Well it happened...

[ohioyj]

i've always hated the short windows for riding as well.

Yeah it looked really good, but it dumped so much wind noise right by my ears (I think due to its shape) I couldn't hear the radio at all while riding.

[ohioyj]

Well got the rear suspension on today:



Just set the rebound and compression at the recommended starting points, especially until I get the front installed. The sag I was able to set on the stiff side (tall side) of the spec with me sitting on it, and still have it be in on the soft side (short side) of the spec with the Mrs and I on it.



I read a lot of people talking about these being stiff, however honestly these ride much better than the air shocks that were on the bike. The front forks feel awful now. Can't wait to get the front installed now.

[Aaron Coomer (3.504)]

I think anything will ride better than the stock equipment on those bikes. but i'm a little surprised the air shocks didn't feel better.

[ohioyj]

I think anything will ride better than the stock equipment on those bikes. but i'm a little surprised the air shocks didn't feel better.

I think the suspension that was on it was just toasted. I know my mom replaced it once while she had it, but she did have it for almost 20 years.

[Aaron Coomer (3.504)]

that checks out.

i wouldn't doubt it being wore out by then either.

[ohioyj]

Well think I've finally settled on a color, and have everything set with my painter. Supposed to drop all the pieces and parts off to him the same weekend I'm dropping the front forks off. So getting ready to tear the bike all apart. He said probably about 4 weeks, but he also said he's figuring 100 some hours of work roughly. I'm thinking it'll be closer to a couple months.

[Aaron Coomer (3.504)]

i hope its yellow

[ohioyj]

i hope its yellow

No. I have a thing for red. Actually with the exception of the supermoto (as they don't make red plastics), everything I've ever had painted, gets painted red. This one will be a bit fancier than normal though.

[ohioyj]

Started the tear down for paint yesterday.



I usually take stuff to my painter mostly ready, but on this he specifically said bring him pieces. I think I now know why. This is quite a bit of work to strip this stuff down.



I've torn down and rebuilt other vehicles and bikes now, but this is my first Harley. I've been tagging and numbering all the connectors. There are several that are identical and can be plugged into the wrong place. I don't remember other vehicles being like this with the exception of some of the lighting (which on newer stuff is color coded normally). Worst case, I should be able to match the wire colors to the FSM to figure things out. You can tell which tags I made, and which the Mrs. made...



The other downside to this is I'm finding all the other things that need to be replaced. However I was bound to find some more things that were worn out on a 23 year old bike. So I'm just making a list as I go.

[ohioyj]

Couple more quick pictures. Calling it done for the weekend. Just left with the rear fender:



Don't think I ever posted pictures of the fender... This is what happens when you upgrade the brakes before the suspension:



Oh well the my paint guy already said it's not an issue at all. He'll take care of it.