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Restoration Early 70's and older restoration projects |
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11-27-2020, 03:46 PM | #1 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 9
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Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
Greetings all. A few years ago an older guy I know told me about the Harley golf cart he had gotten and asked if I'd help him find some parts. I was somewhat familiar w/ the things because a step-son was using one on his farm but when I went to see it I was surprised to see that it had a steel flat bed body rather than a 'glass golf body. I did a little quickie research and didn't find much info. I found him an oversize piston/ring set and got him in contact w/ a guy who bores cylinders and other motorcycle/small engine machining work. and then all but forgot about it. The guy has an amazing shop and all kinds of mechanical experience but he lost interest in it and it's been sitting since. He told me the other day that he wanted to sell it... BUT would give it to me if i want it because he likes the kind of work I do on projects. How could I say no? My last project, a '75 Honda w/ Kawasaki forks and swing arm, Yamaha rear set foot pegs, Suzuki pistons (and the list goes on) was finally completed and sold to finance the BMW I've wanted for years. We aren't going to be snowbirds this year because of the virus so a new project is just what I need. Besides, I've been keeping eyes open for a cart for a while now because Mrs thinks it would be great for making trips to the city compost pile and giving the dog rides around town. So after some more extensive research I determined that it's a '68 Utilicar and, though a genuine basket case, seems to be a pretty worthy project. Here it is in the back of my truck on it's way to my shop:
And a few more of it as it sits at the moment: It ain't pretty and at the moment I don't have any of the front bodywork pieces. I don't know if he'll be able to get them for me or not but there's a guy I''ve found on Craigslist who's not too far from here and has several HDs to part out. What I'd REALLY like to find, though is one of the cab body fronts with the windshield. So, there it is, I'll try and post up as things progress. |
11-30-2020, 10:43 AM | #2 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 2,950
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
You have quite the job in front of you there. There is a specific HD sub-forum on this site that you may want to keep an eye on as well. There is a ton of information on it that you may wish to consider doing the course of your project.
Believe it or not, I recall a guy trying to sell a utilicart windshield a year or so ago on this site. I will try to find it but if you start doing some forum searches you might stumble across it as well. |
11-30-2020, 10:45 AM | #3 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 2,950
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
Here it is:
https://buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=153157 It's unlikely that this seller is still checking this post but perhaps a moderator can send an email to the seller on your behalf. |
12-01-2020, 07:10 PM | #4 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Indy
Posts: 166
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
Welcome!
These old HDs are fun and easy to work on. Several guys on here with plenty of experience to help you with questions along the way. Also if you need particular parts, make sure to throw it out here. here's some eye candy for you: |
12-17-2020, 01:44 PM | #5 | |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 9
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
Quote:
I started on a carb rebuild yesterday. I gave the parts a bath in an ultrasonic cleaner and will get it all back together when the rebuild kit arrives. The frame isn't terribly rusty just old and dirty. I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the cash to get it sand blasted but am leaning toward just spending time on it w/ a pad sander before prime and paint. |
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12-17-2020, 06:49 PM | #6 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Indy
Posts: 166
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
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12-21-2020, 03:08 PM | #7 | |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 9
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
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12-17-2020, 01:35 PM | #8 | |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 9
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
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12-29-2020, 10:00 AM | #9 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Ohio
Posts: 9
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
OK, the carb is back together so on to the next lump in the boxes of parts; the engine. I can turn a wrench but don't claim to be a great mechanic, especially with two-smokers. I'm told that the crank seals are critical so I'll replace. I see from the drawings that one is relatively easy to get at but it looks like the other requires that the case be split. Do both have to be replaced? Is splitting the crank case a major deal? IF I have to split the case is it just a given that since it's apart you just go ahead and replace the bearings as well?
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12-29-2020, 01:37 PM | #10 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Indy
Posts: 166
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Re: Ridesolo's '68 HD Utilicar
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