Author Topic: G D Bike (Read 136 times)

57basstra · « **on:** October 17, 2009, 10:29:01 PM »

Grateful Dead Bike....What did you think???

I have had my '79 80/80 Harley Lowrider at a local tech since this summer. Decided to get 'er going again. (I had quit riding for several years. ((I will not say how many)). Never sold the bike.

Of...while surfing for bikes, found this 'un as titled a Grateful Dead influenced bike.
Got 'er back...she quit.....loaded up on gas.

Took 'er back to shop. Fixed. Rode home. Quit again...loaded up on gas at idle.

Quit at home. Kicked her again. Blew the carb clean off the bike.

I have been bike shopping for the past few days how that I have ridden again and it seems have the itch again.

ran across this one billed as a GD bike. (Grateful Dead). Y'all tell me the influence it it is here.

Alembic Bikers??? I know there have been some posts, but I think I have stayed low...for what I have put back into my old Shovel I coulda come close to that Skylark guitar or Rogue bass I would like to have.

Having a good night. Hope y'all are having the same!

I will wager this is not a copyrighted photo. I have not posted any CP photos since Dave said we needed to watch this several months or so ago...

57basstra · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2009, 10:32:45 PM »

Read my post above and it needs some explanation.

This is NOT my bike.

I found this one on the internet for sale. It says it is inspired by the Grateful Dead.

GD bike from me because I am having a time getting my old Harley up and going after several years of retirement.

Thank you for playing!

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2009, 11:00:55 PM »

Kinda reminds me of the bike in the animation at the start of the Grateful Dead Movie (riding through he foothills to The Wheel)
I like the notes motif as well

Mike
just back from a 5 hour GD jam session

bigredbass · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2009, 11:33:30 PM »

I'd only say this one is really customized (Dead influence or not) and since I always buy anything with an eye to resale, I'd be hesitant to buy anything this specialized (paint, the jockey shift, etc.). If it's really lighting your pilot, only you would know.

If you've got the itch and it won't cost a fortune to get your old ride on its feet, H-D is way off business-wise from just a few years ago when over-list prices and long waits were the norm. They've summarily closed Buell this week for good, looking for a buyer for the just-purchased MV Augusta, and likely looking to close their plant in York, PA. As most of their dealers built palace-sized dealerships in the last 10 years, you might find a very receptive climate to trade on a new one. And of course, there's lots of Stars, Victorys, etc., out there in this style of bike.

Good Luck!

pauldo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2009, 07:43:16 AM »

I didn't even notice the suicide shifter.
Joey is right,,, Unless you plan on keeping it forever it may not be the best choice.

Plus the ape hangers certainly look cool but just don't say take me for a long ride down a never ending road

smokinbear · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:35:31 PM »

A friend of mine Paul Epstein outside of Boulder CO used to & I think still does make derby and points covers for h-d with steal your face logo and any thing else you want. I have a black stealie on my '97 road kill and Rosemary on my points cover, had them since 97 and they still look new! Pangal.com i think is the site, very nice guy, and a killer musician/sculpter too boot. Pangalactic sculpture is hid company and i have no affiliation with him other than admiration of the mans talent.......Bear

smokinbear · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:49:14 PM »

Suicide shift bike's must suck to ride in a hilly city like S.F.. Foot clutch setup is not condusive for city riding unless it is an older style rocker clutch like one early panheads and knuckle's and flatheads. Suicide shift with a sprung foot clutch can be tricky at best and with a way to powerful engine shifting hard can upset the bike as you only have one hand on the bars. Trust me iv'e ridden both styles over the years as i was a h-d wrench for a few years. Cool looking bike but unless you plan on turning a wrench your self shovelheads are not push the button and ride like an evo or twin cam is so plan on workin on it. Plus that bike was someone else's nightmare and thats why it is for sale. I say nightmare with love cause i have my own, but apes are very comfortable if they aren't to high. Anything over your pecks or mid sternum is not only uncomfy but illegal if over shoulders in height. I got out of the industry after the dot com bust and couldn't believe the overextensions the dealers were putting themselves in. Just like some of the Detroit 3 did ...hmmmm do they all answer to the same leadership?

? Sorry ...End Rant...Bear

57basstra · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2009, 04:20:31 PM »

....hello......

returned to see the carnage...(Isn't it fun to make a new thread and then lay off a few hours or days and see the responses...

I was just randomly looking at bikes and came across that pic...I do not even know where it is or how much they want.

My old bike is a '79 1/2 model that came out in the summer of '79. I remember it well because a lot of my friends bought the bike. I was finishing up undergrad school and could not afford squat. Several buddies let me ride theirs. (I was even dating the sister of one of my friends who let me borrow his 80/80 to take his sister for a ride. Wow were those the gold or days. (That 'gold' was a typo, but I left it because I like it better than good.)

