Delboy's Garage:- Five Thorny Biker Questions:- Lets have a debate ?

I always dress for the slide and not the ride

I'm not a biker but I've always loved your videos Del because you are an expert craftsman, you explain things so well and the camera work is superb. I see bikers acknowledging each other quite often. Also, a lot of bikers say thanks when you move over to let them pass, whether in stationary traffic or moving, and I appreciate that.

As for maintenance I am learning loadz and doing more and that is due to your excellent videos. Keep up the great content and you informative style of getting the point and detail across

On the subject of new bike prices, and H-D. There are over 1,600 Harleys for sale on AutoTrader right now. That’s a huge number for a company with such a small segment of the market. The days of Harley being able to charge over MSRP, and the two-three year waiting lists are long-gone. And with hefty new prices the oversupply will only get worse. I’m in the market for a ‘new’ (to me) Harley right now. I’ll likely buy an ’08 96” FXWG or FLHRCI; something with the ‘A’ motor. Or if it’s clean enough a nice early TC with its Timken bottom-end. There’s so much to choose from, each with pros and cons. Regardless, £7k gets you a very nice bike. There’s absolutely no need to buy new. As for other brands, I’ve really no idea. But I did see that the BMW R18 (which I’ve contemplated) seems to lose about half of its value in the first two years. That’s some huge depreciation. Who would buy new in the face of that?

Interesting debate. Image/clothing firstly. We have all seen the Tshirt and trainers rider out in this recent good weather. Have they ever seen a video showing the effect of sliding down the road, even at low speed and the subsequent hospital stay, skin grafts and recovery ?
I always where my protective jacket (with back protector), gloves and trousers. In summer, I normally wear riding jeans as a compromise. Should insurers look at the gear worn at the time of an accident and make adjustments to payments for 'contributory negligence' ?
Next, cost of new bikes.
I have only ever bought one brand new bike. My other purchases have always been nearly new or demonstrators, with the subsequent significant savings. Being retired, means my financial situation precludes most new bikes and their costs are now out of my reach.
In respect of servicing, I undertake the normal routine maintenance, but have an 'annual' service and inspection carried out by my local independent garage for peace of mind. In addition, if you have purchased a brand new bike, the warranty normally requires the bike to be serviced by a main dealer.
Keep up the good work and very interesting videos Del

On acknowledging other bikers. Here in the Isle of Man I reckon maybe half the bikers I encounter will return a nod. No hard pattern to the 'profile' but maybe BMW guys and power-rangers are the least likely. I'm getting about on a Guzzi at the moment (V11). Not sure how we're seen by other riders, or if that's even a factor, but it is kind of disappointing that in this biking Mecca the old rules don't always seem to apply.

OK. Lastly, ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME. I had an off in NZ in 2007. Riding through Christchurch city centre one Sunday morning. Cop up ahead had pulled a 'boy racer' style car. Had her lights flashing. I slowed to maybe 30kph. As I passed Mr Boy Racer decided to swing a u-turn and take off. My lovely Evo Springer went one way and I the other. But not before my left foot (in quality leather boots) got crushed between the car and bike. The boot split and my metatarsals snapped and broke through the skin. The pain was indescribable, but nothing like the new level of pain that resulted from infection around the pins. So much pain I came close to smashing things around me just for momentary distraction. Vomit-inducing pain. So, trainer riders, take it from me: ALL THE GEAR. ALL THE TIME.

1. Sportster ending: Had a few and loved them all – where will Harley Davidson be without their ‘kingpin’ model?
2. Bike prices: Never had a brand-new bike and never really wanted a new one – at 62 years old riding is just as much fun today on a fizzy as it was on my 1980’s unguided missiles.
3. Acknowledging bikers: I would always help a biker even when in my car.
4. Victim of your image: Wear a helmet – then no one knows who you are anyway!
5. Your own mechanic: Trained as a mechanic in 1979/80 and have always done all my own work, but I still learn things from your great channel – thank you Del and Penny!

