Replacing Sportster Oil Tank

Got the new to me Sportster oil tank via FEDEX today from eBay.  Tank looks good, whoever did tear down of the other bike was conscientious with fasteners threaded onto bolts, and some hose section left on-while I have to remove it before installation, it keeps the small pipes protected from damage and grit.

Started sanding it tonight to shoot it rattle can matte black to match main tins.  Forgot not to change direction (up down or side to side) so I made a little more work for myself.

I may shoot primer tomorrow but wont have time this weekend to install it anyway.

Getting the Connie running

My Connie has sat for way too long not running for a variety of reasons.  Recently I ordered a battery and oil filter from Bikebandit.com and some rubber bits from Murphkits.com which have all come in.  Tonight I did the disassembly to get ready to figure out why "Miss Swail" leaked radiator fluid, change out the air box to carb boots, and change the radiator fluid and oil.

As always, wrestling out the carbs was fun.  I pretty much braced my knees against the engine and rear subframe and pulled, wiggled and pulled and out they came.  Here's hoping the new boots help make that a bit easier.  The to do list:
Charge new battery starting tomorrow AM
Fill radiator/resevoir with distilled water and find/fix leak
Change oil and oil filter
Clear out old fuel in tank, replace with some good fuel
Clean carbs

Re-install all of the above and fire bike.

Thanks to BikeBandit.com and Murphskits.com for the quick delivery of parts.

Gear review: Harley-Davidson Windshielder Gauntlet Gloves

Since the winter riding season is over out here in San Diego (well, June Gloom is coming...) it is time to review the Harley Windshielder gauntlet gloves I used this winter.  After 7 seasons, my Joe Rocket gloves were beat-damaged, dirty and most the insulation collapses to about the thickness of two sheets of paper.  So using some gift certificates, I picked up a pair of the Windshielder gloves at one of the local Harley shops.  Here's a pic, courtesy of the H-D webpage:

First, about the quality of the gloves. Well made, soft leather so there really isn't much break-in time.  See the bike flap on the gauntler of the bottom glove?  The other side is all velcro-a huge patch that holds really well.  They fit true to size on my fairly average sized hands.  After fairly consistent use, all seams are holding with no "Irish pendants" or loose threads.  The knuckles aren't armored, and all four fingers are independent, not 3rd and 4th fingers sewed together like on road racing gloves.

The gloves are not too thick, which is ok for a San Diego winter, but had some drawbacks.  It rarely gets below 30F in SD, but I took a couple of rides into the high desert (Barstow/FT Irwin, 29 Palms/Desert Center, others) and got chilled.  This happened with my other gloves too-mostly because my hands are completely exposed, and to be honest, I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold on the bike.  If you live somewhere truly cold and wet, I'd only recommend these gloves for 3 season use, or behind a fairing.  I will likely run liners inside these gloves next winter going over Cajon Pass or other colder rides.

My only other complaint/issue is my previous Joe Rocket gloves had a little "squegee" on the back of the left thumb.  Sure, they lose "cool points" but did it ever come in handy.  And the incorporated squegee looks cooler than the ones you can wrap around your thumb I've seen on the aftermarket.

My verdict?  Good glove if you either have to have them say "Harley-Davidson", need a supple 3 season/mild winter glove, or have a gift card/chrome cash.