Got a call today from the bike shop to tell me that my helmet finally came in. So I stopped by on my way home from work and picked it up. I also couldn’t help noticing that the weather was beautiful, so I figured when I got home I would play around with the ironhead.

Went down to the garage, tried to start it.. *crank crank crank* nothing. Seemed like the battery was a little low on voltage so I threw the charger on it. I waited a little while, then tried again… nothing. Now I’m getting a little annoyed. I checked for spark, have good spark. Pulled the fuel line off the carb, fuel ran out. I have fuel. So what’s the problem. Pulled the air cleaner off and shot some starting fluid in there, bike started right up for a second. AHA! I must have some little piece of shit in the carb somewhere, or something is gummed up (the bike has been sitting since I got it about a month ago).

So I proceed to pull the carb all apart and look for *something*. What, I’m not sure, but clearly something has to be wrong in here. I cleaned everything all up, and put it back together, still doing the same thing.

By this time, the sun has gone down, and I’m not even sure which little piece of the carb I should be swearing at. Out of sheer exasperation, I twist off the goofy ’screamin eagle’ gas cap on the tank and notice that there is next to no fuel in there. The side with the petcock is pretty much completely dry.

So I proceed to dump some gas in it, and try to start it. First time, it runs for a few seconds, then shuts off. The Second time, a little longer. The third time it stays running. Wow I’m a moron.

At this point, it’s completely dark and I have no tags on the bike. After all this shit, I don’t really care.. I’m riding this thing even if it is only up and down the driveway. I made two laps and the seat fell off. Literally.

So, I guess I don’t feel so bad. I really couldn’t have taken it on much of a ride without the seat bracket failing. Time to start chasing down parts I guess.