Bought A Real 1915 Harley - Horray!

[Buzz Kanter]

After working with and on the mix and match 1914/1919 Harley I feel very fortunate to find a wonderful correct, complete and running 1915 Harley that I can (barely) afford. It arrived today and now the hard work starts to sort it out and build it up for the big ride.



It is a long way from my red one that is already taken apart and now will be a donor for a few parts for the ride.

[AlanTravis]

Buzz,, All of us are REALLY PROUD for you. I can not believe how much my
excitement for doing this event changed after seeing your red and white purchase.I wanted, with all my soul, for you to use a "real bike". With all your media exposure with your many media outlets, I wanted your chronicles to be about preparing a "real bike" . I know I should put more emphasis on my own entry but the weight of your red and white bike caused me to put my Excelsior aside and stop posting on this forum.

So thanks again for all of us and enjoy your adventure .

Alan Travis

[indianman]

wow now thats dedication

[bill campbell]

(02-23-2010 06:47 PM)Buzz Kanter Wrote:  After working with and on the mix and match 1914/1919 Harley I feel very fortunate to find a wonderful correct, complete and running 1915 Harley that I can (barely) afford. It arrived today and now the hard work starts to sort it out and build it up for the big ride.



It is a long way from my red one that is already taken apart and now will be a donor for a few parts for the ride.

that's a fine example Buzz and what ever the cost its always a good deal to start of with a correct bike good luck building it up

[Buzz Kanter]

(02-23-2010 11:40 PM)AlanTravis Wrote:  Buzz,, All of us are REALLY PROUD for you. I can not believe how much my
excitement for doing this event changed after seeing your red and white purchase.I wanted, with all my soul, for you to use a "real bike". With all your media exposure with your many media outlets, I wanted your chronicles to be about preparing a "real bike" . I know I should put more emphasis on my own entry but the weight of your red and white bike caused me to put my Excelsior aside and stop posting on this forum.

So thanks again for all of us and enjoy your adventure .

Alan Travis

Wow. Thanks.
I think it is important to remember, regardless of how dedicated any or all of us are, this is a tough challenge for all. The cost and dedication of buying or building an appropriate machine for this ride is well out of reach for most people. I know from personal experience.
I really feel we all need to focus on our own ride, and not so much on the other guy.
This event will be amazing, no matter what. And each of us is doing our own thing. If we are as very lucky as I just got, and are able to ride a real deal machine, that's great. But let's be practical, most machines this old on the road with be "upgraded" or have incorrect year components on them. And I, for one, will not knock the rider for that.
Let's all focus on having as much fun as we each can have on this ride and accept our brothers and sisters in spirit for just that.
Can't wait to meet you and see your Excelsior on the road.

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(02-24-2010 07:14 AM)indianman Wrote:  wow now thats dedication

Yes, dedication and massive, dumb luck! But, hey, I'll take all the luck I can get.

[george.mikal]

hey bill campbell i think it is 1000 years old....
hehehehe
don;t mind just jocking

[Buzz Kanter]

Something to think about - after going to all the time, effort and expense of finding the real deal 1915 Harley we now get a new set of rules basically telling us we have to modify our bikes to have headlight, tail light, brakes light and front brakes.

Yes, I realize they are for safety, etc, but where do we draw the line? And what's the deal with rumors of a few riders with disc brakes up front?

I am not passing judgement, just wondering out loud.

[jurassic]

who says you have to have a front brake? not me. who says you have to have a brake light? the state of north carolina. tennesee says you need two mirrors. they both say you need to run a headlight at all times. you know what? they even say you need to wear a helmet. so since they didn't have helmets in 1915 ,should you not be required to wear one because your riding a 1915 bike? i know most people dont believe this ,but it will be me that is held liable for encouraging you to ride a motorcycle that is not street legal. just because you are participating in a planned event doesn't mean the cops can't stop you from operating your illegal vehicle on public roads. and if all of our vehicles are illegal ,whats to stop them from asking us to load up and leave their state? potentially ruining the entire event. thats most of the legal reasons. these rules aren't new ,from day one the rules page has said that you will need to have a street legal bike. these are the only rules that you really need to follow to participate. be legal. thats all i ask . i'll deal with the four thousand other things,all you need to do is be legal. please.

[FatDog Racing]

be legal. thats all i ask ...

Oh.. and don't enjoy the ride and have a beer with your lunch or your disqualified.
Just thinking out loud too...

[jurassic]

another misinterpretation. i never said not to enjoy yourself, quite the opposite. i have strived to make sure that you will enjoy yourself quite a bit. as you know bill ,there are two types of riders in this event. there are competitors and there are participants. if you are in it for the competition then those rules mean alot to you. if you are just participating then the majority of those rules dont much apply. disqualification does not equal ejection.