Real "Bikers"... Do They Wrench??? 

I've owned motos all my life. I started riding bikes at 15. I've continually had a moto and a pick up truck since then. I'm 73 years young now and still have a pick up and three Harleys. I've wrenched on all my bikes through the years. Learning along the way. All my friends ride also, but some are not mechanically inclined so I help them when they need some help. I had the opportunity to graduate from MMI several years ago. I learned much about the new EFI bikes, and a whole lot more about the older bikes. I've built and sold many ground up HDs in my home garage. I decided to retire earlier this year and sold all my machines and closed down my shop. I was fortunate to have a father that was exceptionally good with his hands. That man could tackle any problem and come out on top. He taught me everything he knew. From concrete, heavy equipment, mechanics, horticulture, agriculture, BBQing, patience, etc, and how to survive in life. My life has been full, and I now enjoy the time with my kids, grandkids, and soon great grandkids. So if you don't know much about how your bike works, hang out with that greybeard in your group and sit by his side as he's wrenching on his bike. Ask questions. That's the only way you'll learn.

I have always wrenched and welded and wired and painted my bikes. Because it's fun!

I rode at the back of the pack at every ride. I was the wrench. Some broke down. I would stop with them and fix. Half our mc could wrench....but I could fix.

Exactly why my newest bike is an Evo Road King with a carburetor. Easy to work on and reliable. I know fuel injection is more efficient but its computer controlled and subject to needing the software to diagnose problems. 15 years ago I bought a tire machine. Its invaluable since I have three bikes. I support my indy shop by buying tires,oil and parts from him. Looks like some nice improvements on your old softail.

When I lived in CT I used to go to my cousin's shop and I would do things for him and he would help me out and show me things on my bike. I would mow his lawn, cut down trees, split and deliver cord wood to him and even do oil changes and tire replacements on his customer bikes and he would do some stuff for me on my bikes. Now I live near Cleveland and no more nice cousin to help me out. So I have to man up and do it for myself or get out the checkbook. I usually choose man up as much as I can. The more money I save the more riding I can get in and maybe I can buy an new gun, I love guns....

I worked on Harleys for years at dealerships and chopper shops and I found that most dont know shit about their bikes>

Loved the Vid Brother.....old bikes will always have a place as long as dudes like you continue to love them.

Judging from the condition of most of the bikes I've bought, a lot of bike owners don't know crap about fixing or maintaining their rides. Kudos to those who do. Anyone who wants to can learn...especially now days with the internet.

Self sufficiency & eternal vigilance , will keep your knees in the breeze !

You're absolutely right, know your limits. I rode panheads and shovels so I learned how to wrench when needed.

There is an old book, published in 1974, called "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance", and it is a really good read. As for myself, I have always been a mechanic and motorcycle rider, and spent many years working in bike shops. I think the most important thing is, once anyone starts riding, they get increasingly interested in the bike itself, and most learn a lot about the care and feeding of their own bikes. They will still have a shop install tires, do tuneups, etc, but only a few of us rebuild the engines and gearboxes, and make major modifications. At any gathering, however, there will be LOTS of technical talk among riders, and most people know A LOT about what they are riding.

I'd rather a old evo than any of the new harleys nothing like em but each to there own nothing sounds better than a carb harley.

I own a Harley Davidson heritage flstc. I’ve owned many bikes and I see this one as the one I will keep. Evo 80 cu. inch. Not fast but will run all day at 50-60 mph. Bike fits me well and the bike is carburated. The wife has a 2002 springer softail which was a gift from her dad. We will eventually trade our 1999 gold wing for a new gold wing or a ultra classic and those will be the bikes we keep. Great video. Make your life your own. God bless

About of the bikers i hang with do their own maintenance & repairs. Most of us seem to have "that guy" who we can turn to for info on the more technical stuff who is always willing to help out a fellow biker. I think the numbers are dwindling on hands on bikers these days. I don't have a problem with a guy buying a new bike & knowing nothing about it, after all it's about the ride, but i believe one gets more satisfaction out of knowing that you are the one responsible for keeping the machine on the road.

