How I got this bike:

  After riding the 1985 Harley Softail 1,200 miles, I decided that it's not a bike I want to keep; not comfortable, poor carburetion and gearing.  So I list it on Craigslist .  No response except one guy from Stephentown who rides his bike as close to my house as he can figure out. I meet him at the Getty gas station and after talking briefly, we swap bikes for the 1/2 mile ride back to my house.  It's flashy and chromed and I can tell right away that this bike pulls strongly and is a better fit for me than the older Softail, but it's also extremely loud.  He  says right away that he has no money to buy my bike and immediately after that, offers an even trade.  (I can't figure out his motivation; is his bike unsellable, or is the early Softail that desirable?).

  I like his bike right away.  I think it would be easier to sell than the antiquated 85 Softail and that it's worth more too. I give it a day's mulling over but this is too good a deal to pass up. We make the trade 2 days later (he brings the Lowrider to Schenectady in his $3k enclosed trailer) and I register the bike for $287 the same afternoon.

• - high lift cams (he claims)
• - S&S Super carb (which was recently added)
• - baffles removed from the shorty mufflers
• - double front disk brakes
• - fairly high bars with forward controls and floor boards
• - subdued but very nice flame paint on tank and tail section
• - nice tach (standard on the Lowrider)
• - chrome covers everywhere
• - two leather bags (under the front and alongside the battery box)

  The higher bars block the indicator/neutral light, a minor annoyance.  The sound is intrusive all of the time, even cruising down the highway.

Lakeside Farms - August 26, 2011

Sept. 27, 2011