Gastown Garage & NBD Cycles #467

La Mesa is a city in the San Diego area of California. The host mentions it to locate Gastown Garage geographically.

“124 M8” refers to a Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight (M8) engine with a 124 cubic-inch displacement. It’s a modern Harley V-twin platform compared with older big-twin engines like the Panhead.

Fuel injection is an engine control system that meters fuel electronically instead of using a carburetor. The host says he doesn’t work on fuel-injected bikes because he lacks the specialized equipment to diagnose and tune them.

A dyno (dynamometer) is a machine used to measure engine output and behavior under controlled load. Shops often use it to tune fuel/ignition settings—especially important for modern fuel-injected engines.

The Yamaha V Star is a cruiser-style motorcycle line from Yamaha. In this segment, the host describes buying one and then tearing it apart, which is a common “learn by wrenching” path for new riders.

An “FXR” is Harley-Davidson’s FXR model line, and “84 FXR” refers to a 1984 Harley-Davidson FXR. This matters because the FXR is a classic Harley platform people build and modify heavily, so “first full build” implies hands-on fabrication and assembly rather than just buying a finished bike.

A “motor swap” means removing one engine and installing another in the same motorcycle. In a build-and-flip workflow, it’s often used to keep the bike running while the original engine is rebuilt, tuned, or sold.

“Break it in” refers to the early running-in period after an engine rebuild or installation, where you operate it gently to help new internal parts seat properly. It’s a common practice in performance builds to reduce the risk of premature wear.

Harley-Davidson is a motorcycle brand best known for its big V-twin engines and distinctive cruiser styling. In this segment, the host uses it as a shorthand for the culture and identity of the town they’re talking about.

LNS motorcycles is presented as a custom-motorcycle parts and build brand focused on styling and performance upgrades. In this segment, they’re positioned as supplying both “bold” custom components and premium parts lines for touring and big-custom builds.

An air cleaner (air filter housing) manages airflow into the engine by filtering incoming air. Custom “big sucker” air cleaners are often chosen for styling and can also change intake airflow characteristics.

Carbon fiber is a lightweight, high-strength composite material often used in motorcycle and performance parts to reduce mass while maintaining stiffness. In this segment it’s mentioned as part of a newer line of upgraded components.

Kabuto is a motorcycle helmet brand known for performance-oriented designs and safety engineering. Here, the host highlights specific aerodynamic features and safety technologies used in their helmets.

A Crest Spoiler is an aerodynamic add-on/shape on the helmet designed to influence airflow and reduce lift or instability. In this segment it’s paired with the Wake Stabilizer to support high-speed stability.

A Wake Stabilizer is an aerodynamic feature on a helmet intended to manage airflow around the rider’s head. The goal is to improve stability by reducing disruptive turbulence at speed.

MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a helmet safety technology designed to reduce rotational forces during certain impacts. The segment frames it as a safety standard used alongside other helmet materials and construction.

ACT tech is referenced as a helmet construction/safety technology used in the helmet’s composite shell. The segment doesn’t define it further, but it’s presented as part of the helmet’s engineering package.

A MotoGP race helmet is a full-face helmet category designed for high-speed motorcycle racing, typically emphasizing aerodynamic stability, strong impact protection, and ventilation. The host uses this label to describe the F17’s intended performance use.

Texas is referenced as the location where the rider experiences extremely hot summer days. That context explains why ventilation matters for the helmet choice discussed in this segment.

A shaft drive is a drivetrain that uses a rotating driveshaft (instead of a chain or belt) to send power from the engine to the rear wheel. It’s common on some motorcycles because it can reduce routine maintenance compared with chain drives.

Tire sizing like “26 or 30 inch” refers to the tire’s overall diameter, which strongly affects how hard it is to mount. Very large diameters can exceed what typical tire machines can handle, making manual or improvised mounting methods more likely.

The “zip tie method” described is a workaround for mounting very large tires when standard tire-mounting tools are difficult to use. By securing the tire bead with zip ties, the tire can be positioned more easily, then the ties are cut once the tire is seated.

