69 project: stop smoking and re-dress. Members Motorcycle Projects Discuss 69 project: stop smoking and re-dress. in the CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE TECH forums; Well it's about time to do some long needed projects on Blackie. I've been riding her like she is in the above pic for about 13 years now. She had ...

[Scooter]

Well it's about time to do some long needed projects on Blackie.
I've been riding her like she is in the above pic for about 13 years now. She had this nasty looking maroon paint job when I got her, and that's about all I've done, except take off the drag pipes and put on the fishtails and duals.

She's been smoking a bit, mainly when I get out of the throttle for awhile now.
It's time to fix all that so a upper end rebuild will be my first priority. It also has a leaking front cyl base gasket, so I need to pull it anyways. I'm figuring that valve guides are more than likely the smoking culprit. I guess I will see this weekend when I pull it down.

Also while I have it down, I'm going to release the S&S carb from it's duties.
Going to put a Bendix carb with the correct style air cleaner. (yeah I know it's supposed to have a Tillotson) When I do the carb part I plan on putting the throttle cable back into the handlebars where it belongs.

During the time that I'm waiting on parts for the motor, I will also be doing some redressing.
First thing I'm going to do is put all the turn signals and spot lights back on her. So far I have the oem spot lights, light bar and turn signals for the front.
I also have a nos rear turn signal bar and one rear turn signal.

If anyone sees a rear oem turn signal in great shape, I need one.

At the rear I plan on the original crash bar, saddlebags and saddlebags guards. Hopefully I can find some originals that I can work with.

There again if any of you guys see a set of bags and or bars in good to great shape, please chime in, as I need them also.

This will most likely not be a 100% correct ride when I'm through. The main problem is going to be the seat. I like the one I have because of the position it puts me in. I might be open to the idea of some sort of solo seat but it must sit back and down.

I'm going maily for a late sixties dresser look. Bags, turn signals, winshield, crash bars and trim.

Any advice, good or bad, or links to parts, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Scooter

[pogo seat]

Nice ride.

Thanks for sharing and good luck with the wrenching and finding the parts you want.

[DaveSwanson]

Scooter, I'll keep a lookout for your parts. Nice gen Shovel as it sits, but the dresser stuff does come in handy. As far as the seat I say stick with what is comfortable. I have an original solo with the plunger on mine and it is comfy. Sits higher than that Lapera though, or is it a Corbin? I stuck the stock buddy seat away for a couple of reasons; one it's like new and kinda wanted to keep it that way for shows, and the stock buddy is so tall it's like sitting on a breadloaf.

[Scooter]

Thanks Pogo and Dave. Dave I know what you mean about the buddy seat.
The 66 me and my bud went after the other week had one on it. Of course I had to try it out. Way too high for a long legged dude like myself. I wasn't real sure who was riding who. I like to sit nice and low.

I forgot to mention that the rear fender is going to be replaced also. I have the original in my shed. Needs a few dings straightened out and a good coat of paint. The pad that is currently on the fender isn't going back on either.
I won't even go into why it's on there to start with.

Scooter

[DaveSwanson]

Scooter, that P pad reminds me of a article a year ago or so, I think in AI where a guys main ride was a 65 E-glide for the last 25 years or so. Do you remember the article? He had about 300k on the bike and rode it with a stock solo set up and a p pad on the rear fender for his wife. She rides it all over the country with him on that p-pad. Now that's a woman! Reminds me of my buddy who has the 72 FLH in the backround of my Avitar. He set his wife up with railroad spikes for passenger pegs and they rode it that way all over creation too.

[oldskoolshovel]

Hey Scooter - that's already a way cool looking '69!

I'm doing a down to the bare frame rebuild on my '69 right now too. Using a Bendix is a good idea. I was planning on using the S&S that's been on it for years. I am going to fab an air cleaner cover adapter so I can run an oval or round air cleaner cover with the stock S&S base plate.

[Bigincher]

Scooter, what year turn signal bar will be correct for your bike? I have a lot of the stock stuff I pulled of my '77, including the turn signals. (I put on one of those 'narrowed' signal bars)
If it will work for you, you can have it.

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by Bigincher

Scooter, what year turn signal bar will be correct for your bike? I have a lot of the stock stuff I pulled of my '77, including the turn signals. (I put on one of those 'narrowed' signal bars)
If it will work for you, you can have it.

Bingincher, I've got the bar and all but one turn signal. I need one rear turn signal. The one that I have coming has a red lens in it. I'm not real sure if the 69 had red or amber rear turn signals or not.
If you have a correct turn signal laying around, I would gladly pay you for it.

Scooter

[Bigincher]

I believe they were amber lenses.


Scooter, I just came back from my shop where I was able to put my hands on the turns signals in question, and it all came back to me. When I re-did my '77 back in 1993 (15 years ago?) I installed a 'narrow' turn signal bar on the rear, and retained my OE signals. I did purchase a set of "KS Brand" signals at that time, with red lenses and they are still in the packages, I never put them on. There is a sticker with "Midwest Motorcycle" still on the signals.
I'm sorry I got your hopes up on an OEM part. If it wasn't already bolted on my '77 I would give it to you. If you are interested in the KS parts, let me know. These are "vintage aftermarket" parts! LOL! Still new in the package. On ebay they would draw a huge price!

[DaveSwanson]

69's have red rear turn signal lenses. Amber in front.