Wierdly. I am mostly my own mechanic. I built my vn1500 chop and I am waiting on the time to strip and tart up my gsx1400. plus swap out the front end for busa forks. I do all the work I can on my kids bike. When it comes to the 2019 fatbob though. I put it in the shop for most things. I just have this shudder when I think of working on it. I moved the number plate myself and fitted a rear running light but when it comes to servicing I just don't know where to start on it. Ruddy American stuff. Great channel. Keep it up.

been riding bikes since I was 14 ,,, 56 years if me maths is correct ,, owned 1 car, ( Hillman avenger,,very second hand ) been in the trade since I were 20 ,,, so on saying that Couldnt get enthused about harleys , Have a 40 year old royal enfield ,,,so the price of new bikes arent a worry ,,, and they are cheap to run , I ALWAYS stop and Always wave ,,, even for car drivers ,,, and as for all the gear,,,, Helmet , gloves, strong pants ... and I still have my Rukka from way back in the day when I was a London DR ( 1980s) ,,, at the end of the day ,, its your choices ,,,and they aint mine ,,

Hi Del, been biking since 1975, passed bike test 1980, passed car test 1985. 1 - I always nod/gesticulate at other bikers. 2 - I have placed my helmet off curb behind bike when I had a puncture on my CB200 twin, a biker stopped, took off my wheel, gave me & wheel a lift to nearest bike shop & gave me lift back to bike with newly fitted tyre!! 3 - I’m not brand conscious, I generally wear the best gear I can afford. 4 - due to age of my bikes '81 GL1100 & '97 GL1500C F6C, no garages will service them, so I carry out all repairs and maintenance on my bikes, sometimes with a mates' help (mechanic).

It’s all about ruining the ICE market so when we are only able to buy EV stuff it won’t be a shock.Also bikers are a dying breed , motorcyclist owners who have a hobby for a while don’t seem to care about or understand the culture.

Seems like the XL was partially a victim of its success. The tech, look, and power didn’t change over the decades but the price for a new one sure did. Just get a used one, make it a custom, buy beer with the remaining money.

Corporate greed across the board, not just bikes. Workers haven’t seen much wage increases but everything is more expensive.

I always wave and Koreans always wave or bow back.

Can’t afford to let someone wrench on my bikes, financially or mentally. If something gets messed up I know who to yell at.

I’m not surprised at the amount of comments. I have two much smaller channels and have always responded to comments and feel as though my channels have a little community & that’s something that I had not with you guys. My son is on his third 48 having owned a sportster S(Honda Davidson), he had trouble selling it as no dealership was enthusiast. As for being cool🤣 at 72 my cool days are so far back I can’t remember but I like to think I look the part on my Lowrider ST but always with all protection. As my bike is under warranty it’s back to the dealership but I’ve fitted all my mods. I’ve said it before Del/ Penny I love the channel and this new dimension is I think make your community even more engaged.👍👍👍

Once again, my go-to guy is talking about things that we find important.
Yes, there was a big mistake with the Sportster.
Yes, bikes are too expensive, but the marketing men will still tell us they are a bargain.
Yes, I actually stopped yesterday in Glencoe as a biker had stopped on the side of the road. But it was just there to take a photo 😅
Yes, proper gear all day long. But the image seems to have taken over. Some adventure riders spend thousands on the gear but don't even bump up a kerb 😅
Yes, I've got into spannering since finding your channel
Easy to follow content
And finally, YES, you do reply to comments
Good Luck 👍

I have always worked on my own bikes, taught by my old man when he had an Arial square 4.
As for the lid on the floor behind your bike, it is internationally recognised, I know this from my days in Canada 07 to 09.
Whilst I always acknowledge other riders I have noticed a massive drop off of the return nod. Not so in Europe, their still the same with every biker they meet.
How about a Victory for your next bike to work on and film😊
I always wear the proper gear, even though I ride cruisers these days, and still looking good😅😅😅.
I did forget to state, that I watch regularly for some of your awesome tips. Every days a school day.

- Bought a Sportster, part of UK Sickness, then bought a £30k Street Glide (thats some business model!!!)
- Always a nod, unless in europe where its 2 fingers down...unless in France, where its 2 fingers up 🤣🤣
- Always slow down with a thumbs up, unless i see a helmet down, then im stopping to help

- Knox under armor always!!! Got side swiped into the centre reservation on the M40 3 days ago, smacked my knee on the barrier. If i was just in jeans, Id have a leg missing.
- Half and half, its nice to tinker but for big jobs i take it in (also, this depends on where you go, cost, reputation etc) Shout out to RevsHog!!!