“Over 240” is almost certainly referring to tire width in millimeters (e.g., a 240 mm wide tire). Wider “fat tire” setups can be much harder to mount and fit, and they often require special wheels, clearance, and mounting techniques.

A tubeless tire seals directly to the wheel rim, so it doesn’t need an inner tube. That design can change how the spokes and rim area look, and it affects how tire changes are done on bikes like the BMW Pan America mentioned here.

The BMW Pan America is BMW’s adventure-touring motorcycle line built for long-distance riding and mixed surfaces. In this segment, the hosts talk about its wheels and tires—specifically how the wheel/tire setup affects tire changes.

Wheel bearings are the precision parts that let a wheel spin smoothly while supporting the vehicle’s weight. When they fail, you can get rough movement, noise, and even loss of stability—especially noticeable at the rear wheel where loads are high.

The hub is the central part of a wheel that the axle passes through, and it’s where the bearings and spoke tension are effectively managed. If the hub is damaged or “fucked,” it can make the wheel unreliable and hard to keep true.

A “spoke wheel” uses thin metal spokes to connect the rim to the hub, rather than a solid wheel design. Spoke wheels can be repaired by addressing tire punctures and also by re-tensioning spokes if the wheel goes out of true.

“Plugging” a tire refers to using a rubber plug inserted into a puncture to seal it from the inside. It’s a common roadside fix for certain punctures, but it may not be realistic depending on the tire damage and the wheel/tire setup.

A tire patch is an internal repair applied after removing the tire, sealing the puncture more permanently than a quick external fix. For spoke-wheel setups, removing the tire can be more involved, so patching may not be practical on a tight timeline.

Wheel size is usually described by the rim diameter in inches. When someone says “18 inch” in a motorcycle context, they’re talking about the diameter of the wheel rim, which affects tire choice, ride feel, and how “skinny” or “meaty” the tire looks.

A “130 tire” refers to the tire’s width (130 mm) as part of the tire sizing system. Wider or narrower tires change the bike’s stance and how the wheel/tire combo visually reads—especially when they’re talking about “skinny” wheels.

“21 front” refers to a 21-inch front wheel diameter, which is a common choice on many cruiser/touring motorcycles. Pairing a larger front wheel with a smaller rear wheel changes the bike’s stance and proportions, which is exactly what the hosts are debating here.

“Nine spoke rotors” appears to refer to a wheel/rotor design with nine spokes (a specific visual style of wheel hardware). In this context, it’s part of a discussion about aftermarket-looking wheel/rotor setups and how pricing compares.

A “four speed cover” is the protective housing/cover associated with a four-speed gearbox. In practice, it’s part of the drivetrain packaging—what you see externally—and it can help identify what transmission is installed or what parts were swapped during a build.

A “four speed gearbox” means the car uses a transmission with four forward gears. That matters because gear ratios, shift feel, and how the car drives at different speeds all depend on which gearbox is installed.

“Mounting” refers to the brackets/points that physically attach the transmission to the vehicle. If someone says it’s a “five speed mounting” but contains a “four speed gearbox,” they’re pointing out a mismatch between the mounting hardware and the internal gearbox.

A “trap door extension” sounds like a specific extension/housing piece used to route or cover parts of the drivetrain area. In this context, it’s being used to describe how the four-speed setup is packaged externally (what covers/sections are present).

“Kicker” is used as slang for the full set of related drivetrain components—basically the whole package. Here it’s paired with “four speed cover” to emphasize that the speaker thinks they had the complete, correct external setup.

A cold start is the first engine start after the vehicle has sat and the engine is at ambient temperature. Starting from cold often requires extra fuel and a specific sequence (like priming and choke) so the mixture can ignite reliably.

A choke is a device (or control) used during starting to enrich the air-fuel mixture. On carbureted setups, it restricts airflow so more fuel vapor is drawn in, helping the engine start when it’s cold.