Oh, these bikes were known as the first 80 cubic inch Lowrider and were the half year models. Ford, Chevy, Harley at least that year came out with mid year changes in autos. One of the most beautiful cars I ever sat in was a 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxy 500, but I digress.

Years pass to 1991 and I can afford a bike. I buy the best 80/80 I can find. It's almost stock. I paid $3,000 for 'er.

I have been through some tough times and never sold the bike. Now I am getting her back road ready (Winter riding in Tennessee can be fun).

So, long story even longer....I am not looking to buy that bike. I just thought it was a cool pic and I was kinda ticked at my old Shovel because it is acting like an old Harley (imagine that).

I have a 1978 Series I Alembic and a 1979 Harley. Let' hear it for the 1970s, Alembics and Harleys!!!!!

And thanks for the responses....

pace · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2009, 06:10:44 PM »

Joey's right about the dealers hurting, but the used market (at least around here) has been flooded with crazy deals as well. And here on the water, it extends to anything recreational with a motor (or sails).

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2009, 11:00:48 AM »

I've seen that bike before, and I think it's a beauty.
Couple of points -
The jock shift and foot clutch did not come on the bike originally, and it would be VERY easy to change it back to a modern set-up.
The man who makes the G-D clutch and points covers is Bob Epstein of Pan Galactic Sculptures (www.pangal.com), and he has a license with the Dead to use their logos. I have his covers on two of my bikes. While you are on the website, check out the guitars and basses he makes. He is currently designing and building a highly customized amplifier enclosure and speaker cabinet with exquisite workmanship, woods and inlays for a customer of a boutique amp maker.
IMHO, shovelheads are nowhere near the quality of the later H-D engine designs (evo and twin cam), and I wouldn't buy one, because I tour and need the added reliability of a more modern design. But if you are using it to scoot around town, they can be just fine.

(Message edited by Benson_Murrensun on October 19, 2009)

57basstra · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2009, 06:31:50 PM »

Glad for the bike responses.

Are the 2001 or so carb Harleys much more reliable than the old carb Harleys like mine? Also, are the Fuel injected Harleys 2005 or later much more reliable and apt to start than the 2001 or so carb Harleys. I am kinda shopping. Thanks.

sonicus · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2009, 10:53:48 PM »

If you want a decent carb for your Shovel get an S&S Super E
And get a Thunder header exhaust system and I would also recommend a Dyna S electronic ignition and an Hayden M-6 primary chain tensioner,I replace the stock cam in an Alternator Shovelhead with a Sifton 468s and also install solid lifters and high performance S&S push rods , Get a valve job and port and polish your heads and replace your valves with Black diamond Valves with bronze aluminium valve guides and use high performance valve springs. I like to replace the stock rocker arms with Crane Roller Rockers. 9 to 1 Wiseco pistons also work well. There are more fine point too long to list such as high quality gaskets etc ,, etc ... --- I use noththing but the best parts - no cheep stuff !!! I have owned 4 Shovels in my time and can make them QUITE an impressive machine! Good enough to tour or drag race! And there we have it ; a reliable and smooth running Shovelhead ! And all of mine have been kick start . (I like that ) SURPRISE !!!!!! lol And this is my version of a refined and improved Shovel Head _ An Alembicized Shovelhead Series II !!!!

(Message edited by sonicus on October 21, 2009)

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2009, 08:16:12 AM »

Shovelheads can be made to be reliable, no doubt. Some of them came from the factory that way, but there were too many that didn't; it was a quality-control issue perpetrated by AMF on H-D. I had two AMF Harleys, one was rock-solid reliable (XLCH 1000) and the other was crap (FLH).

Everything in the universe can be divided into two separate categories: STOCK and CUSTOM.

57basstra · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2009, 01:46:55 PM »

I will likely keep the '79 stock and work to get her up to best condition (stock) possible. I am looking to buy a newer bike to take care of a good deal of the riding.

I enjoy talking bikes about as much as I like talking cars and guitars.

Anybody with a EFI Harley?

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2009, 10:55:25 PM »

I have a tendency leave the appearance close to stock but I like to modify the performance by the means of technical refinements . For example a stock alternator Shovelhead might give you aprox. 60 BHP.The refinements as noted in my post # 453 might bring you close to 80 BHP with out having to stroke the engine.This kind of horse power improvement is not inexpensive but I feel that it is making the engine perform to its best . I was never really a fan of mods like extended front ends or Ape hangers but I do like 4 inch pull back risers and Drag bars and dual front disk brakes (Performance machine) . I also had decided long ago to forget about spoke wheels and only run mags . I also like the stock HD Low Rider Dash , ( Speedo, Tach).