I still haven't had to adjust the valves on mine and I've been riding it since 98...  I've checked them, still within spec...

Cam chain is quiet as well. Speedometer died at 16K miles, several years ago. Has somewhere right around 40K on it.

Just now ready for rear tire #3, front tire #5.

WD wrote on 12/19/12 at 18:40:21:


I find it amazing that the rear tires are outlasting the fronts, let alone the mileage you are claiming for them. Are you using Klotz on the tires?

Nope, just take it easy on the bike. It's usually relegated to back road use, flogged the snot out of it for the first year and then treated it like a small cruiser. First few years it ran on Castrol 20W50, when the oil formula got changed it was switched to Delo/Delvac/Rotella 15W40. When I want to ride for real I take something bigger, even if I have to borrow one.

We've got a 1999 1500 Drifter here with 78 thousand miles on the original clutch...

Quality rear tires run at tire mfg pressure recommendations. $20 surplus front tires. Speeds kept reasonable for the weight of the bike and its lousy brakes.

A couple wires left to go and paint the sides of the rear fender and it's back on the road. Just need to add the new headlight toggle switch and turn signal toggle switch. Deleted the bar mounted stock switch boxes, they finally fell apart internally. Cheap plastic contact mounts.

Went out that next night and tried it again.  Seems I wasnt tightening the adjusting screws tight enough with the gauge in there.  Got it running smooth now