“Electric start” means the motorcycle uses a starter motor powered by a battery to crank the engine. If the starter isn’t used correctly (or the system is finicky), the bike may not fire reliably until you follow the proper starting routine.

“LDL” is mentioned as something you “go down and do,” but the transcript doesn’t provide enough context to confirm what it stands for in motorcycle terms. It could be a local shop/service step or a specific maintenance/learning procedure, but the exact meaning isn’t clear from this segment.

A “chopper” is a customized motorcycle style known for stretched frames, long front ends, and an intentionally aggressive silhouette. In motorcycle culture, choppers also carry a strong identity tied to specific build aesthetics and rider communities.

“Performance baggers” are touring motorcycles (the “bagger” part refers to saddlebags) that are built or tuned for stronger acceleration and higher-speed stability, not just long-distance comfort. They typically get upgraded engines, exhaust, suspension, and brakes compared with stock touring bikes.

“Softail” is Harley-Davidson’s suspension design where the rear suspension is hidden under the frame for a classic rigid-looking look. “Low Rider” is a specific Harley-Davidson model line known for a lower stance and cruiser ergonomics.

FXR is a Harley-Davidson model family (the “FXR” name is shorthand for a specific sportier, earlier cruiser platform) that’s strongly associated with the chopper/custom scene. In this context, the speaker is talking about people shifting toward FXR-style bikes as tastes blend between eras and styles.

“Carbureted” refers to engines that use a carburetor to mix fuel and air mechanically, rather than electronic fuel injection. Carbureted bikes are often associated with older designs and a more “classic” feel, even though modern bikes can be made to run similarly well with tuning.

“T bars” are a handlebar style—typically tall, wide bars shaped like a “T”—that change how a motorcycle feels and fits. In this segment, they’re being discussed as a customization choice that you may or may not want depending on your own taste and comfort.

“Dyna” refers to Harley-Davidson’s Dyna motorcycle line, which was known for its cruiser character and (in many years) a distinctive frame and suspension feel. Here, the speaker is describing their first Dyna and how they later changed their handlebar setup after realizing it wasn’t “me.”

A full-face helmet is a motorcycle helmet that covers the entire head, including the chin and jaw area. The hosts are discussing how wearing a full-face helmet changes their riding confidence and behavior compared with other helmet styles.

“Dyna FXR” refers to Harley-Davidson’s Dyna-family FXR model, which is a popular platform for bagger-style touring builds. In this segment, they’re using it to describe the type of bike they ride and why they switch helmet styles when they’re on that setup.

“Millimeter” here is referring to a bike component size measured in mm, and the speaker is arguing about what diameter/width looks and rides right. In bike culture, these sizes often correspond to wheel, tire, or fork-related dimensions, and changing the number can noticeably affect fit and handling feel.

The speaker is using “49” as a millimeter size preference for a bike component, implying that once they go above 39 mm they’d rather jump to 49 mm. This kind of sizing choice typically changes how the bike fits and can affect ride feel and stability.

“Swinger bike” is shorthand for a motorcycle that uses a swingarm rear suspension layout. The swingarm is the pivoting arm that carries the rear wheel, and it’s a key part of how different Harley generations and custom builds are categorized.

A “spring arm” refers to a motorcycle rear suspension setup where the spring is integrated into the swingarm area. In custom-building talk, it’s part of the discussion about which suspension style is appropriate for a given bike’s era or look.

“Springer” refers to a springer front fork—an older-style Harley-Davidson front suspension with a distinctive sprung fork design. The speaker is debating whether you can swap that front end onto another bike while staying consistent with the bike’s intended era and look.

“Period correct” means building or restoring a motorcycle using parts, styling, and specifications that match what was available in the bike’s original time period. In enthusiast circles, it’s often used to judge whether a custom build is historically faithful versus just aesthetically similar.

A carb swap means replacing a motorcycle’s carburetor setup (or changing to a different carb) to alter how fuel is mixed with air. Riders often do this to change throttle response, simplify tuning, or support performance mods, especially on older or heavily modified builds.

