Need some help, broke off bolt in lower shock mount

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My '08 Super Glide really is pretty nice and reliable. The fuel injection took care of a lot of the issues that I have heard about Harley's over the years. Belt drive is smooth and there is power to spare at 1600cc's (even though I would like more :D). I have always been a hardcore ride whatever floats your boat and never worried about the "image". Still could care less about the "image" and I really just like my bike for how it rides and how I fit on it. I rode my brother in law's Honda 750 and was amazed at how small it felt when at one time I would have considered it a big bike.

Most frequently asked question I get from other Harley owners ironically enough is "When are you going to change your pipes?". South Park really did nail that one. The bike already sounds loud when I start it in the morning on the way to work. What's the point of waking up the whole neighborhood by being obnoxious?
 
I guess I should probably clarify. Even though my 84 Tour Glide Classic is 26 years old, it has had a few upgrades. The S&S carb, electronic ignition, and Revtek tranny probably help it be reliable. I think there is a big difference between the ones built pre 84 by AMF and the ones of today. The AMF Harleys were junk. 84 was the first year for the Evolution motor. Huge difference over the Shovelhead.
 
IMHO Harley = dog s*** not worth scraping off my shoe. I'd rather throw the shoe out.

I walked out of the dealer with a loaded 2010 Cross Roads for 16K. It came with a 106 c.i.d. 92hp 102 ft. # torquey stock motor that has dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, and oil cooled. The nice thing is that it looks, runs, and rides nothing like an HD. It works extremely well and in the 5k miles I put on it since June, I've hadn't had one problem! My good friends 09 Street glide has been in and out of the shop countless times since he bought it new. He has only 6 k miles on it.

This weekend was another good example of why I don't ride nor care to ride a Harley. I took a 620 mile road trip with two other friends and our spouses this weekend. My buddies 5 year old Fat Boy had starting and idling issues all weekend. He says it's been like that for the last couple of years and even his Harley tech couldn't figure it out. My other buddies Electra Glide kept losing his heel toe shifter. After the third time in 6 hours we finally had enough of it and disconnected it. He continually beefs about the vibration. My buddy with the 09 Street Glide couldn't make the trip since he broke the rear motor mount and was, again, sitting in the shop. I noticed during our run that the HD guys were short shifting the crap out of their bikes. They wouldn't let let the rpm's up over 2700. When I ask why they both said, to save the motor. So are all HD owners painfully aware that they are sitting on push-rodded, 2 valve per cylinder air cooled time bomb? I have no issue pushing mine over 4k rpms into the fat torque curve before I up shift.



If I wanted something with the HD logo, I'd buy a toaster or pajamas, or something not involving an internal combustion engine. Then again I run the risk of it breaking.
 
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WOW....you go Phil......

That was quite a nice rant.........
I don't have a bike currently (may never again)
but I have had 4 Harleys & 4 Rice Grinders...

'72 super glide
'81 Sturgis super glide
'95 Soft tail classic
'78 FLH (75th anniversary edition)

'82 Honda CBR 1000
'83 Honda CBX 1300 six cylinder
'81 Kawasaki F1
'85 Honda CBR 1000 R ( dubbed the crash & burn special)

Loved them all
 
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