I got to thinking about what I’d do to my gastank to get rid of that huge tacky tank badging so I started looking at the 1948 Harley that my bike (or the tank, at least) was based on.
Those old badges sure are purty and will likely go on, along with a new coat of paint, over the winter but what really struck me was how much the tail light looked like the Black Beauty that I’ve lusted after for so long.
That little beaut will replace this huge stock assembly – along with a little fender chop I think it’s going to look really nice.
Because the light is pretty small and I don’t much like the idea of being smashed from behind I opted to add the “turn signals running as a tail light as well” module that comes stock on the US model which doesn’t have a tail light at all.
Unfortunately, the instructions that came with the Black Beauty look like this:
Fortunately, this guy posted a pretty comprehensive installation guide of his own making which should make it easier for me…
Even more unfortunately, I’ve had a few days off work that I could have spent doing the work but after a quick trip to Frank The Tank to take a look at that front wheel…
…the bike got carted off to Harley. Frank could have either trued or rebuilt the wheel easily but when I bought the bike I also bought a pretty extensive wheel and tire care warrantee that covers this type of thing…
…or is supposed to, anyway. Thus far the strength of this amaaaaazing warrantee I bought has yet to be proven. They were supposed to come pick up the bike – didn’t. They were supposed to put my bike on the lift right away – didn’t. They were supposed to give me a loaner while my bike was with them – didn’t. They were supposed to fix or replace the wheel right away without cost to me- well, we’ll see how that shapes up in the next few days.
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Update: this heavy duty little hand-turned beauty from Lower Class Brass just showed up in the mail.
The little brass bits and bobs on the Joker Machine AC looked so rad I needed to add more.
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Update: The fine folks at Mackie Harley Davidson are taking care of it for me. New wheel, new tire, new bearings, new everything. Only problem is that nothing is in stock currently so I’m not sure when I’m going to get my baby back but let’s face it, we all know that I could stand to ride my bicycle more so this is a welcome break.
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Update: A bit more of a break than I’d expected. HD just called and apparently they can’t get a new wheel for at least 15 business days. A month to get a fucking wheel in? I could drive to Milwaukee, get a wheel and be back in a day so why do I need to wait a month? Jayyyysus.
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Update: 2 weeks in and still no bike. I think they’re ignoring me now, too. Awesome.
By MattRennick
Category: Motorcycles
