trailer queen.

Shouldn't you lot at least be riding beat to hell, leaking, mid 1970s Japanese UJMs?

A well worn but perfectly maintained and functional mid '70's UJM actually.

 Otherwise what are you appreciating?  And if you appreciate it so much, get rid of your modern plastic, hit up craigslist and get a $300 basket case and be cool to.

You can appreciate a high wire walker without having to crawl out there with him.

Otherwise, quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

And you're being a rude troll.

Discuss.

Indeed.

[Flyer]

...quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

Finally the light's on and someone is home.
 

[badcat]

Da ting iz, unless you are astronaut too, but riding in a more modern space ship, the point is not valid.

What we have here is a fellow motorcyclist.  Of which we are too.  So it's funny when people here on new BMWs, Ducatis, Suzukis etc pass judgment that that leaky old POS Harley - cuz don't pretend for a moment that it isn't - is cool but new one's aren't.

As they then tootle off on Vstroms or whatever that look like they rode down the aisle of pep boys with the crap magnet on full blast.

And the two of you who have taken offense because you do actually walk the walk and enjoy leaky old japanese nails.  Well, there's exceptions to every rule.
 

Discuss.

Posted on: September 12, 2010, 12:38:00 PM

Really?  What about it do you like, especially seeing that the bike you ride - a $15K BMW F800st - is the anti version of it?

I look at that Harley and think I'd need a tetanus shot if I got too close to it.

I don't know of this $15,000 F800 you speak of, I paid less than $11,00 for mine. And for the record, I don't really feel obligated to to explain my thought process to you. I don't understand how what I ride and the fact that I find this rat bike appealing in someway has to add up to anything. Like some sort of two wheeled balance sheet. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other. Re-read my first post. All the information you need is contained in it.

[Robus]

Otherwise, quite frankly, you're all full of crap.

Discuss.

 

[Kraz]

Da ting iz, unless you are astronaut too, but riding in a more modern space ship, the point is not valid.

What we have here is a fellow motorcyclist.  Of which we are too.  So it's funny when people here on new BMWs, Ducatis, Suzukis etc pass judgment that that leaky old POS Harley - cuz don't pretend for a moment that it isn't - is cool but new one's aren't.

Ok, maybe it was a bad analogy... point is - people like shit w/o wanting it for themselves, especially if it's not mainstream.  I don't find it odd that someone likes a rat and not a new HD... they just like something customized and unique, not something's that anyone with 20 g's can have.

[Giaka]

I'm curious.

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?

Discuss.

Its not the bike most people dislike, its the poser riding it. The whole bullshit "tough guy on a real bike" persona that your average joe assumes when he climbs aboard a harley is sickening.

[JReazor]

Why do people like this beater Harley but not the new ones?

If we have to explain it, you won't understand.

[thatguy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 

[atadaskew]

Its not the bike most people dislike, its the poser riding it. The whole bullshit "tough guy on a real bike" persona that your average joe assumes when he climbs aboard a harley is sickening.

Ya don't think there's a whole BS "sport touring real rider" persona on this site?  Or a BS "I'm Vale Rossi" that most sport bikers have etc etc

When I'm out in the middle of nowhere, I'm not seeing people on St bikes.  I'm seeing people on newish Harleys putting on the miles.

Maybe people here associate with this POS beater Harley because it travels about as far as they do on their modern rides?

[Mr.Black]

Ya don't think there's a whole BS "sport touring real rider" persona on this site?  Or a BS "I'm Vale Rossi" that most sport bikers have etc etc

When I'm out in the middle of nowhere, I'm not seeing people on St bikes.  I'm seeing people on newish Harleys putting on the miles.

Maybe people here associate with this POS beater Harley because it travels about as far as they do on their modern rides?

I have no clue who Vale Rossi is. I only hear his name here. We all know the only TRUE sport touring machine is an FJR. I have a co worker who was the biggest dope head pot smoker, his dad gave him his old Harley about four years ago. He owns 3 of them now walks around like a total bad ass and started a club he wont shut the fuck up about BUT he rides everywhere. Unless its raining. What does this all mean? Again, I have no fucking clue.