Side note, your post production has always been excellent, theres a level of ASMR and birds chirping thats just chilled.

2 things I'd like to comment on: yes I nod and find a lot nod back, and also I service my own motorcycle and feel it is does enhance the motorcycle ownership and add to the experience. Especially when fitting new parts or cleaning something so it operates better and feeling the difference when riding. It's a level of satisfaction and achievement those that don't work on their bikes don't get 👨‍🔧

There are many bikes from India that are air cooled and pass emissions, so I’m sure the Sportster could have carried on. One of my bikes is a Sportster (48 with a stage 2) and it’s a fantastic bike. The clubs are great and very friendly ( unlike a lot of the other clubs with their clicky long timers.

On cost of bikes - the west is at a huge disadvantage in terms of manufacturing, so needs to make abroad to stay competitive. Middle men take more and legislation also takes a lot ( eg homologation) . But India and China stay competitive , as they have lower energy and Labour costs and are supported by their governments to encourage manufacturing.

Re nods - I always nod and have nods back. Some sports bike riders and BMW GS riders will be snobbish , especially if I’m on a Harley. But most nod back. I regularly stop for cars, vans bikes etc and have fixed all sorts of vehicles , engines, punctures etc etc. too many to list. It’s just what you do right?

Even in the hottest weather, I’ll wear leather jacket, leather boots ( though maybe docs when v hot), leather gloves and COVEC, or Kevlar jeans. It’s never that hot in the U.K. not to. Once moving, you cool down. It’s not a fashion statement, but as a biker in my late 50s, I know the consequences of being unprotected. The caveat is that you need to be cool enough to have the concentration and focus.

I’m a self taught amateur mechanic out of necessity when I was younger and now I guess there’s pride and satisfaction involved. A good mechanic is becoming a rare thing as well and I don’t like relying on other people

I enjoy working on my own motorcycle and thanks to you Del I usually find the appropriate video first. For example, I recently serviced the fork seals on my Blackbird. Watched your video over and over, then started. Took my phone with me whilst I worked, just paused it when I needed to. My eldest steplad and me have rebuild a couple of bike using this method. I will always wear t shirt, jog bottoms and trainers with my overalls over the top to work on my bike. When I heed to test it I will get changed in to my leathers to take it for a short spin, or if the weathers iffy i'll wear my goretex stuff.

I will always stop for a fellow rider if i can. Your videos are gold Del. Keep it up buddy.

The 1250 sportster thing is just a way for HD to use the engine they put in the pan America that flopped. The 975 nightster looks more like the sportster, not ridden that, but hear its a mixed bag, love it or hate it

I'm shocked to learn from you that the Sportster has been shelved! A crazy decision. Possibly as bad as KTM's decision not to sponsor 'The Long Way Round'! I love my 2001 Sportster Custom :)

It's no accident that we're being priced off the road. The end game is for private vehicles to be limited to the very wealthy. We'll be reduced to public transport or walkable 15 minute cities.

Regarding your 5th question, working on bikes, thanks in a great part to your videos I'm actually gaining in confidence to tackle things myself :)

As an old school biker nearing 70 I always wave or nod to other bikers - you can tell who is unlikely to acknowledge the wave - BMW GS and HD riders seem to think they are above that sort of thing! I do all my own servicing as I never had the money when I was younger to pay someone else to do it - we bought cheap bikes then and learned how to maintain them by trial and error! The helmet at the back of the bike (just a couple of metres behind) has always been a sign of needing help as far as I know, and I certainly would stop if I saw this. Finally, a big thankyou to yourself for all your videos - they are well presented and extremely informative. I like when you present your way of doing things which you have tried and tested, and also the explanation of tools that you use - the sales of the cable oiler you presented recently must have rocketed! Keep the videos coming, I don't know what I would do without them, especially on rainy days!

