Getting "schooled"

Lately I have noticed a tendency for my "U" to lurch more than usual at low RPM, especially in 3rd gear, at about 25 mph, and in 4th, at about 35 mph.  Unfortunately those two speeds are pretty prevalent on Seattle streets. 

Somebody at Tenino happened to mention that too much slack in the primary and/or final drive chains might be to blame.  I finally took the time tonight to adjust them.  Lo and behold, the Harley manual describes the effect of too much slack in the chain(s)...  exactly what I was seeing.

Long story short, I adjusted both chains, and it rides like a new bike!  I think it's pretty cool when my 75 year old motorcycle manages to teach me something new.

...and one for Nate, courtesy of Shorpy

Elvis, in 1956, at age 21, on his Harley KH.
Cadillacs and Harleys...

This one's for Kalli...

Butterfly

Timeless Beauty

Purloined from the Antique Motorcycle Club of America facebook page...

This photograph, of the painter, David Uhl, and his subject,longtime Motor Maid Gloria Struck is so cool on multiple levels... 

This sweet lady reminds me of so many older folks I have met at Cossacks performances.  They have a certain gleam in their eye when they see and hear our old bikes, and if we're really lucky, the stories come flowing out.

The body may be old, but the spirit is still young...

You are... THE WEAKEST LINK

My clutch went south in a matter of a split second as I was stopping for a light on the way to Cossack practice. Good thing I had a handful of brake at the time. This was the culprit:

This little guy lives inside the kicker cover, and actuates the throwout bearing. Thanks to a couple of hours labor and Fuzzy's parts stash, The "U" is back in time for next weekend's show.

#38 and #123

Went to the annual Cossack Banquet recently. I am officially Cossack #123:

I also had the honor of chatting with Cossack #38 at the banquet:

I will try to make you proud, Cliff.