A wheelie is when a motorcycle lifts its front wheel off the ground under acceleration. It’s a common way riders test how much traction and torque the bike has, and it usually requires enough power and careful throttle control.

“Third gear” is a specific transmission ratio used for mid-range acceleration—often where a bike can have strong torque without being too high in the rev range. Mentioning it alongside wheelies suggests the rider is talking about using the bike’s power band effectively.

“Evo” here refers to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (often shortened to “Evo”), a performance sedan known for all-wheel-drive traction and turbocharged power. The host says they bought a “98 Evo” for “900 bucks” and then “dumped five G’s into it,” describing a classic cheap-buy-to-build approach.

“Rollers” in this context likely refers to rolling tests or rolling-road style performance checks—ways to evaluate how the bike accelerates under load rather than just at idle. It’s a shorthand riders use when talking about real-world or dyno-like behavior.

This is the “project never ends” mindset common in enthusiast builds: once you finish one task, new issues or upgrades appear, especially on older machines. It’s a situational concept about how ongoing maintenance and tinkering can become part of the hobby loop.

On many motorcycles, the primary fluid is the lubricant used in the primary drive area, which connects the engine to the transmission. If it leaks, it often points to a seal or gasket issue in that primary/engine interface.

A torque sequence is the tightening order used when fastening parts (often in a specific pattern) so the gasket or seal compresses evenly. Doing it out of order—or not to the correct torque—can cause uneven sealing and leaks.

An O-ring is a rubber sealing ring that sits in a groove and compresses to prevent fluid from escaping. In this case, the speaker says the O-ring seals the primary to the motor, so if it’s not sealing correctly, primary fluid leaks.

“Seals the primary to the motor” describes the sealing interface between the primary drive housing and the engine. That joint relies on correct gasket/O-ring compression; if alignment or bolt tightening isn’t right, it can leak primary fluid.

Gaskets are sealing materials placed between two surfaces to prevent leaks. The host is discussing “pay for gaskets” and how certain sealant/gasket approaches work great until you have to remove the part and clean everything thoroughly.

A scraper is a tool used to remove old gasket material or sealant residue from mating surfaces. The host describes pulling out the scraper and spending a long time cleaning, which is a common step when you’re re-sealing a leak after disassembly.

RTV (room-temperature vulcanizing) is a silicone-based sealant that cures at normal temperatures. The host is saying that if the leak continues, they’ll seal it with RTV—essentially using a gasket/sealant approach to stop fluid escaping around a joint.

“Foam at gasket” here refers to a foam gasket material used as the sealing interface instead of an O-Ring. The idea is that foam compresses to fill small gaps, improving sealing when the mating surfaces don’t align perfectly.

Misalignment means the sealing surfaces aren’t perfectly positioned relative to each other, so the seal can’t compress evenly. In gasket work, that can cause leaks even if you use the correct seal material.

“Torquing a bolt” means tightening a fastener to a specific torque value using a torque wrench. The goal is to clamp the parts together with the correct force so the joint stays secure without overstressing the threads or fastener.

Dirty threads (or threads with debris/contamination) increase friction during tightening. That friction can make a torque wrench reading misleading, because the torque is partly spent overcoming friction rather than producing the intended clamping force.

“Chasing the threads out” means cleaning and restoring damaged or contaminated threads using the correct thread tool (like a tap or thread chaser). This helps ensure consistent friction and more accurate torque-to-clamp behavior.

A “false reading” here means the torque wrench number doesn’t correspond to the actual clamping force at the joint. Because friction changes how torque is converted into bolt stretch, contaminated threads can cause the wrench to stop at the wrong effective result.

“Prep work” refers to the detailed preparation steps before final assembly—cleaning surfaces, ensuring correct fitment, and verifying alignment/flatness. In torque-sensitive joints, good prep reduces friction variability and helps the fasteners achieve the intended clamp load.