HD have made some strange decisions. Was it incompetence or political. Time may tell.
Here in Ontario Canada every one gives the wave. Well except the 2% ers. 
If you stop on the side of the road here and you don't give approaching bikers a thumbs up as they approach you will have a crowd of bikers stopping, offering phone tools, whatever they have its great.
The company I did my rider training with here in Toronto, RTI (great company) actually teach the helmet on the ground distress signal.
I always wear jeans boots and leather jacket and gloves. All for comfort and safety. I refuse to were anything with some other guys name on it. All un-braded. Is that an image. I don't know.
Ya I am my own mechanic and I give you a lot of the credit Del. So thank you. I didn't ride when I lived and grew up in Ireland so I don't know what the motorcycle repair industry is like there or with you in the UK Del. But here in Ontario Canada I have found the industry to be extremely unprofessional, rude and worst of all, some times just down right incompetent. I will say that Harley service is an exception but you pay big time for that. I mean day days wages for an oil change.
So with inspiration from you I do my own wrenching. Thanks Mate.

So I own a Harley and some sport bikes and its funny how alot of Harley riders wont acknowledge me while im on my Sport bike but do when im on my Harley...Im the same guy either way ;)

Hi Del i tend to do my own spannering
I've watched you fir many years and enjoy your content 👍

Ride fltc but Harley lost there way same as amf era

I mechanic my own 89 Harley only way I’ve learned to fix it or mod it

Quick replies: Yes, I do greet other bikers with a wave or a sideways nod, depending on where I am. Yes, I do stop, when I see another biker stopped at the roadside. And, yes, I do my own mechanic-ing and wrenching and that's also why I am watching your channel and Allen Millyard's and other similar ones, to learn how to do things. I make notes of hints and tips during the videos, note down brands of products used and of tools, if I don't yet have them. Often I paste the URL of the relevant videos into my notes, so I can look back at the vids, when something isn't quite clear.
So: Thanks very much for your videos and especially the clarity in showing and explaining what you are doing and why. Cheers!

This is so true.. I was really impressed with how quickly you responded to all of my few and 'insignificant' comments.

This channel is perfectly watchable and made even better by the comment interaction.

Yer I still wave ,stop to help or make sure a fellow rider is good when stoped.And always love working on my own bikes. That’s why I love your channel.big 👍🏻.oh yer iam a harly rider ,but don’t care what other riders ride .just like the community of riding. Just wear what you want,safety should be up to you.

I think it’s horrible, what Harley Davidson has become. I think it can be summed up in this one verse: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness…
‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Harley Davidson started caring more about money than their loyal customers.

The high prices of motorcycles, full of technology that no one needs or wants and putting cheaper parallel twins, in almost every new motorcycle, but not passing the savings to the customers.
Running themselves out of business, by alienating the first time young (Broke) buyer. Which is why I believe Royal Enfield is knocking it out of the park. They get it.

I dress for the slide, not the ride. I wear full gear all the time.

Yes, I am, my own mechanic, and I thank God for you and other content creators like you!

Bobs your uncle ❤️

2011 Sprint GT 1050
Houston TX

HD i soon history 👨‍✈️
And i stay to my Multistrada 1000DS as long i can. Totally agree price is a joke this days. 😎
Im my self and has always been. No trends/gimmick or nothing to prove. Me and my bikes 2 my Duc and my beloved Honda Xl 500R 82 mod. We are still in love after 44 years ❤
I glad you are here man ❤

I think 2 subjects overlap . The price of bikes and being your own mechanic .I started riding 50+ years ago and had to learn to fix my bikes because of lack of funds .There seem to be a lot less cheap bikes to buy and repair and newer bikes are more difficult to repair . I've tried to teach my grandkids some things but cheap bikes from back in the day are now turning into collectables and expensive .There will probably come a time when I'll need a dealer to do my service / repair job but not looking forward to it .

Could not give a shit less about Harley and the Sportster.
I have never bought a new bike from a stealer, never will. Is the culture dying? I don't see that. just evolving. Heavy cruisers are dying off, many of the manufactures have moved away from them.
I don't wave, I am a solo rider and I don't want to be your "brother"
I wear a jacket, full face, gloves, boots and pants. Nothing I wear has a logo or name on it.
I don't stop and I don't want anyone else stopping for me, I have a phone and a pair of boots that work just fine
I do all my own work on my bikes, I can not trust any dealer or independent not to fuck up my bike.
Yes, I have trust issues with people I don't know.

