I purchased a 2001 FLHRCi about 12 years ago. I started riding bikes at 16 and if I had my Ariel 500 twin now, it would be worth far more than the twenty quid I paid for it then (plus 10 shillings for a taxi truck to take it to my house). My mate in those days had a few motorbikes that we shared.. a BSA Bantam, AJS 500 single, Royal Enfield, R69S BMW and eventually, a Bonneville. We loved those monsters. In 1970, I decided to start again and rebuilt a barn find Yamaha 301cc. Sold it and had a brain fade, so purchased a Honda 450 DOHC. Worst motorbike in the history of two wheels in my opinion. It wasn't until a friend bought a new Fatboy in 2000 that the urge was rekindled and shortly thereafter, not having kept up my original one pound licence, I had to start again on a Kawasaki 250. My son asked me if I intended to start a mowing round (smart arse kids). He races a Triumph Triple and is doing reasonably well for an old man!! (I hope he gets to read this tribute). Now looking to buy a club bike due to time constraints. Sold the big fella because it wasn't doing the K's it should have travelled. Now I intend to buy an EVO. I know it's not a real Harley (built when owned by AMF), but more reliable than a Shovel, so I am told. Still married after all these years (ode to Paul Simon). Live in Melbourne, love a drink, gave up smoking and feel a hell of a lot better for it and I'm spending ime writing a novel and biography surrounding my miss spent youth. Hope this is enough for now.

  Great intro Rod, and an interesting short story to boot.
Gidday and welcome, join in and enjoy  

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Old Enough To Know Better.....Young Enough To Do It Anyway

Hi and welcome to the No1 Harley forum  in Australia  

Welcome mate
bloody good intro

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Cheers, Kiwi.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math....

Welcome Rod to the forum..

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Every body dies, but not everyone lives. SHIT runs downhill and PAYDAY is to far away

Welcome on board ol mate...

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Street Glide....CVO....Sex on Wheels.

G'day rsteph .. bloody fantastic intro {it was worth waiting for} .. good luck with your EVO finding & rebuild ..

As for your son reading your tribute to him .. invite him to join the forum too {then he can }
[although this is a Harley Forum .. we do have a few Trumpy riders as members]

& Rod ..
Welcome & ride safe.

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If I'm vertical... It's time to RIDE.
My Gallery

G'day Rod, welcome mate  

rsteph wrote:  

. . .  Now I intend to buy an EVO. I know it's not a real Harley (built when owned by AMF), but more reliable than a Shovel, so I am told.

Just so you know that it's OK to buy an Evo, they weren't designed or built during the AMF years.
The AMF years were Shovel years. AMF owned Harley (and buggered it) from 1969 until 1981.
Evo's were first announced in 1983 and came out in 1984. Evo's were made until 2000.

As far as 'Evo's not being 'real' Harley's, Evo's are regarded as the best motors the Company ever produced.
WAAAYYYYY more reliable than a Shovel. The Evo also doesn't have the troubles of Harley's next model, the TwinCam (Timing Chain and Tensioner problems, Pressed Flywheels, and overheating).

Anyway, welcome here  

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Cheers, Ken.


-~- member: 109 -~- HERE'S MY GALLERY

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. . .
EX-OWNER OF: 1997 Road King Classic- True Duals, Nostalgia Windshield, Early ElectraGlide Western Bars, Custom Paint Job, 2012 Air in the Tyres

Welcome aboard Rod, an interesting read. Good luck with the EVO mate, I hope you find a good one and it'll give you plenty to keep you occupied.

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Cheers, Lloyd
FXDC

Welcome old fella lol . im  keeping my Evo for my old age .    

welcome mate, great read.... I own a shovel..and fucking thing was fucked today when i tried to start it.... was a 1200cc oil pump..oil had drained into the crank and spewed everywhere ..oh well part of the fun I guess

Welcome Rod, a good intro mate..my first was an old BSA sidevalve with advance/retard and a valve lifter that used ta "kick like a mule", many years ago...(still love them all)

-KEN- wrote:  

G'day Rod, welcome mate  

rsteph wrote:  

. . .  Now I intend to buy an EVO. I know it's not a real Harley (built when owned by AMF), but more reliable than a Shovel, so I am told.

Just so you know that it's OK to buy an Evo, they weren't designed or built during the AMF years.
The AMF years were Shovel years. AMF owned Harley (and buggered it) from 1969 until 1981.
Evo's were first announced in 1983 and came out in 1984. Evo's were made until 2000.

As far as 'Evo's not being 'real' Harley's, Evo's are regarded as the best motors the Company ever produced.
WAAAYYYYY more reliable than a Shovel. The Evo also doesn't have the troubles of Harley's next model, the TwinCam (Timing Chain and Tensioner problems, Pressed Flywheels, and overheating).

Anyway, welcome here  

Jacks wrote:  

Welcome Rod, a good intro mate..my first was an old BSA sidevalve with advance/retard and a valve lifter that used ta "kick like a mule", many years ago...(still love them all)

Welcome to the Forum M8,

Plus 1 on the EVO history lesson above, The EVO powered Harleys were introduced after the buy back from AMF, and saved the Motor Company from extinction.

Apart from bottom cases cracking after over boring, and weaping base gaskets, the EVO motor is one of the best ever built.

Regards Lofty