What you say about older machinery being made to be maintained is so true Mike. I find very few people my age who enjoy maintaining their older bikes instead of getting new ones and having a computer do all the work. There's just something so satisfying about fixing something yourself. People often think I work on my Evo because I cant get a new bike, or because its old and broken. But it is because I enjoy working on it as much as I do riding. And it was made to be maintained, not thrown away. I think its a beautiful machine that deserves being appreciated and understood
I wish I had seen this video in 1968. I didn't know anything about maintenance or greasing a Springer. Mine got lose and I got a speed wobble. I went down and from that day, I didn't use a Springer frontend again. But I love the looks of a Springer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Harleys. I hope someone learns from your experience and avoids what happened to me. 🤕
You remind me of my buddy Dale, who’s been a Harley mechanic for many years and owns his own shop. He says the newer the bikes get, the harder they are to work on, if you can at all. They keep adding more stuff, more weight, and keep making things wrong like they’ve been doing for years. Like you said, it’s a “replace it” world. Speaking of replacing, Dale’s is going to start tearing down my Evo Wide Glide this week to switch out the seeping base gaskets for the aftermarket ones that won’t. Keep up the great videos!
Grease gives it a shine and is cologne for my evo, she's now ready for a night on the town. I soak up everything I can from you. Thanks for paying it forward
Its Heaven when zerks are present, I work on heavy trucks as a side job and thank goodness most chassis and drivetrain are still nippled. As for Automobiles- Its rare anymore,
Love that machine. That's something to be proud of putting around on. Working on them is as enjoyable as riding for me. The personal gratification of doing ones own maintenance is very rewarding indeed. Id love to find a knucklehead one day. A little grease goes a long ways. Maintenance is the key for keeping these on the road...
@@pacificmike9501 So tell me Mike what sprocket ratio are you running and cruising speed down the road? Probably don't have a tach on it but you can tell the rpms are right. I'm trying to figure out what sprocket to put on my 73 to get around 65 smoothly. Any suggestions? I think it's 22/51 stock. At 60 the vibration comes in so I'm wondering how many teeth I need to adjust to. Would you change the trans gear or wheel sprocket? From the chart in the service manual it looks like stk I'm running a 3.90 ratio. A 23 trans sprocket would give me 3.73 and a 24 would be 3.57 ratio. I don't know how many rpms it will drop with each change. I would think a 3.57 ratio would be decent. I'm not looking for a hot rod I just want to not be passed by everyone on the road. 65 smooth riding is all good for me. What's your thoughts?
Hi there Pacific Mike, its one of my favourites greasing the metal,that Knucklehead is beautiful, thanks again for your time Mike & Happy Riding Friend 🙂🙂🙂
Another cool video to help the beginners. Maybe a how-to on correct intake manifold installation and exhaust mounting will be handy? I get lots of work coming through my shop in this area, so i think people struggle with it. Keep up the good work. Al
Nice video Mike! Arlen Ness will be missed R.I.P. Brother! I'm sure he's probably building custom Pearl bikes in paradise! I really love that Knucklehead, Brother!
Great informative video. Just discovered you and glad to see you've done a few vids to keep me entertained on a rainy night here in England. You're the sort of bloke I want to buy a beer listen too. Genuine Gold.
Good to see you again. You just verified me being a dummy I guess. I've greased Many heavy machinery and had lots of clogged fittings, which had to be unclogged. I never heard of the RAG trick and don't understand exactly what you did there. I watched but.....can you clarify ?
The rag just seals up the fitting to the grease gun. It creates more pressure that way and forces the grease in. The grease goes right through the rag.
All that stuff is good to check any time, the oftener the better. Thank you. Normally, we check and pack wheel bearings every time a tire is changed. Star hubs? a shot of grease when you're lubing the chassis.
I can't seem to get to the video of u tuning your carb. Just rebuilt mine and have been playing with it to learn everything I can. I know your video would help a ton but no matter what I do I can't find it. I seen it before and even try watching the whole tune-up series and nothing. I could reyuse itright now.
Great to see the Knuckle getting some love. I imaging it depends on how often, how hard and how hot you ride an older bike, but what interval would you suggest a chassis service be done? Its prey easy, good insurance and makes things smooth and sweet, so pretty often or before any long ride would make sense.
Just love to see how carefully You are working, and those beautiful shiny wrenches with nice chrome nuts - it is just something! Thank You very much for Your videos. P.S. The lower traverse on Your springer is not the same as that of a regular springer, did the XA have a traverse in the form of a monolith or is it a custom made?