Love your videos, thank you! This one took the words right out of my mouth as I spin my own wrenches and share much of your philosophy. Pains me to on the rare occasions to leave my scooter for anything outside my scope of patience or capacity necessary for certain jobs.

I do sone of my own. Oil change, clutch adjust, brake adjust, small wiring jobs, tow hitch install, road guard install. I like doing my own stuff, but I stop at my local shop too. I like hanging out and throwing them work to help keep them in business.

I totally agree with you on that! There is nothing more satisfying than fixing, or building your own stuff! Great video man!

I wish I could work on my own bike but I fall into that group that takes it to the shop. I have done items like adding lights or changing seats but not much more. Thanks for all of your time in getting these videos out. Ride Safe

Thanks for your videos! I started watching with your trade and continued as you made some repairs. I am enjoying watching and really admiring your work and how you approach each task. You explain everything in straightforward, understandable terms and free of colorful language. I have wrenched on my cars, never did any major engine work, but worked on everything else I could succeed at. Still, do but not as confident with all the new electronics. I dont work on my bikes, (2004 FATBOY/2016 Ultra Limited low.) I just dont know how to. I have the service and repairs done at the local shop. Regardless, enjoy riding. It is my therapy. Again, Thanks for sharing and keep posting. Lou

I came across your channel today and I’m really digging it. Keep up the good work!

Some people just aren't mechanically inclined, I don't hold it against them. If they have someone else work on it but love to ride, that's good enough for me.

Jesus taught us to watch what we say....you're in your right mind and you make great vids.

I wrench on all my bikes and my car! I have been doing it since learning from an early age through trial and error, taking engines out! fitting new gearboxes, suspension etc in old Fords from the seventies and eighties! I enjoy it knowing my back wheel is tight and secure because I have done it myself! A famous Irish Road Racer Joey Dunlop always prepared his own bikes! It gave him the confidence to ride around the famous Isle of Man TT race at breathtaking speeds! I haven't stripped an engine yet, but I have rebuilt a turbo! fitted a bathroom suite, built a wooden garage! Tiled a floor! learnt to weld! replaced an engine gearbox and running gear out of an old 1978 Ford Escort mk11 RS2000 into an older 1968 Ford Escort MK1 1100 Automatic! I like working on my bikes and do all the servicing myself! You can do most things! you need the tools to do it, and thoroughly research what it is you want to do, you just have to not be afraid to try tackle it yourself!

Rode most of my life but got scared off by highway “almost” right before retiring 11 years ago. Traded my scooter for a pickup and sold/gave all my stuff away. Now I find myself watching youtubes about bikes and all the stuff involving them. Really enjoy yer channel and subscribed. Thx man!

Great video Tramp. Your channel is gaining traction well deserved. Your vids have a great vibe to them.

I had to learn to work on my own bikes when I was just a kid. When I grew up, I worked hard, saved some money, and bought a well-used Harley that I fixed up myself and have kept her going for the past 20 years. I couldn't imagine letting anyone else work on it. Great bike and even though I want to find an older evo soft tail now, I'll still keep my other old Harley, no way I'd ever sell it as long as I can still ride.

great video ! I really respect your honesty on your limitations and comfort zone on what you can and can not do when it comes to working on your bikes ! I am heavy truck mechanic and Wrench for a living . I don't know what you do for a living but from what I can see in your videos , you know your way around a bike . Keep up the good work !!!!

Thanks for sharing your day and knowledge with me. Be safe

I really appreciate your videos doc. I find myself at a crossroad between old bikes and new for pretty much the same reason as you. I’m not a mechanic in the truest sense of the word but I’ve picked up enough from the old man and personal experiences to keep my scoots running and the thought of losing that ability with the new stuff makes me a bit uneasy. Thinking about doing some RU-vid “moto-vlogging” chronicling my experience with it as well. We’ll see... Keep up the good work.✌🏾

You found yourself a new subscriber ! Bought my first harley 2 months ago, 01 wideglide absolutely love it, cheers from Canada !

You're always making great videos man, I truly appreciate it. My biggest limitation I've encountered so far is the carburetor... I just can't figure it out. Estou ansioso pra conhecer vc, será um grande prazer! Ainda estou esperando a confirmação das férias...