“Flatness” and “trueness” are checks for how straight and even a surface is. For assemblies that rely on sealing or uniform clamping, uneven surfaces can prevent full contact and lead to leaks, poor load distribution, or inconsistent torque results.

“Twin cam” is a Harley-Davidson engine family name that uses two camshafts (one per cylinder bank) to control valve timing. In this context, the host is talking about doing “twin cam swaps” on an FXR and why those engines tend to seal up better than alternatives.

“Shift shaft seals” are seals that prevent oil from leaking where the transmission’s shift mechanism passes through the case. The host is emphasizing that on twin-cam setups, these seals can be a real leak point, and they’re often a focus when troubleshooting.

In this context, “drip” is shorthand for a minor oil leak that’s noticeable but not necessarily catastrophic. The speaker contrasts small seepage (“if it’s a drip”) with bigger leaks that should be addressed immediately.

Guide pins are alignment features that control how two components mate during installation. They reduce the chance of shifting while you tighten fasteners, which is especially important when you’re trying to keep the drivetrain and related components straight.

Dowel pins are precision alignment pins used to locate two parts in the exact same position every time. In drivetrain work, they help ensure components like housings and mounting points line up so you don’t introduce misalignment during assembly.

“Inter primary” refers to the primary drive area on a motorcycle—between the engine’s power source and the transmission/primary chain or belt system. Getting the inter-primary components correctly installed matters because it affects alignment, engagement, and overall drivetrain smoothness.

The swingarm is the pivoting rear suspension arm that carries the rear wheel. When the transmission is “locked in” to the swingarm area, it helps establish stable geometry so the engine and drivetrain alignment stays consistent.

Heim joints (spherical rod ends) are adjustable, low-friction linkages used in motorcycle and custom suspension setups. Because they allow controlled movement at the joint, they help you dial in geometry without binding, which supports straight, consistent alignment.

Solid mount bushings replace softer rubber isolation with a stiffer mounting setup. On a motorcycle, that usually reduces drivetrain and engine movement, making the bike feel more “rigid everywhere,” which can improve alignment consistency during installation and riding.

“M8” refers to Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight engine family. The speaker uses it as the benchmark for sound and feel, implying the M8’s modern design changes the engine’s character compared to older Harley engines like Twin Cam and Evo.

“Rocker boxes” are the covers over the valvetrain components (like rocker arms) on an internal-combustion engine. When people say they “go crooked,” they’re usually describing fitment/sealing issues that can lead to leaks, misalignment, or annoying maintenance on that engine.

A “six-speed transmission” is a gearbox with six forward gear ratios, used to keep the engine in its efficient/power band across different speeds. The host specifically claims the Evo’s “twin six speed transmissions” are “bulletproof,” framing them as durable and desirable for reliability.

“Bulletproof” is an enthusiast slang term meaning extremely durable and unlikely to fail under normal use or even hard driving. In this segment it’s used as a reliability claim about the Evo’s six-speed transmissions.

“Baker six” appears to refer to a specific aftermarket engine build or engine package based on a six-cylinder configuration, discussed here as a high-cost alternative (“34 grand”). The host contrasts it with much cheaper used parts sourced online.

“110 CBO” is likely a specific engine variant or displacement/kit designation (common in motorcycle/engine circles), mentioned as a complete “motor” package. The host is emphasizing that you can buy a whole drivetrain for far less than a premium custom build.

eBay is an online marketplace where used parts and complete drivetrains are commonly sold. Here it’s used to illustrate that you can source whole engine/drivetrain assemblies cheaply compared with buying a premium built package.

“Gray cases” refers to the color/finish of an engine’s crankcase or housing, used as a quick identifier for a particular engine batch or variant. The host is basically saying the cheap eBay packages tend to come from that specific-looking configuration.

“Five speeds” refers to a 5-speed transmission in a motorcycle, meaning the gearbox has five forward gear ratios. The host is emphasizing that the stock 5-speed setup is durable and easy to service.