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So, I’ve decided that it’s time to sell the H-2. I don’t enjoy riding it, like I did when I was 18, and have many other interests that seem to consume my time.
This was a fun project, that kept me busy the winter after my wife passed away, but things change, and it’s time to work on other things. I tried to replicate the one I had over 40 years ago, and did this one even a little better.
I bought this bike in December of 2013, hauled a Camaro to Florida in January, 2014, drove it around down there for a week, and brought both the Camaro & bike back to northern Illinois. It was a long, cold, and lonely winter, but hunting for parts, and working on the bike helped me through.
The previous owner had new rings installed, right before I picked it up, and that’s all I know that’s been done to the engine. Mikuni flat-slide carbs, and K&N filters were on it when I got it. It had the later, longer swing-arm on it, but he had a brand new “original” one that he sold me with the bike. On the way home from FL., I picked up a set of chrome Wirges expansion chambers, like I had back in the day, except I couldn’t afford chrome ones, and had black ones on the old bike. (Not the preferred pipes by many, but it’s what I wanted.) New collars & springs were found from a vendor selling them on Ebay. Paint is good, but not perfect. Chrome is very good, as is the aluminum. Seat is excellent.
So, I replaced the long swing-arm with the stock version, and found the only brake rod in existence!! Bronze bushings in swing-arm were like new. Dismantled the carbs, and bumped up the jet size, had the oil lines refurbished by Jim Schreve, as check valves were leaking. Removed the original, rusty turn signals, and installed some small lights in their place. New battery, and an electronic flasher. A new horn was also installed. Sprockets were fine, but a new RK X-ring chain was installed. New chain guard was found, and installed. All new cables for clutch, brake, and throttle. Both right & left handlebar controls were replaced with new, along with the black drag bars. New black Magazi mirrors. Both levers, and clutch adjust screw are new. Most all rubber isolators are new, along with the gauge rings. Gauge housings, headlight bucket & trim were powder-coated semi-gloss black.
After getting it on the road, the clutch release broke, and got replaced with one from Ralf.
Rear tire was replaced with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45R 120/90-18MC. Front tire is a Challenger 100/90-19, in very good condition.
I put about 1700 miles on it that first summer, and kind of got it out of my system. The following winter, I sent the gauges to Donald Fulsang, to fix the broke trip meter stem, and of course, they come back looking better than new!!! I also fabricated a shifter pedal for the left rear foot peg. Much more comfortable for me. Last thing I did was to install an LED bulb in the original sealed beam housing.
I can only guess by the serial numbers, the engine (H2E 12092) is the one that came with the bike. It's showing 15,368 miles right now.
Watching these on Ebay, I see the value is up on some, and way down on others. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’d like to get back what I’ve invested.
It’s been a struggle to decide to part with this, as I know I’ll never have another. It just doesn’t make sense to keep something this nice, sitting in the garage. It runs just fine, but it’s not something that I enjoy any more.
I’m probably going to put it on Ebay, as that’s where I’ll attract the most attention. Please feel free to offer any thoughts, or suggestions. I could only attach 3 photos, but have many more.