I ride and I wrench on my cycles it is a great feeling of satisfaction

Always appreciate your video content and words of wisdom. Your a solid down to earth guy who most of us viewers can relate to.

Im 54 , i got first Harley when i was 15 , a basket case 69 XLCR,, when i was building it over a 2 year span , all the old timers my dad included all said the same thing, i will sit with ya and tell ya how to do what your doing but they wouldn’t touch a wrench , they taught me you ride it you wrench it.. and thats what i did . My profession is a Harley tech at a dealership.. not only did they give me the knowledge to wrench my own ride , but they also gave me a trade , a way to support myself threw out my whole life to feed my family and get me what i need.. those days and sense of pride and wrenching on your own ride are long gone and lost on todays younger generation,, such a shame...now that doesn’t mean ya have to know everything either because i don’t either,, it was a different time back then and we got a sense of pride of building fixing etc.. our own rides ,, i personally dont care for this new world we live in , and i esp don’t care for the direction harley moco is going either ,, but hey thats a discussion for another day..

Indiana love and blessings to ya bro!!!! Love ur channel and what u do!!!!

Love the video, Saddle Tramp. Like you I prefer older bikes. Looking forward to seeing the video from the meet up. Safe travels, y'all.

You just keep wrenchin Saddletramp...We don't need no shops and NO COMPUTERS for our Bikes! Only thing I use shops for is tires and if my Bottem End were to go out on me....Happy trails!

You’ve hit the nail on the head! My first Harley was a 1983 Shovelhead Sturgis 1340, which had a panhead adjustable sidecar forks and FLH swing-arm, plus every wire was in black! It was unreliable but interesting! My finest moment came at 1am on a dark night when it cut out, the starter failed, & the kicker went down but failed to come back up, so I set to & disassembled the kicker at side of the road! After a couple of hours cursing it kicked back up! A good feeling! Fantastic! Later a misaligned crank caused a small engine disaster so I swapped it in 1996 for a Rowe Machine Sportster. Whilst I’ve had new Dyna models since, that old Shovel is really where my interest remains as I could do stuff on it myself, & discuss it’s problems! I’m no mechanic but if you read about stuff, & get stuck in, eventually it becomes easier to work on.

Great video and so true, I actually started with learning to fix my own bikes with the tires and bearings haha but with books and youtube I can't remember the last time I had to leave my bike in to shop.

Amen to that Saddle Tramp. I have a 2001 Road King that I plan on keeping for a long time.

Last summer I picked up a non running 78 goldwing that I'm trying to get back on the road. I'm no mechanic but I love to work on stuff and tinker. I ride a 05 sportster as my daily driver. I love bikes, and want more of them. Great channel.

You had me hooked on this series....I watched all the vids straight through, I like your style SaddleTramp. :D I have modern bikes, but like you, I to do my own work...I never want them to see a shop, I do as much as I can figuring it and learning as I go. I bucked up, bit the bullet and changed my Victory's wheel bearings last fall and I have yet another set of tires to go on any day now....The jobs aren't so bad once you do dig in and do them. Thanks for the great vids

Awesome video. I am the same way my brother. I own a 1985 FXRS restored it myself except for tires and engine assembly. I didn’t have the confidence to do the engine then but do now. I put a kick start kit in it and it’s my favorite bike I’ve ever had. S&S carbureted with high four ignition and WOW I love this bike!

awesome shop, we have a great local old school shop here in Arkansas called Howlin Cycles, good times!

1st time viewer. Totally enjoyed it. You seem to be about just like a majority of folks out there who ain’t impressed with a bunch of bells and whistles. Ride safe ride free!

