A tear-jerking Big Red story
Hmmm, I don't know where to begin with this one. My friend just bought an 83 Big Red for $500. At first look, to me it just looked like it needed a little tlc. A seat cover, and a couple fender repairs, etc. However, I had the pleasure of helping him put the rear bearings in, (it kept throwing the chain).
His fix-it plans made me almost want to cry. He say about welding this, welding that, grinding this off, etc.
When we took the tires off, I was shocked to see what should have been round tubing making up the rear end, was bits of square tubing, all welded together, replacing the old rotted frame, it must've been driven in salt water.
The axle carrier had no grease in it. and there wasn't even any bearing seals, just the bearings.
He had taken the lid off his airbox because it wasn't getting enough air, instead of a clamp to hold the air filter in place, a stick was wedged in behind it, and to keep the stick from moving, an empty quart of oil was partly flattened, and the seat held that in place
Oh, and the seat, it actually had a new seat cover on it, it was made of roofing insulation paper, and the bracket was broken off in the front, and a bungee cord was utilized in keeping it on tight.
The battery was dead, so rather than buying the correct battery, a car battery was stuck in the tool box, and the wires going to it didn't even have tape, marrette's or anything, they were just twisted together.
And a final humorous note, where the exhaust and header go together, a large washer was welded to each side, and a spring pulling the 2 together was used to keep the joint tight.
I think that concludes my tale, if I think of anything else, you prolly wouldn't want to hear it, it would just be too saddening.
From the looks of things, this big red has had a hard life, and knowing my friend, it's only going to get worse 
Caution
Do not "POP WHEELIES" and run for any distance with the ATC. The oil capacity is relatively small and the oil will drain out of the oil pump area thus causing loss of oil pressure, resulting in costly engine damage -CLYMER
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your friend should geta good slap and told how to take care of a bike..its idiots like him that wreck everything...well actually..my friends cousins had all thses dirt bikes and sleds and what not..every time one of them broke they thew it in the LAKE behind there house..iv never met them but man i wana give em a good butt kickn
Originally Posted by mywifeknowseverything
