[Chattanooga_Mark]

Today was much more productive in the garage with the Hard-Ball.

I tried a few tools I had in the garage and I was able to get the M6x12mm rounded Allen head bolt to turn slightly. But it wasn't loosening so the brass nut was turning in the turn signal mount. I removed the turn signal leaving the brass nut and the bolt in place. Sure enough, the bolt was seized in the nut. I have a few pairs of Vise Grips but even my smallest pair wouldn't fit in the tight space around the M6 bolt. I went and bought a pair of needle nose Vise Grips (locking pliers). It took all of a few seconds once I could hold the M6 bolt and use a 10mm socket to turn the brass nut off.

I placed an order with www.victorypartspro.com to get a new front turn signal set on order plus a few other items I need.

I then turned my attention to removing the Kuryakyn left grip. Once again a cut off wheel on the Dremel made quick work of it. I cut a line through from end to end and then broke it off as I went. I then used a razor blade and Goof Off to remove the adhesive residue. Since the Hard-Ball didn't come with heated grips I also had to drill the two holes in the handlebar for the two securing screws of the left factory heated grip.

I won't be able to work on the bike at all next week. When I get back to it, I hope the parts will be soon to follow. Next up will be to replace the right Kuryakyn grip for the factory heated grip and then wire them up. I'll pull the tank at that time as well. One to remove the fuel pump and wrap a stainless wire around the fuel filter mount and secondly to get the switched driving light power from the left front tank mount into the headlight shell so I can wire up the driving lights.

 

[VSprocket]

Keep the updates coming Mark. Pics too. 😉

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

Kuryakyn vs. Victory factory heated grip:

 

[VSprocket]

Man, those Kuryakyn's have seen better days.

Any plans to service the forks?

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

Yes, the outer fork seals are dry rotted/cracked as well. I’ll service the forks at the next front tire (160/60 for sure) change. As well as replace the brake pads with Lyndall Gold. I’ll also install the cast front wheel I purchased from a fellow forum member at that same time using the existing rotors.

I’m still casually looking for a cast rear wheel. Asking prices of used rear wheels seem to run between $300 to $400 plus shipping which is insane when a brand new one is $348.

In a month or so I’ll get the S&S Stage 2 cams installed. I’ll likely have them install the new rubber intake pieces at that time as well. This bike originated from Louisiana and spent a great deal of time outside. Many rubber pieces are faded and/or dry rotted.

 

[IndyVictory]

Multiple front and rear XC wheels in Georgia on FB market. $300 for both. Not great, but about average.

I've thought about spares for tire changes but $300 is half what I'd spend on a decent No Mar tire changer. Getting tired of spoons.

The new to you bike is looking good.
I'm surprised you found OEM heated grips.

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

OEM heated grips are readily available at: www.victorypartspro.com
They’re a bit pricey but were available a few months ago. I originally bought them for my CCT. Now I’ll have to get another set.

$150 to $200 would be expected for a used rear wheel in great shape. Too many online have a worn out tire which only adds weight and size for shipping costs plus the need for me to remove the tire. I paid $50 for the cast front wheel in excellent shape. I know that was a great deal for me and the seller had no use for it so it got it out of his garage. Win - Win. Before I have a new tire mounted I need to install the FOBO T-Valve stems plus the associated brake rotors etc. and replace the bearings if they’re in doubt.

 

[arkvic]

OEM heated grips are readily available at: www.victorypartspro.com
They’re a bit pricey but were available a few months ago. I originally bought them for my CCT. Now I’ll have to get another set.

$150 to $200 would be expected for a used rear wheel in great shape. Too many online have a worn out tire which only adds weight and size for shipping costs plus the need for me to remove the tire. I paid $50 for the cast front wheel in excellent shape. I know that was a great deal for me and the seller had no use for it so it got it out of his garage. Win - Win. Before I have a new tire mounted I need to install the FOBO T-Valve stems plus the associated brake rotors etc. and replace the bearings if they’re in doubt.

need pics puhlease. all of this is just here say, heresy or conjecture on your part. in other words we need to see your progress to help while away these boring winter days! lol!!!

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

Another wonderful day in 2013 Hard-Ball ownership!

Yesterday I was heading into Jupiter, FL and I called Conquest Customs in Boca Raton. I called to ask if they by chance had a rear wheel for a Cross bike that was available. Steve (Preach) was glad to look while I was waiting online and sure enough, he had one! He said it was dirty but that he would get it cleaned up. We agreed I’d see him today on my way north from Miami. True to his word, Preach not only cleaned the rear wheel but he also verified the pulley and brake rotor threads were clean and 100% intact.

I got to Conquest Customs around noon today. Preach had cleaned up rear wheel enough to make it look like new. It was proudly displayed on the counter. It really looks great. Money was exchanged as well as a lot of wonderful conversation with Preach.

This is another shop that caters to Victory owners that we all need to support. They have what looked like over a dozen beautiful Victory motorcycles in the shop. Some in for service, some for sale on consignment and some owned by Conquest Customs for sale. If you’re within a nice ride or a drive of Conquest Customs, do yourself a huge favor and stop in. Buy something because you either need it or you may need it some day. This is a shop that has most certainly earned our support over the years.