Loved your video/ Mississippi trip and few other videos just came across your channel the day you traded your 103 for a 88 ci. Just subscribed today and clicked the bell. You remind me of my dad he has the same hair style as you and same beard style. It’s pretty cool lol

Although I love old vehicles with ancient technology, there is one thing I do like about this digital age that I sure didn't have when I had to learn mechanics (and other things) the hard way, and that is RU-vid videos. If I'd had RU-vid and Google and forums available "way back when", I would have been in heaven. It has accelerated my learning ability to warp-speed. Growing up in a tiny town in the hills of West Virginia before the days of cable TV - or even color TV - was really hard for those of us with a thirst for knowledge. Still, I was able to work on my new-to-me single cylinder Honda and "Twingle" Puch/Allstate. Add to that a British car with Lucas electrics and there was no choice but to learn how to fix it myself. Am I complaining? No, it made me appreciate the fact that I had learning skills, no matter what. Today I am retired and when I want to fix something, I head to Google, RU-vid and forums to learn from other people's trial and error. This really helps me to "learn my limits". I appreciate all of you who like to share. Saddle Tramp, as always, thanks for your videos and insights.

If I can do it myself and save a buck, I’ll be damned if I’m going to farm it out. I wrench on everything, not just bikes. Refrigerators, to box trucks and everything in between.

I learned to wrench I can't afford the Harley Shop.

I used to wrench when I was younger & my body wasn't beat up. Many people give up when they get to my age 61 & physical problems develop. With my problems, on paper I shouldn't do most of the activity I do but I'm NOT A QUITTER. I'll be 62 in 7 months, I have disc issues in my spine & neck including a slipped disc, my shoulder joints are shot, my feet have pain like tooth aches I could go on & on. I'm not on pain killers. I lost 109 lbs & eat healthier. I pray and meditate everyday. I DON'T judge how my day is going to be based on the first hour upon wakening. I need to keep moving and GET OVER THAT HUMP. ( most days it works) I love to ride, refuel, repeat. In the past 2 yrs I purchased a 2003 Springer, I helped build my 2003 Sportster Nor Cal style chopper & bought and customized a 2018 Heritage 1,868 cc. Both 2003's are carbureted. My passion since 11 yrs old has been motorcycles. I'll do whatever it takes to stay passionate. God bless.

Great videos definitely look foward to your new ones

Grew up learning how to work on my own stuff with my dad, I can now afford to have work done but what fun is that.

Just found this channel today (8/28/19). Love this content. I’ve have a 99 Super Glide that I bought last year, & I don’t anticipate ever getting a new bike.

ST always like your vids. had a chopper back in 70's and have never been on a bike since. I like your current ride , and your an alright guy. Peace.

25 years young right here, started out with Japanese sport bikes, and don’t get me wrong, I love them but when it came down time to fix it I was lost. Bought myself a destroyed, rusted out ‘85 Ironhead Sportster and this thing is a breeze to work on. Chopped off the tail and welded a hardtail on, front moto iron springer, spoked wheels etc. Thing is an absolute beast and a blast to work on

Well said! Cool that you can work on your own bike. Appreciate your perspective! Ride safe v

Cool videos . Just subscribed and can’t wait to see more. I like the live to die die to live patch! God bless

Watching the work & changes you've made on that evo almost makes me want to swap my 2013-103 street glide for the same setup you now have, that evo sounds incredible ")

I can relate. You just described why my Harley is an 03 and my van is even older.

Great words of wisdom. You've got a new subscriber!!!!

About knowing your limits: I had a "slight" problem that should have been easy to fix. After a couple of days of trying, getting frustrated, walking away, coming back , trying again and repeating this cycle several times, I decided to take it to the local Harley dealer/garage which was the very last thing I wanted to do. But I figured if it requires certain skills and replacement parts, it would be worth it. The initial fix took over 6 hours and it failed horribly. I was 2 hours from home, across the mountains, and had no way to get there. The service department arranged with the sales department to get me a brand new loaner for the ride home. On the 9th day, they called and said my bike was ready and I rode the loaner back to get it. They said they had no idea what the root cause of the problem was, so they replaced ALL of the parts and there would be no extra charge above the 6-hour repair and even that was reduced. They probably "ate" over $2000 in parts and labor and they never gave me any hassle or runaround. They treated my old 2005 Sportster as if it was the most expensive bike they ever sold -- and I didn't even buy it from them. I've never bought a new bike in over 55 years of riding! In this case, "knowing my limits" paid off in spades. I'm happy to report that not all dealerships are "stealerships".

