Hello JSUD04, this is Maurizio from Rome, Italy
Rome, NY, right ?
NO, Rome, Italy, as in, the other side of the Ocean, six time zones frmo Virginia (where I happened to live, btw
)
Rome, as in "The Eternal City"
Sooo... what am I doing on this here Forum ? Enjoying some very good company and getting to know all the "it's good to know this and that" kind of info.
So, you're concerned and all. That puts you on the safe side, there's nothing worse than the "happy go lucky" attitude.
You say you have an '86, which means a 4speed. Good. I have a '88 4speed and believe they are formidable bikes.
Built to mimic the 1982 Harley 1340 Sturgis with the 80cu.in Ironhead, by the way.
Here's what I did to mine (over a long and windy/rainy winter season, so it was a number of short stops and checkups):
- check the front fork, possibly replace the fork oil with new oil, possibly a little thicker (the forks are kinda soft...)
- check the rear shocks and make sure the oil is recent - else, replace,
- check the front brake, see how well the rubber hose is doing; replace with a braided line, rebuild the pump and the caliper (old seals and the rubber rottens and fails)
- check the final belt drive, it could be that a low mileage bike still has the original belt on it - it could fail anytime soon...
(if it proves to be too expensive to replace, a good alternative is a 530 chain with 17/49 sprockets, half the price)
- replace the fuel line and vacuum lines; better still, replace the entire vacuum petcock with an "ornery" (=more reliable) Raptor petcock,
- ensure both brake switches work - unlike mine where the front brake switch simply didn't exist...
- anytime you hear the cam chain rattle, it may be 8almost) late; not only should you replace the chain (and possibly the tensioner shoes as well) but the plunger, with one modified by Verslagen; I know I did
)
- fit a tachometer ! Unlike a 2-3-4cylinder engine, the big single simply growls louder, not higher as revs rise.
This is good .......................................................
this is ridiculous and half useless, you will rarely if ever rev beyond 5000 anyway.
I personally cruise between 3000 and 4000... best economy and sound
Once you've done all this, you will have a very solid bike, certainly not the fastest 650 on the block but hey! what other bike can give you that solid "classic thumper" economy, low down grunt and ease to ride and park?
I promise you, once you take her up to Skyline Drive, you'll wish the day would never end !