05-11-2007
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no schitt sherlock
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: toronto canaduh..
Posts: 504
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kramer
I had one too,till I blew my knee out and had to get something that started easier
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sportster knee..by donny petersen..
Heavy Duty Cycles Newsletter 12SPORTSTER® KNEE Ahh. The dreaded Sportster Knee. The Milwaukee Crippler is worn like a badge of courage by some. Many are unfortunate, or fortunate as the case may be, to have experienced this excruciating time honored ritualistic Harley rite of passage into manhood. Only in Harleydom can a disfiguring scar become a thing of beauty and tenure. Tenure is automatically earned by a bonebreaking or scarring roadrash accident. It is the fast track out of being
designated a new rider. Graduation is also earned through the debilitating injury known affectionately as Sportster Knee. You can earn the fascinated, admiring glances of the nouveau by grimacing your face in pain each time a step is taken on your bad "kicker" leg as the knee slips in and out of it’s damaged mating joint. Sometimes the afflicted veteran will have to proudly walk with the kicker foot splayed out to the side as the knee locks past the normal 90-degree angle. You’ve all seen these people. The advent of the electric start and the resultant demise of the kicker have largely wiped out this affliction. This e-start antibiotic that cured Sportster Knee is looked down upon by these grizzled old guys with their gray beards. They came from an era were men were men and women rode on the back.
The Callused Thumb
To have a right thumb callused from pushing an electric start is the tell tale mark of a lower social class. By the way; please don’t get mad at my politically incorrect comments. I’m only having fun describing "the way it was." You see these guys at any Harley event. They hobble with abandonment, having adapted to their mild disabling long ago. Most have graduated to a more comfortable bike with an electric start since their puberty rites into manhood are well established. They have earned the right…something that money cannot buy. Others are supremely proud and keep kicking their beloved Sportsters…..with the other leg….for they have learned how to avoid a doubling disablement. You see them standing beside their bike facing to the front. Holding the handlebars, they search for the compression stroke gently pushing down with their left leg as the steady themselves on their "bad" right leg. When the gentle pushes that indicate the intake or exhaust strokes are suddenly and firmly rebuffed by the advent of the compression stroke, it is time to propel the body up. Still grasping the handlebars, the veteran kicker, uses the resisting kick pedal to help the upward motion of the rest of his body. This is necessary to get all of the weight of the rider above the kicker to use both bodyweight and muscle to propel the kicker around and down forcefully and masterfully. For the kicking leg must be the boss….showing fear through hesitation will only result in the kick gears nefariously slipping. Lacking determination to finish this job properly, once started, will indicate weakness to the kick gears. They will delightfully use left over compression to snap back, with disastrous results, for he who showed fear.
The XL Kicker: A Primitive Lifeform
Now, the reader begins to understand. These supposedly inanimate gears are really a primitive lifeform that can sense fear, indecision or hesitation. They react instinctively to cripple their prey. Furthermore; they need to be taken care of and treated with respect or they get very cranky. Yes, indeed. Take them for granted and they will lie in wait for the opportunity to slip suddenly which will extend your leg past 90 degrees at and against the knee joint. Or, they might suddenly kick back with the help of their old pal "Compression." This folds your knee, albeit in the right direction but so fast that it strains the tendons and ligaments. Tired or cocky? Well, that’s when the gears turn the show over to Compression to strut his stuff. The contest begins as Compression tries to throw the hapless rider over the handlebars. How far is the only question. This is the equivalent to Harleydom’s game of shotput. Let the gear teeth round from inattention or not replace that kick start bushing as she wears beyond tolerance, or heaven forbid, allow the kick start cam plate to get unsightly gouges and the Sportster rider is about to be taught a painful lesson. For those in the know; whenever a Sporty rider goes to kick over the Beast, it is time to readjust the chair and take a sip of beer. The contest is about to begin. Will the rider get admiring glances from onlookers as he gently seeks the compression stroke? Not until he launches himself up over the kicker, follows through with determination and authority, hears the engine begin to cough, quickly blips the throttle to change the cough into a roar of appreciation as the Beast rumbles to life. Ahhhh! There’s nothing sweeter. Or! Does the sly Fox slip, sending the wounded rider to the ground writhing in agony as pity etches the faces of the onlookers. Orrrr! Does the predatory beast send the rider over the handlebars to display its strength over a mere mortal much to the merriment and derision of the crowd. No matter which of the three scenarios occur, it is of great interest to the Harley crowd. This is entertainment, Harley style, living or dying on the moment.The Big Twin had a more engaging kickstart, so to speak. It was tame. It might slip when badly worn or kick back occasionally in a lackadaisical way. Maybe the Sportster has a small man complex, out to prove his virility at every opportunity. "Come on, ya mother! Think ya can fool with me. I’ll show ya!" And show you it does!
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