Kool video Homie and thanks for sharing 😎

I bought my last bike brand new, the first set of tires I put on it I just took it to the shop and had them do everything, after seeing how much they charged me for labor I decided never again. When it came time for tires again, I borrowed a bike jack from a buddy and pulled the wheels and just had the shop mount and balance the tires for me. It was a lot cheaper and I got the satisfaction of doing it myself, plus I took the time to clean everything up check the brakes etc. it actually ended up being almost a partial rebuild. And after it was all done it was like I was riding a new bike!

I really enjoy the softail videos as well I ride a 2018 blacked out heritage I love the softail frames

Man I'm with ya in being self sufficient. I've been thinking about getting rid of my 07 Streetglide and getting me a Evo myself. I'm on my second Twin Cam and I can't seem to get used to the sound and like you say these newer bikes are computerized and other things to the point most of us are almost completely dependent on the dealer or at least a well equipped shop with a whole bunch of technical experience to go along with all of that shop equipment.

I really enjoy your videos. They are all fun to watch and informative. I like your show a lot cause you are down to earth, I got a 07 wide glide. My first harley davidson. .

I appreciate the vids. I'm looking to get a cruiser. I commute on a 2009 Tiger 1050. I dig it. I have worked on my own dirt bikes/ dual sports for the last 30 or so years. The tiger was my first real street bike (had it for over a year now) and I'm looking for a Cruiser. I've been drawn to the road King. But new or old? Or an 06 Yamaha Roadliner.....not sure. But id like to wrench on a Harley. I was impressed by your decision to trade the 12' to an EVO. After all I've read and watched on Utube I think that is where I am going. And I think you are right on the "disposable" twin cams. Great stuff and insight on digging motorcycles. Keep up the good work

Amen! My 96" is largely over my head! But exhaust, tuners, plugs, air filter systems... even now some stuff is common sense!

Scooters is C-O-O-L. We have a great local shop like that here in Jamaica Plain MA called Milwaukee Iron. You put some nice touches on that Nostalgia Tramp, esp the blackwall tires...you saved that bike man, she was goin down the road of degradation....but she looks and sounds happy snappy now

Back in the day I did all my own service work and was blessed to never have to get inside the motor. I did have some work done to my first "cruiser" that I needed special tools for so I just hired the job out. My current ride is a 2019 FLHR which was brand new and I'm good to let the HD shop take care of it. I got a great service package with it so the only thing I pay is the upgrade for synthetic oil that I use.

After you put the wheels on and put it outside to warm up I had to laugh. My friend has a 2001 HD like yours and anytime we did a trip she had to warm it up for a while before she could go.

Your probably the third motovloger who has talked about people trying to be like them lately. Best thing you can tell them is what you said best person they can be is themselves. I've always done the same and fixed what I can and sometimes even fixed what I didnt know I could.

Good video, like the name. I have been wrenching on bikes 40 years. Never gets old.

Great videos I really enjoy them keep up the good work ride to live live to ride!!

Yeah man another great vid bro, I’m there with you on the REAL, how does a person learn to wrench or become self sustaining but by experience and some people THINK real BIKERS have to work on their bikes and I would say MOST Bikers do, but I’ll be the first to say I DONT KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING, but I like to turn wrenches and learn more about my vehicles, truck, bike, car ect. I will NEVER put someone else down for not knowing how to do something or categorize them because they don’t know! Keep them vids coming brother!!G.O.E.🙏🏻💯

I cringed when he laid that rear wheel pulley side down.

Thx for this video my brother.....

Keep up the Good work brother! 👍🙏✝️😀

Good stuff!

I'm all about old bikes and trying to learn to wrench on them. I don't think I'm that mechanically inclined but I used work on my own cars all the time so I have the want to get my hands dirty again.

The 1998 Wide Glide I just bought is cold blooded as all get out too! I’m ok with it though, because that Evo runs like it’s brand new once it’s warm.

