So, I’ve been messing around with this old Harley Softail, a 1988 model, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey.
First off, I got this bike from a buddy who had it sitting in his garage for years. It was in rough shape, but I saw potential. I have always wanted a classic Harley, the Heritage Softail has a timeless design and I enjoy the ride of the lowrider, so I figured, why not? The first thing I did was give it a good once-over. I checked the basics – oil, tires, brakes. The oil was like sludge, so that was the first thing to go. I drained it, replaced the filter, and put in some fresh stuff.
Next, I tackled the tires. They were dry-rotted and cracked, so I ordered a new set online. It took me a while to get the old ones off, but with some elbow grease and a few choice words, I managed to get the new ones mounted and balanced.
- Drained old oil and replaced the oil filter.
- Installed new tires.
- Cleaned and adjusted the carburetor.
The brakes were spongy, so I bled the lines and topped off the fluid. That made a huge difference. After that, I moved on to the carburetor. It was all gummed up, so I took it apart, cleaned all the jets and passages, and put it back together. I also adjusted the idle mixture screw to get it running smoothly.
I also checked the charging system and the battery. The battery was completely dead, no surprise. I bought a new battery. The charging system seemed okay, but I’ll keep an eye on it.
Cosmetic Stuff
Then came the fun part – making it look decent. I removed all the rust with some steel wool and rust remover. It took hours, but it was worth it. I polished up the chrome, and it actually started to shine again. I’m thinking about getting it repainted eventually, but for now, I’m just going to leave it as is. I kinda like the “patina.”
Finally, I took it for a test ride. It started right up, and it ran pretty well. It was a bit shaky at first, but that’s to be expected from an old bike. After a few miles, it smoothed out, and I was cruising down the road with a big grin on my face. The old Harley’s still on the road they are not nearly as bad mechanically as their reputation.
It’s still a work in progress, but I’m happy with how it’s turning out. It’s definitely a unique ride, and I’m looking forward to putting some more miles on it. This old 1988 Harley Softail is capable of any ride anywhere in not quite luxo-tourer comfort.
If you are 180lbs and your gal is 120 lbs, then it’s great. If you’re 250 and she’s 180, you may need to think it twice.
Anyway, that’s my story so far. I’ll keep you guys updated on the progress.