Thank you. That springer is made of all original pieces, as close as I can tell, all XA. However, everything is filled for a smoother appearance. I believe it was all done around the same time in the 60's.
Pacific Mike It is just gorgeous anyway! Thanks for the answer and the inspiration. I was so inspired by this video that I lubed every "metal to metal" parts on my bike and just can't believe the difference between before and after! Brakes, clutch, throttle, all the cables, everything is sooo smoothly working now, that I didn't wanted to leave the bike. We just forget to do all this little things but they are changing everything. Only forgot to lube kickstand, so I have work for tomorrow. ;)
Man I wish I could grease my modern springer parts. If you ever have a chance to show us service on these it would be most appreciated. As for Harley’s, modern factory springer info is exceptionally rare.
I get it. That "modern" springer really works well. It is strong and has a lot going for it. I've serviced several of those units and I must say, "It is a bit of a pain." It is also, well worth the effort. When doing the necessary disassembly of parts, you soon realize that anything you can afford to replace, you should. I haven't done one in quite a while, but, when one comes up, I'll do it. I got a friend that's probably reading this, and, he's gonna bug me about it. It's all in the service manual.
Thanks for your reply Mike, duly noted, and I do have a factory manual. If you do this, it will be the only good modern Springer service video on UA-cam. Come on Mike’s friend, get that springer on his lift! 😀
I, obviously, love the old stuff and how it was designed and built. Maintenance was a pleasure. A quiet evening in the garage, preparing for the next adventure. It's a different time now, but, you can go to your own place, and it can be any time you like. Enjoy yourself.
The Knuckle is an old show bike that was built back in the sixties. It's been in my family since about 1988. It was built out of all 40's stuff. Any aftermarket or "chopper" parts are from the 50's and 60's. I've done my best to keep it true to form, except, 12volt system, belt primary, a few internals, just stuff to make her a little more roadable. I actually restored her after she had rested a long time. That was about fourteen or fifteen years ago.
Hi Mike. Thank you again for the great videos! I finally bought a grease gun for my 55 Pan zerk fittings and wanted to know what type of grease you suggest. Do I need high-temp? Thanks in advance
That's usually replacing what was taken off. There were, however some early FX's that were kickstart only. I'm sorry, haven't needed to do one in quite a while. All of our videos are listed on the channel, under the word, "videos."
I just go into a trance watching you.. the Bob Ross of Harley's.. a true artist. A dying art. So glad to see you keeping this alive
Thank You.
What you say about older machinery being made to be maintained is so true Mike. I find very few people my age who enjoy maintaining their older bikes instead of getting new ones and having a computer do all the work. There's just something so satisfying about fixing something yourself. People often think I work on my Evo because I cant get a new bike, or because its old and broken. But it is because I enjoy working on it as much as I do riding. And it was made to be maintained, not thrown away. I think its a beautiful machine that deserves being appreciated and understood
My 52 Indian Chief had something like 48 zerk fittings. Lubing them all was a real treat.
@@pacificmike9501 Wow! Thats no joke!
I wish I had seen this video in 1968. I didn't know anything about maintenance or greasing a Springer. Mine got lose and I got a speed wobble. I went down and from that day, I didn't use a Springer frontend again. But I love the looks of a Springer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Harleys. I hope someone learns from your experience and avoids what happened to me. 🤕
Thank You. Everything requires maintenance.
👍🏼👍🏼🖖🏽🖖🏽😀😀
The good old days when they actually put zerk fitting in things
Yes, indeed.
So long, Arlen. Thanks once again, Mike.
Thank you.
You remind me of my buddy Dale, who’s been a Harley mechanic for many years and owns his own shop. He says the newer the bikes get, the harder they are to work on, if you can at all. They keep adding more stuff, more weight, and keep making things wrong like they’ve been doing for years. Like you said, it’s a “replace it” world. Speaking of replacing, Dale’s is going to start tearing down my Evo Wide Glide this week to switch out the seeping base gaskets for the aftermarket ones that won’t. Keep up the great videos!
Hello to you and Dale.
Grease gives it a shine and is cologne for my evo, she's now ready for a night on the town. I soak up everything I can from you. Thanks for paying it forward
Thank you. Nothing like a "night on the town." Okay, maybe a "month on the road." But then, that's "nights on the town" in many towns.