A friend of mine gave me a '77 XLCR. Needed a few things, but I'm collecting parts to get it going again. Still need a carburetor, and a new caliper seals. Biggest gripe is the Harley manual is severely lacking on detail. I'll get it sorted eventually.

subbed. aint been down to scooters since i got my dyna from them. they got some cool shit. awsome place. weird seeing it on the youtube

Maybe next year if you ride up to Illinois you can plan a trip down the road to The Chief Black hawk meet in Davenport Iowa.August 29, 30,31. One of the best vintage motorcycle swap meets in the country. They also have vintage flat track racing, old bikes for sale, many old Harley and a Indian parts plus on site camping, food and many specialty part venders and leather crafters... on and on!

It's like this. You do all the small stuff. Belt replacement, swingarm bushings, get the wheels off and do the tires, breaks, oil, sheet metal work, paint, and I normally leave the internal engine stuff to the pros because. 1. I don't have all the specialty tools and 2. I don't have the time. If I was retired I would probably do more but it's like an algebra equation. I only have so much time on one side and only so much money on the other side of the equation and I do what I gotta do to make it all ballance out.

I have been around bike since I was about 10. At that time I had a dirt bike and always worked on it and keeping up the maintenance on it. I love working on my two Harleys that I got now. I need to start learning about how to work on the engine more now. I love to ride and I love to wrench it.

I had a 2009 super glide but traded it on for my dream bike a 2000 fxr4 Evo in screaming yellow buil buy the cvo part of Harley all hand built no problems ran Mobil one 15w50 no leaks the Evo was always kept cool and it only had 7000 on it when I bought it back in 2009 and it now has 12000 I'll never get rid of it no need for a new one God bless you brother

Old. Olde school. Air cooled. Carbureted. No computers, no silly 'power modes', no onboard music, no ECM, no FI, no liquid cooling. Just me, some rubber, and an engine that I'm not afraid of. Mine has a stock Mikuni and learning how to use it is definitely in my future. Plus all the other little ins and outs. My favourite line, and I think it was yours, "If I'm broke down in the middle of the desert, I know that I can fix it." And that's just the way I want to be as well. Leave the shop only the sophisticated or milling type work, and leave everything else to me. Might have them change and balance those tires too. So much easier on a machine.

Don't sweat it, just keep making repair's, riding and upgrade videos.

Just subbed to your channel, really enjoying watching all your vlogs, good on you 👍👍😎

Hi, I just started subscribing to your channel. I have a '96 Heritage Softail too, and I'd like to ask if you could do a quick video on attaching and raising your bike on your lift. I have a drive on lift, but no room for it in the place I'll be working on it this winter. So I'll be using the same type of chassis lift in your videos. All the best, Art....

I do what I can, wish I knew more.......But..... I can build my own home from footings to placing the lazy boy recliner. Concrete, block, brick,framing,structure design,,shingle,siding, elec, plumb, You name it in residential building, I have the know how. So I lack in my mechanical skills but have the ability thru You Tube to take on those tasks if I choose too. Carry on.

Well said!

Love the video, my man. I noticed you went from white walls to black wall tires....just curious if you have any thoughts to keeping the whites. Be safe, my friend

Great video love your channel. Awesome bike. Just wish I could turn a wrench

Changing Motorcycle tires is easy .. You just need a stand to balance them on or have them balanced after you have changed them. I bought a Yamaha FZ-07 .. I mounted side Cases, a Top Case.. I cigarette lighter USB Jack and a GPS unit.. and a tank bag that clamps on to a bolted ring.. I had to adjust the chain a few times when it was new.. Being a Yamaha I did not think there would need to be any maintained until I hit 7,500 miles.. Then I hit a Deer.. Now I have to replace the Forks Radiator and a bunch of small part.. I don't miss Carbs at all , but still have not spent $450.00 on a fuel controller that I can adjust with a lap top ..

That is a pretty color bike! I have the Springer model with a new 88 shovelhead . the older motors are the way to go ! How many miles have u put on that bike?

Great looking bike! Love those bars!

I changed my own tires , mainly because they were the wrong rating for the weight of the bike . The stickler was getting the balance beads in the tire stems .

In the last 5 years I have bought 3 Evos that didn’t run. Nothing was more enjoyable than bringing them back to life, then selling them for someone else to enjoy....