Certified HD Tech since the late 90’s.
(Retired injured)
Starting at 11yo was a 5hp Briggs and Stratton powered rigid mini bike.
Then:
KX 80, KX125, CR250 in dirt.
At 16 and on:
84’ Honda VF750F
89 Kawakaki ZX7R
92 Suzuki GSRX750R
94 Honda CBR 900RR
95 Honda CBR 900RR
92 Harley XLCH 1200 Current
06 Harley FXDWG 88" Current
10 Harley FLHX 96" Current
I met one of my mentors when I got the ZX7. He was a motor head who loved and owned several hotrod jap bikes.
He taught me so much from theory to perforfance mods. All I had to do was want to learn, listen, and help around his shop and stay out of the way when "certain" guys came by.
He showed me how a 5 angle valve job was done introducing me to Newway valve seat cutters.
We (he) did my head, and taught me cam timing. I did my carbs and exhaust.
From that year on I knew it was what I wanted to do for a living.
In the mid 90’s I met my second mentor Ward Ring. He was a Suzuki 24hr Race Team Crew chief and one of his riders was none other than John Kocinski. He owns M.T.T.I which was the first m/c school I graduated from.
I worked on Jap stuff until the late 90’ I started working at a HD performance shop where the Owner became yet a third mentor as his business was geared toward HD performace and custom builds.
I then went to M.M.I in Florida to get familiar with the new engine and electrical systems which were coming out at the time.
Worked HD dealerships from Florida to Massachusetts.
After being hit by a car on motorcycle for the 3rd time in 32yrs, I don’t ride my 3 girls very much any more.
Especially the 1200 (74") Sportster which is now an 89" S&S XLSS Hot set with big boar cylinders (bored cases to accept) 3 58 Sidewinder pistons, S&S Super Sidewinder heads Andrew’s cams, gears and shafts, S&S Super G, Crane Hi-4 single fire race ignition. Thunderheader exhaust.
That bike was so much fun in my younger days. Seeing the faces of the guys who’s big twins you just chewed up never got old.
She’s not the type of scoot that likes to be putt around on.
It also scored me alot of side work.
Which is about the only wrenching this broken body does anymore.
How else will I get extra money for all this audio equipment?
Stay safe guys.
Motorcycles are everywhere,
Look twice, save a life