Its Heaven when zerks are present, I work on heavy trucks as a side job and thank goodness most chassis and drivetrain are still nippled. As for Automobiles- Its rare anymore,
It changed in the early sixties when zerk fittings were eliminated and changed for plugs.
Mike, thanks for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful knucklehead.
👍🐷👍
My pleasure!!
Love that machine. That's something to be proud of putting around on. Working on them is as enjoyable as riding for me. The personal gratification of doing ones own maintenance is very rewarding indeed. Id love to find a knucklehead one day. A little grease goes a long ways. Maintenance is the key for keeping these on the road...
Thank you. Could not have said it better myself.
@@pacificmike9501 So tell me Mike what sprocket ratio are you running and cruising speed down the road? Probably don't have a tach on it but you can tell the rpms are right. I'm trying to figure out what sprocket to put on my 73 to get around 65 smoothly. Any suggestions? I think it's 22/51 stock. At 60 the vibration comes in so I'm wondering how many teeth I need to adjust to. Would you change the trans gear or wheel sprocket? From the chart in the service manual it looks like stk I'm running a 3.90 ratio. A 23 trans sprocket would give me 3.73 and a 24 would be 3.57 ratio. I don't know how many rpms it will drop with each change. I would think a 3.57 ratio would be decent. I'm not looking for a hot rod I just want to not be passed by everyone on the road. 65 smooth riding is all good for me. What's your thoughts?
@@pacificmike9501 Just found a chart i think I know what to do now
Hi there Pacific Mike, its one of my favourites greasing the metal,that Knucklehead is beautiful, thanks again for your time Mike & Happy Riding Friend 🙂🙂🙂
Thank you. It is fun to do maintenance, look things over, clean, dream about the next trip, then go.
I see one happy biker, loving the job he is doing! Keep up the good work. Your efforts are appreciated! Rgds, Leo
Thank you.
Nice tribute Mike.
Thank you.
After watching this video, I checked my trans and the nuts were loose!? You saved me from a future headache. Love your channel.
Very cool. Thank you. As time goes on, you form your own habits, for your own maintenance.
Hell yeah mike!! Glad to have you back spreading that knowledge.
Glad to help.
Another cool video to help the beginners. Maybe a how-to on correct intake manifold installation and exhaust mounting will be handy? I get lots of work coming through my shop in this area, so i think people struggle with it. Keep up the good work. Al
Thank you. We'll show those things as they come up.
Mike ,,your a very knowledge man,, and I do enjoy watching your video,, keep up the good work
Thank You.
As usual, a fantastic video full of good reminders and tips! Thank you!
Thank you.
Nice video Mike! Arlen Ness will be missed R.I.P. Brother! I'm sure he's probably building custom Pearl bikes in paradise! I really love that Knucklehead, Brother!
Thank you. And, I'm sure you're right.
Great informative video. Just discovered you and glad to see you've done a few vids to keep me entertained on a rainy night here in England. You're the sort of bloke I want to buy a beer listen too. Genuine Gold.
And, I'm sure you have a lot to say. You know, I admire British bikes and the culture that goes with them. Thank you.
Good to see you again. You just verified me being a dummy I guess. I've greased Many heavy machinery and had lots of clogged fittings, which had to be unclogged. I never heard of the RAG trick and don't understand exactly what you did there. I watched but.....can you clarify ?
The rag just seals up the fitting to the grease gun. It creates more pressure that way and forces the grease in. The grease goes right through the rag.
Another great video Mike!!
Thank you.
The ol Knuckle is looking good
Thank You. We're still in love. Runs better than ever.
Watched several of your video enjoying them reminding of going through MMI at Phoenix
Thank you.
Check the steering head bearings and grease swingarm if its not a ridgid. Check rear and front wheel bearings as well. Brake fluid levels.
All that stuff is good to check any time, the oftener the better. Thank you. Normally, we check and pack wheel bearings every time a tire is changed. Star hubs? a shot of grease when you're lubing the chassis.
Another good one, Mike--thanks so much!
Thank you.
Love the videos, helps me to know what to look for on my 69 shovel.
Thank you.
Cool knucklehead Mike! ☮
Thank You.
I can't seem to get to the video of u tuning your carb. Just rebuilt mine and have been playing with it to learn everything I can. I know your video would help a ton but no matter what I do I can't find it. I seen it before and even try watching the whole tune-up series and nothing. I could reyuse itright now.
I hope you've found it now.
