Went to a cookout at a local Harley Dealership, a Certified Tech comes up to me when I was parking . He waits till I shut down and resting on jiffy stand . Says “ what the hell is that thing and what year is it ? “ I told him 84 Shovelhead FLHS . He says never seen one , it’s cool as hell. Harley dealerships are not what , I used to seeing .Guys riding new in with dash screens as a car would have , cell phone holder , cup holder , heated seat , heated grips and two spark plugs that require raising up the fuel tank to replace . I’ll just stay with my shakin rattling vibrating pieces of America .
I don't want to degrade anyone who rides, but it is entertaining to have a rider pull up next to you at a light with his stereo blaring, his huge GPS screen, and full leathers... in 105-degree weather.
Just showin my age and honor to the USA , newer Harley’s are so much trying to keep up with imports it’s just failing faster than the ***antic sank . I have ridden most of my adult life , thinkin do I need a screen , a phone holder , a cup holder , heated seat , heated grips? I get to thinkin , at 70 MPH , I can’t read the speedo or see in a rear view mirror , I would not be able to determine what track my CD was showing on the screen anyway ! Harley was built on simplicity, thats quite a joke today when you look at new stuff . Just keep these old bikes and hot rods going, stand tall and be proud of your work . Who needs new computerized junk that is down for repairs , that you can not touch in your own garage or roadside anymore ?
I can't remember what was for dinner last night buy I remember a mousetrap, jockey shift, rachet lid, and D rings, things change for better or worse.
I live in a little tourist town. Here comes another rugged individualist in his new black leather chaps in 100 degree heat. Racks the throttle about fifty times coming down my street, but you can still hear: "Turn left 500 feet!"
The Jalopy Journal