Conquest Customs
171 NW 13th Street
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Tel: 561-715-9494

A couple months ago I also purchased a like new front cast wheel for the Hard-Ball from a fellow Vog member. I’ll most certainly install this rear mag wheel on the Hard-Ball at the next tire change. I’m still a little on the fence about either installing the mag front wheel or sealing the Hard-Ball spoked wheel at the next front tire change.

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

need pics puhlease. all of this is just here say, heresy or conjecture on your part. in other words we need to see your progress to help while away these boring winter days! lol!!!

Is this a cool license plate or what?

 

[arkvic]

Is this a cool license plate or what?

View attachment 639585

it is or what!? kiddin very cool mark.

 

[Obi Steve]

it is or what!? kiddin very cool mark.

Is this a cool license plate or what?

View attachment 639585

Well they did try, for 18 years.

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

Who turns Victory into defeat? Polaris Industries, that’s who.

 

[Obi Steve]

Here in Oz we could see it coming. Once they started selling Indians and Victories out of the same shop, they sold about 4 or 5 Indians for every Vic.
Let's face it, no Vic looks good covered with velcroed on leather fringes and tassels, and a lot of people wanted that rather than a fast, comfortable good handling motorcycle.

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

I finally have the oem heated grips installed and they work perfectly. Plus I love the Rick Fairless/Stroker’s Dallas bar ends.

I also got the two new front turn signals and the Show Chrome 3.5” LED black driving lights installed. I installed new stainless SHCS with a little anti-seize on the threads. I also installed a Mo-Do garage door opener. The extra room in the long headlight bucket is great. Plus I love the aesthetics of that headlight bucket.

Next up is to pull the tank and get the dedicated switched power supply harness pulled into the headlight bucket. As well as mount and wire up a USB charge port to the heated seat circuit.

I mounted the driving light switch on the right (light-right) and the heated grip switch on the left (heat-left). The bracket for these switches mounts directly under the speedo.

I have a chrome set of these same LED driving lights on the CCT and they work and look great.

When I get a chance to pull the tank I’ll also pull the fuel pump to wrap a loop of stainless wire around the fuel filter mount.

Having the CCT heated seat with the riders backrest, along with the CCT heated grips this Hard-Ball should be an even more fantastic go anywhere bike.

 

[arkvic]

I finally have the oem heated grips installed and they work perfectly. Plus I love the Rick Fairless/Stroker’s Dallas bar ends.

I also got the two new front turn signals and the Show Chrome 3.5” LED black driving lights installed. I installed new stainless SHCS with a little anti-seize on the threads. I also installed a Mo-Do garage door opener. The extra room in the long headlight bucket is great. Plus I love the aesthetics of that headlight bucket.

Next up is to pull the tank and get the dedicated switched power supply harness pulled into the headlight bucket. As well as mount and wire up a USB charge port to the heated seat circuit.

I mounted the driving light switch on the right (light-right) and the heated grip switch on the left (heat-left). The bracket for these switches mounts directly under the speedo.

I have a chrome set of these same LED driving lights on the CCT and they work and look great.

When I get a chance to pull the tank I’ll also pull the fuel pump to wrap a loop of stainless wire around the fuel filter mount.

Having the CCT heated seat with the riders backrest, along with the CCT heated grips this Hard-Ball should be an even more fantastic go anywhere bike.

what, no electric massage grips???

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

what, no electric massage grips???

‘Massage’ grips sound like an oem H-D attribute. The rider pays several 10’s of thousands of dollars and gets most of the bike parts that shake, a lot. I’m not sure if they have an electric option for when the motor is off though.

 

[Chattanooga_Mark]

It looks like Vic Baggers is under new ownership. Bill Gorby seems to be running it now. I’ve had wonderful experience buying from Bill a couple years ago. He made billet passenger floorboards to match the billet ones Polaris had made as a Victory accessory. Both the factory front boards and the rear boards Bill Gorby made are excellent.

Today I got the clutch actuating arm cover I ordered from Vic Baggers last week. The return address label has Bill’s name on it as well. I don’t know if this was an older Vic Baggers design or one of Bill’s. But it does look great on the Hard-Ball.

 

[541RF]

It looks like Vic Baggers is under new ownership. Bill Gorby seems to be running it now. I’ve had wonderful experience buying from Bill a couple years ago. He made billet passenger floorboards to match the billet ones Polaris had made as a Victory accessory. Both the factory front boards and the rear boards Bill Gorby made are excellent.

Today I got the clutch actuating arm cover I ordered from Vic Baggers last week. The return address label has Bill’s name on it as well. I don’t know if this was an older Vic Baggers design or one of Bill’s. But it does look great on the Hard-Ball.
View attachment 639666

Is that an easy pull cover? If it is did it adjust ok. I could not get mine to adjust and took it off.

 

[Bikesofbrads]

Is that an easy pull cover? If it is did it adjust ok. I could not get mine to adjust and took it off.

Not an easy pull leverage device just a cover, I have one ( not like that ) and man it sure makes that area look so much better