Helps very much! Thank you!
Glad it helped!
Great to see the Knuckle getting some love. I imaging it depends on how often, how hard and how hot you ride an older bike, but what interval would you suggest a chassis service be done? Its prey easy, good insurance and makes things smooth and sweet, so pretty often or before any long ride would make sense.
The manual has recommendations, but, I think you called it right. Thank you.
Just love to see how carefully You are working, and those beautiful shiny wrenches with nice chrome nuts - it is just something! Thank You very much for Your videos.
P.S. The lower traverse on Your springer is not the same as that of a regular springer, did the XA have a traverse in the form of a monolith or is it a custom made?
Thank you. That springer is made of all original pieces, as close as I can tell, all XA. However, everything is filled for a smoother appearance. I believe it was all done around the same time in the 60's.
Pacific Mike
It is just gorgeous anyway! Thanks for the answer and the inspiration. I was so inspired by this video that I lubed every "metal to metal" parts on my bike and just can't believe the difference between before and after! Brakes, clutch, throttle, all the cables, everything is sooo smoothly working now, that I didn't wanted to leave the bike. We just forget to do all this little things but they are changing everything.
Only forgot to lube kickstand, so I have work for tomorrow. ;)
Thank you! Pass it on. Glad to be of help.
Man I wish I could grease my modern springer parts. If you ever have a chance to show us service on these it would be most appreciated. As for Harley’s, modern factory springer info is exceptionally rare.
I get it. That "modern" springer really works well. It is strong and has a lot going for it. I've serviced several of those units and I must say, "It is a bit of a pain." It is also, well worth the effort. When doing the necessary disassembly of parts, you soon realize that anything you can afford to replace, you should. I haven't done one in quite a while, but, when one comes up, I'll do it. I got a friend that's probably reading this, and, he's gonna bug me about it. It's all in the service manual.
Thanks for your reply Mike, duly noted, and I do have a factory manual. If you do this, it will be the only good modern Springer service video on UA-cam. Come on Mike’s friend, get that springer on his lift! 😀
well said and shown!
Thank you.
Pacific Mike I sure wish you would put out more videos I really like what you do!!! I'm just curious do you live in California?
Thank you. More to come. Yes, I do.
@@pacificmike9501 I grew up in Huntington Beach and I live in Texas I sure wish I could have met you!!!
Great simple skills video!!! 😎
Thank you.
I like the old way where you maintained equipment and it lasted for many years, but controlled obsolescence won out. Unfortunately.
I, obviously, love the old stuff and how it was designed and built. Maintenance was a pleasure. A quiet evening in the garage, preparing for the next adventure. It's a different time now, but, you can go to your own place, and it can be any time you like. Enjoy yourself.
Hi mike just wanted to know about the knucklehead what frame it is and year thanks mate keep the vids coming
The Knuckle is an old show bike that was built back in the sixties. It's been in my family since about 1988. It was built out of all 40's stuff. Any aftermarket or "chopper" parts are from the 50's and 60's. I've done my best to keep it true to form, except, 12volt system, belt primary, a few internals, just stuff to make her a little more roadable. I actually restored her after she had rested a long time. That was about fourteen or fifteen years ago.
Hi Mike. Thank you again for the great videos!
I finally bought a grease gun for my 55 Pan zerk fittings and wanted to know what type of grease you suggest. Do I need high-temp?
Thanks in advance
Any good bearing grease will do. I like to use "trailer bearing grease." It resists moisture a little better.
Hey Mike; again a nice video!
Why not use loctite for the bolts on the transmission or engine?
Thank you, and I'm okay with it either way.
That you're own bike nice bike 👍
Yes it is, and thank you.
In Australia we call them grease nipple’s.
Same thing, just another place on the map. Old tech is "zerk fitting." But, "grease nipples" works for me.
Do you prefer belt primary over chain...building a shovelhead using a BDL set up....first time for me....
Personal preference. Kick start, I like a belt. Electric start, I like a chain. Again, just personal preference.
Whipped up the croume
Okay.
Do you have any videos on converting a kick start shovel to electric
That's usually replacing what was taken off. There were, however some early FX's that were kickstart only. I'm sorry, haven't needed to do one in quite a while. All of our videos are listed on the channel, under the word, "videos."
Mike, what kind of lube your using?
Just a good quality bearing grease. I usually buy grease intended for trailer bearings because it's more resistant to water.
Arlen will be more missed......
Yes.