Have a look at "Twoodfrd' : guitar repair and set-up. Nothing to do with bikes at all; but plenty to do with what Derick is saying. (What do I know? Nothing! I just watch and enjoy) Ted puts together a body of work that is interesting and informative on his subject. Much the same as Del boy and the bikes.

Hi Del. First of all i want to say how much i enjoy your channel. Absolute first class content.👌🏻So, I live in Germany and we do the two finger salute thing over here. I will salute every bike that i see. Other Harley‘s, Sports bikes etc. If you are on two wheels then you are a friend of mine. I have and will continue to stop if I see a biker on the side of the road. I didn’t know about the international distress signal, so thanks for that. I do all of the work on my bikes and cars myself, unless it is the new daily driver and i don’t touch them. I was sick of paying good money for second rate work so when we moved to a house with a garage I decided that I would at least attempt to do everything myself. For me this is a big part of the ownership experience and something that I find very rewarding. If it’s not your thing then I completely understand. No judgement from me. Lastly, I always were protective gear. There are so many choices out there and companies like Rokker and John Doe make some great looking armored clothing. It doesn’t have to be full Power Ranger styles leathers or an outfit straight out of The Blue Oyster Bar anymore.😁

I work on my own bikes over the years as I was growing up if you didn’t no one else would ,so you learn quickly 😂 my bike today is the 02 883 sportster and a 2009 Honda 125i that I use for a run about and like many other people had all different sizes bikes and alway respect for any size motorcycle.

I don’t dress up for any particular bike as back in the days it was a leather jacket ,jeans and dm boots or work boots . I do use safety gear but nothing fancy. I think the young ones don’t have the same interest, CBT test put a lot off and insurance. No matter what bike or gear you use stay safe on the roads, lot’s of vehicles seem to think you’re invisible and yes I always wave a hand at other motorcycles but have found a lot of motorcycles don’t especially when I’m on the 125😂.

Completely agree on the Harley Sportster issue ,all the gear always , not a mechanic but do as much as I can myself just not internals , always nod or wave but don't always get it back that just means they ain't serious bikers , I would always stop and check interesting on the international distress idea i'll bare that in mind .👍

Well I try to do some stuff myself to save garage costs, done a few bits over winter on the old xjr, throttle cables, wheel bearing, ignition switch rebuild among other stuff, now it won’t run properly, misfires at low revs, so really difficult to ride, don’t know it it’s something I’ve done or not 🤷‍♂️ trying different things, hopefully get to the bottom of it soon. Stay safe out there brother

Short answer, 73yo. always acknowledge - self mechanics - stop to help. 🏍👍❤

I work on my own bikes because I learnt the hard way, that NOBODY cares for my bikes more than I do. 👍

I would love to own a Harley Davidson,
I've been riding motorcycles for over 50 years and I have two Royal Enfields, an Interceptor and Hunter, i would have loved to own a Harley, but unfortunately now I'm a pensioner, it's just a dream, I think this is why Royal Enfields are so popular, they are cheaper to buy new, and very user Serviceable bikes,
And yes unfortunately waving to eachother passing on bike's seems to be dying out sadly, I'm old school, we always did it, but a lot of folks nowadays especially bike Touring or Sports types, seem to ride past nose in the air attitude sadly, and yes I would stop if i thought a rider needed help 👍
No I always ride with a leather jacket and proper gear 👍
For years i only did Oil and filter changes, but since I bought my Interceptor and Hunter, I now do all my own servicing, Tappets ect 👍
Great Channel 👍
Cheers Paul 👍

Dress for the wreck not for the ride.

Was checking out the 2025 Harley models online this morning..
HD doesn't even publish the price of the new CVO Road Glide RR. (Only 131 are being built), how am i to know by how much i'm unable to afford it, if they won't tell me the price 🤑😱 😂 ?

Wow, what a response!... at this point, 24hrs after posting the video, it currently stands at 544 comments... what incredible engagement, thank you all so much for pitching in and getting involved. Here today we have given birth to an entirely new format that we now intend to follow once a month... Obviously with a busy filming schedule, plus day jobs, we have, at this point, spent a whole day engaging with your comments and interacting with all of your wonderful opinions! ...But as you can imagine we have become a little 'swamped' by all of your kind comments, so if we don't get to answer you all, please understand that we've read every single one and we look forward to next month's episode with some more subjects to debate! Thank You All