Ironhead Got back from dealer they say bike unsafe failed inspection

[Stick_Man]

When you guys are right you're right. Sorry for coming on here and venting. I just wanted to ride. But you can't expect that with a 30 yr machine.

[Stick_Man]

To be fair the assbackwstds thing does not mean literally backwards but having 3 wires to the one contact point

[Shadowdog500]

Originally Posted by Stick_Man

To be fair the assbackwstds thing does not mean literally backwards but having 3 wires to the one contact point

+1, That is what I was thinking, I'm also not a big fan of cheap terminals and wire. If you redo it, get good wire and terminals. I use Anchor marine wire and terminals from West Marine or Boaters World.

Chris

[Stick_Man]

I guess all in all it's not that bad and to their credit they did at least get the thing running good again even with an accel pump that I probably didn't need.

To sum up:

1. I need to re-wire the coil; check the signals wiring; and get out the diagram and check all the wiring; maybe re-wire the cycle and maybe add a kill switch??? It looks like PO rewired bike; the wires look new and is partly why I bought it; it just looks like it was done wrong.

2. I need a pin to hold the clutch lever in place (do I have to order this?)

3. The brake wobble is fine and the forks are fine.

[drhach]

Originally Posted by Stick_Man

When you guys are right you're right. Sorry for coming on here and venting. I just wanted to ride. But you can't expect that with a 30 yr machine.

I used to have a boss who would come to me and say " I have an opportunity for you" that was his way of saying "I hate you and I'm going to give you the shittiest task I can come up with". That being said, you need to look at this as an "opportunity" to learn about your bike. In the other thread you started, a lot of people, including you said it was best to just take the bike to a shop and that wrenching wasn't for everyone. Well, now you know. Not trying to rub anything in your face, just saying that maintaining an old bike is required if you want to ride it. Paying someone else to maintain it is expensive and they don't always do it how you want it done. This is your chance to undo the mistakes of others and learn about the proper way to do it. My bike is getting to where it usually starts and parts fall off like every third time I ride it . That is a vast improvement from where it started out. Take your time, you will enjoy it. Learn to enjoy working on it too. Take pride in what you do and it will pay you back. Unfortunately, old bikes are a package deal.

Just remember that with old bikes, they are in charge and they call the shots, not you. If you want something that starts every time you push the button and you can flog the piss out of, get something less than five years old. Not a dig, just a fact of ownership. Take solace in the fact that this is not somehting that you can buy in to with a credit card.

[maritimer]

defintly sounds like tiem to re-wire or at least put the wires in thier proper places. that mysterious toggle switch on the head light i would assume is the kill switch on mine it is atleast but the extra wires on the coil could be whats causing your poping and sputtering as the coil needs a certain voltage across it an the extra wires could be impacting on the voltage requirments. cant say much about the brakes as i have drums myself.

just to add, when doing your work try your best to fix things as close to factory as possilbe that way you know its done right and dont have to worry about it as often. and dont half ass any fixes if it means puttign the bike down longer so be it

[Flame_Retardent]

A toggle switch on the headlight? I haven't seen that in years! That's probably the high/ low beam switch! Yea, rewire that bad boy, wish I was near you, I love that kind of stuff! Maybe you could get someone to lend a helping hand! Good luck!

[Ivan RoachCoach]

...in helping you out and those donut-dunkers don't know an ironhead from a lawnmower.

Check around and see if an indie shop near you also serves as a state inspection station.
At least you'd be somewhere with the knowledge and enthusiasm for helping you sort things out.

[boilermaker]

Originally Posted by Ivan RoachCoach

...in helping you out and those donut-dunkers don't know an ironhead from a lawnmower.

Check around and see if an indie shop near you also serves as a state inspection station.
At least you'd be somewhere with the knowledge and enthusiasm for helping you sort things out.

True about dealers although I was in one last year and had a sales man aproach me while I was looking at a couple of bikes,he asked me what I had so I told him 81 sporty to which he replies cool an ironhead now thats a bike.I was suprised by his answer figured I would get the usual when you gonna get a real one etc.but yes it would be to your advantage to find an indie to look after your inspection as well as for info and parts supply

[Stick_Man]

I don't know why everyone is giving these guys such a hard time.

1. they are the closest shop to where the bike was parked and I don't want to tow it or run it out of tune far.

2. I brought it there because I couldn't figure it out after hours of trying to fix it. And doing the timing and valves myself would not have helped since it was the condensor which no one suggested. Shoot I didn't even realize the bike had points. I only know electronic ignition bikes and I thought this was one of 'em since an 81 should have been.

3. I brought it there said "do the timing"
4. they fixed it for free even though the timing was right and the advance unit they did 8 months ago was done correctly which I mentioned. I gave the tech a 20 tip. normally it should have been we did it right; we did what you told us; you own us half hour labor

Although I do need to find an indy shop for this thing and to order parts. There is a chopper store close kinda